Washington, DC PHP Developers And Mission of Love Charities

Greetings and welcome to the DCPHP Blog . Whether you want to know what's going on, who's hiring, tips and tricks, or generally want to meet and talk with some other smart people, this is the place for you. We hope to be your one-stop shop for all things PHP in the Washington DC Metro region Mission of Love Charities, Inc is a community based non-profit geared towards building self-sustainability for families experiencing the effects of poverty.

Wednesday 31 August 2022

[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] An Evening with Downtown Dharma Sangha: From Uneasiness to Present Mindedness: A Journey to Mindful Living.

From Uneasiness to Present Mindedness: A Journey to Mindful Living.

Downtown Dharma Sangha

DATE: 9/4/2022 TIME: 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Location:

In-person: 1910 14th Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20009

Online: Zoom ID: https://zoom.us/j/466237117?pwd=cGxHaTJlTVhBdldVSk8weDZuSW5udz09

Facilitators- Travis M. Spencer

Mindful Helper: Elicia Renee Wright

This Sunday's topic and practice will be an opportunity to explore Mindful Living as a way to mitigate daily life stressors. In a heart-centered practice of listening and sharing with one another, We will explore and discuss the four elements of F.L.O.W. and how it supports shifting from Stress-filled days to a life anchored in Mindful Living. The four elements of F.L.O.W. are as follows:

Following your intuition: Being present with your intuitive energy (innate goodness or Buddha nature)
Letting go of outcomes and expectations: Being led by equanimity, sympathetic joy, loving-kindness, and compassion. Trusting your responsive decisions will yield the best outcomes for yourself and all others.
Owning your experience: Unconditionally embracing yourself. You are not perfect; You are divine. Owning your experience empowers you to mitigate victimization of yourself and others and cultivate sustainable joy in your life and community.
Welcoming growth edges: Allow life to be your dharma. Your awakening, healing, and self-actualizing live within your openness and acceptance of your dharma or life lessons.

During my dharma share, I will explore:

I will explore how present-mindedness via F.L.O.W. supports our journey to Mindful Living.

Quote

"With mindfulness, you can establish yourself in the present in order to touch the wonders of life that are available in that moment." "Many people are alive but don't touch the miracle of being alive."

― Thích Nhất Hạnh

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Saturday 27 August 2022

[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Tomorrow Evening at Downtown Dharma: Beyond Fixing (with important instructions for in-person attendees)

Greetings Dear Community,

We will meet this Sunday, August 28 from 7-8:30pm at Yoga District at 1910 14th St. NW. You can also join via Zoom. Details for attending in person and online are below.

Please note: As we manage not one but two community health challenges, there are additional instructions for in-person attendees below. I hope this doesn't deter anyone who is planning to join us at Yoga District.

Topic: Tomorrow evening, after our community sit, we'll explore the subtle and not-so-subtle pressure we might experience to become, to be all we can be. This is suffering, the ever-present signals that convince us we need to be better, less of this and more of that, in order to be okay. What is happening here, and how might the path of wisdom and compassion support us in freeing ourselves from these particularly painful delusions? The alternative includes but goes so much farther than mere self-acceptance.

I look forward to practicing with you at Yoga District or online.

With love and endless blessings,

Kristin

Attending In Person

**New ** Monkeypox Precautions:

As research into community transmission of the monkeypox virus continues, our generous hosts at Yoga District are implementing additional protocols out of an abundance of caution. Specifically, they ask that all attendees to events at their facilities, including this one, to refrain from direct contact with their equipment, including their cushions and blankets. Therefore,

If you have your own cushion, we encourage you to bring it, especially if transport is practical.
You can instead bring a small blanket to sit on, or perhaps use the one you bring to handle and position a Yoga District cushion.
If you are experiencing any skin issues (lesions, open sores, etc.), please be especially careful in this regard.

Ongoing COVID-19 Precautions:

While the B1A variant continues to pose risk to vulnerable members of our community, in-person attendees need to do the following:

a) Register through the Yoga District sign-up link -- scroll way to the bottom for (14th street) Sunday 7pm.
b) Submit proof of boosted vaccination to yogadc@yogadistrict.com or present it in person at the studio.
c) Wear a mask.
d) Arrive 10 minutes early (6:50 pm) to check-in. (Since we staff these events ourselves, the doors will be locked at 7:10 pm and unfortunately, there will be no one at the desk to admit latecomers.)

We ask everyone to register and submit proof of boosted vaccination ahead of time to avoid delays. Class is held on the 3rd floor, up two flights of stairs.

