Today I had the opportunity to attend ARC’s (Alliance of Rural Communities) Open House Launch for their Co-Creation Hub. It was an afternoon of connection, community and co-creating. It is good to see what is happening in our space, how people can come together, how people are working for change. I think that often we can find ourselves in a bubble, unaware of what is happening outside of the spaces that we inhabit. If we hope to create change then it is important to build our awareness, our consciousness and our networks.

ARC’s intent for today and moving forward is,

“…to create a space where problem-solvers can collaborate and be inspired to create change and address societal and environmental challenges. Through this community-centric ethos, we are creating a global model for sustainability, accountability and community.”

I know that many of us are working for this in our own spaces. I wonder what it will take for us to recognise how we can amplify our work by coming together.

Today’s prayer is one that I have learnt through my Guru and the Blue Star. It is a Shanti mantra, a prayer for peace found in the Taittiriya and Katha Upanishads. This prayer brings us together as a community, inviting us to grow together.

oṃ saha nāvavatu ।

saha nau bhunaktu ।

saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai ।

tejasvi nāvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai ।

oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ॥

Om, May We be protected together

May We be nourished together

May We achieve strength together

May our knowledge be full of Light

May We remain United beyond differences

Om Peace, Peace, Peace

Blessings as we move into this new month,

Renee Arundhati