ManyofyouwillknowthatBrotherMartinhasbeenactingasSuperioratShantivanamwhilstFrGeorgehasbeenawayinKeralastudyingforaresearchdegreeintheology.Unfortunatelyforus,albeitfortunatelyfortheashram,BrotherMartinisnotnowabletovisitEuropethissummer.Withgreatregret,MartinhashadtocancelhisvisitbecauseheisneededatShantivanam.AswediscoveredwhenwevisitedtheashraminJanuaryandFebruary,heisverybusytherewithmanygueststobeattendedtoaswellasthesocialworkprojectsinthesurroundingvillages.Inadditiontherearetwoimportanteventsinthelifeoftheashramthissummer.Oneisthesimpleprofessionoftwonovices-andtheotheristheordinationofBrAmaldasasapriestinJuly.Veryspecialeventsforthem,andbothveryspecialmilestonesinthe
growthofthecommunity.SeveralplannedmeetingswillgoaheaddespiteBrMartinbeingunabletocomeanditiswonderfulthatthereistheenthusiasmandcommitmentforthis.TheParkPlaceSeminarwillgoaheadasitissuchanimportantpartoftheannuallifeoftheSangha.InplaceofBrotherMartin,therewillbeaspecialopportunityforSanghamemberstohearabout,andreflecton,thegreatmystic,andoneofthefoundingfathersofShantivanamHenrileSaux,Abishiktananda.ThereseO’Neillhaskindlyofferedtoorganisethebookingsforthiseventandthebookingformisenclosedwiththisnewsletter.Finally,welcometoDavidandGillian-wehaveourfirstmembersfromEgypt!
TheBedeGriffithsSanghaNewsletterTheBedeGriffithsSanghaiscommittedtothesearchfortruthattheheartofallReligions
March2004Volume7Issue1 BrotherMartin’sVisit
TheSwamiBedeDayanandaTrustbuildingsneartheashram.ItisherethattheTrusthasanurseryschool,atypingschool,acomputercentre,andthetailoringinstituteArecentadditionisastitchingunitfunded
THEBEDEGRIFFITHSSANGHANEWSLETTER2 ATASTEOFSOUTHINDIAFriday25June2004TheOthonaCommunityinvitesyoutoaDayOutinSalisbury.FeaturingspectaculartraditionaldancersontourfromKalaiKaviriCollege,Tiruchirapalli.AlsoJyotiSahi(whodesignedShantivanamʹstemplevimana)speakingonʺFacesofJesus‑anIndianperspectiveʺ.SarvadhanaSangam:pioneeringsocialactioninTamilNadu.AndChristian/Hinduliturgy.Fordetails:Susannaon01308897130, ormail@othona‑bb.org.ukwww.othonabb.org.uk/southindia k2.net
KalaiKaviriLiturgicalIndianDanceGroupJune2004UKVisit PROGRAMMES of LITURGICAL and SPIRITUAL DANCE This award* winning troupe has toured most major western European countr ies. It is now on its first visit to England, en route for its USA and Canada tour. Indian classical dance or Bharathanatyam has a long history of liturgical dances for temple worship. As part of Christian inculturation Kalai Kaviri University College of Fine Arts, which has an open access programme for all castes, has choreographed this tradition for local church worship and scr iptural themes as well as for Hindu temple festivals (it has performed 45 times in Hindu temples in the last ten years). The dances use a sophisticated language of movement and gesture (‘mudra’) to communicate. The effect for the West is a new spir itual dimension – with all the colour, grace and energy of South Indian dance drama. The Group will be giving workshops and performances at temples and churches in London, South England and the Midlands. For details of the programme contact: [email protected] 01252 843133 (also fax) www.SOULutions.co.uk/ InscapeRetreats www.kalaikavir ifinearts.com
ChristmastriptoShantivanam2004Shantivanamliterallymeans‘ForestofPeace’anditisindeedawonderfuloasisofpeaceinourtroubledworld.Theregularityoftheday,withitsBenedictinerhythm,meetingpeoplefromallovertheworld,prayersthreetimesadayinthechapel,talksbyBrMartin,andtheover-ridingsenseoffriendshiponthespiritualjourney,allmakeShantivanamaveryspecialplace.TheashramwelcomesvisitorsandaparticularlygoodtimetovisitisDecemberforthecelebrationofFatherBede’sbirthdayon17thDecember,andforChristmas.SeveralSanghamembershavealreadyexpressedinterestintheproposedvisittoShantivanamthisDecember.AdrianandJillarewillingtohelpfacilitatethis,andtohelppeoplemake
travelarrangements.Wewillbeflyingoutbeforethe10thDecemberandwewillbethereforatleastthreeweeks.WewillbehappytomeetSanghamembersatTrichyorChennai(Madras)andtravelwiththemtotheashram.WewillalsoarrangesomevisitstolocalsitesofinterestincludingthefamousSivatempleofChidambaram,andvisitslocalsocialworkprojects.Ifyouwanttocome,orwouldliketodiscussitfurther,pleasephoneAdrianorJillon01227752871oremailbg.sangha@btinternet.comTheScottishSanghaWillbeholdingaweekendretreatatDunblaneFriJune18-SundayJune20costforfullboard£95FordetailscontactMaryLaidlaw01505614988marylaidlaw@btopenwoprld.comSteveWoodward.Tel01355224937swoodshawk@hotmail.com
THEBEDEGRIFFITHSSANGHANEWSLETTER
SusannaisaSanghamemberwholiveswiththeOthonaCommunityinDorset.InJanuaryshewenttotheWorldSocialForumaftervisitingShantivanamMyWSFexperiencebeganonthe34-hourtrainjourneytoMumbaiwhenIspottedaWSFbannerproudlyhangingoutofatraincarriagewindow.Onseekingouttheowners,Imet12womenfromtheTamilNaduWomen'sCollective.WiththeirlimitedEnglishandmysignificantlymorelimitedTamil,Igatheredthattheyworkedonsavingsschemesandmicro-credit,(Ihavesincefoundoutthat'snotthe
halfofwhattheydo),andthattheywereHindus,MuslimsandChristiansworkingtogether.Itgavemeasneakpreviewofwhatwasinstoreinthenextfewdays,thediversityandtheunity,theparticipationofsomanyworkingatgrassrootslevel.TheWSFisheldasacountertotheannualWorldEconomicForum(WEF).HeadsofcorporationsandgovernmentsgototheWEF.TheWSFisheldtogivetherestoftheworldavoice.WhilethereweresomeNobelPrizewinners,governmentministersandauthors,thevastmajorityweregrassrootsactivists,individualsandgroupsofordinarypeople.Over100,000ofusfromsome130countrieshadcometolearn,shareexperiencesandjusttobewithfellowcitizenscommittedtoaworldofequality,dignity,justiceandpeace.TheWSFwasahugecelebrationofprotest,pluralismanddiversity,ofhope,struggleandcreativity.Itwasinspiring,challenging,thought-provoking,heart
