#Holistic Sangha

[raffaellopalandri]

Acceptance of changes

Acceptance of changes is not just a tool that will help us, it’s one of the most powerful ways to become aware of our true strengths and choices.

[mahayanapilgrim]

The Three Kinds of Faith in Buddhism

Three kinds of faith

vivid faith

eager faith

confident faith

Faith, or "śraddhā" in Sanskrit, is a central concept in Buddhism, reflecting a profound trust and confidence in the teachings and the path to enlightenment. In Buddhist philosophy, there are three distinct kinds of faith, each with its unique qualities and significance. These three kinds of faith are vivid faith, eager faith, and confident faith.

**1. Vivid Faith (Tib. Dépa Sum):**

- **Definition:** Vivid faith, also known as clear or bright faith, is characterized by a deep and clear understanding of the teachings. It represents a faith that arises from a thorough examination and comprehension of the principles of Buddhism.

- **Qualities:** This kind of faith is based on knowledge and insight. It's not blind faith but rather a faith that arises from a genuine understanding of the Dharma (Buddha's teachings). Practitioners with vivid faith have taken the time to study and reflect on the teachings, which have illuminated their understanding.

- **Significance:** Vivid faith is often considered the most mature and reliable form of faith. It is rooted in wisdom and understanding, making it a strong foundation for one's spiritual journey. Practitioners with vivid faith are less likely to be swayed by doubt or uncertainty.

**2. Eager Faith (Tib. Dépa Sum):**

- **Definition:** Eager faith is marked by a strong enthusiasm and eagerness to engage with the Dharma. It is a heartfelt and passionate faith that drives a practitioner to actively seek and explore the teachings.

- **Qualities:** This kind of faith is characterized by a deep longing to practice and learn more about Buddhism. It motivates individuals to put the teachings into action, showing an eagerness to transform their lives and cultivate virtuous qualities.

- **Significance:** Eager faith is a powerful motivator for spiritual progress. It drives practitioners to undertake meditation, engage in acts of compassion, and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the path. This kind of faith can be instrumental in sustaining one's commitment to the practice.

**3. Confident Faith (Tib. Dépa Sum):**

- **Definition:** Confident faith is a firm and unwavering trust in the Three Jewels of Buddhism (the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha). It represents a profound sense of confidence in the guidance and refuge offered by these sacred elements.

- **Qualities:** This kind of faith is characterized by unshakable trust. Practitioners with confident faith have complete faith in the Buddha as a guide, the Dharma as a path, and the Sangha as a supportive community of spiritual practitioners.

- **Significance:** Confident faith serves as a source of inner strength and resilience. It enables practitioners to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life with the assurance that they are on the right path. It reinforces their connection to the spiritual community and their commitment to the teachings.

In conclusion, the three kinds of faith in Buddhism—vivid faith, eager faith, and confident faith—reflect the diverse ways in which individuals approach and engage with the Dharma. While vivid faith is grounded in understanding, eager faith is characterized by enthusiasm, and confident faith is rooted in unwavering trust. All three forms of faith are important in the practice of Buddhism, as they provide a multifaceted and holistic approach to spiritual development, enabling practitioners to deepen their commitment and connection to the path of enlightenment.

[tmgujarat]

In today's fast-paced world, finding moments of peace and tranquility is essential for maintaining mental and physical well-being. For those living in or visiting Ahmedabad, a vibrant city in Gujarat, India, there are numerous meditation centers offering a sanctuary for relaxation, reflection, and rejuvenation. Among the top centers are TMGujarat, specializing in Transcendental Meditation, and Dhamma Pitha Vipassana Meditation Center, known for its intensive Vipassana courses. Art of Living and Isha Yoga Center offer holistic approaches combining yoga and meditation, while Brahma Kumaris Rajyoga Meditation Center and Sahaj Marg (Heartfulness) Meditation Center focus on spiritual empowerment and inner harmony. Unique options like the Osho Meditation Center provide dynamic techniques, and Ananda Sangha offers Kriya Yoga inspired by Paramhansa Yogananda. For those willing to travel a bit further, Pyramid Valley International features a massive meditation pyramid, and Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram provides a spiritual retreat inspired by Jain teachings.

[abinavgoyal]

Building Success: Spotlight on Young Canadian Entrepreneurs and the Thriving Business Landscape in 2023

In the dynamic realm of Canadian entrepreneurship, 2023 unfolds as a year of promising ventures and unprecedented achievements. Young Canadian entrepreneurs are at the forefront, steering the nation’s business landscape towards innovation and prosperity. Let’s delve into the diverse facets that define the success narrative of these trailblazers and the thriving business milieu in the Great White North.

Nurturing Innovation: Canadian Entrepreneurs 2023

Canada, in 2023, stands witness to a cohort of young Canadian entrepreneurs who redefine success. Their ventures span various industries, showcasing the diversity that characterizes the Canadian business landscape. From technology to sustainable practices, these entrepreneurs embody the spirit of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

One notable figure among them is Garry Sangha, an Indo-Canadian entrepreneur whose endeavors in the construction industry exemplify visionary leadership. His commitment to excellence underscores the broader trend within the construction sector, a vital player in the Canadian economic tapestry.

