[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Extended deadline! Submit haiku & artwork for the new Downtown Dharma charity haiku collection

Hi all,

Friendly reminder the deadline for submitting haiku and art to our new Downtown Dharma charity haiku collection was extended to June 22! If you know you want to contribute but need more time, please email me directly. The goal is to raise money for local hunger relief efforts and celebrate our community's amazing creativity. Beginners welcome--happy to answer any questions 🩷

Submit haiku here: https://forms.gle/MPwzSiALuE2tEx2G7 

Submit art (photos, illustrations, etc) here: https://forms.gle/AYicfsGTKfbbAKZL8 

Very best,

Jude

On Thu, Mar 12, 2026 at 6:18 PM Jude L <judelavellewrites@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello!

Since this week has decided to be spring, summer, fall, and winter all in one--I thought I would put out a call for submissions for our new Downtown Dharma haiku collection! We welcome your seasonally inspired haiku and artwork :)

Last year, Downtown Dharma and friends showcased beautiful haiku and artwork--and raised over $1100 for Capital Area Food Bank with our collection, A Walk With Others. This year, we're doing it again! Inspired by our seasonal haiku events, this collection will again celebrate our community's creativity and raise funds for a local DC-area anti-hunger organization. Anyone connected with Downtown Dharma, IMCW, the DC poetry community, and beyond is welcome to submit.

Please consider submitting one or more haiku by May 22 via this Google form: https://forms.gle/WNWGXh6HKTLuE1pq6 

Care to contribute visual art? Please do! You can submit photography, illustrations, and haiga (illustrated haiku) here: https://forms.gle/1UGAQujo6dzn3iXZ7 

Submission guidelines and details on printing/distribution/fundraising are available here, but please let me know if you have any questions! Some folks have generously offered to help me co-edit, design, and distribute this collection. If you would like to be involved in any way, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Very best,

Jude

You are receiving this email because you are part of Downtown Dharma or have attended our haiku events. 

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[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] This Sunday, The Hindrances: Foes or Friends on the Path?

Greetings Dear Sangha,

How often does this happen to you? Full of resolve and determination, you sit down on your cushion for a meditation session only to find your mind persistently agitated, restless, foggy, self-critical or just plain anywhere but here. 

Blessedly named by the Buddha as completely normal and to-be-expected, these are "the hindrances," and they show up unannounced for both new and even the most experienced practitioners. Yet, "normal and expected" doesn't just mean you're not alone or that there's nothing to see here. On the contrary, when held under a compassionate and curious light, the hindrances can become some of the most direct teachers we have about the nature of our experience.

This week we'll explore one of the most fundamental yet endlessly fascinating aspects of Buddhist teachings. We'll discuss what it means to meet the hindrances with genuine interest instead of frustration, and how a steady, honest relationship with them can open into some of the deepest insights available to these human minds.

I hope you can join us this Sunday, in person or online, where we will explore the five hindrances and perhaps discover that what appears to be in the way is the Way.

In-person: Sunday, 7:00 to 8:30pm @ Yoga District — 1910 14th Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC (please try to arrive at least 10 min. early)

Online via Zoom:  Join here  

Yours In Sangha,

Kristin

--

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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[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Mindful Movement and Climbing night next Tuesday!

Hello Downtown Dharma Family - 

Want to invite you all to a special, one-of-a-kind opportunity to come together in a supportive environment and try bouldering! Details below or forward to a friend who has always wanted to try climbing :) This could potentially be the start of something bigger - like a Mindful Climbing Affinity Group at Bouldering Project. Let's show them the interest! 

Mindful Movement & Rock Climbing Workshop ~ for women & non-binary individuals
Tuesday, June 16
7:00 - 9:15 PM

If you’ve never touched a climbing wall before, or if you have some experience but feel "stuck" and want to overcome fear, you are exactly who we had in mind! No matter your level, all you need is an open mind and a willingness to explore in a fun, warm, and deeply supportive environment. Together, we will combine a grounding yoga flow, mindfulness practices, and bouldering fundamentals to help you find ease and fresh energy on and off the wall.

Click here to see the full schedule, learn more, and grab your spot!

The hosts of this event are Jackie Powell and Shannon Johnson. 

