In 2022, we focused on sustaining existing service projects, forming new collaborative relationships, and creating content and events. These offerings include:

• Training more volunteers for our prison pen pal program

• Planning in-person events

• Online events, classes, and trainings

• Podcasts

• Books

• Music

• Art

Ram Dass talks about “walking each other Home” and being a “loving rock.” He also says, “I help people as a work on myself and I work on myself to help people.”

How do we do that?

In 2023, we plan to have a formalized volunteer training and development program for the purpose of helping us all become more skilled and capable “loving rocks.” Think of it as a kind of “yoga teacher training,” except this is for karma yoga, the yoga of selfless service. This will strengthen skills, compassion, and presence within the community and de-professionalize helper roles. This can become a central praxis of Sacred Community: Sacred Community awakening itself through compassionate action.

The vision is for a one-year program with minimal time commitment. This is something that a working parent can do while still balancing their other duties, and it is designed for compassionate beings who feel called to deepen their ability to be a “loving rock” as a part of their spiritual path.

Much of the content and programming created in 2022 will be used for the training program. Participants will engage in existing service programs and help develop new ones.

This program will entail:
• Loving-Awareness
• Nishkam Karma
• Souls not roles
• Reflective listening
• Mindful and heartful listening
• Being present with suffering
• Companioning not fixing
• Spiritual friendship
• Apprenticing grief
• Mental health first aid
• Psychedelic peer support 101
• Basic knowledge of power, privilege, and intersecting oppressions
• Cultural humility

During the program, participants will have the opportunity to engage in:
• Spiritual support
• Prison pen pal
• Meditation/kirtan seva