wrenchingandheartwarming.Itcontainedthemostamazingamountofenergy,itwasaplaceofanticipation,curiosity,exchangeandconnection.Therewasanoverwhelmingselectionofseminarsandworkshopsoneveryimaginabletopicandmanyunimaginableones.Thousandsgatheredinhugehalls;fourorfivepeoplesatchattinginacircleonatentfloor.Thesubjectsincluded:Treesforsurvival,ResistanceinArtArtinResistance,MuslimWomenandSexuality,TransitofVenusMassExperiment(Ineverdidfindoutwhatthatwas!),WomenreimaginingtheUN,Engineers'Ethics,NotoWarToysandSheaNutCosmeticsWorkshop.IwasinvitedtoattendtheinternationallaunchofIFAT'snewFairTradeOrganizationmark.(www.ifat.org).SymbolicallyheldinDharavi,Asia'slargestslumarea,itwasareminderthatfairtradehelpssmallproducerstosustaintheirrurallivelihoods,andavoidendingupinsuchurbanslums.FairtradeisagoodexampleofwhatWSFisabout.Apracticalprotestagainstthefreemarketandneoliberalpolicieswhichrulemostoftrade,it'saneffectivewayofestablishingconnectionsbetweenpeoplearoundtheworld.Buyingfairtrademarkedcoffeein
theCo-op(unsubtleplugforBritain'smostethicalsupermarket)doesmakearealdifferencetothelifeofacoffeefarmerandhisfamilyinNicaragua.(Www.fairtrade.org.uk)Ataworkshopontheroleofspiritualityindevelopment,IwasdelightedfirstlytositnexttoanIndianpriestwho'dbeentoShantivanamandsecondlythatthespeakersdefinedspiritualityasbeingbeyondreligions.Theyhighlightedhowthewesterndefinitionofprogresshadledtothemarginalisationofspiritualitywithinsocietyandhowreligionsoftenthrivedoncontrolratherthanfreedomandwereusedasatoolofoppression.NGOsfrequentlysawreligionasoneofthemaincausesofunderdevelopment.Thespeakersgavetheirvisionforanauthenticspirituality.OnewhichseesmeaninginpainandsufferingandmeetsGodinthemarginalised;isaccessibletoall;doesn'tcondemnorcondonebutbringshealingforvictimsandaccusers.(cfGandhiifyouhatetheoppressors,youhavelostthestruggle);includesothers'genuine(continuedonpage6)(Continuedfrompage3)spiritualitiesandconnectstotherestofcreation.Theyhadavisionwherespiritualitycancontributetodevelopmentinsociety,allowingforpeople'shopeandmeaningtobe
3TheWorldSocialForumatMumbaiSusannaHodgson
TheWSFMarchinMumbai
THEBEDEGRIFFITHSSANGHANEWSLETTER
ItwasadarkIndiannightin1959,inUttarPradesh,some70milesfromtheHimalayas,andtheecumenicalcommunityofJyotiniketanwereendingcomplineastheyalwaysdid,standingatthedooroftheChapeltogivethePeacetotheneighbouringvillages.Bythelightofthekerosenelampstheysawastrangefigure,patientlywaitinginthemangogrove.Hewaswearingthesaffronrobesofthesadhu,awanderingmonk,andthebagscontaininghisworldlypossessionswereslungroundhisneck.ItwastheBenedictinemonkHenrileSaux,betterknownasAbhishiktananda.HehadcomeatthesuggestionofRaimonPannikar,apioneerinEast-Westdialogue,buthehadbeenlostuntilthelanternsshedlightontheashramanditschapel.Thecommunitymemberstookthewanderertotheirhearts;itwasthebeginningofaremarkablefriendship,particularlybetweenAbhishiktanandaandMurrayRogers,theashram'sfounder.Bothmenwereintheirforties,bothChristians,bothconsideredtohavewanderedfromtheirtraditionalpaths;butinsomewaystheywereverydifferent.MurrayRogershadcometoIndiaasanAnglicanmissionaryundertheauspicesoftheChurchMissionarySociety.Hewasatall,imposingfigure,marriedwiththreechildren,thesonofanEnglishstockbrokerfromaprivilegedbackground.
SoonafterhearrivedinIndiahehadfallenundertheinfluenceoftheGandhianmovementandbeenforcedtore-thinkhisideas,especiallyonpoverty.HedecideditwasnotpossibletosharetheChristianmessagebystandingoutsidethesituation,soheandhiswifeMaryresignedfromtheChurchMissionarySocietyandaskedthatnomoreallowancesshouldbesenttothem.Godisinthemudandthesuffering,theyargued,andthatiswheretheywantedtobe.AbhishiktanandawasaFrenchman,anold-fashionedpriestofBretonseafaringstock,whohadspentthelastnineteenyearsasaBenedictinemonkinthemonasteryofKergonannearBriac.Hewasbeardedanduntidy,hischarmlyingmoreinhisvitality,hisgesticulationsandhishumourthaninhisphysicalappearance.HiscomingtoIndiain1948wasthefulfilmentofadreamthathadlingeredroundhisconsciousnesssincehewasanovice-hewantedtobringBenedictinelifetoIndia.AtthetimeofthismeetinghewaslivingatShantivanam,anashraminTamilNaduhehadfoundedwithanotherFrenchpriest,FrMonchanin.OverwhelmedbymeetingthegreatIndiansageRamanaMaharshi,hehadbecomesoattachedtosilenceandsolitudethathewastospendhislastyearsasahermitintheHimalayas.Asamonkhehadofcoursetakenvowsofpoverty,buthe
tookthevowtoitslimitsaying'Nomanisfreeuntilhehasnothing.'AbhishiktanandahadnevermetanAnglican,norhadhemetamarriedpriestofanydenomination.AtfirsthefoundithardtobelievethatMurrayandMarywereChristiansatall,indeedhewas,saysMurray,'chary',constantlyneedingtoremindthemthathewasaRomanCatholic.NonethelessMurray'soveridingimpressionwasofamanwhowasdeeplyauthentic,openandhuman.Hewasasolitarywholovedcompany.TheirseparatelivesandthesizeofIndiameantthattheyonlymettwoorthreetimesayear,butthesetimeswerechargedwithenergy.Theywereseriousandtheyjoked.Abhishiktanandahadarefreshinglydown-to-earthunderstandingofGod,seeinghim,asDonaldNichollnoted,'asmuchinthemakingofagoodsouporthecarefulhandlingofatrainasinourmostbeautifulmeditations.'HehadnoproblemseeingGodinotherdenominationsorreligions,sowhenfriendsofthecommunitycameoverforBibleStudy,thatveryProtestantactivity,Abhishiktanandaenteredintoitwithgusto.MoreoftentheysatunderatreestudyingtheUpanishadstogether,whenAbhishiktanandawouldreadapassageandsay,'YouandIhaveChristianhearts,whatechoisthereinyourChristianhearttowhatyou'vejustheard?'
