'A Thank for the Letter Writers'

"I eternally thank the letter writers from COL and the organizers of the program. Truly, it is hard to express what a difference these letters have made in my life...and how much they have filled my heart during very challenging times when I was very alone and ill. It may be difficult for some COL writers to know how very much there letters/cards have meant!!!! I know that sometimes a letter writer would want for me to write them back...and for many reasons I was not able to write to them. So I deeply hope that all the letter writers will know, that when you do the service of writing to people, your great love and service is a profound gift for the receiver of your letters/cards...even if the receiver is not able to write you back or respond to your mail. My heart was greatly lifted many times when I would feel the very real and strong prayerful connection that was present between myself and my letter writers. ...Sometimes the greatest service we can do, is that service for which we get no feedback about our efforts. This is truly selfless service. How blessed I have been by the beautiful, love-filled, selfless, souls who write COL writers. I bow to the Divine in you."
-from a recipient-

Welcome!

Om Amriteshwaryai Namah

Dear ,


Thank you for showing interest in Circle of Love, volunteer programs inspired by Mata Amritanandamayi, (Amma).

The way the program works is that you would be assigned two to four people to write EACH WEEK by REGULAR MAIL. You would be given information about each person and why they have requested letters. You would then send a note, card, or letter to each person WEEKLY.

The recipients of our letters are usually ill or grieving or isolated, they can also be people who are having a hard time coping with life's challenges and have requested letters. Some know Amma and some do not know Her. The people who receive letters are told that they DO NOT NEED TO WRITE BACK. Some of them are not able to write back due to illness, or they may be overwhelmed by the problems they are facing. This is seen as a time for them to receive. Some people do write back, but most do not.

Not getting replies to the letters you write can create a challenge and also an opportunity. This seva gives you the opportunity to focus on what is inspiring to you,
to look out for the things that make you feel good. It helps you to to get into a place inside yourself where you can offer love. It is a spiritual practice, sending good wishes without expectation. It also helps us to develop faith that we have something to offer. If you agreed to joining this seva you would continue to write weekly even if there is no response.

Some writers enjoy writing. Some make cards. We get a lot of positive feedback from the letter recipients. They tell us over and over that they appreciate the support that they receive.

At the end of the writing cycle, which is quarterly, we contact all the letter writers and ask them if they would like to continue writing. At that time you could decide to continue with a new assignment or stop writing. We will also check with you about a month after you sign up to see how things are going. We will be available if you have any questions or problems or for some reason are unable to complete your commitment.
(Many people start writing in the middle of one of these cycles, so the length of the initial round can vary).

We would be communicating with you by email so it would be important for you to have EASY ACCESS TO EMAIL, and for you to check it at least one time a week.

Most of our participants are from the U.S. but we do currently have writers and recipients from Canada, France, Brazil, Germany, China, and Malaysia as. We are always on the look out for recipients, so if you are in need of letters or know some one who would benefit from letters let us know. People may both write and receive letters.

Also, There is another writing program that writes to prisoners. It is called "Circle of love inside". It is Amma's prison outreach. If You would like to write to people who are in prison you can learn more about that program by contacting Aikya at circle.of.love.inside@gmail.com

If you think Circle of Love Letters is for you please reply and we will send you an assignment. Please include your full name and phone number also, let us know if you write in another language.

Attached is a copy of our guidelines for the community letter writing program. Please read them.



In Amma,

Sivamayi



Circle of Love Letters Team
circleofloveletters@hotmail.com