Shekinashram supports
the following charities:
Sandi Pani
Muni Childrens School
Radha Giridhari Mandir
Glastonbury Weekly Prasadam Distribution
Unity Celebrations
Jai Sri Lakshmi Devi!
As Shekinashram has grown and evolved in its own devotional service, it
has been fortunate to expanded its work beyond the physical boundary of
the ashram, with an outreach programme to support humanitarian projects
engaged in doing great service for the poor, sick and hungry in India.
In virtually all spiritual traditions it is recognised as essential to
ones own spiritual advancement to support those who inspire us spiritually.
It is also considered a blessing to offer this small service as a gesture
of devotion to the Supreme. In this spirit we have offered our supportive
association to the various projects listed by offering financial and energetic
support where possible.
Please feel free to browse their sites and offer your own independant support if you feel able in some way. Often for us in the western world £5.00 per week can be unnoticable, however to a child in Vrindavan it can mean the difference between having an education or not. This can make a dramatic difference to their life, and with a standing order set up from your bank account it happens automatically without further effort. If you feel I cannot afford this, consider that the single most powerful step toward attracting a properous existence is to first make offerings to the Divine in the form of giving to others. After all the Divine gives us everything, we are not the owners of anything, we are simply guardians for a limited time. Even our bodies, our most precious 'possession' are reclaimed in a reletively short time.
Vrindavan Charities
As devotees, we are closely connected with the holy land of Vrindavan,
where Srimati Radharani and Bhagavan Sri Krishna played out their childhood
pastimes here in this material world, giving us powerful examples of a
life lived as the personification of Transcendental Reality, where heaven
manifested on earth forevermore. Even though not really comparable, from
our perspective Glastonbury is the closest example that we have here in
England of such a place.
In this way we feel a natural inclination to bridge these two powerful
epi-centres of spiritual potentcy, where the veils between the material
world and spiritual world are very fine, and by feeding energy between
these two great pilgrimage centres of the world (drawing spiritual sustenance
and rejuvenation from pilgrimages to Vrindavan and feeding revenue generated
from our Karma Yoga projects over here in Glastonbury to the Holy Dham
of Vrindavan) we keep a healthy circulation of energetic association flowing
between the two.
The Sandi Pani Muni Poor Childrens School, Trees for Life, the Social
Development project, and Radha Giridhari Mandir all operate out of Vrindavan.
The Radha Giridhari Mandir is an ashram and temple run by Sri Rashmai
Dasa Babaji, who is also the founder of 'Jai Shri Radhay International
Seva Trust Society' based in Vrindavan. They also work very closely with
the Tulsi Trust who specialise in offering medical and educational assistance
to tribal Bengali refugees who live in the jungle districts of Madhya
Pradesh with little or no local amenities.
Sri Rashmai Dasa Babaji visits Glastonbury every year and the Tulsi Trust
have very close links with Glastonbury.
Amma
As well as investing energy in Vrindavan we also make monthly offerings
to Amma's charities (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi). Amma is possibly
the greatest humanitarian of all time. Her main ashram is in Kerala, South
India, although She travels extensively worldwide throughout the year,
giving devotees an opportunity to see Her in their own country. Her achievements
in meeting others suffering and initiating charitable projects are astounding
and a phenomenal inspiration to all around Her.
Amma spends most of her waking hours receiving the distressed and all who come to her for comfort, day after day without a break.
Pranams..... Jaya Jaya Devi Mata Namaha!
Prasadam Distribution
in Glastonbury
Here in Glastonbury at Shekinashram we freely offer a sanctuary, and place
of worship 365 days a year for whoever wishes to visit. We have a daily
programme of puja, kirtan and silent meditation, which all are welcome
to join us for. Recently we have initiated a weekly prasadam distribution
programme on Glastonbury High Street, in order to give everyone the opportunity
to enjoy the transcendental vibration of prasadam. Prasadam is pure vegetarian
food (vegan in our case) prepared lovingly with consciousness especially
for the Divine. Although it tastes delicious, it is not prepared for our
sensory pleasure. We make it as an offering to Amma, Radha and Krishna.
After a short offering ceremony where They enjoy the essence of the food
and bless it for us to partake of, we distribute it freely to all to enjoy
the blessed remenants. The vibration of prasadam is sublime and considered
non-different from the Divine itself. In this way we are able to act as
instruments of the Lord's infinite mercy, feeding delicious prasadam indiscriminately
to whoever happens to walk past. Weather permitting this currently takes
place on Glastonbury High Street between 5pm - 6pm every Wednesday. Please
feel free to come and enjoy. Hare Krishna!
Unity Celebrations
The Unity Celebration is an annual devotional/dance event held at Glastonbury
Town Hall, which at capacity usually attracts around 400 people, and is
a fund raising event for the charities above.