Meet Your Co-Host, Shannon: Shannon has been climbing passionately since 2019, transitioning from indoor bouldering to leading outdoor sport and traditional routes. As a member of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PAT-C) Mountaineering Section and the American Alpine Club (AAC), she is dedicated to safety, beginner-friendly techniques, and making climbing accessible. Inspired by the supportive, feminist, and mindful environment of women and non-binary climbing collectives, Shannon is passionate about building that exact kind of empowering, inclusive community right here in the DMV.

Bring a friend! A supportive community makes all the difference. If you know a woman or non-binary friend who has been wanting to try climbing or could use a night of mindful movement, please forward this email and invite them to join us! 

With gratitude, 
Jackie

PS - if you're looking for something to do over the Juneteenth weekend - we may be able to find a spot for you at this yoga and meditation retreat 1.5 hours outside of DC! Reach out asap if even slightly interested. 

--

_______________________________________________________

Jackie Sue Powell

www.jackiesuepowell.com

LinkedIn | Instagram

jackiesuepowell@gmail.com

Pronouns: she/her/hers

cell: +1.540.718.4888

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[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Re: Special Invitation: Join Us this September for a Weekend Retreat at Seven Oaks

Devin spoke last night about spiritual friendship, and I find myself wanting to resurface this invitation. In my experience, it's been transformative to spend unhurried time on residential retreat with spiritual friends—and this September's Downtown Dharma weekend with Kristin and Ellen offers a chance for just this. Meditation, mindful dialogue, and room to simply be. Registration is now open; see Kristin's note below.

On Sun, May 3, 2026 at 1:37 PM Kristin Barker <kristin@1earthsangha.org> wrote:

Greetings Dear Sangha,

Dechen Ellen McSweeney and I will co-teach a weekend retreat at Seven Oaks Retreat Center from Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20. While open to the public, we wanted to extend a special invitation to the Downtown Dharma Community.

The theme of the retreat is attending to relationship: with ourselves, one another, and our worlds. Rather than an exclusively silent retreat, we will undertake a mix of practices: silent meditation, dialogue, group sharing, and conversation with the land. Yet Saturday in particular will be held in noble silence as a means of developing relationship with ourselves and the land. Learn more here.

Registration opens May 21. These retreats tend to fill so we encourage you to mark both the retreat dates and the registration date on your calendar. 

With appreciation,
Kristin & Ellen

--

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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[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] This Sunday

Hi friends,

I'm looking forward to meditating and exploring the Dharma together tomorrow evening from 7:00-8:30 PM at Yoga District on 14th St and on Zoom.

I'd like to talk this week about spiritual companionship, a topic near and dear to my heart. It'll be nice to explore the topic together, in a community that has fostered this companionship for many years.

Details:

• In-person: Sunday, April 12 from 7:00–8:30 PM @ Yoga District — 1910 14th Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC (please arrive 5–10 minutes early)
• Please! :) Register in advance here — it's the last class listed for Sunday under the name, "FREE (14th St.) Insight Meditation @ 1910 14th St"
• Online via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/466237117?pwd=cGxHaTJlTVhBdldVSk8weDZuSW5udz09

https://www.downtowndharmadc.org/

With love,

Devin

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[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Musicality of Being this Saturday in Rock Creek Park

Hello friends, 

Here I am inviting you once again to the Musicality of Being workshop in Rock Creek Park - this Saturday, 10am-1pm.

Aside from the fact that it's absolutely gorgeous in the park this time of year, what I can tell you about this gathering is that it's a really unique opportunity to take your practice on the cushion into the dynamic flowing movement of daily life. 

At these gatherings meditation takes place as a moving dialogue between you, your partner and the flow of the land below your feet and the sights and sounds that surround you as you walk through the park. Together we observe how perception inspires thoughts and emotions ...which inspire speech ...which creates communication ...and how this cycle continually turns over again, carving new pathways through the unfolding of relationship moment by moment.

The workshop includes both partner and group dialogues as well as opportunities to commune directly with the natural surroundings. Being in this space together for 3 hours invites a profound slowing down of time and a fresh lens on life as a whole. It's also a beautiful opportunity to connect with people in your community who value deep listening and connection.

If you have any questions about the event, please let me know.