ThePriestandtheSwamiShirleyduBoulay4
ShirleyduBoulayiscurrentlywritingabiographyofHenrileSaux,alsoknownasAbishiktananda.ShewillbeamainspeakerattheSangaSeminaronAbishiktanandaatParkPlacethisJuly
Abishiktananda
AsthefriendshipgrewMurrayappreciatedmoreandmoretheraredepthofholinessinAbhishiktanandaandAbhishiktananda,forhispart,sawthatMurray'sworkatJyotiniketanwasarealcontributiontothechurch;heevencametoseethevalueofamarriedpriesthoodand'thesacerdotalvalueofthecouple'.Butitwasmorethanmutualadmirationthatdrewthemtoeachother.Bothfelttheynolongercompletelybelongedtotheirowntraditionsandwere,asMurrayputsit,'blessedlyathomewithafelloweccentric.'Theysharedavision,alongingtofindGodbeyondthedifferentreligions,beyondtheclothingofnameandform.Bothlongedtogetbacktothe“source”,whereallisone.Abhishiktanandahaswrittenextensively,crucialtoallhisthinkingbeingthevalueofexperience.AtaroundthetimehemetMurrayhewroteinhisdairy:“IfIamthebearerofamessage,aspeopletellme,thenwhatisthismessage?Youcanbearwitnessonlytoyourownexperience.ThereisonlyonethingIknow,that“Iam”.ThisIam,aham,whichburstsoutinallcreation,ineverything,ineveryevent,naturalorhistorical.”HealwaysremainedChristianandfaithfultohisBenedictineroots,buthisdiscoveryofadvaita,ornon-duality,thefundamentalinsightoftheHinduscriptures,causedhimthegreatestanguish.Abhishiktanandacalledadvaita'aroyalsecret.'Advaitaispurebeing.ItisChrist's'BeforeAbrahamwas,Iam.'ItisthemysterythatGodandtheworldarenottwo.Itistheultimatteexperienceofmysticssuch
asMeisterEckhart,Rumi,TeresaofAvilaandJohnoftheCross.ThefulladvaiticexperiencewaseventuallyknowntoAbhishiktanandaandthenhefoundreconciliationandgreatpeace,butonthewayhewastornapart.HowcouldhereconciletheapparentincompatibilitybetweenChristianityandadvaita?WhatifinadvaitahewasonlyfindinghimselfandnotGod?Thetensionbroughthimtothepointwhenhewroteinhisdiary:'Iwrestlewiththeangel.Iconstantlytrytodenytheultimatevalueofadvaita.'ForyearshetriedtoreconcilehistotalcommittmenttoChristwithhisconvictionthattheadvaiticexperienceisthedeepestexperienceknowntoman.Murraydescribedhisownvisionas'ThewishthattherealityofGod-Father,SonandSpirit-mightgrowinsideme,mightswallowmeup,itIdaredtoletit.'ThislongingforwhatcanbeseenasaChristianunderstandingofadvaitamusthavebeenbalmtothesoulofAbhishiktananda,whoformanyyearsfoundfewwithwhomhecoulddiscusstheoverwhelmingtensioninhislife.Abhishiktanandadiedin1973sowemustrelyonMurray,whonowlivesinEngland,toanswerquestionslikehowtheydealtwithdenominationaldifferences,forinstancetheEucharist.Atfirst,whenAbhishiktanandawasstayingatJyotiniketan,hewouldcelebrateMassalone,standinginhisroom,wearinghiscrumpledRomanvestments,usinghisportableMasskitandLatinmissal.GraduallyheandMurraycametocelebratetogether,sometimescross-leggedbytheGanges,the
altar-stonearock,takenspeciallyfromtheriver.Notwantingtocauseoffence,leastofallinanythingconcerningtheEucharist,theyneverconcelebratedinpublic.Anotherquestion,inevitableintheIndiancontext,wasthatofguruanddisciple.ThoughAbhishiktanandawasnotconcernedwithhavingdiscipleshelivedbothexperiences,hisgurubeingSriGnananandaandhisclosestdisciple,attheendofhislife,ayoungFrenchmancalledMarcChaduc.Wasthereanythingoftheguru/disciplerelationshipbetweenhimandMurray?ThehumilityofMurray'sansweristouching:'IthinkIwasn'tdeepenough-toputitinaveryWesternway-tomakeuseofwhatSwamijihadtoshare.'MurrayfeelsthatSwamiji,ashewasknownbyhisfriends,wasSanchoPanzaandDonQuixoterolledintoone.HewasSanchoPanzainthathewasdown-to-earth,nevertakingforgranted,forinstance,wherethenextmealwascomingfrom.HewasDonQuixoteinthecouragewithwhichhetiltedatwindmills,evenatthestructurethattriestokeepChristianityinoneboxandHinduisminanother.“Not”asMurraysays,“becauseyoucanfindwheretheyinterlockandsaythisdoctrineagreeswiththatdoctrine-notonthatlevelatall,butbysurpassingboth.Hemovedbeyondcomparisons-that'sarealwindmill.”(TheTabletcutthisline-woulditbewickedofustore-instateit???)SoprofoundwereAbhishiktananda'sexperiencesthathesometimesthoughthewasmad,andMurrayfeelsthecourageofhispersistence
onthishardpathwasallthemoreremarkablebecausehehadapainfulsenseofinferiority.Thoughwellversedintheologyandphilosophy,hefeltnervouswithlearnedpeople;hewasoverwhelmedbythem.“Hecouldn'tcopewhenhewasfacedwithahumanbeingwhospokeabouttheeternal,abouttheChristianexperienceortheadvaiticexperienceasiftheyknewwhattheyweretalkingabout.Swamijiknewthathowevermuchheknewhewasinthefirstform.Hewasextraordinarilyhumble.”PerhapsevenmorethanmostofusAbhishiktanandaneededappreciationandlove.(Theyalsocutthis)“Beyond,alwaysbeyond”Abhishiktanandausedtosay,andthattookhimtorealmswheresomeChristiansdoubtedhisChristianity.JustashecouldsharewithMurraythetensionheexperiencedbetweenChristianityandadvaita,sohewasabletosharethoughtsthatwere,atthetime,unacceptabletomany.ForinstancehewrotetoMurrayjusttwomonthsbeforehisdeath,“TheChristImightpresentwillbesimplytheIAMofeverydeepheart,whocanshowhimselfinthedancingShivaortheamorousKrishna!Andthekingdomispreciselythisdiscovery...ofthe'insideoftheGrail!Theawakeningisatotalexplosion.”Ifproofofthedepthoftheirfriendshipwereneededitlayinthedepthoftheirsharing,initscombinationofintensity,humourandtrust.ItlayinAbhishiktananda'sgriefwhenMurrayandhiscommunityleftIndia,farexceedingtheconcernheusuallyfeltwhenpartingfromfriends;itlayinthe