Attending Online

Click here to join the zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 466 237 117
Passcode: 546447
Join by phone: (646) 876 9923 US (New York)

kristin barker

One Earth Sangha

Pronouns she, her and hers; on occupied land of the Piscataway.

kristin@1earthsangha.org

No mud, no lotus.

— Thích Nhất Hạnh

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Friday 26 August 2022

[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] My online men's therapy group has an opening

Hi dharma friends,

My weekly online men's therapy group has an open slot!

My co-leader and I help those who have been socialized as men navigate society's shifting ideas about gender.

We use trauma-informed mindfulness practices and Internal Family Systems (IFS), an evidence-based therapy used for healing trauma. Much of each session is spent sharing and validating each other's experiences related to work, relationships, dating, family, sex, body image, and more. Each member has regular opportunities to get one-on-one attention using the IFS therapy model.

The cost is $100/session and is only open to DC and Maryland residents. Email (jeremy@jeremymohler.blog) or DM me to set up a free 15-minute call and see if you're a good fit to join the group!

Here's more info: https://www.fourcornerswellbeing.com/true-confidence-a-therapy-group-for-men

Jeremy

Jeremy Mohler

Therapist, writer, & meditation teacher

he/him/his

301-752-8413

jeremymohler.blog

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Wednesday 24 August 2022

Re: [Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Our Next Downtown Dharma Reading Group- Saturday, August 27th -- RSVP here

Met the limit on in-person attendees for reading group this Saturday. If you would like to attend by Zoom, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86272344144?pwd=UTNINGFWdFB6a2Yxek5hVmpZTDFQZz09

Kavya

On Sun, Aug 21, 2022 at 4:30 PM Kavya Sekar <kavsekar9@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all,

We've decided to shift this meeting next weekend to my place, address below. Weather permitting, we'll do it outside on the patio! Please RSVP. I will still limit in-person attendees to about 10 people just in case we have to be inside in my small apartment.

Address:
2630 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

Please RSVP here

Kavya

On Mon, Aug 15, 2022 at 5:55 PM Justin Koufopoulos <jkoufopoulos@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi all, for our next reading group we'll be discussing readings on the topic of socially engaged Buddhism. Thanks very much to Kavya, for putting the reading list together. This will be a revisit for some of us, but as always, reading is not required.

I will be hosting this time -- the details are:

Saturday, August 27th, 6:00pm -7:30pm
2726 13th St NW, Unit A (up the stairs)
Washington DC, 20009

Please RSVP here, so I can account for numbers and zoomers.

Thanks,
Justin
---

Reprise: History, Sociopolitical Movements, and Buddhist Practice

This is a reprise of a reading group we did in January 2020! Below are the readings and questions I put together at that time. - Kavya

To continue our theme of socially engaged Buddhism, I wanted to share some writings on the role of Buddhism in social and political movements—notably, how the very practice of Insight meditation arguably emerged as a response to colonialism. Personally, I find that a view into history can help me better understand how things came to be as they are. I also include pieces on several 20th/21st century Buddhist leaders in India, Thailand and the United States that practice Buddhism as a response to forces such as social injustice, colonialism, and westernization. Please feel free to read as much or as little as you are able prior to the discussion.

Meditation en Masse: How colonialism sparked the global Vipassana movement by Erik Braun
The Great Conversion: Dr. Ambedkar and Buddhist Revival in India by Christopher Queen
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu: The Middle Way Life in a World of Polarity by Santikaro
The Radical Buddhism of Rev. angel Kyodo williams by John Demont
Optional quick read by Williams: The Great Awakening Beckons

If you have issues accessing the Tricycle articles, let me know.

Additional Readings/Resources

The pieces on Thich Nhat Hanh that Benjamin shared last time are also relevant to this topic:
Thich Nhat Hanh
History of Engaged Buddhism
Fourteen Precepts - Thich Nhat Hanh
Politics of A Still Mind
John Malkin Interview w/ Thich Nhat Hanh
The two suttas mentioned in the Braun article may also be of interest:
Satipatthana Sutta: Frames of Reference
Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing

Also, this podcast interview with angel Kyodo williams

Some questions for contemplation/discussion:

