If you feel somewhat lost or overwhelmed when you think of the current world situation, this wonderful book will strengthen you in body and mind, not just to face the challenges that lie ahead, but to really, constructively, find a way of overcoming them. As you will learn, Active Hope is something we do, rather than have. It is a process you can apply to any situation, and it involves three steps: first, you take a clear view of reality; second, you identify what you hope for; and third, you take steps to move in that direction. Joanna Macy shares her rich experience of inspiring people to take a knife and fork to the spaghetti which is modern life, giving us the feeling that, whatever crises we are faced with, we can and will unravel them and bring to them the healing that is the very substance of our souls.
CLICK HERE TO READ A SPECIALLY SELECTED EXCERPT FROM ACTIVE HOPE
The Coming of the Kingdom of Shambhala
It’s uncanny just how timely a twelve centuries old Tibetan Buddhist prophecy can be. This video will give you a good dose of the hope and encouragement you may currently be seeking. The prophecy is retold by Joanna Macy, the co-author of ‘Active Hope’, who explains that Shambhala Warrior is a metaphor for the Bodhisattva – the hero in the Buddhist tradition – and, because the teaching of the Lord Buddha is the radical inter-existence of all things, if one person has the capacity to be a Bodhisattva then others do too. ‘The story is aimed at the Bodhisattva in you.’
(If you are short on time, you can skip straight to the recital at 2.40min.)
Cygnus Cafe Meetings over the next couple of weeks …
The number of Cygnus Cafe Meetings is growing all the time! Visit the Cygnus Cafe webpage for further information, including contact details, on the following meet-ups, or to check what’s on in in your area!
| County/Town | Venue | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doncaster | Vintage Tearooms at Branton Garden Centre | Wednesday 13th May | 1pm to 3pm |
| Doncaster | Vintage Tearooms at Branton Garden Centre | Monday 18th May | 11am onwards |
| Stroud | Miserden Village Hall, Miserden, Stroud | Saturday May 16th | 1pm to 4pm |
| Thornbury, South Gloucestershire | The Swan | Friday 15th May | 11am to Noon |
| Bristol | Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Old Vicarage, Gloucester Road | Sunday 24th May | 10.30am to 4pm |
| Cheltenham | The Isbourne Holistic Centre, Isbourne House, 3 Wolseley Terrace | Wednesday 13th May | 11am to 1pm |
| Surrey | Caterham on the Hill | Wednesday 20th May | 7pm |
| Sherbourne | The Wingfield Room, Digby Hall, Hound Street | Wednesday 13th May | 7pm |
| Milton Keynes | Contact for info: 07972 257004 or nikki-nutrimed@hotmail.co.uk |
Sunday 17th May | 2.30pm to 4.30pm |
See the greatness
Leading to this moment, we’ve been presented with the opportunities to get to know and to accept the greatness, or the hero, within. Every time we overcome, we develop a deeper appreciation of these heroes that we are, so we’ve begun to look twice at each other until we see that greatness reflected. Well I say keep looking because that’s what will help us ‘rise above fear and into freedom’. There’s plenty that can overwhelm us with anger, or chill us to the bones, if we allow our focus to be directed away from our greatness. But we’re not going to let that happen are we? That’s why I’ve crammed this email with positive messages and why the Cygnus book of the month is Active Hope. There are more books than usual down the page too, and one of my old magazine features that includes an appropriate Hopi message – all specially selected to help us keep our sights set and our hearts strong.
Special Offer
Buy any book featured in this email, before 01/06/2015, and receive a 10% off voucher with your delivery as a thank you.
A song to strengthen the sense of hope
You know how certain music will seamlessly find it’s way, beyond our thoughts and fears, directly to heart and soul? Paolo Nutini’s ‘Iron Sky’ is one of those songs. Featuring part of Charlie Chaplin’s moving speech from the Great Dictator, this lifts you to a place of faith and inner strength. Get ready for the goosebumps …
One love,
Louisa