THEBEDEGRIFFITHSSANGHANEWSLETTER 5
THEBEDEGRIFFITHSSANGHANEWSLETTERthreedayjourneyhemadefromhishutintheHimalayastoDelhi,tospendjustoneeveningwithMurray,whowaspassingthrough.AsforMurray,hesayshisfriend'openedmyeyesonwhatitmeanstobeinGod.Irememberhimsaying“PrayerissimplybelievingthatyouareinGod.”ApartfrommyfamilySwamijiisthegreatestgiftGodhasgivenme.'Friendshiplikethisnotonlychangeslivesbutcanaffectthespirituallivesofpeoplearoundthem.Hereweretwopeoplewhocouldshareataverydeeplevel.TheycouldevensharewhatAbhishiktanandacalledthe'Ah'oftheKenaUpanishad.'Thatwhichisthehearingbehindhearing,thethinkingbehindthinking,thespeechbehindspeech,thesightbehindsight.Itisalsothebreathingbehindbreathing.’ThisarticlewasfirstpublishedinTheTablet
6DearSanghafriends,ItwasgoodtomeetoldandnewfriendsatPrinknash,somemighthavebeensurprisedtoseemewearingorangeclothes,wonderingwhy.WeassociateorangerobeswhichyouknowviaBedewithaHindumonkSannyasin/Swami.Wellletmeusethisopportunitytosharesomethingwithyou.TheuseofthewordHinduorHinduism,allthoughquietcommon,isamisnomer.Variationsofthiswordwereusedbyinvadingforces,whetherAlexandertheGreat,Persians,MogulsorBritishtodescribethelandbeyondtheriverSindhu.FurthermoreitsusewaspopularisedbytheBritishasausefultoolto"divideandconquer"thatwhichwasMoslemand-theothers.The'others'lumpedtogethermanycultures,states,legalsystems,customsandreligiouspractices;ahugevarietyofthings,albeitallsharingtheVedicTruththatalllifeissacredandgovernedinallaspects(includingexpressionsofreligiouslife)througheternalprinciples.ThesearereferredtoasSanãtanaDharma.All“Hindu"culturesevolvedoutofthisexpandedvision;andmanystillrefertotheirreligionasSanãtanadharma.Sotocutalongstoryshort,aSwamiisnota"Hindumonk",butamonkdedicatedtotheSanãtanaDharma.Nowwhatisthat?TheSanãtanaDharmaisnotreferringtoaparticularGod,faith,prophetorreligion,itislookingatuniversalprinciplesbehindallreligions;thusitisaddressingallhumanbeings(regardlessofaparticularfaith,time,placeofbirthorpracticeofworship).Itis"scientificapproachthatlooksatthreecomponents:theworld,theindividualandGod.
Theworldiswhatis;theindividualexperiencesthisworldandGodiswhatevergovernstheinteractionofboth."Thesearemeaningfulonlyinrelationshiptoeachother(Jiva,Jagad,Ishwara),evenmutuallydependent.Furthermoresincetheyarevariables,theyneedtobesupportedbyareality,asubstratum(likeacanvassupportsthepicture)independentoftime,form,custom,tradition,cultureetc.ThisUltimateRealityisthe4th.FactorofattentioninSanãtanaDharma.NowinallthisthereisnomentionofanyparticularGod,faith,dogma,historyetc.Becauseitisnotspecificitisopentolookatprinciplessharedwithinthe"communityofreligions".Thuspeoplewhoareopencanlearnfromeachotherinalldifferentreligionsi.e.gobeyondaspecific(thuslimitingaspect)touniversalTruth.ThisprocessiswhatFatherBedeandotherslikehimwereinvolvedin.ItisfromthisunderstandingthatIfeelabletohelptobuildbridgesinourminds.AsaformerWesternDr.ofPhilosophyIdedicatedmylifetotheuniversalTruth,whenacceptingDikshatobecomeSwami.BridgingthegapbetweenWesternandEasternmind-patterns,iswhatbeingaSwamiisforme.Ifanyindividualorgroupwouldliketogetintocontact,maybe,wecanexpandourmindstogetherandanswersomequestions.SwamiNityamuktanandanityamuktananda@yahoo.co.ukincorporated.Inavideomessage,NelsonMandelasaidthestruggleagainstapartheidshowedwhatpeoplepowercouldachieve."Allformsofdiscriminationiswrong.Determination,commitmentandclearmindednesscanleadtoabetterworld.Agoodworldispossibleandthrougheffortsitwouldbecomeareality,"hetoldus.TheWSFprovidesauniquespaceforthe
marginalisedanddisenfranchisedpeopleoftheworldtohaveavoice.Theemphasisisonlearning,understandingandsharing,providingachanceforpeopletodiscusstheirstrugglesandchallenges,andtolooktogetherforsolutions.Thechallengeformeisabouthowweliveineachmomentandhowwetreatthosearoundus.AsGhandisaid‘Bethechangeyouwishto
seeintheworld’[email protected]
THEBEDEGRIFFITHSSANGHANEWSLETTER
TheWordMadeFleshJyotiSahi
7FromthelettersofFatherBedeFallinginlovewithIndia
FatherBedeiswidelyknownforhisbooks,mostofwhichareinprinttodayandwhicharestilllovedandvalued.Whatisnotsowellknownisthathewasalsoaprolificletterwriterandworkisnowstartingonaprojecttocollecttheseletterstogetherforapublication.HisletterstohisfriendDrMaryAllen,whichspantheyears19451967,providewonderfulinsightsintohowhereactedtohisencounterwiththeEastwhenheeventuallywenttoIndiain1955.TheextractsgivenhereshowsomethingofhowFatherBedecametofallinlovewithIndia.InMarch1955,FatherBedesetsailforIndiawithhisfriendFrBenedictAlapatt;hispassagewaspaidforbyMaryAllentowhomhewrote:
Ican'ttellyouhowthesightoftheseblackandbrownpeopleaffectsme.ItbringsbackallthatIhaveeverlearntfromD.H.Lawrence.Theyseemtolivewithadifferentkindoflife.Itispartly,Ithink,thatthebody,beingcontinuallyexposedtothesunlivesitsowndeeplifeanddrawsthesoulafterit.Thereisawonderfulsenseofwell-being,asthoughtheyaredrinkinginlifecontinually.Itglowsintheirlimbsandtheireyesandfaces,inthewaytheysitandstandandwalk…Itfilledonewithasenseofworshipforallthebeautyinlifewhichwehavedrivenoutofit.Weendeduponthesea-shoreandwatchedthesunset.Itsetasalwaysinaredballandthenthewholehorizonwasfilledorangeandyellowlightandamassofcloudabovewascaughtintheradiantglow.IthinkIfeltmoreopentonaturethanIhavefeltsinceIwasatschool.Idon'tknowwhetheritwilllast,butitislikethebeginningofare-birth.(Aden,April3rd1955)