Do any of these modern Buddhist leaders/activists particularly resonate with you? Why or why not?
Braun asserts that the meditation we practice is a fairly new development in Buddhism, though arguably one true to the Buddha's original teachings. Does this affect your view of your meditation practice or meditation in general?
Dr. Ambedkar took issue with some core Buddhist teachings, particularly the second noble truth that attachment is the root of all suffering. He argued that this would be "offensive and unacceptable to people whose suffering was experienced as the result of others' cruelty." What do you make of Ambedkar's arguments?
Ajahn Buddhasa taught Thai people to adopt the beneficial aspects of Western culture and education, but to preserve Thai culture and Buddhist principles. How does such an approach apply to the way we adopt and practice Buddhism (if at all)?
On American Buddhism, Rev. Williams states, "There's something in the way we are practicing Buddhism that actually seems to make us more insulated. Even this practice, which is supposed to be about how we relate to the world and to the people around us, becomes hyper-individualized." Do you agree or disagree with Williams' characterization of American Buddhism?

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[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Class offering - the Five Remembrances....

Hello beloveds who love mindfulness,

When I last taught at Downtown Dharma, I mentioned how the Buddha's teaching on the Five Remembrances supported my practice. Someone asked for more detail, and I am delighted to say there's an opportunity coming up to take a deeper dive this autumn. Back by popular demand :) Ayesha Ali and I will once again be teaching a 6-week online class called Dancing with the Five Remembrances. If you're interested, please come play with us and take the class! It's going to be delicious. If you feel so moved, you can help us spread the word via social media (since we never use it!) or to friends who might be interested. I would love to see any of you there!

We'll do a six-week format again on Saturdays in October from 4-6p ET. These core teachings on aging, illness, death, impermanence, and consequences -- and how they can inspire us to LIVE - are a source of wisdom that resonate deeply for us both. And, this time, teacher and past participant Pamela Freeman will guest teach with us one of the weeks!

Here is the link to register: https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=1181

More about the class:

In this six-week series of classes, we will cultivate awareness and balance by exploring teachings on life and death called the Five Remembrances. They are:

I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape having ill health.
I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.
My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand.

Together, we will explore how to hold these realities of life in compassionate awareness, opening to age, illness, and death as teachers, rather than fearsome monsters. Together we will create a space where we each can bring all of ourselves - no part left out - and explore the teachings and movement practices that nourish, inspire, and ground us in the truth of our human existence.

With deep love,

Em Morrison (and Ayesha)

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Annual Report 2022 for Mission of Love Charities

[August] [2022]

Mission of Love Charities Releases the Annual Report for 2022

Mission of Love Charities proudly releases the Annual Report for 2022. Learn more about the organizations' achievements, fundraising and goals for the future. https://www.molcinc.org/impact/newsletters-and-annual-reports/

Learn More

Mission of Love Charities | 301-333-4440 | dmartinez@molc-inc.org | [http://www.molcinc.org]

Connect with us

Visit our Website

Sunday 21 August 2022

Re: [Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Our Next Downtown Dharma Reading Group- Saturday, August 27th -- RSVP here

Hi all,

We've decided to shift this meeting next weekend to my place, address below. Weather permitting, we'll do it outside on the patio! Please RSVP. I will still limit in-person attendees to about 10 people just in case we have to be inside in my small apartment.

Address:

2630 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

Please RSVP here

Kavya

On Mon, Aug 15, 2022 at 5:55 PM Justin Koufopoulos <jkoufopoulos@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all, for our next reading group we'll be discussing readings on the topic of socially engaged Buddhism. Thanks very much to Kavya, for putting the reading list together. This will be a revisit for some of us, but as always, reading is not required.

I will be hosting this time -- the details are:

Saturday, August 27th, 6:00pm -7:30pm
2726 13th St NW, Unit A (up the stairs)
Washington DC, 20009

Please RSVP here, so I can account for numbers and zoomers.

Thanks,
Justin
---

Reprise: History, Sociopolitical Movements, and Buddhist Practice

This is a reprise of a reading group we did in January 2020! Below are the readings and questions I put together at that time. - Kavya

To continue our theme of socially engaged Buddhism, I wanted to share some writings on the role of Buddhism in social and political movements—notably, how the very practice of Insight meditation arguably emerged as a response to colonialism. Personally, I find that a view into history can help me better understand how things came to be as they are. I also include pieces on several 20th/21st century Buddhist leaders in India, Thailand and the United States that practice Buddhism as a response to forces such as social injustice, colonialism, and westernization. Please feel free to read as much or as little as you are able prior to the discussion.

Meditation en Masse: How colonialism sparked the global Vipassana movement by Erik Braun
The Great Conversion: Dr. Ambedkar and Buddhist Revival in India by Christopher Queen
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu: The Middle Way Life in a World of Polarity by Santikaro
The Radical Buddhism of Rev. angel Kyodo williams by John Demont
Optional quick read by Williams: The Great Awakening Beckons

If you have issues accessing the Tricycle articles, let me know.

