Friends of Amida - Spiritual Networking -

OK, so what is the role of an Amida congregation in the capital?

What can the London group contribute especially to the live of the Amida communion as a whole and to the life of the big city?

Permalink Reply by Tony Danford on May 27, 2008 at 10:55pm: A very good & prescient question - we are planning to have our own revisioning day on June 10th when just this sort of question will be discussed. No harm in beginning it earlier, so I've emailed the others to let them know about this thread & we'll see what transpires. NAB; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Madrakara on May 31, 2008 at 2:07pm: One feature of many people's life in London is busyness and competing priorities - family, work, friends, travel, etc. I think we've got to be clear about what we are offering - why would anyone choose to get involved with Amida London above all the competing priorities? I think we've got to be in a position to have a clear view on this that we can articulate and then offer events and support accordingly. One area that I think we are fairly strong is that of community - there is a lot of alienation around and we can provide friendship and support to those following a spiritual path.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joan McCann on June 1, 2008 at 11:51pm: I've been thinking about this question for quite a few days and realised that what I contribute as an individual is very little - just myself as a far from perfect & foolish being. But as a member of Amida where I am accepted & loved despite my many failings the power of Amida's light touches, moves, and connects me at a heart level to all the other individual members of the Amida Sanga. And at this heart level what can be contributed is measureless & timeless, going beyond the boundaries of self, cities, lands........
Namo Amida Bu; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dharmavidya on June 11, 2008 at 3:19pm: Prasada and I very much enjoyed visiting you at your home and sitting in your welcoming garden. I have a feeling that one thing that Amida possibly needs more of is social activity - simply time to hang-out together and get to know one another. As Modgala says one of the problems is busy-busy-busy but maybe we need to cut through that and enjoy more leisure together. I know that the times when the London group have got together they are often very enjoyable occasions. It could be around some theme - music evening, the garden party was good, whatever - but any excuse will do! Namo Amida Bu; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Modgala Duguid on June 10, 2008 at 8:54am: I hope we can have plenty of interaction with Amida members and friends as they stay with us and we visit them. London is a busy city and we can offer an oasis of calm. At present we are finding out what we can offer here and the future is open. There are great needs in some areas of London and I hope that eventually we can reach out more into the wider community.
In Amida as a whole we can contribute by sharing our friendship and experiences with each other.
Namo amida Bu
modgala; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by richard meyers on April 17, 2009 at 9:22pm: Just found this discussion. Reading through what Tony, Madrakara, Modgala, Joan and Dharmavidya say - I have nothing much to add other than agreeing that it is Community that is important. Support and friendship, exactly what I myself have been recieving from the London Sangha. I love Joans posting of June 1st and can only see myself too as that infinitely foolish fellow.. I'd just like to thank you for your warmth,welcome and support. I hope to contribute something of myself to the Sangha. Namo Amida Bu; ▶ Reply to This