Pause for Presence

Art Exhibition by Ratnadevi & Related Events. Viewings by appointment

29 December 2 to 5pm,Taiji Qikung, Mindful movement, Inspired by visual art,  with Sukhema,  booking necessary,10 spaces, donations

Friday 3 January, 4-7pm, end of exhibition sale & party with poetry & live music

Anyone is Welcome!

Venue: 2A Vinicombe Street (off Byres Road)

Ratnadevi info@livingmindfulness.net , 07534 021340  Sukhema dh.sukhema@gmail.com 07767 777451

The Poet’s Way 2025

2005 dates: 5th January, 2nd February, 2nd March, 30th March, 4th  May, 1st June, 6th July, 3rd August, 7th September, 5th October, 2nd November, 7th December. Doors open at 5:15pm for a prompt start at 5:30 – ending around 9pm  Venue: Glasgow Buddhist Centre: 72 Berkeley St (G3 7DS),

The Poet’s Way awakens to the power of poems to compliment & enhance our spiritual practice. Bring a poem to share, your own or a favourite published poem. Please bring 4 copies of the one poem you want appreciated. Also please bring vege food-to-share during a comfort break. Our programme includes a guided meditation inspired by poetry, and small groups for close reading and appreciation of poetry.

Taiji Stick form and other forms outside in the Botanic Gardens

Mondays 8 to 9:15am
These drop-in classes are accessible to complete beginners, and will include balance and breathing exercises, and simple movement meditation. People of all ages and abilities are welcome.
Tuesdays 11am -12 noon Taiji Stick form and Dragon Swimming or Taiji Ruler
Thursdays 12 noon to 1:15 (drop-in classes all levels welcome) For further information: email: playspacepublications@gmail.com tel: 0141 946 8096

New Moon Writing Hour – Monday 30th December 4pm

Linda France’s New Moon Writing Hour on zoom. Here’s the zoom link

Retreat Dates for your diary: Painting The Rainbow

Painting the rainbow: tai chi, poetry and meditation retreat at Dhanakosa
19 September, 2025 – 26 September, 2025
Led by: Sukhema, Linda France, and Jayaraja

Last year this retreat was fully booked with a waiting list months before.

Active Hope for Humanity

Led by: Smritiratna, Candradhi, Sukhema, Amayaraja

Seeing the dangers confronting humankind these days, we can feel depressed, demoralised and helpless to avert disaster – or even to talk about such feelings. This retreat provides a space to talk about and to explore an extraordinary sequence of reflections and communal practices that can rekindle an ‘active hope’ and vision for humanity. 

The retreat takes its title from a book called Active Hope co-authored by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnston. We will focus around Joanna Macy’s workshop exercises ‘the spiral of the work that reconnects‘. Each day will include meditation and movement to help us assimilate and process what is stirred by the workshops. There will also be periods of silence overnight. No prior experience will be assumed and all necessary tuition will be provided. 

I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

Robin Lloyd-Jones (1934 – 2024) had been editing a book called I AM BECAUSE WE ARE about my life based on his own research and contributions from over 70 people: family, friends, and colleagues. Some the stories go as far back as the 1940ies. Robin was not in a position to finish the book because he was terminally ill. Before he died he asked me to form an editorial board of readers and editors. On his deathbed, I promised to finish the book which may take many forms and could become a never-ending story about all of us. You are invited to click on the above link and add to the story . . . .

Blessed by Surprise

Late November I was blessed by a surprise celebration of my 80 years on planet earth. Now, how to respond – there are no words except gobsmacked and a wee bit overwhelmed.  I thought I was coming to facilitate a workshop for the Kibble Scribblers in the Kibble Palace – a small group of eight or nine. But no! As I walked in the door escorted by Kay Richie, the Palace annex was full with 35+ people – my first thought was I haven’t brought enough handouts.

Blessed and caressed by so many words and so many kind-loving human beings, what can I say? 80 poems & messages for my 80th year. Woohee! What’s that Scots phrase: haud your wheesht! A silent bow of acknowledgement, I bend low touching and kissing the earth – our common ground – and just being here. Loving and listening, I honour the love and friendship between us and between us all.  A hug for each reader, long enough – 8 seconds – for the oxytocin to flow from our hearts to our toes: whole body glowing with gratitude for all of this and all the bees and birds and bugs, trees, mountains and rivers, oceans everywhere. I think there are some books still available. Contact Ken Cockburn if you’d like one: lapidus.scotland.1@gmail.com

without title by Gerry Loose

Gerry Loose (1948–2024) was a poet, horticulturist, land-artist and anti-war activist. A “slow-moving nomad”, he lived in England, Ireland, Spain, Morocco, and most recently in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. His work draws on the unbuilt world, the human and the non-human as well as geopolitics. His poems are as likely to be found inscribed on stone in botanic gardens, hospitals, schools and other public places as in his many books. His selected poems, Printed on Water (2007) and two later books, that person himself (2009) and An Oakwoods Almanac (2015) are also published by Shearsman.

monthly quote: “Tracking . . . ” Tracking Yourself into a Poem or Story by William Stafford