On October 15, kxx led a one-day workshop called Yoga in Action (putting your yoga where your mouth is). In the morning 8 participants, many of them new to radha, reflected on “community” and “service.” In Hidden Language Hatha Yoga we worked with the Tree pose, considering the generous nature of the tree that gives shade and fruit to all without exception. How can we bring that kindness into our day and our lives? After a lovely lunch together we walked to Oppenheimer Park, the living room of the Downtown Eastside. Our jobs included scrubbing down the kitchen, raking leaves and picking up trash, which included used needles (using special tongs and disposal box). At the end of the day we gathered in a circle in the park and reflected on our time, which was rich, educational and freeing. We observed the spirit of community among the residents of the neighbourhood and overcame some personal fears. Many participants expressed their desire for the workshop to become a regular event. The spirit of karma yoga is alive & well in Vancouver! (By the way, kxx is now attending the Earth Charter conference in Amsterdam. Thank you to all who supported her through the Earth Charter/Hidden Language posters.)

On October 20: Swami Radhananda joined us for several days in Vancouver, first enjoying a fundraising dinner with seven guests in the Tara Room at radha. The four course meal was prepared with love and skill by head chef, Kali Saltibus a graduate of YDC 2004, and served by our talented group of YDC graduates, yoga teachers and managers, including Carolyn Wong, kxx Citton and Kelsi Cox. Conversation at the table ranged from “what is spiritual?” to the latest news about the Goloka project, toward which the funds are being directed. $900 was raised for the project.

Meanwhile in the dining room, 39 guests were gathered for an “earthsave dine-out.” Earthsave is a group that supports a vegan lifestyle. Members and the general public are invited to restaurants for special dinners at various restaurants. The atmosphere at radha was cheerful and warm, and people expressed their delight in the food, the service and the ambience, saying it was one of the best dine-outs they’d ever attended.

October 21, 22, 23: Friday night Swami Radhananda spoke to a group of forty people about bringing inspiration into their lives. Who inspires you and why? We focused on chanting AUM and listening in silence, and gathered in small groups and a large circle to hear from each other. On Saturday and Sunday the workshop continued with group of 14- 18 participants. The focus was on how we create our world through silence and speech. We practiced reflection, visualization and listening in silence. The simplicity and clarity of Swami Radhananda’s presentation, so obviously built on her own experience, allowed people to deepen their connection within themselves. Some of us have been involved in these teachings for many years and others were new, but we all discovered that we can access our inner wisdom when we give it attention, time, space and respect.

UPCOMING: Swami Radhananda will be returning to Vancouver to launch Inspired Lives, the latest book from Timeless which features the best from ascent magazine. On Thursday evening, November 24th Swami Radhananda will be speaking at a Banyen-sponsored book launch, and on Saturday, November 26th she will lead an Inspired Lives workshop at radha in the morning. In the afternoon writers and profiled guests from the book will gather, with the highlight being a panel discussion on engaged spirituality with Swami Radhananda, teacher of practical wisdom, Reverend Ruth Wright, active defender of the street people, who heads up the 1st United Church mission in the DTES, Mary-Jo Fetterly, a courageous yoga teacher who continues teaching after a skiing accident left her paralyzed, Sarah Truman, editor of ascent magazine, seeker of Kuan Yin and occasional China correspondent, and Lesley Neilson, writer, environmental and social justice activist, mother of twins. Sunday morning we will be celebrating with a “blues brunch” featuring well-known local musicians including the Be Good Tanyas. Call us at 604-605-0011 to find out more about this and other events. Or check the website, www.radha.org/vancouver.