Construction Industry Dynamics: Canadian Entrepreneurial Triumphs

In the vast canvas of the construction industry in Canada, young entrepreneurs are making their mark. The year 2023 witnesses a surge in successful businesses, with a keen emphasis on sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies. The amalgamation of visionary leadership and technical acumen is propelling the construction sector to new heights.

Leadership and Management in Construction

Effective management and leadership skills are pivotal in navigating the complexities of the construction industry. Project timelines, resource allocation, and risk management demand a nuanced approach. Young entrepreneurs, such as Garry Sangha, exemplify the fusion of strategic vision and hands-on leadership, shaping the industry’s trajectory.

In British Columbia, home to some of the largest construction brands, entrepreneurs are not merely constructing buildings but crafting legacies. The synergy of innovation, sustainability, and leadership defines the success stories of construction companies in the region.

Recognizing Excellence: Entrepreneur Awards Canada

Acknowledging excellence is integral to fostering a culture of innovation. Entrepreneurial achievements are celebrated through prestigious events like the Entrepreneur Awards Canada. These accolades not only recognize successful businesses but also inspire the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs.

Beyond Business: Community Engagement and Advocacy

Success extends beyond profit margins. In 2023, young entrepreneurs are actively involved in initiatives that transcend corporate boundaries. Notable among these efforts are the organization of largest not-for-profit tournaments and initiatives to sensitize young voters in Canada. Such endeavors highlight a commitment to social responsibility, reflecting a holistic approach to success.

Conclusion: A Tapestry of Success

As 2023 unfolds, the success stories of young Canadian entrepreneurs weave a tapestry of innovation, resilience, and community engagement. The construction industry, with leaders like Garry Sangha, exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit driving Canada’s economic prosperity. In this landscape, where leadership and management skills are paramount, the achievements of these entrepreneurs stand as beacons, guiding the way for future generations. The Canadian business horizon has never looked more promising.

[luserat]

Yoga and Spirituality: A Journey to Inner Peace

Yoga is a centuries-old practice that has its roots in Hinduism. It is a holistic approach to well-being that combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. While yoga is often associated with its physical benefits, it is also a deeply spiritual practice.

The Sanskrit word for yoga, "yog," means "to unite." Yoga is about uniting the mind, body, and spirit. It is a journey to inner peace and self-discovery.

Yoga teaches us that we are all interconnected and that we are all part of something larger than ourselves. It helps us to cultivate compassion, mindfulness, and non-judgment.

Here are some of the ways that yoga can help us on our spiritual journey:

Yoga helps us to connect with our breath. Breath is the bridge between the mind and the body. When we focus on our breath, we calm our minds and become more present in the moment. This can lead to a deeper sense of peace and connection to ourselves.

Yoga helps us to become more aware of our bodies. As we practice yoga, we learn to listen to our bodies and to honor their needs. We also develop greater flexibility, strength, and balance. This can help us to feel more confident and empowered in our lives.

Yoga helps us to cultivate mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Yoga teaches us to be mindful of our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. This can help us to become more aware of ourselves and to make more conscious choices in our lives.

Yoga helps us to develop compassion. Compassion is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Yoga teaches us to be compassionate towards ourselves and towards others. This can lead to more fulfilling and meaningful relationships.

If you are interested in exploring the spiritual side of yoga, here are a few tips:

* Find a yoga teacher who emphasizes the spiritual aspects of yoga.

* Set aside some time before and after your yoga practice to meditate or reflect on your practice.

* Read books and articles about the spiritual philosophy of yoga.

* Join a yoga community or sangha where you can connect with other people who are interested in the spiritual aspects of yoga.

Remember, yoga is a journey, not a destination. There is no right or wrong way to practice. The most important thing is to be open to the possibilities and to allow yourself to be transformed by the practice.

Namaste.

[nedsecondline]

The 5 precepts of Buddhism

Originally posted on Holistic Virtual Sangha: As a Buddhist teacher, I want to briefly introduce you to the 5 fundamental principles of our practice,…The 5 precepts of Buddhism

[shrikailasa]

CAUSES SHRIKAILASA STANDS FOR

Based on its principles Kailaasa supports causes such as gender equality, fight against global warming, universal access to holistic education and healthcare, vegetarianism, and more. 

The Vedic Civilization is the eternally living enlightened civilization, called Sanatana Hindu Dharma that traces its historical continuity from 1900 million years, the time period that marks the beginning of human civilization. This civilization flourished in the sacred land of Bharatvarsha. The perfect protection by the mighty Himalayas and the surrounding seas have always awarded Bharat with best weather conditions and geography, allowing the safest, peaceful atmosphere and abundant natural resources. All these divinely arranged phenomena caused the inner space and outer ambiance for the flowering and spreading of the greatest Enlightened Civilization of the most evolved, conscious human-beings who lived like Gods on planet earth.

Vedic civilization stands on three core foundations:

The seat of knowledge and philosophy that preserves the Vedic wisdom e.g. Mahanirvani Peetha, Madurai Adheenam. Sacred Arts and Architecture e.g. temples, kingdoms. The seat of language – the perfect, most refined linguistic expression of the Truth. e.g. Kashi in North India (Samskrit) and Tamil Sangam in South India (Tamil).

Whenever there comes danger to any of these core foundations, the All-knowing Spiritual Seat of Knowledge or Sarvajnapeetha, through its presiding Master, descends as the Jagadguru to revive, protect and radiate Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism for the whole of human civilization.

