10.06.2008

Bay Area Community Summit

What's Your Tree and Off the Mat into the World leaders and participants in the Bay Area, CA will be coming together on Monday, October 13th for a "Community Summit." We will be talking about joyful, purposeful actions that our small groups can take this fall and beyond. If you are a Bay Area participant or leader, or you are interested in joining us on Oct. 13th, please email Cybrena Karo at cybrena@whatsyourtree.org.

News from Julia





    Julia Butterfly Hill has joined with Spiritual Leaders for Change

    (which includes: Deepak Chopra, Jean Houston, Marianne Williamson, Jack Kornfield, Sylvia Boorstein,
    Roshi Joan Halifax, Sharon Salzberg, Marc Barasch
    ,Stephan Rechtschaffen, Reggie Ray, Cyndi Lee, Jon Kabat-Zinn,
    Pema Chödrön, Marianne Williamson, Barbara De Angelis, Shiva Rea, Lama Surya Das, Seane Corn, Rodney Yee,
    Coleen Saidman, Gordon Davidson, Ed & Deb Shapiro, Corinne McLaughlin
    , Krishna Das, Jack Canfield,
    Gay & Katie Hendricks, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Reb Zalman Shachter-Shalomi, Sharon Gannon
    ,David Life,
    Swami Beyondananda, Joan Borysenko, Judith Ansara & Robert Gass and many more)


    As spiritual leaders signing this letter we are stepping forward to say: “We can make a difference.” As our spiritual
    practice empties, opens and strengthens us, we are naturally moved to engage in the world with compassion, equanimity,
    and the dedication to live our values.

    We know many of you are already both concerned and involved in this year’s Presidential election. Yet, in the past weeks,
    many of us have heard friends in the spiritual community expressing ambivalence about voting. When asked why they
    wouldn't vote we heard things like: “It doesn’t make any difference”; “I’m more interested in spiritual practice than politics”.
    Humanity is at a crossroads. We can no-longer afford to sit on the sidelines. We are asking you to get engaged. The 2000
    presidential election was decided by just 500 votes and this November appears to be just as close. Every vote matters.
    Your vote and the votes in your community could make the difference.


    Please make a heart-felt inquiry and look at the candidates. Ask yourself who best reflects the values you want to live by –
    those of spirituality in action.


    Every vote matters. Your vote and the votes in your community could make the difference.

    1. TAKE ACTION: Register to vote and vote on November 4th. http://www.vote411.org

    2. FORWARD THIS MESSAGE: Invite your friends, and fellow spiritual seekers to get involved. Forward this message on.
    http://www.spiritualleadersforchange.org

    3. VOLUNTEER: Take local action in your community.

    Let’s bring the benefits of our practice into our lives. The world needs us. Together there is nothing we cannot do.

    Go to Spiritual Leaders for Change for more information http://www.spiritualleadersforchange.org