issue-70-November-2025

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Issue 70: November 2025

Deepen your roots as winter comes

In this issue:

Editorial

Feature blog: Taking good care of ourselves
Events update

Natural Happiness Seed 1: Nourish Your Roots

How to deepen your spiritual roots

Bonus blog: Starmer's Natural Happiness U-Turn

Christmas Gift Book Ideas

Editorial

Dear friend,

In the cold, dark months it's harder to nourish ourselves in Nature as an antidote to screen time and all the pressures we face. So deepen your roots instead. When a tree or plant is under stress, it extends its root network: this gives it stability in storms, and access to more resources (water and nutrients). Rudolf Steiner tells us that in winter, plants withdraw their energy down into their roots, and build up vitality for spring growth. In this issue, you'll find ways to do likewise. Enjoy your winter!

With blessings,

Alan

Feature blog: Taking good care of ourselves

Why it really matters now

I’m guessing that this theme will resonate with many of you as it does with me. We are having to cope with a climate that has become much more abrasive: and I’m referring not only to the weather, but to politics and plenty more. And it won’t get better anytime soon. Read more

Natural Happiness Seed 1:

Nourish Your Roots

This is explored in detail in Chapter 1 of Natural Happiness, showing how analogies with ground condition in the garden work for human wellbeing. Click here for a short overview.

Events update

A Sufi Garden: Rising to Joy

Wednesday, November 12, 7.30-9pm

As we move towards the darkness of winter, this session will help us to rise, to choose joy, shine our light and deepen our divine connection through our usual mix of dance, chant and embodied spiritual practices. This session is led by Alan Heeks and Karim Hadden - see details here.

How to deepen your spiritual roots

Some of the wisest views of the climate crisis and related issues see it as a spiritual crisis, which challenges the meaning and purpose of our lives. There's a gift in this viewpoint: finding out what we're really here to do. To explore this further, and how to deepen your spiritual roots, see my website: www.soulresilience.net.

Bonus blog: Starmer's Natural Happiness U-Turn

Prompted by months of low ratings, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a radical change of routes with a new manifesto based on the organic growth principles of Alan Heeks’ book, Natural Happiness.

Posing with his lectern beside a tree in St James’ Park, Starmer explained, “I have realised that the British people are tired of shallow-rooted plans, and want true sustainability in these stormy times. The Seven Seeds of Natural Happiness is just the tonic our nation needs, when research shows us up as the most miserable people in Europe.” Read more

Christmas Gift Book Ideas

If you’re looking for thoughtful Christmas gifts, you might like one (or all three) of these books. Natural Happiness offers ways to stay cheerful and resilient through life’s ups and downs, and Out of the Woods and Not Fade Away offer guidance on ageing creatively and joyfully. You’ll find details and links to buy them online here.

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