India is the Guru, Spiritual Master to the whole world and the next big leap for human civilization started in 1978 with the advent of rare living incarnation, His Divine Holiness Bhagwan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam. His Divine Holiness Bhagwan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam is the reviver of Sanatana Hindu Dharma and architect of the new enlightened civilization. He is recreating the original space of Naimisharanya from the spiritual seat of Sarvajnapeetha. The voice of the Truth that vibrated in the Ganges-Sarasvati civilization in the Vedic times, can be heard through the divine vision and expressions of HDH. The Vedic Renaissance is happening in all its originality, depth and expanse to enrich human beings to reclaim the Vedic heritage and reconnect with their higher self.

As part of these efforts, HDH and The Nithyananda Sangha supports several causes to raise the frequency of humanity. Some of these are:

1. REVIVAL OF TEMPLE BASED LIFESTYLE AND ECOSYSTEM

At the heart of Vedic tradition and Hindu life is the sacred tradition of temples, the energy centers where the Divine resides. Any human settlement in vedic civilization has flourished around temples making Hinduism, a temple-based civilization of celebratory traditions. Each temple is an energy circuit created by an enlightened master or incarnation and retains that energy for thousands of years. Temple rituals are processes to invoke and radiate different energies. Incarnations bring down enormous cosmic energy which is stored in temples and radiated to the planet for mankind to experience enlightenment, and also to bring healing, divine powers and fulfillment of desires.

2. FREE EDUCATION FOR ALL

Education as a fundamental right, Promoting and ensuring free education for all. Hinduism argues that true empowerment emerges through an understanding of the knowledge, which in turn leads to unity with the universe. It is believed to be a fundamental right for everyone to be taught and imparted knowledge. In developing countries, one in four girls are not provided basic education. 103 million youth worldwide lack basic literacy skills, and more than 60 percent of them are women.

3. PRESERVATION OF ANCIENT, SPIRITUAL MANUSCRIPTS AND INDIGENOUS MANUSCRIPTS

Finding and preserving ancient manuscripts, digitizing them and distributing to All. Preservation and conservation of manuscripts play a crucial role in building a bridge between past, present and the future as they bring back past information pertaining to social, religious, historical, cultural and spiritual happenings. It is an undertaking to preserve History itself, as well as understandings and all Knowledge of the time. The value, importance and necessity to preserve ancient manuscripts cannot be understated. 

4. BUILDING ,PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF LIBRARIES

Building ,Preservation and Promotion of Libraries. Libraries are important cornerstones of a healthy community. In today's current climate of untruths, intolerance, and ignorance, it's becoming clear that libraries are essential, now more than ever. The preservation of truth is important, now more than ever. Libraries, which house centuries of learning, information, history, and truth, are important defenders in the fight against misinformation. By providing free access to educational, news, and historical resources, libraries help keep the public informed with facts, rather than confused with fiction. They act as a hub of information, and their leaders, the librarians, torch bearers for facts. While they might have a robust fiction section, libraries are still some of the greatest champions of truth.

5. UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO FREE HEALTHCARE

Universal health coverage means that all people have access to the health services they need (prevention, promotion, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care) without the risk of financial hardship when paying for them. we believe it is one of the fundamental requirements of a society and aim to provide healthcare access to All. At least 400 million people have no basic healthcare, and 40 percent lack social protection. More than 1.6 billion people live in fragile settings where protracted crises, combined with weak national capacity to deliver basic health services, present a significant challenge to global health.

6. PROMOTION OF FOOD BANKS, FOOD PANTRIES AND DISTRIBUTION ( ANNALAYA)

Long before history came to recorded, people the world over have recognized the close association between food and life. Human society may be said to have its roots in the systematic sharing of food. In Eastern culture, the sharing of food has long been considered as a sacred duty. We offer cooked food to our ancestors, to the devas, to the Buddha and to monks, elders, pilgrims, as well as to family, friends, visitors, and to anyone who feels  hunger, including animals. In oriental tradition, no one should go to bed hungry, even animals and unseen beings should be offered food to ensure their happiness and good will. Unfortunately, extreme hunger and malnutrition remain a huge barrier to development in many countries. There are 821 million people estimated to be chronically undernourished as of 2017, often as a direct consequence of environmental degradation, drought and biodiversity loss. Over 90 million children under five are dangerously underweight. Undernourishment and severe food insecurity appear to be increasing in almost all regions of Africa, as well as in South America. The number of undernourished people reached 821 million in 2017. Nearly 151 million children under five, 22 percent, were still stunted in 2017.

7. ANIMAL RIGHTS

Standing up for ethical treatment of all beings. Animal rights is the idea in which animals are entitled to the possession of their own existence and that their most basic interests—such as the need to avoid suffering—should be afforded the same consideration as similar interests of human beings. The respect for animal rights in Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism derives from the doctrine of ahimsa. In Hinduism, animals contain a soul just like humans; when sentient beings die, they can either be reincarnated as a human or as an animal. Hinduism teaches that a part of God resides in all living things, which forms the atman. In Hinduism, many animals are venerated, including the tiger, the elephant, the mouse, and especially, the cow.

8. CHILD WELFARE

Providing services designed to ensure that children are safe and that families have the necessary support to care for their children successfully.

