Flowing Dharma is a non-profit, publicly-funded, 501(c)3 organization whose work is guided by a board of directors. Our commitment is to serve the Dharma in whatever ways become available to us while deepening our own Spiritual practice and cultivating lovingkindness, compassion and generosity. We have taken on a number of exciting and rewarding projects in our 15-year history while supporting the greater Tampa Bay Buddhist community.

For many years Flowing Dharma brought respected meditation teachers from across the country into Tampa Bay to share their understanding of the Dharma in residential retreats. Many folks had their first taste of Dharma at the Franciscan Center where many of these retreats were held. We also provided meeting space at the Lotus Room for a number of Buddhist groups during their early development stage and co-sponsored fundraisers and outreach programs with a number of local organizations.

Recently, two of our officers (John Steven Shealy and Jordan Dye) lived and volunteered for seven months in Peru and Ecuador. While there, they supported a 10-day donation-only meditation retreat in Lima and with the generous financial support of the Tampa Buddhist community, were able to assist a small school that teaches traditional non-dual practices to indigenous children. The year before, a meditation center in a small town in Mexico hosted a FD retreat. Most recently, while serving with the US Peace Corps in Swaziland, Africa, John and Jordan were able to offer their time and FD's financial support to two 10-day donation-only mediation courses.

Living and serving in these third-world countries led to a broadening of the definition of community and the role of Dharma service. These experiences proved to be seeds of change for this organization. While still active in support of Buddhist activities in the Tampa Bay area, over the past three years Flowing Dharma has shifted its priorities toward the support of organizations engaged in bringing the Dharma, in whatever form or tradition, to people living in the developing world. In the years ahead, we expect this work to expand in both form and magnitude. Our goal is to provide a high level of integrated support (logistical, technical and financial) to a wide variety of Dharma-related organizations functioning in some of the world's poorest countries.

Jordan is currently serving her third year in Peace Corps, engaging in a number of community development projects and supporting the activities of a local meditation group. John completes his PC service in September of 2011 and will be sitting and serving meditation courses at a center near Cape Town, South Africa. In January, he will head to India and Nepal with the intention of sitting and serving at various meditation centers and monasteries while scouting out a suitable place for Jordan and him to live, practice and engage in community development work for the next few years.

The Peace Corps experience was like a graduate program in sustainable community development. One lesson that was driven home repeatedly was "if the goal is sustainability, help first those who have already found a way of helping themselves." During his travels, John will seek to support such organizations that are doing a good job of spreading the Dharma. Financial support of these organizations will be made possible through donations to Flowing Dharma. These include all proceeds from John's MBSR Home Study, Personal Healing and Professional Development Programs as well as individual donations.

A dollar goes much further in these developing countries than in America and when efficient organizations are supported, there can be an excellent return on investment. Your financial support of our work, your prayers and metta sent our way are all greatly appreciated.

Organizational Goals:

• Share and support the Dharma (Buddhist meditation, non-dual and related teachings) through encouragement and funding of existing organizations that are actively engaged in this effort both in Tampa Bay and in developing countries, whenever and wherever a good opportunity presents itself.

• Provide support for the sharing of emerging Integral practices that bring together wisdom from the East and West.

• Encourage those offering Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programs, hatha yoga and other programs that promote a balanced mind and a healthy lifestyle - necessary foundations for anyone pursuing a spiritual path.

• Support local sanghas through a monthly email newsletter that offers free promotion of their activities and serves as a free organizing tool for the Florida Buddhist community.

• Encourage community outreach efforts by providing financial and other support to Florida prison MBSR and similar Dharma-related programs addressing the needs of marginalized and/or underserved individuals.

The work of Flowing Dharma is supported by your donations. As a 501(c)3 corporation, our contributions are tax deductable. To make a donation via PayPal, simply click this button and enter an amount ($10, $20, $100 or more) along with your credit card or PayPal account information.