About Karuna

Karuna was conceived not just as an information and education resource, but as a place where creativity and community could grow and thrive as well.  As a result, the island was designed to be inviting, restful, and imaginative.  There are six main areas on Karuna, each with its own charm and secrets to be discovered and explored.

Karuna hosts a portion of the Uncle D Story Quest and the 3D AIDS Quilt, both of which grew out of Karuna's mission to fight AIDS through empathy, education, and empowerment.  To learn more about how you and/or your organization or educational institution can take part in either of these projects, see the corresponding pages on this site or visit:

The Uncle D Story Quest:

The 3D AIDS Quilt: www.3DAIDSQuilt.com

Karuna also hosts a variety of events and showcases the work of some of Second Life's most talented and creative residents.  Each month a new artist is featured.  Major conferences, workshops, and other events related to HIV/AIDS are also held at Karuna, including World AIDS Day.  To be kept abreast of all that's happening, please join the Friends of Karuna group.
Sunset over  Karuna
A foggy day on Karuna
The Garden of Experience

This is Karuna's creative center where stories of all kinds are collected and shared.  Here you can take free writing courses, attend weekly storytelling and music events, meditate to the relaxing sounds of chakra sound bowls, embark on story and poetry quests, play drums, and plant flowers in honor of loved ones.  To experience some of  wonderful stories being told in The Garden of Experience, click on any of the links below:

Stories/Narratives

Poems

Pictures

Videos
Resource Center 

This is Karuna's information and educational center.  The center is staffed by a consumer health librarian and offers a wide range of factual data and links to real life resources about HIV/AIDS from Karuna's collaborators including the NLM, AIDS.gov, and CFAR.

For more information of assistance, please contact Karuna's consumer health librarian, Robin Mochi.
Community Center

Support, mentoring, games, videos, and general fun can be found at the community center.  Stop by to visit the rooftop garden, pick up a schedule of events, or simply hang out in front of the fire.  The Community Center is a warm and welcoming place for all Second Life residents.  More information and images can be seen at the link below:

Community Center Information
Memorial Mountain

Conceived as a way to feature photos of those we've lost to AIDS, the mountain quickly morphed into a symbol of hope, featuring cascading falls, a stunning observation deck, and a secret cave where you can float and listen to singing crystals.  Plan to spend some time exploring there.  More information about the mountain can obtained at the link below:

Memorial Mountain

 
Island of Hope

If Karuna's mandate is to celebrate life, hope is the element that infuses every prim on the island.  The Island of Hope houses the Flame of Hope which was lit the day Karuna opened and will remain burning until a cure is found.  Be sure and stroll down to end of the island to read Gweneth Writer's amazing poem.  More information about the island a copy of Gwenette's poem can be obtained by clicking on the link below:

Island of Hope 

Auditorium and Event Space

Karuna features a magnificent floating stage that is ideal for large events.  However, the island also has several smaller and more intimate sites which are ideal for intimate gatherings.  These include the Story Hut, Community Center theater, and Stroytelling fire.  Each is available for use by groups.  Please contact Jenaia Morane for more informatiom. Clikc on the link below for more information about the Auditoirium and Event Space.

Auditorium and Event Space