9. GENDER EQUALITY

Promoting state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, and the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations and needs equally, regardless of gender. Ending all discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right, it’s crucial for sustainable future; it’s proven that empowering women and girls helps economic growth and development.

10.  LGBT RIGHTS

Standing up for LGBTQ+ rights. People around the world face violence and inequality—and sometimes torture, even execution—because of who they love, how they look, or who they are. Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral aspects of ourselves and should never lead to discrimination or abuse. There are abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide, including torture, killing and executions, arrests under unjust laws, unequal treatment, censorship, medical abuses, discrimination in health and jobs and housing, domestic violence, abuses against children, and denial of family rights and recognition. Hinduism recognizes not one 2 or 3 but 11 distinct genders and advocates for fair and equal treatment of all.

[raffaellopalandri]

Being kind and loving

Being kind and loving

Once we accept that not everything is up to us and we can let it go, we also start welcoming change as a part of our journeys and being kind and loving.

[bsrnsv]

“Every individual has a right to an education that will enable him to develop his faculties . and live a fully human life”

-Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Bunts' Sangha RNS Vidyaniketan wishes you a very Happy National Education Day!

----------------------------------------------------------------

We at BSRNSV have been committed to providing holistic education since 1991.

📷 School

📷 PUC - Science

📷 PUC - Commerce

Hurry up!! Limited Seats Available.

📷  +91 9535116194

📷 https://admission.bsrnsv.com/Limited-Seats-2021/

----------------------------------------------------------------

[oggibe]

Enter to win a FREE HOLISTIC COACHING SESSION or FREE PRIVATE YOGA INSTRUCTION at the Grand Opening of Sangha's new location in South Burlington! Tomorrow: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (at Sangha Studio - South) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ItR9uhn0H/?igshid=bw722rhm9p3u

[lisabermudez]

February 28th - March 1st 2020 @menlaretreat As yoga and globalization continue to expand, how do we shift our practice into one of service, activism, and global change? By taking a deeper look into how to use the tool of yoga or “union” into a holistic life-style that encourages tangible compassion, mindful action, and social outreach, we are able to create a world in which we are both supported and supportive. When yoga is taken out of the studio and into the world, a great shift in consciousness occurs. We have the opportunity to realize and see, through first-hand experience that we are, in fact, all one. We realize we are winning the lottery of life by not having to second guess where our next meal will come from or where we will be sleeping. These realizations makes it our global responsibility to stand up and give a voice to those who are unable to. This weekend you are invited to explore Seva (service), Self-Study, Social Activism, Self-Care, and Sangha (community) to embark on a journey with founder of Souljourn Yoga, Jordan Ashley and Souljourn Yoga Retreat Leader, Lisa Bermudez, to experience what it means to be a warrior of change in 2019 by discovering causes that resonate with hearts and putting mindful action behind it. http://www.lisabermudez.com/events/socialactivismretreat2020 (at Menla) https://www.instagram.com/p/B61YCMuJrUD/?igshid=z24g7cvxwyl9

[godrejproperties75-blog]

Godrej Joka Kolkata - Best Residential Project for Kid's Holistic Development

Godrej Joka is a coming soon project on Dimond Harbor Road at South Kolkata by Godrej Properties. This luxurious project covers 20.23 acres of land where they are building a total of 7 residential towers of G+12 and G+14 Floors elevations and has around 8 to 13 apartment units on each floor. In Joka Project, they are offering around 900 units on different variants of 2 BHK, 2.5 BHK, and 3 BHK luxurious flats.

Godrej Properties are developing this project especially for kids and for their holistic development. They are going to add 7 avenues for your infant’s growth such as Daily Assist, Champ’s Training, Master Classes, 24×7 Medicare, Safety & Security, Eat Street, and Easy Connect. They provide a dance academy for learning different style dances, a music room for singing and learning to instrument play, aptitude classes, language classes, hobby revival zone, abacus, painting, children play area, and lot more for your children’s growth

LOCATION AND CONNECTIVITY

The project is situated on Dimond Harbor Road which reduces your commuting time to go anywhere in the city. The Thakurpukur – Bibirhat – Bakhrahat – Raipur Road is also passing through Joka. The Yani Sarani Road and Joka Canal Road are in proximity that improves its connectivity in the city.

You will enjoy lots of lakes, Ponds, Parks, and Gardens that offer you ample greenery around it and a canal is also passing through Joka that you will surely enjoy here. The Godrej Joka Kolkata is truly blessed with multiple civic amenities around the project such as School & Colleges, Hospitals, Bus Stand, Retail Stores, Grocery Stores, Hotels, Restaurants, Petrol Pumps, Parks, Sports Grounds, etc.

NEARBY LOCATIONS

Hospitals & Clinics

Medical College Hospital

Bharat Sewasharam Sangha hospital

BMRI Hospital

Humanity Hospital

Hotels

Ananya canteen

Dev hotel

Sagar Food Corner

Subway IIM Joka

Colleges

ESIC Medical College

Indian Institute of Management

Kolkata Medical College

Trident College of Marine Technology

Schools

Vivekananda Mission School

Gurukul Vidya Mandir Secondary School

Mount Litera Zee School

Kendriya Vidyalaya IIM Joka

PROJECT AMENITIES

This new upcoming residential project is enriched by ultimate amenities such as Temperature Controlled Swimming Pool, 2 Level Kids Pool, Exclusive Clubhouse, Eat Street, Celebration Plaza, Mini Theatre, Amphitheatre, Futsal Court, Multipurpose Hall, Tennis Court, Yoga & Meditation Deck, Jogging Track, Fully Equipped Outdoor Gym, Wi-Fi Connectivity, High-Speed Elevators and Lifts, Billiards, Pool, Snooker, Sand Pits, etc.

