The Hearth Foundation

As the summer sun warms us, expands us and allows us to live more simply; less clothing, less food, open bodies- it is a perfect time for transformation. In that spirit Hearth is in the midst of great changes. Change can be difficult. We like what is familiar, even if it limits us. Yet one of the three marks of existence is impermanence, making change inevitable. So, feeling the sadness about what is being left behind and the wonder of what is to come- we change.

This month we are losing our dear, dear webmaster. Wendy was in the first group of students who contacted me after reading Buddha Mom. She, and about 12 others, asked for more support for spiritual parenting practice and thus began what has become the Hearth Foundation. Never in a million years did I dream I’d be the director of a non-profit! Wendy, and the other moms, who I warmly call my guinea pigs, are the reason there is a Hearth Foundation. I am so grateful to all of them for starting the ball rolling.

The Hearth website was envisioned and created by Wendy. People are constantly telling me how beautiful this website is. The beauty is due to Wendy’s fine eye and warm way with words. Wendy has been generously spending many hours tending our website, newsletter and helping new students navigate our classroom for over four years. Not only has she tended the website, she has added a great deal to the vision of Hearth. It was she who recommended and developed the survey that is leading to many of our new directions, it was she who developed the format of our newsletter and brilliantly named it “From the Hearth”, it was she who talked with me numerous times on the phone, helping me shape Hearth’s vision. Her creativity, energy and talent have been a great good fortune to Hearth and we will miss her but understand her call to move on after years of generous service. We wish her well on her journey wherever it takes her. She will always be a part of us.

There are other changes afoot for Hearth as well. We are working to obtain church status and getting the business aspect of our organization cleaned up and sorted out. When my father was dying in my home he set up Hearth as a final gift to me. I’ve been running to catch up with the gift ever since! Now, finally, it feels like the foundation is coming together in a professional, clear and clean way. This will enable us to reach out to our communities around the world. We’ve kept Hearth very low profile for these past 4 or 5 years in order to figure out what it is all about. Now it is becoming clear that we are a place for moms who are interested in developing a Buddhist practice at home to receive support and guidance. Our curriculum is offering two opportunities. One is to delve deeply into the core Buddhist teachings, the other to receive support for, what is often called, spiritual but not religious practices. Having a clearer vision enables us to reach out and let people know we are here for them. Up until this point moms just mysteriously showed up at Hearth, either by having read Buddha Mom or by hearing about it from a friend.

We are also renewing our website. My daughter, Nicole Silver, will be our new webmaster for the change. During the time that we are in development there will probably not be a monthly newsletter. We are looking for a more user- friendly classroom space, adding art to our website and adding resources. We are also revisioning our newsletter to include more of your voices, to have more pictures and graphics. The idea behind the newsletter is that it be a source of inspiration. If you like to write and would like to be on the newsletter committee please contact me. On top of that, Heather and I are working on a facilitator’s handbook for those of you who would like to start a Hearth meditation group in your community.

This is a good time to join our team. If you have skills such as internet savy, PR savy, legal savy, art we can support and enjoy, like working with people or anything else please let us know by emailing me. If you are interested in starting a Hearth community group or joining a class you can email Heather and she will put you on a list. We will let you know when we are ready to begin.

Change is bitter sweet. I will miss the comfortable, easy way we have been operating. I will miss Wendy as I have missed those of you who have passed through Hearth through the years. At the same time I am excited about the new direction Hearth is taking, excited to be able to be of use for more families and excited to become closer to the moms I serve.

Thank you for your patience as we make the shift,

Jacqueline Kramer
Director

DANA

It is the Buddhist tradition to offer teachings freely. This comes from a heartfelt desire for the happiness of all beings. There is another complimentary Buddhist tradition for the recipients of the teachings to offer dana, or generosity upon receiving the teachings. It is our pleasure to offer From The Hearth and introductory classes free of charge. We are able to do this thanks to a core of dedicated volunteers and a strong commitment to keeping Hearth’s services available for you, regardless of your ability to pay.

If this newsletter, the classes or any other Hearth offerings have been helpful to you we are happy to receive your appreciation in the form of donations or services. Your tax-deductible donation makes Hearth services available to moms all over the world. Everyone has something to give and it takes many hands and eyes to create a vital community. Thank you for your support!

Write checks to:
Hearth Foundation
19201 Twin Oaks Lane
Sonoma, CA 95476

UPCOMING EVENTS AND CLASSES:

CLASSES AND GROUPS:

ONLINE CLASSES: To see a list of all classes offered, please go to The Hearth Foundation Classroom page. Registrations for all classes are taken year-round. A class does not begin until enough people have registered. To sign up for any of the classes or with further questions on the specific classes, please email Heather Thornton.

EVENTS: If you know of an upcoming local, national or international event which fits in with the Mission of the Hearth Foundation, such as spirituality, meditation, pregnancy and birthing, Buddhism, parenting, women's issues, ecology, education and homemaking, please submit it by emailing Jacqueline, so that we may all benefit.*

2009 YEAR-END REPORT: The 2009 Year-End Report ihas now been published. You may view it here.

PODCASTS: We are now offering Podcasts to assist you in your spiritual journey. To hear the first podcast, "An Introduction to Guided Meditation", please go to our Podcast page. Podcasts open with Quicktime.

COUNSELING SERVICES / PERSONAL INSTRUCTION: Jacqueline is available for one-on-one counseling or personal instruction via phone or in person. In order to set up an appointment please email Jacqueline directly.

FROM THE HEARTH NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS: If you subscribed to receive From the Hearth in your email in-box, but did not receive the latest edition, please contact Jacqueline to verify your email address. If you aren't subscribed to receive From the Hearth in your in-box, but would like to be, please CLICK HERE.

WRITE FOR FROM THE HEARTH: We are looking for submissions from YOU! The Monthly Reflections segment is written by a student of Hearth Foundation on set monthly themes. If any of the themes below call to you for reflection, regardless of where we are in the calendar, please send them to us!*

January: Beginner's Mind
February: Love
March: Transformation
April: Service
May: Joy
June: Meditation
July: Interdependence
August: Abundance
September: Learning/Growing
October: Death
November: Gratitude
December: Generosity

Another feature that we offer is our Moms-to-Moms segment. If you deal with a special aspect of mothering and you think your experience may help other mothers, please share your story. Previous articles have included topics such as depression and anxiety, c-sections, fostering special needs children and post-partum depression. Please send all submissions to Jacqueline.*

*Hearth Foundation reserves the right to determine which submissions will be published. Submissions may be edited.
Any advice given is for informational purposes only.
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