Sharada’s October update

The leaves are falling, the tomatoes and cucumbers are ripe and the sun is still shining – precious days before the rains set in. This season of change is upon us once again, part of an ongoing cycle. Change can be unsettling and also liberating, depending on our response to it, yet it’s the nature of life that things change. Plants die and become compost for new growth.

In this season of change, Shankar has decided to step down as director of the Centre after four years in that position. A new director will be hired shortly, and the Centre will continue to flourish as it has done over all these years. Freed from his Centre duties, Shankar is optimistic, poised for whatever comes next.

Autumn is also a season of thankfulness for the many gifts we have been given. In that spirit, I would like to thank Shankar for his dedication to the Centre; I’ve had the good fortune to work closely with him these past few years, and I am grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to learn from each other. Shankar has contributed to the wellbeing of the Centre in so many ways – from teaching to satsang to guitar lessons for karma yogis –  plus  the many projects he has been involved in, from building to farm to meetings and office work. That, of course, is an incomplete list, as things that need attention can come up at any time. The theme of sustainability has run throughout his tenure as director.

A month and a half remains till the end of the Centre’s program season. As always, the karma yogis who are here make a strong community; everyone’s presence matters and everyone’s contributions count. This applies to all of you; we are all community.

On October 10 we will celebrate Thanksgiving at the Centre, beginning with a gratitude circle, followed by one of Salt Spring’s famed vegetarian potlucks. I wish you all a joyous Thanksgiving along with ease and balance in this season of change.

The Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need – the sun and the rain and the appleseed. The Lord is good to me!

In peace,

Sharada