For your kid’s development, Godrej Joka Seven is a perfect residential project where your children get various kinds of academic training from professionals. Learning and health care facilities are also available in this project. To ensure the bright future of your infant book your home now. The home price ranges are between INR 38 to INR 42 lakhs.

For More Info Visit Our Website :- http://www.godrejjoka.srkresidency.com

Call Now :- +91-8448517288

[cunyappliedtheatreblog]

Alumni Spotlight : November, Lenni Yesner (17′)

Hey Lenni!

Hi. How you doing Michael Wilson?

I’m good. You know, we were just talking, catching up, but I feel like we’re talking to a radio audience now.

You know--coming to you live from Court Square, Long Island City.

Court Square, Long Island City. That’s where your school is?

Yep. I’m just a few blocks from where I work at Bard High School Early College Queens, in Long Island City.

Could you describe what it is, so that people know where you’re working?

Yeah. I work for a public New York City, DOE, highly selective, high school early college. It’s a partnership between Bard College and the Department of Education that provides students opportunities to earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in liberal arts, for free. And my job there is to help the students move from our school to their next institutions or to their next post-secondary plan. My actual title is the Director of the College Transfer Office...but I have recently been toying with changing my title to the Director of Future Planning.

My students are bright and really really curious, and weird, in good ways, and very stressed out, because the demands on them academically are intense.

What’s drawing you to calling yourself a “Future Planner?”

Well, I have a colleague who calls herself the Director of Future Planning, and I really loved it, because I think what I do is so much more than helping students think about a college that they can go to. It’s about sitting down, helping a student holistically think about themselves, what they may want in their future, what they want in their present, and to plan for it. I do a lot of coaching with young people around their future goals, even if their future goals are only like six months from now…or ten years from now, I help them map a path to that, or if they don’t know what they want to be but they have multiple interests, I help them think about how to knit their interests together.

And, I think I do a lot of “present” counseling. Like, using mindfulness techniques, using art and theatre, and social-emotional to help students stay present, just as much as I’m helping them to plan for the future.

So, I’m reminded--you’re involved in meditation, right?

Yes. I’m a peer leader with another MA in Applied Theatre grad, Denise Hughes. We are peer leaders of a meditation sangha or collective, in Brooklyn. It is called Love Circle Sangha and it focuses on meditation as tool for collective liberation, centering black, indigenous, and people of color, as well as queer people, trans folks, and folks with a wide variety of historically excluded backgrounds from things like meditation. And we use mindfulness in Thich Nhat Hanh’s tradition as a tool for justice work.

I’m struck by how many different tools are in your toolbelt. I know that in addition to counseling that you do at your school and in addition to what you do at the Sangha, you founded the Trans Generational Theatre Project.

Yeah. TGTP as we call it. It was me and Christian Hansen Appel and Amanda Thompson’s thesis project. It was a group of multi-generational trans and gender non-conforming people, housed at SAGE. I facilitated the first two years, and then when I went back to get a master’s in school counseling, I stepped back as a facilitator and went to more of an administrative role, supporting fundraising and things like that. In the facilitation team now, Christian stayed on, and Kai Pelton, who is a former CAT Youth Theatre member, is a facilitator, as well as L Tantay, who is an MA grad and Renee Imperato.

L and I were in classes together. I didn’t know that they’re on the project!

Yeah. So it’s still in the Applied Theatre family, which is really cool, as well as one of the participants the first year of TGTP, Renee, who’s an older participant, is now a facilitator, as well as another one of the other participants. Now that person, she stepped up as a facilitator. So, the facilitation team now is…it started at three white people—two trans and gender non-conforming people and one cis woman, all of the same generation. Now it is all queer and trans people of color led, and multigenerational. That was always our goal to transition leadership.

I didn’t know all that. I’m really moved. Congratulations.

Thank you. And the project has been awarded funding from the Trans Justice Funding Project for the last three years, which is how we’ve been able to pay participants.

Okay one last stop on this tour of things you do. What’s going on with music in your life?

I make music in my free time. I am a song writer and I mostly create for myself right now. I don’t have a lot of performance right now…but you know, keep an eye out on things coming down the road. I’m looking for some musical collaborators. Always.

Me and Christian collaborated on the song that I made to propose to Ivorie, my fiancé.

Um. So, yes friends. Lenni and Ivorie. QUEER ENGAGED!

Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah YEAH! Excited. And it was nice. The weekend that we got engaged, there was definitely applied theatre representation. Shanti, and Denise, and Christian were there, so that was great.

Wow wow wow. I was saying to you before we started recording the interview, that I’d just snooped on your social media, and so much has happened since I last caught up with you.

Mmm hmm. Graduated with my Master’s in School Counseling. Lots of cool stuff.

So. All these pieces, all these modalities. And there’s a person in the middle of it. What are the threads that run across these things that you do?

I think relationships are the thread. They’ve always been my thread. Relationships, in my counseling with students. Relationships in terms of the ways in which I use art and theatre and music to deepen relationships and explore relationships. Relationships across difference. Relationships that serve justice. Relationships that really center being accountable to each other and have difficult conversations.