…Myloveforthepeopleandthecountrygrowsdaily.HowIwishIcoulddescribeitalltoyou.Itistheencounterofeastandwestwhichismostfascinating…andwhatgracethereisineverything!Thedignityofthehumanform,thebeautyofthewomen(theirsarisarestilltheloveliestthingsIhaveseen)thegraceoftheirmovementswhethertheysitorstand;thelaughterandthejoyandthequiet,easypeacefulways.WhenIseeallthesepoorpeople(andtheirstandardoflifeisscarcelyabovethatofananimal),Ikeepsayingtomyself'blessedareyoupoor,foryoursisthekingdomofheaven'.IfthekingdomofGodisinloveandpeaceandjoyandkindnessandtruth,thenthesepeoplepossessit,andallourwesterncivilizationisamereaccident.(Kengeri,April17th1956)ImustsaythatafterenvisagingsomanywaysIwhichImightpossiblebecalledontodie,asIwouldmostwillinglyforIndia,Ihavenowdiscoveredatotallynewone.IamreallyafraidthatImaydieofsheerloveandhappiness!Ifeelinclinedtosayeachday,Nuncdimittisservustuum,domineinpace.DoyouknowwhatImean,howthesightofanythingabsolutelybeautifulmakesone
wanttodie,becauseitbringstheeternalsonear?WellthatishowIfeelwhenIgoaboutthestreetshere.(KengeriMay1955)…Ifeel(India)very,verydeeplyasmyhomeinasense,&yetnotseparatefromPrinknashorfromEngland.Thebeautyofit,foronething,isoverwhelming.Thenightskywithitsstarswhicharesomehowsonear&warm&friendly;thecrescentmoon,therisingsunseenthroughthemangoes,&aboveallthesunset,dayafterday,thewesternskyradiantwithred&gold&orange,along,deepafterglowwhichgoesonallthroughCompline.Ihaveneverfeltsomuchonewithnature.Thenmyloveforthepeopleissodeep&strong…Itseemedasthoughabarrierhadbeenbroken&IhadtouchedtheheartofIndia.ThereisnodoubtthatIndiastandsformyunconscious.ItouchsomethingtheredeeperthanIhaveeverknown,&somehownecessaryforme.(KengeriDec18th1955)
THEBEDEGRIFFITHSSANGHANEWSLETTERBOOKREVIEWTHEBOOKOFONEDennisWaite(OBooks2003)288pp£9.99ISBN1903816416TheBookofOneisanexcellentresourcebookforAdvaitaVedantawebsites,books,organisations,dictionary,indexandreferencesarecarefullytabledinAppendicesetc.ThepurposeofthebookistoshowwhatAdvaitaisanditismuchmorethanausefulresourcebook.Themainbodyofthetextusesacriss-crossingbetweeneasternandwesternphilosophyveryhelpfullyforwesternreadersseekingtheintellectualbackgroundtothisparticularspiritualpath.WaiteoffersAdvaita(whichmeans'nottwo')asthetraditiontoanswerallthequestionsof'life,theuniverseandeverything'.WhileTheBookofOneoffersmuchtoengagethemindsofmodernseekersafterthemysteriesoftheeast,itisquiteclearaboutthedepthofchangeinvaluesandthinkingthatislikelytobeneededtofollowthepath.MembersoftheBedeGriffithsSanghamayfindtheimportanceofmeditationinAdvaitaparticularlyinteresting.Thereisachapterdevotedtothesubject.DennisWaitehasmadehisextensivesubjectmatteraccessiblebydivisionintosections,byemployingaveryclearlayoutandsub-headings,aswellasaconsistentlylivelystyleandhumorousquotations.ThepaceofthebookisprettyrapidandIfoundinlargepartsofthetextthatthepolishedprocessofDennisWaite'swritingmadeveryenjoyablereading,forexampleinthechapteronAppearanceandReality,hetakesusthroughmetaphorsandparadoxinadelightfulway.SanghamemberswantingtowidenorrevisethetheoreticalfoundationsoftheirmeditationarelikelytofindTheBookofOneisveryinterestingandveryinformative.AngelaStoddart(ASanghamemberfromThrowley,Kent)[email protected]
SanghamemberKenKnight,isaSanskritscholarandhasofferedtoprovidereaderswithaseriesofshortguidestothemeaningofcommonlyusedSanskritwords.ThismonthheoffersanexplanationofthewordadvaitaTherearesixschoolsofphilosophybasedintheVedas:sankhya,yoga,mimamsa,vaishesika,yogaandvedanta.EachcontributestotheteachingsofFatherBedebutitisvedantathatisattheirheart.Tounderstandthethreebrancheswithinvedantawemayusetheanalogyofthedropofwaterinthesea.Thedropofwatermaybeintheseabutalwaysindividual,itmaymergewiththeseawhichisofthesamenaturewhilemaintainingitsindividualityoritmaymergetotallywiththeseawhenthefalsesuppositionofitsindividualityisrealised.Thesebranchesarecalleddvaita(duality),visishtadvaita(qualifiednon-duality)andadvaita(non-duality)respectively.ThefirstistobewitnessedinourtimesintheHariKrishnamovement,whilethelastisverypopularinthevariousgroupsattemptingtoteachShankara'sphilosophy.Thesecond,beingtheteachingofRamanuja,islesswell-knownbutismoreintunewithFatherBede'steachingsthantheothers.Advaitameans'not-two,non-dual'.Thisisthesimplestwayofsayingthatthewayofnegation,vianegativa,isthecorrectwaytorevealthatwhichisineffable,beyondnameandform. St.John'sreportedwordsofJesus,inChapter17ofhisgospel,areoftendescribedasbeingadvaitininessence.Theymaywellbe,butanincorrectexpressionhasriseninrecenttimes'Christianadvaita'.Such a theo-philosophical position is impossible tosustainandHenriLeSaux,SwamiAbhishiktananda,demonstrates this in his life. For many years hemaintainedaholdonthesupremacyofhisTrinitarianteaching as the ultimate experience ofUnion in thedivine, of the 'I am' experience. However, after hisrigorousretreatintotheHimalayasattheendofhislifehewaswriting:'YetIaminterestedinnoChristologyatall.IhavesolittleinterestinaWordofGodwhichwillawakenmanwithinhistory…TheWordofGodcomesfrom/tomyown'present';itisthatveryawakeningwhichismyself-awareness.WhatIdiscoveraboveallinChristishis'IAM'…itisthatIAMexperiencewhichreallymatters.ChristIstheverymystery'thatIAM',andintheexperienceandexistentialknowledgeallChristologyhasdisintegrated.'This is an expression of the 'tat tvamasi' statementwhichisatthecoreofadvaita.hilken_98@yahoo.comKenKnight-AsanghamemberfromDowne,Kent