You can register here.

Warmly, 

Seth Dellinger

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[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Dharma Book Club | June & July Events

Hi Community,

I hope you're all having a wonderful start to summer! We're excited to share both our June and July Dharma Book Club meetings. 

One update: We're going to experiment with a Partiful invite to hopefully self-manage some of the reminders, updates, and waitlists. If we don't end up liking it, we can go back to the Google Sheet in August!

June Book Club: The Untethered Soul

• Date: Sunday, 6/28 from 4-6pm
• Location: We'll meet in a central park if the weather is nice. We'll share the exact location (and inclement weather plan) in the Partiful soon. 
• Reading: The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
• Facilitator: Karen Kwok
• Sign Up Link: https://partiful.com/e/lvZpGlmcR9e8eO1PrGby?c=VWCrH2iP

July Book Club: Braiding Sweetgrass

• Date: Saturday, 7/11 from 4-6pm
• Location: the picnic area at Peirce Mill
• Reading: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Facilitator: Jackie Powell
• Sign Up Link: https://partiful.com/e/gCX3eQ2tiKXLGhy6n4aS?c=No6appZz

Just like in May, there's no expectation that you've completed the entire book for either meeting. Come as you are, and share whatever portion of the reading resonates with you. 

With metta,
Kerrigan

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[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Tomorrow at Downtown Dharma: Wholeheartedness

Dear beloved sangha,

Tomorrow at 7:00 pm we'll gather to practice with wholeheartedly embracing the everyday to bring us toward inner peace. 

Most of us have passions--like exercise, journaling, and of course meditation--that can bring us to a connecting flow state. We lose ourselves in the moment. The offering tomorrow will be about how we can actualize that flow state in our everyday and seemingly mundane activities, like washing dishes or sitting on the bus. We may have more access to inner peace than we think! 

We’ll do some mingling; meditate; do a little QiGong, I’ll share some reflections from a zen perspective on wholeheartedness; and we’ll have small group conversations.  

This is a wonderful opportunity to gather in spiritual community and make new friends. Come join!   

  

🙏🏻♥️

Mark/Shinren

In-person: Sunday, 7:00 to 8:30pm @ Yoga District — 1910 14th Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC

Online via Zoom:  Join here  

A reminder if you're joining us in person: please arrive at least 10 minutes early as the line to check in can be long. There are plenty of friends to make while you're waiting for the formal program to begin.

--

"kind speech...has the power to turn the destiny of the nation"  Eihei Dogen.

Mark Stone (he/him)

Practice Leader, All Beings Zen Sangha allbeingszen.org

Teacher & Treasurer, Insight on the Inside insightontheinside.com

Meditation & mindfulness teacher stonemindful.com

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[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Northeast DC small group

Hi all,

For those of you who aren’t in the WhatsApp group, I wanted to share a quick note that we’re forming a small group in Northeast DC.

Our first meeting will be 6pm, June 4th at the Woodridge Library in Conference Room B. Please let me know if you’re interested in being part of this group. 

Best,

Amy

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[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Follow up/resources for 'Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind'

Dear Friends, 

Thanks to all of you who joined me last night for the Sunday meditation class on Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind. It was a pleasure to be in practice with you!

Below, I'm sharing some resources related to the class, along with some upcoming offerings of mine if you'd like to connect again.

I'm also wondering whether there would be enough interest to fill a class series to go into greater depth about upright sitting posture sometime this summer?

This class would include somatic movement explorations, guided meditation and group discussion. I'm thinking of a 4-class series to begin which could possibly be extended if there is motivation to do so. If you would be interested in such a class, please take 2 minutes to respond to this questionnaire. 

Resources: 

Below you'll find some videos with guidance for finding comfortable sitting posture. I'm also happy to receive any questions you have about posture. For an overview of what I do, please check out: my website, YouTube channel, Substack

Videos about meditation posture:

Avoiding back pain in sitting meditation, part one  

Avoiding back pain in sitting meditation, part two (for cross-legged sitting) 

Working with soft palette for a longer spine

Article: 

Practice to become your true self: Learning meditation through the lenses of Shunryu Suzuki & Moshe Feldenkrais. 

