The Y Catalog AMBASSADORS:
ChrisTY TurlingTon Burns • SAUL DAVID RAYE • SHIVA REA • SEANE CORN
_____________________________________________________________________________

The Y Catalog is honored to have SAUL DAVID RAYE, a highly respected yoga teacher and
advocate for Shanti House and Global Water Trust, as our Fall/Winter 2007/08 Ambassador.

In peace and respect, I welcome you to the third issue
of the Y Catalog. I am very happy to be a part of this issue and support the work and vision of the Y Catalog. I have been fortunate to see the creative seeds of this project grow from an idea to a sustainable business, blossoming into a healing presence that impacts people around the world through the intention and effort of its founders. the Y Catalog and other emerging inspired businesses are important catalysts for a new world vision of conscious commerce, ecology and human living.

There is no denying that we live in a connected world, that we share the same
earth, breath and future. the transformation of our planet is happening, the
world is healing, and we are all a part of it. The new vision and evolution is of one world, one people living in peace with justice, compassion with the knowledge that all life is sacred. In supporting this vision, the Y Catalog transcends yoga style; it is a vision of conscious consumerism that can help to inspire great healing and connectivity for our planet.

Commerce—the exchange of goods—is an essential part of human life and we are obviously not going to stop shopping! However, we can
and must do it with consciousness and awareness that the choices we make have an effect on our beautiful, fragile world. If you are inspired by this message, please pass it on in whatever way you can.

Throughout our fragile world there are seemingly infinite worthy causes that break our hearts and defy understanding as to how they can still exist in our modern, so-called “civilized world.” Our technology and material
wisdom has grown leaps and bounds, but it has not been balanced with lessons of the heart that teach the sacredness of all life, respect for mother earth and responsible commerce. One way this can begin to happen is by each of us focusing on a small part that affects the greater whole.

I have chosen to work with two organizations for this issue of the Y Catalog. the first is by supporting the work of Global Water Trust. their mission statement is simple: “Save lives by providing clean, safe water to school children in water-impoverished countries.” the reality and impact of this crisis is devastating. Here are a few of the important figures.

Every day, over 1 billion people lack access to clean water, which has the following catastrophic effects:

* Over 1.2 billion people are without clean, safe wateron a daily basis. (Unicef)

* Over 2.6 billion people (40% of the world population) are without proper sanitation, resulting in millions of deaths from unsafe water. (Unicef/World HealtH organization)

* Water-related diseases are the number one cause of disease and death in the developing world.

* More than 4,500 children die each day from preventable water-related diseases. (Unicef/World Health organization)

* One child dies every 15 seconds from a water-related disease.

* Up to 500 million people are exposed to arsenic contaminated water throughout Asia; 80 million in Bangladesh alone. (dr. cHakraborti/ JadavpUr University)

Also in this issue, we are pleased to officially launch Shanti House—the manifestation of our intention to think globally and act locally. We recognize that there are many causes around the planet that need our support. There are also great causes in our communities. Shanti House is a nonprofit whose missionis to support those in our community in need with food, clothing, yoga, meditation and wellness. We will work within the community by supporting local organizations and getting the yoga community involved with helping those in need in our own community. For me, this has been an idea in seed form for some time and I would like to offer my deep thanks to the support and energy of Richard Wegman (COO of Global Green) and Keri Lassalle (founder of The Y Catalog) for getting Shanti House off the ground.

It would be naïve to think we can change the world with a simple act, or is it? Gandhi is often quoted with the saying, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The healing of the world is up to each of us; we must become the positive shift in life and consciousness that we wish to experience. Know that now, all around the planet, people are joining together in healing/spiritual practices and this is affecting the collective field of consciousness. We can truly only transform ourselves, and in so doing, we transform the world. In your heart, hold the Sacred Vision that All is One and All is Healed and Well. And let us do our work with bravery and joy. I wish you great energy, courage and clarity as your path unfolds.

Thank you for supporting The Y Catalog. Blessed be!

One Love, One Planet, One People, One Future.

Om Shanti, Shalom, Salaam, Amen Sat Nam, Peace…

—Saul David Raye