Wessex Sangha

31/12/2024

As we enter this globally recognized point in time, we often reflect on its significance. Millions will set new goals for how they live their lives. If wise motivation is there, this act holds deep meaning, encompassing possible feelings of dissatisfaction with the way our habits are. With this wise awareness we can cultivate happiness and joy as we embrace the new year and new beginnings.

From my spiritual perspective, I see opportunities for this renewal in every breath. In my practice, I understand that I can influence the unfolding of causes and conditions that shape the future and perceptions of the past. The concepts of past and future help us navigate our experiences, though no one has truly visited these places to report back.

Popular Buddhist teachings suggest that it's beneficial not to be burdened by a heavy understanding of karma (actions) as baggage. Instead, we should celebrate the act of letting go, lifes impermanence, which the new year symbolizes.

This moment is an opportunity to release habits that no longer serve us, fostering growth and awareness. It’s a time to cultivate deep presence and love for all life in whatever form they take. I would offer a hope that we can celebrate and recognise in every moment, every breath & heartbeat, a new opportunity for growth, for expansion of awareness and understanding, cultivating a deep presence and love for ourselves and others. 🙏🏻💜🙏🏻

30/12/2024

29/12/2024

A friend introduced this beautiful affirming poem to me & felt it needs sharing to loved ones, freinds & whom ever you feel needs reminding, how loved they are 🙏🏻 "You are good
You have always been good
Right from the beginning
I’m sorry that anyone told you otherwise
This breath
This head,
These hands
This love
Those feet
That smile
Your ears
This heart
This breath
This breath
This breath
Good, all good. So, so, so good.
You are loved
You are so loved
You are lovable
You have been working so hard
I don’t have to know how, to know that it’s true
You are precious
You are not a mistake, you are so on purpose
You are not broken
You never were
I’m sorry that you might have thought that
I’m sorry anyone might have made you think that
You are enough
You are so so enough
You do not have to earn your enough-ness
You do not have to grovel for value, for love, for goodness
You already have it
You already are it
You are loved
You are loved
You are love
You are love
You are love "~ Hillary L McBride, PhD

13/10/2024

Day two of the Unity Event Glastonbury, it has been beautiful, so wonderful to share space with other faiths, paths and spiritual people 🪷🌻🙏🏻

08/10/2024

A shift in perception. Captured with a 30-second shutter on a night so silent, so still. Yet, gazing deeper, the image unveils our cosmic vessel, Mother Earth, spinning gracefully through the vast silence.

10/07/2024

Friday Evening Kirtan-Radiate Your Light Through Shabad Guru.

Jul 12, 2024 - Jul 12, 2024

Dive deeply into the sacred sound current of Shabad Guru, a Divine gift of the Sikh tradition, where sound becomes the teacher. Join us Friday evening, 6-7:3pm for this kirtan led by Sangat Dhyan Kaur and Sat Tara Kaur; you will have the opportunity to experience Shabad Guru within your own being as we immerse ourselves in one beautiful Shabad (a sacred song from the Sikh tradition) for the entire weekend. No musical experience is necessary. This kirtan is specifically designed to be an in person transmission of Shabad Guru as taught by Snatam and Prabhu Nam Kaur. Both Sangat Dhyan and Sat Tara Kaur have learned directly from Snatam and Prabhu Nam Kaur, and have a passion and intention to share the heart-centered love, and the wisdom of the Shabad, through the experience of learning and chanting together, in Sangat. No yoga or musical experience required. Bring comfortable clothing, a yoga mat, a journal, and a water bottle. Please bring a head covering that covers the top of the head to each day of the course. This kirtan will be held in Millis, Massachusetts, USA, at Yoga at the Ashram, The Baba Siri Chand Yoga & Retreat Center at Guru Ram Das Ashram. It has been specifically chosenbecause of the sacred energy of the Gurdwara, and the sacred energy of the land that has been cultivated through years of meditation and love poured forth from practitioners, visionaries, yogis, kirtania, and the community.

Schedule: Jul 12, 2024
Yoga at the Ashram
Sat Tara Kaur, Sangat Dhyan Kaur
Fri 6:00pm - 7:30pm EDT

Dive deeply into the sacred sound current of Shabad Guru, a Divine gift of the Sikh tradition, where sound becomes the teacher. Join us Friday evening, 6-7:3pm for this kirtan led by Sangat Dhyan Kaur and Sat Tara Kaur; you will have the opportunity to experience Shabad Guru within your own being as...

02/07/2024

Can this conference inspire a new Israeli-Palestinian peace movement?
For activists Maoz Inon and Aziz Abu Sarah, reviving a joint peace effort that learns from past obstacles is ‘the biggest antidote to extremism.’

For Maoz Inon and Aziz Abu Sarah, reviving a joint peace effort that learns from past obstacles is ‘the biggest antidote to extremism.’

24/06/2024

Is there such a thing as "Humane Slaughter" RSPCA? Are you living up to your motto ‘for every kind’? youtu.be/ptMvgW85-38 . Act now! You must ditch your RSPCA Assured scheme. Sign Animal Justice Project’s petition: act.animaljusticeproject.com/rspca
"We filmed for two months and gathered over 125 hours of footage across multiple ‪‬ 'higher welfare' farms. We captured the abuse of pigs and piglets during loading and unloading at several Peddars Pigs" ‪‬ farms.

We’re asking the RSPCA to live up to their motto of caring “for every kind” and to cut ties with RSPCA Assured. We want them to champion plant-based food instead.

With the launch of a second cage-free egg farm investigation, we have exposed a further FOUR RSPCA Assured 'free-range' egg farms, all linked to the British ...

22/06/2024

We invite you to a Second Multi-Faith peace walk, entitled ‘Walk with Me‘, facilitated by Plum Village UK and Quakers in Britain this Sunday, 23rd June.

Time: 3pm – 5pm
Location: Gathering in Parliament Square

In the face of escalating violence and loss of life in over 100 wars and armed conflicts worldwide, including Palestine, Israel, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar and many more, the silent vigil aims to transcend religious and cultural boundaries.

“There are simply no more words left to convey our anger and crippling grief. This walk symbolises our commitment, each purposeful step connecting our broken hearts, unified in the hope - hope for peace built upon the unshakeable pillars of love, compassion, justice, and reverence for all life.” - Rehena Harilall, co-organiser of the walk

This second peace walk reflects a groundswell of desperate, heartbroken calls for peace here in London, inspiring similar events in Washington on the lawns of Capitol, Grand Park in Los Angeles and France on the same day.

Please join us, people of faiths and none, as we move together in silence to remember people killed in war, as we call for the cessation of killing, for nonviolence, reconciliation and a just peace.

The walk will begin with prayers offered by a diverse group of
grassroots faith representatives, predominantly women. Their leading role signifies the need for a different energy and approach to resolving conflicts and wars. The walk will then pause at key landmarks to hold vigil.

All welcome.

Please support us with Stewarding or First Aid on the day if you can – sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/walkjune

14/06/2024

Dear friends, here is an example Wessex Sangha session without the Dharma sharing section. The meditation offered is from the Plum Village tradition.

An ancestors meditation from the Plum Village tradition followed by a Dharmet on Wise Diligence-Effort of the Noble 8 Fold Path.

05/06/2024

End of the day Gatha contemplating impermanence: The day is ending and our life is one day shorter. Let us look carefully at what we have done. Let us practice diligently, putting our whole heart into the path of meditation. Let us live deeply each moment and in freedom, so the time doesn’t slip away meaninglessly.🪷 Text C/O Plum Village

Image C/O WessexSangha & CoPilot

02/06/2024