This week:
The Autumnal Equinox:
Greetings Bright Stars,
The Autumnal Equinox occurred on Monday, though us martial artists celebrate the magic moment at dusk facing West with a minute of proscribed moving meditation (passive activity), and are often treated to rad sunsets on the West Coast! The Equinox and Solstice cycle reminds us about that longer annual marathon cycle (365 days) that might be overlooked or underappreciated in our day to day (24 hour) sprint cycle.
Pausing to reflect, connect and celebrate the natural order and flow of that larger passage of time, the motion of the Earth in relationship with the larger Plano sphere, and the dynamic yet constant changing of the seasons without and within.
This marks the start of Autumn for us in the Northern Hemisphere.
For our friends in the Southern Hemisphere, Spring has just begun.
On this day, the Sun rises directly in the East, and sets directly in the West.
It’s one of two times a year that the day and night are of the same length. (Equi-)
The Autumnal Equinox also marks the beginning of shorter days and longer nights. Tis the season to gather with friends and strengthen our spirits in preparation for the passage into Winter. And it’s also a time of thanksgiving, for on the other side of that dark Winter is Spring. Right now the sun is entering the constellation Libra, the balanced scales. So the Equinox is the time of year to bring balance into our life, clean up clutter and remove the things that don’t bring us joy – clean with mindful intention of transformation. The Japanese have a term for this. Isagi Yoku or “pure, clean spirit”. Here’s to a rich harvest of your efforts, a full and flowing heart, easy love, and effortless kindness.
May you find yourself in natural balance with your life and with the environment, which right now really needs us to wake up!
Please stay in tune with our outer and your inner nature…
Note: Interested in the benefits of the wisdom traditions, specifically martial arts for you, your family or your kids? See flyer (below) for a class we teach at UC San Diego that is now in its 38th year…
Having the guts to call the question…
HOW DARE YOU!
Speaking of waking up, on the same day as the equinox, teenager Greta Thunberg, referenced in previous Soul Food missives for taking a yacht from Europe to the US for the UN event to limit carbon emissions, opened the United Nations Climate Action Summit with this powerful speech.
“You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words”…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYqtXR8iPlE
Confronting the facts…
An Island Imperiled: Climate Change Threatens Greenland — and its way of life:
As their home melts, Greenlanders confront the fallout of global warming.
Earth’s Oceans Are Getting Hotter And Higher, And It’s Accelerating
The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released its latest report on the oceans, and it’s not good. The report also notes a relatively new phenomenon in the oceans: marine heat waves.
But Always Maintaining Hope…
“Don’t Stop Believin” Goes On And On, Because We Need It To:
Thirty-eight years after it debuted on the album Escape, “Don’t Stop Believin'” is the go-to anthem for perseverance that has itself persevered, successfully riding wave after new wave of media. Though born in the era of rock radio and cassette mixtapes, the song found its real glory at the dawn of binge TV and the smartphone, and it has woven its way into weddings, bar mitzvahs, graduations, the 2005 World Series, The Sopranos and Glee.
https://www.npr.org/2019/09/16/760315306/journey-dont-stop-believin-american-anthem
If you didn’t see this last week
By popular demand, this is pure joy…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqHlIRZnF38
If you are local…
Always Wanted to Unleash the Black Belt in You our Your Family?
Join our traditional martial arts classes for both adults or kids starting Oct 8th at UC San Diego
newkarateflyer_2019_FALL_Myths_UCSD
Mentoring for the Ages: Applying the Sage Lessons of Maslow and Lao Tsu
North County Philanthropy Council Oct 2, 2019
Mentoring for the Ages: Applying the Sage Lessons of Maslow and Lao Tsu
It’s 2,500 Years Old. It’s the latest thing…
In this exclusive NCPC two hour interactive session join us as we explore, experience and embody the principles and practices of deepening the mentor/mentee relationship using information and insights from the greats both in Western psychology and Eastern philosophy.
While it would be ideal if both mentor/mentee partners are in attendance together, this is not mandatory but suggested, so try to have your mentor/mentee partner join you!
We will deepen our understanding of how to bring magic to the mentoring dynamic and leverage the collective wisdom of the group to enrich our practice and improve our results.
Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Time: 8:45 AM Check in and Re-Connecting – Continental breakfast to be served
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Program led by Neville Billimoria
Location: New Village Arts
2787 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Questions? Please contact Sandra Alston at sandra@ncphilanthropy.org or 760-729-6711.
2019 Peace Hero Celebration September 28th 2019 @ The Omni La Costa Resort with the First Woman President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf:
Let’s celebrate peaceful warriors!
We hope you can join us for 2019 Peace Hero Celebration! You may purchase your tickets foe this unforgettable evening here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-peace-hero-celebration-gala-hosted-by-kids-for-peace-tickets-69244192243 Thank you kindly, The Kids for Peace Team
Thanks this week go to Billy S, Eric K, Greta T, Larry H, Jill Mc. and Kids for Peace, our martial arts family and extended planetary family.
Please pay it forward. Our world needs you!
Love,
Neville
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria
“It’s not that you aimed your sights too high and failed,
it’s that you aimed your sights too low and succeeded!”
Happy Soul Food Friday! 