8 SANSKRITCORNERADVAITA
FatherBenedictAlapattplayedacrucialroleinthelifeofFatherBede.Hewasthe'agent'throughwhichFatherBedefirstestablishedasmallBenedictinecommunityatthevillageofKengeri,nearBangalore,butthefoundationfailedtoobtainecclesiasticalapprovalandlastedlessthantwoyears.BenedictAlapattfollowedhiscommitmenttoestablishthecontemplativelifeinIndia,thistimewiththehelpofthesistersofStCecilia'sAbbey,Thisaccount,bySrBede,ofStCecilia'sAbbey,paystributetothelifeofBenedictAlapattandhispartinthedevelopmentofChristianmonasticlifeinIndia.OurretiredAbbess,SrBernadetteSmeyers,hasaskedmetowriteonherbehalftothankyouforyourkindgoodwishesonthethoccasionofher100 birthday.OneoftheachievementsofherlongabbacywasthemakingofamonasticfoundationinIndia.Hereishowithappened.TheoriginatorofthefirstfoundationofBenedictinenunsinIndiawasFrBenedictAlapattOSB.Inhissearchformonasticism,FrAlapattbeganwiththeSilvestrineBenedictinemonksinCeylonnowSriLankabuttheyweretoomuchengagedinteachingandpastoralwork.SohecametoEuropeinquestforacontemplativeformofBenedictinemonasticism.Idonotknowthedetailsofthedates,butheseemstohavereceivedamonasticformationandmadeprofessionofvowsattheAbbeyofStAndré,Bruges,Belgium.Thiscommunity
wasnotfullycontemplative,butitwascommittedtothemakingoffoundationsincountrieswhereChristianitywasdeveloping.PerhapsFrAlapatthopedtheywouldbeabletobeginoneinIndia.IamnotsurewhetherhisgoingtoPrinknashAbbeynearGloucesterwasonaccountofpoorhealth,needingamilderclimate,orwhetherhewasinsearchofEnglishspeakingmonksforhisproject.Whicheveritmayhavebeen,hiseloquencegainedhimthesupportoftheAbbotandcommunity,andinparticularFatherBedeGriffiths.ItisastrangefactthatalthoughChristianitycametoIndiaveryearly(treasuredtraditionsayswiththeApostleStThomas),Christianmonasticismdidnotfollowlater,afteritsdevelopmentinEgypt,PalestineandSyria.Haditdoneso,itwouldsurelyhaveflourished.Christianityitselfremainedlocalisedinthesouth-west,firstinKeralaandtheninGoa.FrAlapattmaintainedthattheIndiansoulwasnaturallycontemplative,awisdom-seeker;buttheseaspectsdidnotappeartohavemuchimportanceinChristianity,evenwhenlivedbyIndianpeopleinan'Indianised'form.Buthedidnotconsiderthat'Indianisation'(or'inculturation')wasthemainfactorrequiringattention:thiswasthepre-occupationsofEuropeantheorists.ForFrAlapatt,'inculturation'wasnotsomethingtobeimposedbyEuropeans;ratheritwasthenaturalinnerdevelopmentofIndiansbeingtruetothemselvesastheylivedthemonasticlife.Anditwouldtaketimeandexperience,advancingstepbystep.SoFrAlapattandFrBede
wentouttoIndiatogether,fullofhopeandenthusiasm,tofoundacommunityofBenedictinemonksatKengeri,nearBangalore.Butafteratimetheirviewpointsbegantodiverge.FrBede,inspiredbytheFrenchpriestpioneer,FrMonchanin,begantofeelstronglythatamoreIndianorHindulifestyleshouldbeadopted,andthatFrAlapattwasnot'Indianenough'.FrAlapatt,however,consideredthatamoreup-to-date'westernised'formwascalledforbythechangingofthetimes,andtheprogressivemodernisingofIndia.HeacceptedthatmoderntechnologywouldspreadinIndia,asinalldevelopingcountries,andthat,althoughasimplelife-stylemustbemaintained,educatedpeoplecomingtothemonasterywouldexpecthygiene,propermedicalcareandareasonablyuseofmoderntechnology.Hewasarealist-notaromantic.Neverthelesstheexperiencewasnotwithoutitsfruitsandthereisasenseinwhichbothcanbeunderstoodascorrect,andtheCatholicChurchinIndiaiswiseenough,andbroad-mindedenough,toincludebothinafruitfulway.Thetwomonkswenttheirownways,butremainedongoodterms.FrAlapattdecidedtoconcentrateonafoundationofnunsandwantedthemtohavetheirinitialformationinaBenedictineAbbeyinEngland.HeaskedFrBedetoinitiatecontactsinthiscountry.FrBedefirstcontactedStanbrookAbbeyandpresentedFrAlapatt'sschemeandrequest.Atthattime(1962)thatcommunitywasconsideringmakingafoundationinSwedenandsopassedtheinformationandrequesttoMotherBernadettehereatStCecilia'sAbbey.Afterprayer
THEBEDEGRIFFITHSSANGHANEWSLETTERFathe
rBenedictA
lapattSrBed
eMBarker
OSB
FrBedewenttoIndiain1955throughhiscollaborationwithBenedictAlapatt.InthisarticleSrBede,ofStCecilia’sAbbey,Ryde,IsleofWight,UK,tellsthestoryofBenedictAlapatt’ssubsequentcontributiontotheestablishmentofthecontemplativelifeinIndia
9
THEBEDEGRIFFITHSSANGHANEWSLETTERandconsultation,sheandthecommunitydecidedGodwasaskingthisofthem,andafavourablereplywassenttoFrBedeandFrAlapatt.FrAlapatthadgatheredtogetherfiveofhisnieceswhomhejudgedhadarealreligiousvocation,andplacedthemforayearwiththeReligiousofJesusandMaryatPoonainordertolearntheEnglishlanguageandmanners.HethenpersonallyaccompaniedthemtoEngland,andbroughtthemtoStCecilia'sinAugust1963.Wetookinculturationseriouslyrightfromthebeginningoftheproject,andduringtheyearthatelapsedbetweenthefirstcontactbyletterandtheactualarrivalofthefirstfiveIndiangirlsescortedbyFrAlapatt,wereadupeverythingwecouldaboutIndia,itshistoryandculture.WeborrowedfromtheIndianEmbassyinLondonslides,filmsandtapes,whichincludedIndianmusicandclassicaldance!Wewantedtobeabletounderstandthegirlsbetter,andhelpeasetheculturalshockofcomingtoEurope.Theywerepostulantsforoneyear;novicesfor2years;andthenmadetemporaryvowsfor3years.TwomoreIndiangirlscameafewmonthslater.DuringtheirtimeatStCecilia'sFrAlapattvisitedthesistersseveraltimes.HespokeseveraltimestoAbbessBernadette,myselfandthecommunityaboutthewhatswhysandwhereforesunderlyinghisprojectforcontemplativemonasticlifeinIndia.ItwashisburningconvictionthatChrist'slightandlovewouldneverpenetratefullyintotheheartsoftheIndianpeoplesuntiltheycouldseeandexperiencethatChristians
