Farm Fresh News - November 2019

November Skies
In this issue:
Dear Friends,
For almost 20 years now I have been hosting retreats on community and sustainability, in part because I see the concern for climate change is something that touches everyone. Another part of me believes that true sustainability comes from opening our hearts, so that the love that is within us includes every being, every creature, every corner of our Mother Earth.
 
I recognize that the most important changes in my life have come about through moments of personal transformation. I am gaining a better appreciation and understanding on the importance of giving the voice from within room to be heard. This is the inspiration behind my Awakening Journey Retreat in March. My intention is to share and make available to you the time, the space, and the tools that have helped me grow and change, that it might offer you an opportunity to feed your soul and inspire you in this journey we call life. May we find peace in our heart, peace in our family, peace in our community, peace beyond our borders.
 
I hope this time of holidays brings strength and joy to you and those you love!
 
Namaste y'all,
Douglas
 
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A Farm Milestone: Our Newest Member!
Introducing the newest Full Member of our community, Alyxandra Deptula!
 
Alyxandra was born on The Farm 18 years ago, which means she is our first member born (and raised) in the community after the Millennium. All new members are approved through a community vote and of course this one was unanimous! We could not be happier.
 
Alyxandra is a budding and passionate artist. You will find her and her works for sale at the monthly market day here in the community, held the third Saturday of every month, inside our Community Center during the winter months. Be a patron! Buy some of her art!
 
 
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I am excited to bring Dances of Universal Peace to Chattanooga January 17, a Friday, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM. We are so grateful to Sarah Yvonne for hosting our gathering at Spot Venue, an incredible 4000 square foot venue in Chattanooga’s historic arts district.  If you are in the area, please come, and let your friends know, and share this link. 
 
Then on Saturday, December 18, I will be in the Atlanta area  at the Heron House in the Mountain Park area of Roswell. The Heron House is a wonderful spiritual retreat center located at 102 Russell Road, Mountain Park in Roswell, GA, 30075. Contact me for details!
 
 
Laying a foundation of connection by getting in touch with ourselves in the present moment, through mindful touch and self care, meditation immersed in nature, blended with singing, chanting and Dances of Universal Peace. Limited to 10 people. Click here to learn more.
 
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Radical Love and the Sufi Heart

A few years back, I felt a call to help bridge the understanding in the West of the Muslim world, a civilization that had centuries of peace, expressed through poetry and art. What incredible synchronicity that music and dance would lead me to the way of the Sufi, the mystical side of Islam.
 
I want to introduce you to Omid Safi and the Sufi Heart podcast. I found it on the Be Here Now  Network, which I told you about a few newsletters back as the source for talks by Baba Ram Dass, and American professor turned mystic who inspired myself and so many others to turn toward a spiritual path.
 
"The measure of what it means to be a spiritual and realized human being is to actually be able to love and serve humanity."
 
Dr. Omid Safi is a director of Duke University's Islamic Studies Center, and what I find so intriguing is the way he expresses the concept of Radical Love as tied directly to Social Justice. Two of my favorite episodes are Dr. Martin Luther King's Message for Today, and Sufi Heart, a Practice of Love, where he lays out the way to express love, not as an emotion, but as a practice and a pathway for bringing peace to your own heart, and in a series of expanding concentric circles, peace to the world.
 
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A big thanks to everyone who has become a patron of Farm Fresh!
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about community based alternatives and the spiritual path.
Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
Let me know your interests. Click here to take the survey.    I look forward to hearing from you.
 
 
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I hope you'll make the effort to take a firsthand look at The Farm during one of my GreenLife Retreat Weekends, and that it will inspire you to pursue your dreams and find your chosen path!
 
Speaking Engagements
At the same time, I recognize that I can reach a lot more people if I go outside the community. One of my goals is to speak at colleges and universities where I can talk to young people about Right Livelihood, Service, and Finding Sanity in an Insane World. This is a time when people need to hear an uplifting message of hope.
 
If you are part of an organization, event, or school (or you just want to learn more about my life's work), I invite you to visit my web site www.douglasstevenson.com, where you'll find information on my lecture topics and how to bring me to speak in your area.
 Thank you for your interest, and your support. I hope to see you down the road.
 
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out to change the world
new society
 
 
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My wife Deborah is one of the primary midwives practicing on The Farm right now. She is also a teacher with the midwifery workshops and our College of Traditional Midwifery. If you, a friend, or family member are considering a midwifery assisted birth, I encourage you to visit her web site and check out her podcast.
 
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www.awakeningbirth.org - the Web Site
www.awakening birth.net - The Podcast 
Her birth resource web sites for families seeking guidance on subjects such as
  • Choosing a Care Provider.
  • Health and Diet
  • Challenges and Complications
  • and much more!
  • The Awakening Birth podcast is now available on iTunes or at www.awakeningbirth.net
Please spread the word to anyone in your circle who is thinking of having a baby, expecting, to your favorite midwife, or care provider. Please like us and give us a good review on iTunes. It helps!
 
 
GreenLife Retreats
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office / cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
www.douglasstevenson.com 
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
 
 
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