October News 2023
Keeping the gesture alive
Saddhanandi talks about why she has left a legacy to the Abhayaratna Trust and how a random act of kindness led her to reflect on the importance of keeping alive the gesture of giving. She remembers Abhayaratna and the legacy he left. All the work of the Abhayaratna Trust has grown from that legacy and hundreds of Order members have been helped in times of need by that single gesture of generosity.
Visit our page on legacies here
If you haven’t made a will, you might want to read this
Here are some reasons people don’t make a will. Do you resonate with any of them?
Indecision
Can’t decide what to leave to who? Getting down to writing a will is a process that helps you think through what you want to happen, so you benefit people and charities that you care about.
A change of heart
But what if you decide but then change your mind? That’s okay. It’s a good idea to update your will to keep up to date with major changes in your circumstances. You might even make several wills in your lifetime. A codicil is an option too, for amending part of your will.
Superstition
It’s common to have a sub-conscious belief that making a will could shorten your life. Tempting fate. The reality is that completing your will usually brings a sense of relief.
Cost
It will be expensive?! Not necessarily. Though if you have a lot of assets or property you might want to use a professional will writer or solicitor. You can limit the cost if you live in England and want to take advantage of Will Aid in November. That’s when participating solicitors waive their fee in return for a suggested donation (£100 for a single basic will), which goes to a participating charity. See www.willaid.org.uk for details.
Enabling Generosity and Supporting Order Members worldwide
In this short video Mahasraddha, director of the Abhayaratna Trust, asks us to reflect on acts of generosity we have received from Order members and the effect this has had on us. He also explains why we need your help to raise an additional £10,000 this year to continue responding to individual Order members in need of financial assistance. The Trust is receiving a growing number of requests for grants related to health issues, partly due to the ageing demographic of the Order.
Make a regular or single donation here
Motor neurone disease and the joy of mindfulness
Miles, a mitra who has asked for ordination and living in Worcester talks to Mahasraddha about how being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) impacts on his experience of going for Refuge in the context of Triratna, and how it has led to him going deeper in his practice. Listen to Miles talking of the pleasure he derives from mindfulness. (click on image for video)
‘ As long as I’m still breathing I can still practice the mindfulness of breathing, and it gives me such a connection to being alive.’
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Communications Support: jinavamsa@abhayaratnatrust.org - Send your ideas, reflections and feedback - we love to hear from you.