cananddoliveanasceticlifeofprayerandcontemplationonaparwiththeHindusannyasis.ThisdeepspiritualaspectseemedtobelackingfromChristianityinIndiauptothatpointintime.Themanyreligiousorderspresentwereactiveinteaching,medicalandsocialworkexcellentinthemselves,butapparentlylackinginspiritualdepth.A
handfulofconventsofCarmelitenunsexisted,butthesewerehiddenawayandunknown.AfterdeliveringhisnieceshereinAugust1963,FrAlapattstayedatnearbyQuarrAbbeyforseveraldays,andusedtocomeovertocelebratemassandseehiscandidatesandhowtheyweresettlingin.AfterthathespentfivemonthsorsotravellingaroundEngland,givinglecturesandtryingtoraisesomefundstowardsaneventualpurchaseoflandforhisprojectedfoundationfornuns.FromtimetotimehewouldreturntotheIsleofWighttoseehowhisniecesweregettingonbeforehereturnedtoIndia.Hehasaskedustocompletetheirgeneraleducationasfaraspossible,soquiteaprogrammewassetup.Severalofthecommunity
hadbeenprofessionalteachersbeforebecomingnuns.FrBedevisitedStCecilia'sAbbeyatleastoncewhiletheIndianswerehavingtheirmonasticformationhere.HewasinEnglandonalecturetourandhestayedabout3dayswiththemonksatQuarrAbbeyandspentmostofthedaysatStCecilia's.HespokewithAbbessBernadette,withthe
MistressofNovicesandmyself(Iwasherassistantatthattime)andhetalkedtothecommunityingeneral.HewasagoldmineofinterestinginformationaboutIndia,andgaveusmuchusefuladviceaboutformationandlifestyles.Wefeltateasewithhim,andonthesamewavelength.Hewasveryencouragingconcerningthefoundation,andsharedFrAlapatt’shopesforitsfuture.FrAlapattwantedthenewfoundationinIndiatobeIndianrightfromthestart,withanativesuperior,andweagreedtothis.HefeltthattheIndiannunsshouldberesponsiblefortherunningoftheirmonasteryandhewantedthemtohaveathoroughandall-roundformation.Hewasaheadofthetimes.Hewasoneofthefirsttobringnative
vocationstoEuropeforformation.Untilthen,theusualprocedurewasforagroupofEuropeanstosettleinadevelopingcounty,foundanddetermineformanyyearsthelifeofthemonastery.Then,onlyafteralengthyperiod,whentheyjudgedthenativesready,allowanativesuperiortogovern.FrAlapattalsoaskedustoberesponsiblefinanciallyforthepurchaseoflandandtheerectionofbuildings,withon-goinghelpaftertheywereestablishedasacommunity.Theseconditionswereacceptedandfulfilled;butnotwithouteffortandsomedifficultyasmaywellbeimagined!TheSecondVaticanCouncilhadnotyetended,butFrAlapattwasforeseeingtheuseofthevernacularfortheliturgy.HewantedtoemploynottheSyrianritewithitsdifficultlanguage,butthesimplerandmoreuniversalRomanritewhichhesawasmoreopentoadaptation.HewantedhismonasticfoundationtouseEnglishwherepossible,becausethiswas/isthegenerallanguageusedthroughoutIndiaandheforesawvocationscomingfromanydifferentlanguageregions:timeprovedhimright..AbbessBernadettetookoneoftheIndiansisterswithher(SrTeresitanowtheAbbessatShantiNilayamAbbey,nearBangalore),tothefamousmonasticmeetingatBangkokin1968,duringwhichFrThomasMertontragicallydied.ThetwothenwenttoBangaloretojointhetwopioneernunsfromStCecilia's,whohadalreadybeeninIndiathreeyears,prospecting,buyingsuitableland(20acres)andoverseeingthebuildingof
10
FrBedeandFrBenedictAlapatt
THEBEDEGRIFFITHSSANGHANEWSLETTERsolidbutsimplemonasticbuildings.AbbessBernadettereturnedtoEnglandafterthreeweeks,andin1969theremainingIndiansisterswenttoBangalore.TheyallmadetheirfinalmonasticvowsinIndiaatShantiNilayam,constitutinganall-Indiancommunitythere.Duringthenextyearsthecommunitygrewslowly.Itprovednecessaryforoneortwoofournunstostayonwiththemtoassistforacoupleofyears,helpingthemsolvealltheproblemswhichinevitablyarose.Foryearswecontinuedtohelpthemfinancially,togetbooksandequipmentandhaveacoupleofbore-wellsdrilledtoallowaproperwatersupplyforirrigation.Thecommunityhasslowlybuiltupnumbers;theyhaveexpandedthepoultry-farm,extendedthecultivationofthelandandbuiltasmallretreathouse.FrBedevisitedthemseveraltimes;andoncepreachedaweek-longretreattothem.ThesisterswereprudentlyguidedbySrTeresita,andhaveslowly'Indianised'theirlifestyle.ThesistersarefreetochoosewhethertheywishtowearasaffroncolouredsariorawhiteBenedictinehabitoftunicandscapular.Oursistershaveattemptedtwodaughter-foundationsof'ashram'style:butbothfailedthroughlackofinterestandvocationsinthistypeoflife.AthirdfoundationinthefarnorthofIndiaatShillong,whichwasrequestedbytheBishopthere,istakingtimetodevelop.Bothculturallyandethnicallyitisverydifferentinthefarnorth,andthereisstrongresistancetoanythingviewedas'Hindu'.Sotherewillhavetobeanotheranddifferentprocessofadaptationupthere!The