I had never received an education degree, as being a counselor. I was just counseling from instinct. What I got from the MA in Applied Theatre was an opportunity to learn radical pedagogy, in the form of Paulo Friere’s work, and other theorists around applied theatre. It was like: I have these ideas about how I should be interacting with young people and with other people, and people I’m teaching and people I’m learning from, but like, am I really doing that? I got the opportunity to look at whether I was really doing that or not, after being a counselor for many years, but an untrained counselor, an on-the-job trained counselor. And so the MA in Applied Theatre was my opportunity to reflect and see, huh, what’s the actual framework that I’m coming from when I’m doing this work? And Paolo Freire’s work really has informed everything I do from there on. And Paolo Freire led me to bell hooks, and bell hooks led me to Thich Naht Hahnh, and Thich Naht Hahnh led me to—right?, So all these things, in terms of the through-line of, you know, my growing as an educator and as a person, has come from that.

And the process of how to ask really good questions, and how to ask questions that will elicit strong and creative answers, I feel came from the playbuilding process and learning from Helen, and learning from other practitioners. How a well-placed question in a moment can totally open a scene, or open up work that you’re doing.

And you know, I was able to come to myself as a genderqueer person, through the playbuilding process in my thesis. And [before that] I did an educational piece of theatre about a young gender non-conforming person who was stuck between two binary identities. It was set in prehistoric times, and instead of “men” and “women” it was “healers” and “hunters,” and I played the head hunter. I got to be in drag, so that was really fun. And I also got the chance to craft a story about a young person really refusing to be a part of that binary.

Through crafting that story, I was able to ask myself questions about like how I related to this young person, and realizing ways in which I actually saw myself in this young person’s story that we were creating. And through that, and other influences, really came to the realization of who I am, my gender expression, and my identity.

I was there for that. I remember the piece ended with this image of stars and looking up at literal constellations of possibilities for gender.

Yep. Yep. That came from a piece that was put out by the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, “Trans 101,” because I was just googling trans stuff, because I was trying to understand myself, understand the piece...it talks about gender identity in this really powerful way and it says, “what if, instead of a spectrum, with man on one side and woman on the other, it was…where’s the space on the spectrum for a butch trans woman? Where’s the space on the spectrum for a sissy faggot? And where does that fit? Instead of thinking of a spectrum and lines, what if we thought of gender as a three-dimensional space, as a galaxy?”

I read that and the lights went ON. You know you have those like, turning point moments in your life? That was absolutely one of them, in the process of creating that piece. That wouldn’t have come without the applied theatre degree.

So I think it’s changed who I am as a person at the core. It gave me a place to unveil parts of myself, and it also has changed who I am as an educator. I knew pretty quickly into the degree program that I didn’t want to go the route of becoming a traditional teaching artist, but that I wanted to figure out how to bring teaching artistry to what I did. And I think that I’ve done that.

What advice would you have for a person who’s got all the heart and passion for social justice and arts and has no idea about how to start?

I think asking themselves, who are my influences? Who are the educators I really admire and whose style and intention and practices I respect? What are their influences? Setting up mentoring relationships with educators you respect.

I would say, figuring out the level to which you can bring your full self to your work. So for me, a lot of my strengths as an educator came out as I came out at work. Not just came out as queer and genderqueer, not just that. Came out as an activist and came out as an organizer, and came out as a mindfulness practitioner, and came out as someone who cares about consent, someone who wants to talk about sexuality and sexual health, financial health…

I would say, start thinking about what young people’s issues are. Whether it be black lives matter day of action in schools, or climate justice, or guns in schools, or lgbtq issues…figure out what are the issues that students care about in their lives…or maybe it’s none of those things and it’s something else…but, start reading about those things. Watch the media that they watch. Listen to the music that they listen to. Not because you’re trying to be them, but because the older we get, it can be challenging to stay connected.

And, have good boundaries. Don’t take it all home! Take some of it home but not all of it. Because you can’t get it all done in a day. And you’ll burn out.

Oh, and join NYCORE, which is the New York Collective of Radical Educators.

What, if anything else, would you like people to know about you and your work?

That I’m trying to be the genderqueer guidance counselor that I never had.

—aww, cutie!

I think that being in the Applied Theatre program and working full time was the most stressful times—I was one of the only people who was working full time while in the program—that was the most stressful thing I have ever done in my entire life. But, I think, like, it gave me a different perspective on my work and I was going to bring all that stuff I was learning to my students and to the rest of my personal life. It bled into every part of my life.

I think, you know, the program is a cool opportunity and not without fault. I think that it’s something to investigate, to what extent it fits in your life, and it’s the right fit. I think at the time I tried to do it, I was going through a real crisis, so I needed something, you know. But I almost didn’t make it, at certain points. I didn’t want to keep going. I’m glad I did, but I definitely got to the place where I was like, done.

Also, part of one of the challenges I had with the program is that when I was in it, I felt like I needed to do things a certain way to do it the right way. And, yeah. I finished my thesis a year after it was due, because I created a different timeline and a different path. If I’d tried to set myself up to be on the path everybody else was on, I couldn’t have done it.

