lotusinthemud

we must actually be present

There is a sign outside a casino in Las Vegas that says, "You must be present to win." The same is true in meditation. If we want to see the nature of our lives, we must actually be present, aware, awake. Developing samadhi [concentration] is much like polishing a lens. If we are looking to see the cells and workings of the body with a lens that has not been ground sufficiently, we will not see clearly. In order to penetrate the nature of the mind and body, we must collect and concentrate our resources and observe with a steady, silent mind. This is exactly what the Buddha did: he sat, concentrated his mind, and looked within. To become a yogi, an explorer of the heart and mind, we must develop this capacity as well.

~ Jack Kornfield, Seeking the Heart of Wisdom

the funeral of a man who will be sadly missed

Kit and Gillian Widdows

Yesterday I attended a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Rev Kit Widdows, the Master of St Thomas', in Newcastle city centre,who died suddenly on December 8th while giving a talk at another church. Kit was robustly involved in ethical action, enthusiastic about setting up the local inter-faith community and the Newcastle Make Poverty History group. He had a Fair Trade shop within his church. I held Kit in high esteem and with affection. ::link

taking a moral stand against poverty

'Real poverty is despair and hopelessness, and it is also a moral issue', said Professor Brink (the new Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University). 'Universities should take part in these issues, and I am pleased to have joined an institution that is taking a moral stand against poverty'.

Last Tuesday I joined the  World Poverty Day walk, which started at Newcastle University, walked through the city centre and ended at the Millennium Bridge. The university reported it thus:

Students and staff have marked the official United Nations day of action for the eradication of world poverty, known as World Poverty Day, with a 'stand up and speak out' event on the University campus.

The event was organised by Nicola Martin, President of the Union Society's U8 International Development Society, and Ethics and Environment Officers, Katie Whitehouse and Jen Miller.

World Poverty Day 2007 was designated as a day of action in support of the United Nations Millennium Campaign to promote fulfilment of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

tell tony to keep his promises

From Traidcraft:
Last year the UK government responded to your campaign calls to Make Poverty History with a shift in its position on trade. Tony Blair said he would not force poor countries to open up to trade before they were ready. This was a fantastic achievement.

But Tony’s about to break his promise.

MAKE BUSINESS WORK TO MAKE POVERTY HISTORY

From the Make Poverty History team:

To make poverty history we need trade justice. Yet, all too often, multinational corporations that trade around the world cause harm to communities, damage the environment and violate the rights of working people.

Make PovertyHistory - MORE AID - What you can do

From the MakePovertyHistory Team:

There was some important progress on aid in 2005. But much more needs to be done. The G8 promised to increase aid by $48 billion a year. However, only $15-20 billion of this is newly pledged and the amount of extra money will not reach the level of $48 billion until 2010.

Your most important New Year Resolution

From the MakePovertyHistory team:

2005 was the year of MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY: the beginning of something incredible.

With your help we called on politicians to act to end poverty and together we became the biggest ever anti-poverty movement.

In 2006 the fight against poverty continues. And you can get involved and make a real difference.

The governments of the richest countries can make the political decisions that will deliver justice for the world's poorest people. But they will only do so if we all keep up the pressure.

Take a new year's resolution to stay involved. Be part of ending poverty for millions of people this year and beyond. It's simple. Just click here.

Best wishes,

The Make Poverty History team

MakePovertyHistory: Report back from WTO

This year you have helped campaign for an end to trade
injustice alongside millions around the world. Before the
World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial meeting that
has just taken place, over 750,000 votes for trade justice
were handed in to 10 Downing Street and, in Hong Kong
where the WTO met, Peter Mandelson received over
470,000 emails calling on him as Europe's trade
commissioner to ensure trade justice was delivered
at the meeting.

Make Poverty History - Lend us your eyes

1st December is World AIDS Day.

Thanks to the pressure of campaigners like you in July at the G8 leaders   committed to providing AIDS treatment for everyone who needs it by 2010.   This is a real cause for hope .

This World AIDS Day we want to keep the pressure on world leaders to make   sure they honour these promises.

A huge photo-petition of people's eyes is set to remind Tony Blair and   other world leaders that we are watching them on their promises about AIDS   treatment - and we need your eyes to do it!

Make Poverty History - e-mail Peter Mandelson

We have a HUGE opportunity coming up. In only three
weeks, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is meeting
in Hong Kong for trade talks. This is the key moment
this year when unfair trade rules could be changed so
that people living in extreme poverty have a chance to
build themselves a future.
The trade talks are not going well. In fact they are going very badly
for poor countries.
You can help them by emailing former British MP, Peter Mandelson,
who is now the European Trade Commissioner.