possibilityofasecondfoundationinnorthIndiaiscurrentlyunderconsideration.Twoyearsago,nineBurmesegirlsgotacrosstheborderfromMyanmarandjoinedShantiNilayam.Thismayresultlaterinafoundationintheircountryifthepoliticalsituationeasesupalittle.In1996,ShantiNilayam(numberingover30sisters)wasraisedtothestatusofanAbbey,andSrTeresitaelectedasabbess.TheprudentmiddlecoursethatFrAlapattadopted,betweensimplicityandtheuseofmoderntechnology,isexemplifiedinthecommunityatShantiNilayamwherethesistersusemoderntechnologywhereappropriate.Buttheyavoidhavingmorethatisstrictlynecessary.Theyhadatypewriterfromthestart,butnowthenecessityforreliableandspeedycommunicationwithplacesabroad,RomeortheUSAorBritain,hasobligedthemtoadoptemail!Thesistersparticipateininter-religiousmonasticdialogue,sendingdelegatestovariouseventsinAsia.SomehavevisitedBuddhistandJainmonasteries.RecentlytwoBuddhistnunsresidedatShantiNilayamforafewmonths,attherequestoftheDalaiLama,inordertolearntypingandcomputerskills.Itwasaverypleasantecumenicalcontactandsharing.SuchrelationshipwouldbeentirelyinaccordwithFrAlapatt'soutlook.WhatFrAlapattforesawandprudentlyplannedandworkedfor,hasgraduallybecomereality.ItwouldbeveryinterestingtoknowhowmuchheinfluencedFrBedeintheirinitialcontactsinEngland,andthenduringtheirfirsttwoyearstogether
inIndiaatKengeri..CertainlyFrAlapattmusthavecaptivatedFrBede'sinterestinIndia,andthepossibilitythathesawforcontemplativeChristianmonasticlifethere,otherwisehewouldnothavegonetherewithhim.ThatFrBede'sviewpointgraduallydivergedanddevelopedinanotherdirectionissimplypartofthestory.IdothinkthatFrBedewasconsiderablyinfluencedbyFrAlapatt,particularlythevitalroleofaChristianasceticlifeofprayerandcontemplationinordertomanifestthelightandloveofChristtothesoulofIndiaandformabridge.ItseemstomethatFrBedewaslivingjustthatidealduringthesecondhalfofhislife.PersonallyIthinkFrAlapatt'srolehastendedtobeoverlooked.We(theoldernunshere)gottoknowhimquitewell,andIfeelthathislife-storyremainstoberesearchedandwritten.Heneversucceededinreallyfoundinghismonasteryformonks,sufferingfailures,setbacksandmisunderstandings.Hecouldbeopinionatedandtactless!Onecauseofsufferingforhimwashisappointmentbyhisbishoptobechaplaintoalargeboy'scollegeandnottothenunsatShantiNilayam.FrAlapattdiedonDecember6th1981;hehadabadheartconditionandwasinanursinghomeforhislastyears,sufferingalotfromdepression.ThecommunityatShantiNilayamremainedincontactwithhimandnewsofthenunswastheonethingthatcheeredhimup!Heisconsidered(rightly)tobetheirfounder,asmuchasAbbessBernadetteandStCecilia'sAbbey.ShantiNilayamwasbothhis
consolationandhislastingachievement.Ihopeallthismaybeofsomeinteresttoyou.WehopethatyourSanghawillhelppeopletodeepentheirspirituallives,throughcontactwithDomBede'swritings.Hewasanexceptionallygiftedmonk.Withallgoodwishesandinunionofprayer,inChristourLord.SrBedeOSBTocontactStCecilia’sAbbeyvisit:www.stceciliasabbey.org.ukTocontactShantiNilayamAbbey,Bangaloreemail:[email protected]
FatherBedeathisbirthdaypartyDecember17th1990
11
SanghaContactsandGroupsEnglandBeds:Bedford,PeterForrest01234831361Bucks:Marlow,MichaelDay01628474034Cornwall:Penzance,SwamiNityamuktananda01736350510Devon:Exeter,JoanUzzells01392276825Dorset:MichaelGiddings01308897159Essex:ChrisCollingwood01815044476Gloucestershire:TimothyandVictoriaGlazier01453839488Hants:Gosport,SueHowse02392528601Kent:Canterbury,Jill&Adrian01227752871MeditationGroup1stFridayofeachmonth7.15p.m.LondonN4:AnnO’Donoghue02073591929LondonSE(Kent):HilaryKnight01689861004MeditationGroupWednesdays7.30p.m.LondonN/Herts:EdgarHolroyd-Doveton02083864323Northants:HenryWorthy01604513032MeditationgroupThursdaysat8p.m.Oxon:OxfordShirleyduBoulay01865310332Somerset:TauntonValeriaIves01823432468Somerset:BathKevinTingay01761470249Staffs:StokeonTrentSrSophia01782816036Suffolk:WendyMulford01728604169W.Sussex:GillianMaher01444455334Chichester:ThereseO’Neill01730814879Group2ndTuesdayofeachmonthYorks:BarnsleyMargaretCadnam01226217042NorthernIrelandBelfast:SighleMaryO’Donoghue02890287471MeditationFridayat7.00pmBallyhornanStanPapenfus02844841451ScotlandAberdeen:AngelikaMonteux01224867409GlasgowSteveWoodward01355224937Edinburgh:LairdMcLean01314781673WalesWestWales:JoanWalters01646692496NorthWales:JonathanRobinson01766514225OverseascontactsAustralia [email protected] VickyLasheras:[email protected] MichaelWoods+35350248696France [email protected] Br.Martin: [email protected] [email protected] OklahomaCarolynCowan: [email protected] NevadaJackieGreedy7758830854 CaliforniaSantaBarbaraNicholasDewey 8058980865Ifanyonewouldliketohavetheirnamesaddedaslocalcontactspleaseletusknow.Pleasealsoletushavedetailsofanygroupsyouwouldlikeincluded
RETURNADDRESSBeechTreeCottageSellingFaversham,KentME139RHUKTHEBEDEGRIFFITHSSANGHA
ForfurtherinformationcontactAdrianRanceandJillHemmingsPhone:+44(0)[email protected]’reontheWebwww.bedegriffiths.comandhttp://uk.msnusers.com/sahajanandaashramSanghaEventsStantonGuildhouse,Stanton,Glos.April2004.Weekendsilentretreat(fullybooked)SummerSeminaronAbishiktanandaatParkPlacePastoralCentre,Fareham16th-18thJuly2004.(Bookingforminthisnewsletter)Silentretreat,StNon’sRetreatCentre,StDavid’s,Wales.9-16thOctober2004.ContactJoanWalters01646692496AdventRetreat,StPetersGrange,Prinknash4th-6thDecember2004ChristmasatShantivanamIfyouareinterestedintravellingtoShantivanamforChristmasthisyear,tojoinagroupofSanghamembersthere,pleasephoneJillon01227752871andputtinginthelight,ournewgrand-daughterEleaMaryBarton,asisterforCamille,andMaryLaidlawfromScotland,whohasjusthadanoperation
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