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February 2009 
Returning the favor!
Posted on Jul 30th, 2008
by 
Mila
Mila
So I've been writing on the topic of the heart and the law, about the practice of compassionate wisdom in every day life for a while. I know that I wouldn't be able to share these thoughts, my experiences, were it not for the wisdom of others who have shared their own knowledge and experience with me - through writing, voice and action.
So, as I recently thumbed through a brochure for the Shambhala Mountain Center, I decided that, starting in the beginning of 2009, I wanted to personally offer something in return to the "wish-fulfilling gems" who live everyday lives with a Boddhisattvic spirit and share what they learn with us in the hopes that it helps us on our own journeys.
In January or February of 2009, I'd like to offer an award - the Heart of the Law - for the best new piece of writing about the practice of compassion and wisdom in everyday life, in the form of a scholarship covering tuition, room and board costs up to $750 toward attending a program at a recognized spiritual workshop, meditation retreat or other practice center... and I'm setting aside $750 of my own money so that I can make this happen.
I've never done this before, so I'm sure I'll learn more about the formalities of a scholarship along the way, but the rules are simple:
- The entry/essay/writing should be spiritually-based and on the subject of practice in everyday life, especially as regards acting compassionately toward self and others, but does not need to be Buddhist or even necessarily religious in nature
- The writing should be publicly available at no cost on the web - on a blog, a network like Gaia, etc.
- Entries should be written, posted on the web and submitted between now and the end of 2008.
- There is no set minimum or maximum length, but the medium for these works is the web, and writers should consider appropriate length for works meant for online consumption, as well as the 'everyday' nature of the topic.
I'm not sure whether I'll read and judge all the submissions on my own, or whether they will be reviewed by a group of judges - I would rather enjoy bringing together some brilliant minds to read and discuss what people write. When I've made that decision, I'll post that here as well.
I'm currently working on theheartandthelaw.org website, which will contain the details of the scholarship as well as links to submitted works - and hopefully other related content as it grows - and which is where I will announce the winner in early 2009.
If you're interested in entering a piece of writing, email me at jake@theheartandthelaw.org with your name, contact information and a link to the essay/entry/text you want to submit.
Also, if you're interested in helping judge; or supporting/sponsoring the scholarship, helping make it possible to award multiple winners and/or do this again on a regular basis, please contact me at the same email address (or leave a comment)
Final disclaimer - this scholarship is not affiliated with my employer or any other company or organization. Consider it a personal offer of gratitude!
Questions? Comments? Please let me know! And if you know people that would be interested in submitting or supporting, please send them here to learn more!
Access: PublicTagged with: scholarship, buddhism, compassion, wisdom, writing, gratitude, essays, blogs, web, the heart and the law
Everyone on the site needs to read this. I'll do my part to spread the word. Cheers to you Jake!
THIS is amazing, Jake! I will also do my part to share this everywhere I know how to share… so incredibly generous of you to do this!! Let me know, too, if there is any other help I could offer you if you get overwhelmed with responses!
Namaste Jake and thank you for your compassionate heart!
Samme
So nice of you! Thank you so so much! Perhaps one day I will encapsulate my experiences and thoughts related to this matter into words, and post them, and submit.