This coming Sunday, beginning at midnight, I'm joining 300 people worldwide in a 24-hours meditation marathon. It's to raise funds for a really transformative organization/community I've been a part of since 2006, EnlightenNext -- but it's also a spiritual journey, pushing our limits, deepening our roots in Spirit beyond the unceasing noise-machine in our minds, beyond the wants and fears of ego. As one of those meditators puts it, "meditation enables each of us to let go of everything in the way of change, to make the room inside of ourselves to become agents of cultural evolution."

    I am committed to continue for at least 12 hours. Many others have pledged to remain for the full 24 -- with short breaks for snacks and stretching but not sleep.

    As for EnlightenNext, its EnlightenNext magazine (formerly known as What Is Enlightenment?) is a beacon light for many spiritual leaders and seekers in an era when the old answers and presumptive authority of premodern traditions can't guide us into territory where no one has yet gone. I believe in its work and, as you know, have been profoundly affected through its gatherings and retreats, and the mutual commitment to create "a higher We". It's made me a far more worthwhile Unitarian Universalist ministers, too. (I'll be running my Transcendentalist Spirit and an Evolutionary Spirituality course at the Manchester, NH UU congregation in January and February -- info at www.uumanchester.org/).

    And the marathon? Well, you don't a lot of chances like this to share the profoundest of experiences in the shared silence that speaks more deeply and more truly than our words. I'll be joining with my friends in the Boston E/N group on this piece of the magnificent journey to the possible future. (Intrigued? You are welcome to come along -- you can register at www.enlightennext.org/marathon/ and join a group of meditators near you, or do it on your own.)

    I would be honored to have your sponsorship for any amount, large or small! Your contribution through this website is simple, fast and totally secure, and, of course, tax-deductible.

 

Warmly and hopefully
Jay

PS: For more about EnlightenNext, go here -- www.enlightennext.org/about/