Winter Feast for the Soul

Location

WINTER FEAST FOR THE SOUL

Since 2008

Please join us in January, whether you live in the Northern Hemisphere where it will be winter
or the Southern Hemisphere where it will be summer.

OUR VISION

We hold a vision of a world at peace that surpasses the imagined boundaries of creed, culture, and philosophical beliefs.

We embrace all spiritual traditions and organizations in a synchronized period of practice where we become part of a shared dream for a consciousness of oneness and peace on our planet.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

We embrace all forms of practice that bring an individual to a period of stillness in their daily life. The commitment to 40 minutes of practice each day for the 40-day period of the Feast allows people to have a life changing experience of the importance of stillness. In that space, the promptings of the Inner Divine are found and loving kindness and compassion flow naturally into daily life.

These include

• Meditation
• Prayer
• Yoga
• Martial arts
• Journaling
• Expressive arts
• Daily acts of kindness toward self and others

ACTS OF KINDNESS

Acts of Kindness toward self and others flow effortless when one has a daily spiritual practice. In 2011 we have added a commitment to Daily Acts of Kindness to our list of spiritual practices. In this world of dramatic change, it is important to emphasize our role in the cosmic dance and commit to the outer expression of our practice.

40 MINUTES EACH DAY FOR FORTY DAYS

The number 40 has great historical significance in the lives of important spiritual teachers. Forty is the number of change. If we truly want to make a difference in the world, then we must begin by inviting change into our own lives. The three line poem by 13th century mystic, Jelaluddin Rumi, that inspired this Feast tells us that forty days of early morning practice will have a remarkable effect on our lives.

What nine months does for the embryo
Forty early mornings
Will do for your growing awareness.

~ Jelaluddin Rumi

Consider Moses, Elijah, Buddha, Jesus and Mohamed. They all left their ordinary lives for forty days to connect with the Indwelling Spirit.

Forty minutes of practice can be divided into two sessions of 20 minutes each to reach the 40 minutes of commitment. It can also be divided into four 10-minute segments where we experience the stillness more often, and thus integrate it into our day in another way. Each person can design their practice so that it meets their personal schedule and lifestyle.

THE POWER OF OUR INTENTION

2012 marks the fifth year of the Winter Feast for the Soul. Let's make this Feast the most powerful Feast ever. May all beings find peace and may kindness and compassion rule all our relationships.

Yours in Love and In Peace,

Valerie Skonie
Founder and Director

winterfeastforthesoul@gmail.com