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News from the Centre: December 2015

Hello everyone,

Although the calendar says the first day of winter is not till the 21st of this month, winter has arrived. Currently the weather is crisp and cold, with possible snow flurries in the offing.

Dee playing her ukelele on a frosty morning
Dee playing her ukelele on a frosty morning
Blair in the kitchen
Blair in the kitchen

Our residential community has been busy with projects, meetings and studies. We gather at Sharada’s house on Friday evenings for yoga philosophy discussions; we’ve been reading questions and answers with Babaji from years back, studying and grappling with understanding the meaning of life. In January Chandra will begin a study session of the yoga sutras. As always, Wednesday evening kirtan continues to draw many people as does Sunday satsang. On the first Sunday of every month, satsang begins with arati, and after readings, kirtan, a short meditation and more kirtan, it ends with a community dinner offered by donation.

kirtan moments
kirtan moments with (clockwise from top left) Tana, Mark, Raven, Piet, Claire and Vikash

The Centre School’s traditional Advent (celebration of light) was lovely as always. This year a number of Centre School alumni also participated. The next big school event at the Centre is Winterfest, on Saturday, December 5. It is a family event that draws people from all over the island. There are craft tables for kids and a concession for everyone, serving delicious lunch options and lots of sweet goodies. If you’re in the neighbourhood, please drop by for a cup of hot apple cider or some chai.

Little Blessings

In the past few months we’ve been blessed by the arrival into our satsang family of four new babies! Welcome Asher, son of Emily and Gabe, grandson of Chandra and Alan. Asher was born six months ago, so he’s the big boy of the group. Welcome Ellie, Sean and Melinda’s second daughter, little sister to Penny, another granddaughter for Lakshmi. Welcome also to Noah, Joni Neha and Mark’s little boy. The most recent arrival is Honey, born to Mamata and Kris. Her grandparents are Rajani & Om PK and Rajesh & Bonnie. The babies are all beautiful and healthy. At next summer’s ACYR we may see them running or crawling around on the mound!

Little blessings. Clockwise from top left: Asher Rose; Laurel “Ellie” Crabtree; Noah Louie; Honey Gomez.
Little blessings. Clockwise from top left: Asher Rose; Laurel “Ellie” Crabtree; Noah Louie; Honey Gomez.

SSCY-KirtanAlbumOur Kirtan album is available!

There’s lots of exciting news this month. We have a new kirtan album! Please follow this link – 41st Annual Community Retreat Kirtan – to find out more, and to order the album that was recorded at last summer’s ACYR – just in time for the holidays!

 

Donations Notice

This is the time of year people often make donations. Please note that when you donate to Dharma Sara Satsang Society, we are no longer able to issue tax receipts for income tax purposes, as a result of a change in our status. You can read more in this notice about Donations.

This Month’s Newsletter Offerings

There are a number of offerings for your enjoyment in this month’s newsletter. Kenzie writes about Householder Yoga. Babaji told us many years ago that unless we’re renunciates we are all householder yogis. Kenzie shares what she’s learned over the years about how to live by the principles of yoga while being in a relationship and raising children.

This month, in Our Centre Community, Natasha Samson shares her story, about how the universe drew her to yoga and to YTT at the Centre. She now serves as a member of the DSSS Board and contributes however she can.

Andréa Mueller writes about balance in the form of Vrksasana, also known as Tree Pose. Asana, especially balancing asanas such as this give us a simple, direct way to reconnect with our bodies, our breath, and minds.

As we move into the season that is often paradoxically both the quietest, most inward time of year and the busiest, I send you sweet wishes for peace, balance and ease.

Love,
Sharada