OM

The London Yoga Show this year seemed quite mellow. Personally, I enjoyed having the "big names" such as David Swenson – and Jivamukti's founders, Sharon and David. They seemed to give the Show a more universal feeling.

Looking around the hall at such hard-working yogis as David Sye, made me think of how much potential clout that we, as yoga teachers, could have. David has been doing incredible work bringing Israelis and Palestinians together. His organisation (Yoga Beats) has a new slogan "Yoga Beats Conflict". What other positive actions could we come up with, if we put our mind to it…

Brain-storming with Nigel Walker, of VegiVentures, we produced the idea of transplanting my favourite holiday: Thanksgiving. As a non-sectarian, non-religious highly-spiritual event, it could prove to be the perfect antidote to the letdown of our traditional holiday season. At this time of year, more than any other, many people strongly experience how material things fail to satisfy their heart. If you, like most people, invest your possessions with emotional meaning, you may be starving yourself of what you most need, i.e. authentic deep relationships.

Now, as we move more deeply into December, you are probably being hit by the seasonal sales barrage. Daily emails tempt you with free shipping, mail-order catalogues with cheery covers stuff your post box, and magazines try to convince you that giving/caring = spending.

An interesting contrast to this is Adbusters.org, who celebrated "Buy Nothing Day" on Nov 23rd. It seems that the idea started in Vancouver and has become a global cultural phenomenon. They recommend that you rethink the season with a Buy Nothing Christmas.

ActionAid's "Gifts in Action" suggest that you delight your friends and family with presents that help to make the world a fairer place for its poorest people.
http://www.giftsinaction.org.uk

World Vision offers "Alternative Gifts" that will make a big difference to communities in developing countries. http://www.greatgifts.org/

Maybe this Christmas season could be the perfect opportunity for you to integrate the practice of aparigraha into your daily life by living more simply, perhaps sharing what you do have. Also, stop judging others by their material possessions. Stop believing that what you own is tantamount to who you are, that buying more brings more happiness.

My thoughts and prayers are with you for a joyous holiday season – and a new year filled with great happiness and sublime learning experiences.

I'm off to India today (Dec 10th) – back mid-January.
With best wishes
Swami Saradananda

Aparagraha

"When non-acquisitiveness is established, an understanding of the purpose of life is gained".

"Knowledge of past and future lives unfolds when you are free from greed for possessions".

- Patanjali, Raja Yoga Sutra 2.39

Special Yoga on YouTube

Please take a moment to watch this short video:

The Sound of Devotion: Sat, Dec 15, 6:30-8:30pm

The first Sound of Devotion gathering on 1st September was an amazing evening with songs and chants from numerous traditions. This included chants from different yoga traditions, both simple mantras sung together and beautiful bhajans sung solo, an Aramaic translation of the Lord's Prayer with a very inspiring interpretation and a very uplifting African song to finish. Now, Narayani, aka Frankie Jennings, is inviting you for an inspiring evening of "Unity in Diversity …Through Sound".
Venue: 4 Carol Street, Camden, London NW1 0HW

Recommended Donation £5 to help cover costs and support this growing project.
We are also still looking for a larger space in Central London to hold the gatherings. Please do contact: frankiejennings@yahoo.co.uk

Winter Solstice Chanting by Candlelight: 17 Dec, 7.30-10pm

Join Nikki Slade and friends in a festive evening of chanting from the heart – to raise money for The Pegasus Children's Charity, children in Nepal. Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Road, Teddington TW1
more information: www.freetheinnervoice.com.

Forward this newsletter

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who may be interested.
If you have received this email from a friend and you wish to subscribe to this newsletter, please send an email to: swami.saradananda@virgin.net