Additional Readings/Resources

The pieces on Thich Nhat Hanh that Benjamin shared last time are also relevant to this topic:
Thich Nhat Hanh
History of Engaged Buddhism
Fourteen Precepts - Thich Nhat Hanh
Politics of A Still Mind
John Malkin Interview w/ Thich Nhat Hanh
The two suttas mentioned in the Braun article may also be of interest:
Satipatthana Sutta: Frames of Reference
Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing

Also, this podcast interview with angel Kyodo williams

Some questions for contemplation/discussion:

Do any of these modern Buddhist leaders/activists particularly resonate with you? Why or why not?
Braun asserts that the meditation we practice is a fairly new development in Buddhism, though arguably one true to the Buddha's original teachings. Does this affect your view of your meditation practice or meditation in general?
Dr. Ambedkar took issue with some core Buddhist teachings, particularly the second noble truth that attachment is the root of all suffering. He argued that this would be "offensive and unacceptable to people whose suffering was experienced as the result of others' cruelty." What do you make of Ambedkar's arguments?
Ajahn Buddhasa taught Thai people to adopt the beneficial aspects of Western culture and education, but to preserve Thai culture and Buddhist principles. How does such an approach apply to the way we adopt and practice Buddhism (if at all)?
On American Buddhism, Rev. Williams states, "There's something in the way we are practicing Buddhism that actually seems to make us more insulated. Even this practice, which is supposed to be about how we relate to the world and to the people around us, becomes hyper-individualized." Do you agree or disagree with Williams' characterization of American Buddhism?

--
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Saturday 20 August 2022

[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] This Week at Downtown Dharma: Facing Your Fears w/Glendora Meyers

HI everyone!

We will meet this Sunday, August 21 from 7-8:30pm at Yoga District at 1910 14th St. NW. You can also join via Zoom. We are excited to welcome our guest teacher, Glendora Meyers, who will be sharing a practical framework to help us understand and move through fear (see below for a summary from Glendora). Please note that due to their concerns about monkeypox, Yoga District is now asking attendees to please bring their own props if they can (e.g., cushion and/or blanket to sit on)

Attending In Person
If you are attending in person, you will need to do the following:

a) Register through the Yoga District sign-up link -- scroll way to the bottom for (14th street) Sunday 7pm.

b) Submit proof of boosted vaccination to yogadc@yogadistrict.com or present it in person at the studio.

c) Wear a mask.

d) Arrive 10 minutes early (6:50 pm) to check-in. (Since we staff these events ourselves, the doors will be locked at 7:10 pm and unfortunately, there will be no one at the desk to admit latecomers.)

We ask everyone to register and submit proof of boosted vaccination ahead of time to avoid delays. Class is held on the 3rd floor, up two flights of stairs.

Attending Online

Click here to join the zoom meeting

Meeting ID: 466 237 117

Passcode: 546447

Join by phone: (646) 876 9923 US (New York)

Below is a longer summary of this week's theme from our guest teacher, Glendora Meyers:

Many of us have encountered so many issues and concerns in the last years, it's like an oppressive cloak of fear, dread and in some cases, hopelessness has descended upon us. The causes are endless; FEAR, this fear is not trivial, and it may not be easily subdued. Our democracy is at risk, white nationalists are emboldened, Black indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) are bracing for yet another round of fresh hate as well as an upheaval of their lives, some people fear their race will no longer exist, and let us not forget the people whose orientation is different from some people and they demand it's not right, shall I go on?

Neuroscience tells us that uncertainty infiltrates our estimates of threat. So, it's not surprising that the uncertainty for some, in an ever-changing world, is leading many people to flirt with all consuming, paralyzing fear/panic.

We hold fast to the world's oldest psychological teachings on transforming oppressive fear into something more productive. Buddhists have been studying the human mind for thousands of years and clinical psychology is increasingly embracing and validating a variety of Buddhist strategies for dealing with the abundant suffering that comes with being human. This week we'll explore Fear, unskillful fear and skillful fear. I tell you what the world needs is people's non-fear.

Join the Empress for a practical framework that seeks to help us understand and move through fear as we become intimate with fear, skillful and unskillful fear. Learn how to face your fear and terror and become free and liberated through your practice.

I hope to see you then!

Warmly,

Glendora Meyers,

the Empress

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