I think that’s one of the big gifts and big risks of the program, is this highly scaffolded ensemble progression, straddling arts and academics, because one person’s timeline isn’t another person’s timeline, and there’s shame that comes when people aren’t ready to move on.

I think…the program is still a program within a university. If I’ve learned anything from sending students, particularly students of color—historically excluded students—when they’re invited into academia, some of us really flourish, but some of us really don’t. It can be a blow to the self, and a feeling of losing yourself in the structure of it. I don’t have an answer about how to alleviate that. Pain and beauty both.

I will forever be grateful to the program because of the relationships I have developed and the fact that the Transgenerational Theatre Project came out of it. That has impacted people’s lives in such a giant way. And it exists because we created it as part of the program and through the things that we learned along the way with Helen and Chris and Piper and you know, all these other educators, and with Herukhuti’s guidance [Lenni’s thesis adviser], and with the guidance and support of our trans and gender-non-conforming community who were part of it.

[raffaellopalandri]

Mindfulness

The way to mindfulness passes not through books or lessons. Mindfulness has to be personally practiced, lived, and shared with compassion.

[garywonghc]

The Benefits of Taking Refuge

by Venerable Thubten Chodron

WE BECOME BUDDHISTS

The first benefit is we become Buddhists. You may say, “What is so great about becoming a Buddhist? I am already a member of this club and that club and that other club, what do I need another membership card for?” Becoming a Buddhist is not joining a club and getting a membership card. Rather it means that we are starting on the path to enlightenment. So, one of the benefits of taking refuge is that it initiates us onto the path to enlightenment. Of course we can create good karma without taking refuge and you can be doing practices that are beneficial to yourself, but the meaning of becoming a Buddhist is that you are actually stepping onto the path that the Buddhas follow. You are trying to go in that same direction that the Buddha went.

This can bring up the whole subject of, “Well, is Buddhism the only path that is going to lead you to enlightenment?” Here’s another example that might help to illustrate this point. For instance, there are many roads from here that will take you downtown. There is more than one way to go downtown. You can drive a long way. You can drive a short way. You can go on the highway or you can go on the side streets. But not every road that you take from here where we are now will lead you downtown. We tend to go to extremes of saying, “It’s got to be Buddhist and if you are not a Buddhist you are going to hell.” That is completely erroneous. On the other hand, thinking in the other extreme and saying, “Everything is the same and all religions are the same,” is like saying you can drive any direction that you want from here on Fifty-Fourth Street and you will end up downtown. But that is not true, because if you drive north from here you will end up in Vancouver and not downtown! So I think we have to use our discriminating wisdom and not get hung up on words and labels – that is not important, but we do have to look at the meaning and what is going on.

WE NEED TO BE ASTUTE

When we take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha we are saying that we have examined the qualities of the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, know something about the path, have confidence in it and decide that this is the direction that we want to go.

There may be other teachings that are very good. All religions have something good in them. All religions exist to bring human happiness. By taking refuge, however, we are declaring that this particular system is something that speaks to our heart. We have confidence in it, are going to follow it and therefore we make a clear decision in our lives. I think that is important.

WE SETTLE DOWN TO ONE PATH

I am always talking about the example of someone studying crystals on Monday night and holistic healing on Tuesday night, etc. We can continue to do that. There is no pressure to take refuge. It is our own spiritual practice; we are the ones that are responsible. But at some point we might actually want to find one principal direction and settle down and devote ourselves to that.

For instance, when you are young you date a lot of guys, but at a certain point you will probably get married. It is like you get tired of going out with all these different guys, so you think marriage might be better. Of course, marriage brings a whole new set of headaches, but you do have the opportunity to go deeply into the relationship that way. Well, marriage here is analogous to taking refuge. Becoming a Buddhist and taking refuge does not mean you do not learn about crystals and holistic healing anymore. You can still learn about those things, but you have your principal priority designated and that cuts out the confusion just as getting married cuts out the confusion of fifty million guys. But taking refuge does bring you some new headaches initially because you have to start looking at your mind.

WE BEGIN TO PURIFY

It is not that Buddhism brings headaches to us, but sometimes the idea of commitment to one path can make a lot of stuff come up in our life because that is when we really begin the process of purification. When we begin to purify, all of our junk comes up.

When we begin to meditate, we have to look at what is in our mind. Whereas when we go from one spiritual thing, to the next and to others, it is like we are in a spiritual amusement park, getting amused by all the external things, so of course we do not look at our mind. But when we take refuge, we have to start looking at our mind. That is why I say practising is like living in a garbage dump initially. But there is hope. I firmly believe that it is possible to transform the garbage dump into something better, but we have to start at where we are.

If we do not take refuge, even though we may create a lot of good karma, that karma will not be dedicated for the attainment of enlightenment, because we have no faith in enlightenment and no faith in the Buddhist path.

So this first step of making a commitment, becoming a Buddhist, entering into the Buddhist path, really clarifies where we are going. Then when we create good karma we can dedicate it for the attainment of enlightenment. Whereas, if we do not really have much confidence in the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, we may create good karma but we will not dedicate it for the attainment of enlightenment because if you do not believe in enlightenment, why would you dedicate the good karma for that?

WE ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATION FOR TAKING ALL FURTHER VOWS

The next benefit of taking refuge is that it establishes a foundation for taking all further vows. The reason for this is that taking refuge confirms in us that we want to attain liberation. Taking refuge confirms that we want to follow the path set out by the Buddha and thus having confirmed that, it sets the stage so that we can actually take the different levels of precepts or vows that can help us accumulate good karma and help us abandon our habitual confused behaviour.

