BBC Radio 4 have a weekly 30 minute programme called Beyond Belief on religion and ethics. The programme consists of a panel discussion.
The afternoon programme of Monday 26th May , 2014 at 4:30pm will explore mindfulness. …
Mindfulness Discussion on BBC Radio 4. May 26, 2014. 16.30 pmRead More »
Mindfulness Discussion on BBC Radio 4. May 26, 2014. 16.30 pm Read More »
Dear One who is the One of All,
I am writing to thank you for all your kindnesses, lovely words and warm messages for my 70th birthday last month, Tuesday, April 22 (Earth Day). I recall having a birthday party for my 40th birthday. Radha said we are not going to wait another 30 years.
I received this lovely birthday message from Zohar who invited friends to offer donations for precious projects to mark my birthday. She wrote:
“The website page was created with so much love and gratitude trees4ct.blogspot.com. The website was compiled by Nathan, Dave Adair and Zohar. There are some public comments and birthday wishes there, and Dave collated the personal messages as well as donations to the different projects we have invited people to support in celebration of your life and work.
In total, people donated $1694 to the 4 different projects, in celebration of your presence in our lives.
$414 – donated towards buying trees for the farmers of Wadi Kana in Palestine.
$818 – donated to the Pragya Vihar school in Bodhgaya, India
$179 – donated to the Forest Way reforestation project in Tiruvannamalai, India.
$281 – donated to the Dharamalaya reforestation project in Himachal Pradesh, India.
“So glad to hear you had a such a meaningful day. Nathan and I were thinking of you up in the high Himalayas on the day. And you came up in a Dharma talk I gave, as an inspiration of service to the Dharma. “
April 22 evening
We had a wonderful evening at Café Mumbai at the top of Totnes High Street. As always, an international sangha – 25 Dharma friends came from nine countries. I thought Nshorna was at home in London taking care of kids and full time work responsibilities. She sprung a big surprise on me and came to the birthday party.
I said a few lines about each person – name, country, residence where and when I met them and their roles as servants of the Dharma. I actually remembered. Assuming the breaths still flow, I cannot promise such recollections, going back to 1974, if there is a 75th birthday party.
As part of the plan to initiate the evening, Martin (Aylward) kindly said a few words to us. He gave me a package of appreciative notes. Others, like Eran in Israel, Radha from Australia, were part of the plan. Martin said he contacted various people in the worldwide Sangha, including 25 of those who I have encouraged and invited to teach. Martin said they had put together a dana for me. I smiled and said: Thank you “and spoke a few words. Nshorna, who was sitting next to me at the long table in the restaurant, nudged me: “Dad, I think you should put your glasses on and look at the cheque.” I had one of those OMG (OH, MY GOD!) moments. The teachers and seniors were exceptionally generous. Others also kindly gave dana, plus dana for our beloved Prajna Vihar School in Bodh Gaya.
I also received generous dana from Australia, California and Europe. I am currently writing an exploration for the blog on the Symbolic Significance of the 70th Birthday. It will go on the blog within the next seven days.
Dharma wallahs gave me books, DVDs and CDs, an Indian shawl, shirts, a lovely bottle of red wine posted from Germany, large mug for a cup of tea, carpet slippers, book tokens, chocolate, health food, organic acai powder, herbal tea, an A4 size montage of photos from our retreats in Bodh Gaya in the 1990s, photographs of Sr. Mary of Bodh Gaya, a photograph of myself from 1974, photos on a USB stick take over the years at Yarrahapinni, NSW Australia at the annual Dharma Gathering, group photo from Bodh Gaya retreat, plus numerous cards, messages and recollections worldwide.
I told friends in the café that I was writing a poem called 70th Birthday. I have placed it on my blog. Here is the link. http://christophertitmussblog.org/?p=1901
During the week of my birthday, I spent for 25 minutes cycling to and fro, twice a day, to attend a small Dartington Conference for 30 invited people – mostly professors, academics, scholars, scientists from India, Russia, USA, France and UK – on East-West themes of consciousness, self, mind and brain, spiritual and secular. Max who runs Consciousness Café in Totnes organised the conference. I did not hear any real support for the major contemporary scientific paradigm: namely, the claim of materialistic reductionists of matter/energy as the reality with the mind/consciousness only able to show an image of the reality. There was considerable support for expansive views of the inter-connection and mutual influence between consciousness, mind and matter. I took lots of notes and will write on the conference for my blog in May. The participants kindly offered a birthday cake for me.
Once again, many thanks for all your kindness.
Namaste
Lots of Love
Christopher
PS. I hear rumours of a birthday event in Israel when I go to serve the Dharma there in September. Can’t wait!
A Big Thank You for Your Kindnesses for my 70th birthday on April 22, 2014 (Earth Day) Read More »
Edited transcription of Talk/Question and Answer/Guided Mindfulness Meditation on March 19, 2014 to some doctors, managers and staff of the Kliniken Essen-Mitte, a hospital in Essen, Germany. The hospital provides a wide range of services to facilitate support for the needs of patients including oncology, palliative care, psychiatry and Naturopathy It is one of the leading hospitals in Germany offering treatment from physicians/oncologists along with Naturopathy to support a healthy diet, mindfulness programmes for stress reduction, inner healing and exploration of lifestyle. The hospital offers expertise to the highest medical level. …
Transcription of Talk/Q and A, given at an Essen Hospital. March 19, 2014Read More »
Transcription of Talk/Q and A, given at an Essen Hospital. March 19, 2014 Read More »
In August 2000, a meditator at the Spirit Rock Meditation Centre, Marin, California, kindly gave me a copy of The Power of Now (price $21.95) by Eckhart Tolle that had been published the year before. She told me she had bought a dozen copies to give to her friends. She wrote on the inside cover:
“Thank you, Christopher. I am grateful for your guidance and your support in my awakening. May this book be a blessing to you. It is changing my life.” …
Eckhart Tolle is on the Rich Man’s List. Is this the price of enlightenment?Read More »
Eckhart Tolle is on the Rich Man’s List. Is this the price of enlightenment? Read More »
I remember the old joke from the 1980’s about East Germany. President Honecker went on an overseas trip. He returned back to East Berlin. Noone was at the airport. Nobody on the streets. Everywhere was in darkness. He drove around until he saw a single light. There was a hole in the Berlin wall with a message. “Dear Mr. President. We have all left for West Germany. You are the last one left. Turn the light out.” …
