[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] This Sunday: Compassion for cuddly animals (and cuddly humans!)

"Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That's the problem."

- A. A. Milne in Winnie-the-Pooh

 

Dear Downtown Dharma friends,

 

Being human means you cause harm. Just yesterday, in a rush to get a survey approved at work, I was pretty curt with a colleague. I've also been pretty rude to a homeless woman who has been using the hose attached to my condo. So the question isn't so much *if* we will be indifferent or cause pain and suffering, but instead how we might minimize that suffering?

 

There are plenty of vegan or vegetarian events that will encourage you to give up eating animals, or, perhaps, rededicate yourself to the joy of lentils (!). This is not one of those.

Instead, this Sunday's downtown dharma invites us into the grey zone, the middle way, where we bring compassion and understanding to all beings including, as Miss Piggy says, moi - ourselves. We'll touch into the tender spots, but, importantly, we'll all connect to the joy available when we connect with and, yes, listen to the beautiful beings of this planet -- human, animal, plant, and otherwise.

 

You are welcome in your full, beautiful, perfectly imperfect humanity:

 

• In-person: Sunday, August 25, 7-8:30pm @ Yoga District — 1910 14th Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC (please try to arrive 5 mins early so we can settle in together)
• Online via Zoom: zoom.us/j/466237117?pwd=cGxHaTJlTVhBdldVSk8weDZuSW5udz09

 

Be well,

Alex

 

PS Other offering: I'd also like to share a slightly more caffeinated mindfulness event I host called Mindful Sundays. Every Sunday morning from 9-10am I hold space, along with community guest hosts at Doubles for conversation, reflection and, often, fun. Feel welcome to join this whats app group to learn more. It's freely offered.

 

++++

https://slowmindfulness.com/ | IG

Love your inner sloth

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https://www.downtowndharmadc.org/
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