Also, if your refuge is very strong you will keep your vows well. If your refuge is not very strong, then you will not keep your vows well. If you have not taken refuge, then you will not follow the precepts. If you do not believe in the path and the goal that the Buddha explained, you will not follow the method to get there.

THREE SETS OF VOWS

Refuge serves as the foundation for taking any further vows or initiations. There are actually three sets of vows that one can take as a Buddhist. The first level is called pratimoksha or individual liberation vows. These include the five lay precepts, the monks and nun’s vows and also one-day vows. The second type of vows is called the bodhisattva vows. The third type is the tantric vows. These are in order of how easy or difficult it is to keep them. In other words, the individual liberation vows are the easiest to keep because they point out physical and verbal behaviours that are to be abandoned. The bodhisattva vows are more difficult to keep because they point out mental behaviours to be abandoned, as do the tantric vows which are even more difficult to keep.

Nowadays, because initiations are given very freely, sometimes people’s first exposure to Buddhism is through an initiation. They might say something like, “I’ve taken this and that initiation but I am not a Buddhist.” Actually, refuge vows are given as part of the initiation ceremony, but if the person does not consider himself a Buddhist then he has not taken the bodhisattva vows or the tantric vows. And if you have not taken those, you have not taken the initiation. So people may say they have taken an initiation, they may think they have and that’s okay, there is nothing wrong with saying that or thinking that, but if one has not taken refuge in one’s heart either in a separate ceremony or in the earlier part of that initiation, then one really has not taken an initiation.

REFUGE VOWS ARE THE DOOR

That is why taking refuge is the door to the Buddha’s teachings. It is the doorway that you enter into to be able to commit yourself to any of the further practices. Like I repeatedly say, somebody can learn Buddha’s teachings and practise them without being a Buddhist. If something the Buddha taught helps your life, practise it. It does not matter if you have taken refuge or not.

But now when we talk about taking refuge we are talking of actually settling down and getting into the path and doing it. It is a different level of involvement. The advantage of taking refuge is that you get to take precepts. You are probably going, “Ugh, I get to take precepts. Who wants to take precepts! When I take the one-day Mahayana precepts, I can only eat one meal a day. I can’t sing and dance. I can’t have sex. I can’t do this. I can’t do that. Why is this an advantage?” Well that shows us something about what we think is important in life.

The advantage of taking precepts is that it acts as a framework for us to become more mindful, more aware of what we are saying, thinking and doing. If you take a precept to do, or not do, something that has been in your mind all day, you become much more aware of what is going on instead of just being on automatic mode. Taking precepts is very beneficial that way. Also, by keeping the precepts, we continually create good karma no matter what we are doing as long as we are not directly breaking the precepts.

There is a refuge ceremony for people who wish to take refuge. When you take refuge, you automatically take the precept not to kill. In addition, if people want to take any of the other precepts at that time they may, because taking refuge gives one the ability to take the five lay precepts for one’s life and one gets all the advantages of taking the precepts.

WE CAN ELIMINATE RESULTS OF PREVIOUSLY ACCUMULATED NEGATIVE KARMA

The third advantage of taking refuge is that it helps us to eliminate the negative karmic imprints on our mindstream. Previously in our confusion we may have acted destructively in verbal, physical and mental ways. We have those imprints on our mind and they will bring consequences. Taking refuge helps us because if we take refuge, we take vows, and observing the vows helps us to purify our past negative karma.

If we take refuge, we are also more likely to do the other practices that help us to purify, like doing the four opponent powers and doing purification meditation. Also if we take refuge, we have a deeper connection with the Buddha and by making offerings, doing prostrations and so forth to the Buddha, this also helps to purify our negative karma, because we are generating very positive attitudes when we are doing these practices.

Taking refuge can be a very strong purification of all the different karmas that we have created.

WE QUICKLY ACCUMULATE GREAT POSITIVE KARMA

OFFERINGS TO THE BUDDHA

The next benefit of taking refuge is that it enables us to create a vast store of positive potential for very similar reasons. In other words, if we take refuge then we are more likely to engage in the practices that are going to create positive potential in our lives. Also when we take refuge, because of the qualities of the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, they become very strong objects for us with which to create karma because of their qualities. If we make offerings to the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, we create a very strong, powerful karma compared to making an offering to our best friend, unless your best friend is a Buddha!

In other words, according to the level of a person’s spiritual realisations, the qualities they have and their relationship to us, we create karma. Some people and some things are heavier objects karmically for us than others. The Buddha, Dharma, Sangha are heavy because of their qualities.

If we have taken refuge and are prompted to make prostrations or offerings or serve the Buddhist community in some way, then because of the qualities of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, and because they are very strong objects with which we create karma, we create a lot of good karma through our prostrations, offerings and so on.

This is because the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha have the qualities that they do, any way in which we help them, becomes us helping all other sentient beings because the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are working for the benefit of all those sentient beings. This means if you help the Buddha and help people who are working for the benefit of other sentient beings, as you help them, they in turn help a huge array of people.

[thatgothlibrarian]

it is so refreshing to find vegan youtubers who are pro-science (like GMOs, vaccines, non-organic foods, soy, etc).