Karma Yoga Charities
In general, Karma means action, or duty. Karma Yoga is a spiritual
discipline based upon unselfish performance of duty without aspiring
for results or reward. The term is applicable to any selfless service
one performs. For a deeper understanding of Karma Yoga, read chapters
three and five of the Bhagavad Gita.
Here are some of Alón's favorite Karma Yoga charities:
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Mission: “To enrich the lives of children and the community
through one-to-one mentoring relationships.”
The mentoring programs of Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BBBS)
have a positive impact on the lives of children and families
by offering a professionally supported relationship between
a caring adult and a child. Big Brothers/Sisters ("Bigs")
are friends, mentors, and positive role models to the children
("Littles") with whom they are matched. Our local BBBS
organization currently serves up to 350 youth, ages 6-18,
in Marin and Napa counties in California.
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Cultural Restoration Tourism Project (CRTP)
www.crtp.net
415.563.7221
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Mission: “Cultural Restoration Tourism Project (CRTP) helps spiritual communities
around the world reclaim their heritage and traditions by restoring artifacts of
deep cultural importance that are in danger of extinction.”
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CRTP offers people from all backgrounds the opportunity to participate in the rebuilding
of temples and communities in Asia. Our participants spend their vacations (6 & 13
day trips) putting their hearts and hands to work on something truly meaningful.
The tour fee is a donation, which goes towards the restoration project, providing
jobs and job training for dozens of local people in regions of nearly 70% unemployment.
Current CRTP projects are taking travelers to Mongolia and Nepal.
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In Mongolia, CRTP is rebuilding the "Yellow
Temple", historically the third largest Buddhist monastery
in the country. This beautiful and important monastery
was the center of a rich spiritual community of 17,000
souls. It was destroyed in the 1930's by the occupying
communist regime that slaughtered thousands of gentle
monks and nuns who lived there.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
www.spiritrock.com
415.488.0164 |
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Mission: "We see Spirit Rock as a living mandala (a circle) whose central inspiration is the dharma, the deepest truth of life, beyond words and concepts. The outer expressions of the mandala are both reflections of the dharma and paths leading back to the dharma. The outer expressions, which are interdependent and support one another, include our programs and trainings in retreats, wise relationship, study, hermitage, service, and spiritual practices, in the world." |
| Founded in Marin County by Jack Kornfield , Spirit Rock Meditation Center is dedicated to the teachings of the Buddha as presented in the vipassana tradition. The practice of mindful awareness, called Insight or Vipassana Meditation, is at the heart of all the activities at Spirit Rock. The Center hosts a full program of ongoing classes, daylong programs, and residential retreats.
The Green Yoga
Association
888.659.7925
Mission: To foster
ecological consciousness, reverence, and action in the Yoga
community. Our goal is to widen the circle of Yoga practitioners
who are seeking ways to honor and care for the Earth.
Today, the viability of earth's life
systems is in danger. If humanity is to survive and thrive,
we must learn to live in balance with nature. Now is the time
to cleanse and heal the earth and to establish a sustainable
relationship with the environment for generations to come.
Therefore, as practitioners of Yoga we will:
• Educate ourselves about the needs of the biosphere
as a whole and our local ecosystems in particular.
• Cultivate an appreciation for and conscious connection
with the natural environments in which we live, including
animals, plants, soil, water, and air.
• Include care for the environment in our discussion
of Yogic ethical practices.
• Commit ourselves to policies, products, and actions
that minimize environmental harm and maximize environmental
benefit.
• And, if we are Yoga teachers or centers, we will incorporate
these commitments into our work with students.
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