Upcoming Events:

The 4 Postures of Love @ Glow House, 3110 13th St. NW - Tuesday June 2, 7:3-9:30pm

When you feel lovable and in love, kindness, connection, curiosity and play manifest spontaneously. They show up in your body, your inner voice, how you process emotions and in all your relationships. Consciously integrating these postures into your life as a practice benefits everything you do.

Learn more/register

Musicality of Being workshop @ Rock Creek Park - Saturday, June 6, 10am-1pm

Soak up the sun and nourish your breath as you connect with your body, your heart and your community in this unique walking meditation which reawakens your felt sense of participating in the interconnectivity all things.

Learn more/register

Online workshops - calendar

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Re: [Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] This Sunday: Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind with Seth Dellinger

Hi Judea (and community),

Thanks for your interest!

If you’re coming in-person, please sign up for the session beforehand on https://www.yogadistrict.com/. (No need to RSVP if joining on Zoom.)

We will have lots of cushions so no need to bring yours. 

Thank you for asking about donations. Please see information here: 

https://www.downtowndharmadc.org/faq/#how-do-i-offer-dana-generosity

We look forward to seeing you then!

With metta,

Ava

El El vie, may 22, 2026 a la(s) 11:47 a.m., Judea I. Lawton <judeailawton@gmail.com> escribió:

Thank you for the invite. I would love to attend the meditation. 

Do I need to RSVP? Do I need to bring a donation, or a sitting pillow? 

Thank you,

Judea I Lawton 

On Fri, May 22, 2026, 10:26 AM Seth Dellinger <sethbdellinger@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Friends, 

I'm looking forward to being with you for this Sunday's meditation. We'll inquire into Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind.

• In-person: Sunday, 7:00 to 8:30pm @ Yoga District — 1910 14th Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC

• Online via Zoom:  Join here  

Below you'll find a bit more description about what to expect along with some resources that you can use leading up to our time together if you want to take a deeper dive. 

---

Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind

In my experience, there are two obstacles that prevent many people from developing a sustainable and fruitful long-term meditation practice:

1) not knowing how to sit upright for sustained periods without discomfort 🧘🏽‍♀️🧘🏻‍♂️
2) ongoing distraction coming from various ways of worrying about . . . "Am I doing this right?!" 😬

If you didn't see it already, I published an article this week that is a nice preview for Sunday:
Practice to become your true self: Learning meditation through the lenses of Shunryu Suzuki & Moshe Feldenkrais. 

Suzuki was a Zen master best known for introducing Zen to the West. Moshe Feldenkrais was a somatic educator who created the Feldenkrais Method, which I am trained in. I describe it as "a wisdom practice disguised as a movement practice." The article includes dozens of quotations from these two teachers and some of my personal story of learning to meditate. The article also includes two instructional videos on sitting posture for meditation, based on the Feldenkrais Method, covering some of the same principles we'll explore together (part one & part two). If you are curious to dive in ahead of time, you might get even more out of the Sunday class. 

In addition to the postural work, we'll inquire into our basic attitude towards learning - in particular, learning how to meditate. We'll be guided here by the idea of "beginner's mind", articulated by Suzuki as follows: 

“In the beginner’s mind there is no thought, ‘I have attained something.’ All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something.” (From Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind)

Ahead of Sunday, I invite you to contemplate the following questions which we'll discuss together: 

- How do you define "meditation"?

- What motivates your practice?

- What do you find difficult about meditation?

- Do you have any notions about "right" or "wrong" ways to meditate?

I look forward to exploring wiith you!

Warmly, 

Seth Dellinger

sethdellinger.com

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Re: [Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] This Sunday: Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind with Seth Dellinger

Thank you for the invite. I would love to attend the meditation. 

Do I need to RSVP? Do I need to bring a donation, or a sitting pillow? 

Thank you,

Judea I Lawton 

On Fri, May 22, 2026, 10:26 AM Seth Dellinger <sethbdellinger@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Friends, 

I'm looking forward to being with you for this Sunday's meditation. We'll inquire into Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind.

• In-person: Sunday, 7:00 to 8:30pm @ Yoga District — 1910 14th Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC

• Online via Zoom:  Join here  

Below you'll find a bit more description about what to expect along with some resources that you can use leading up to our time together if you want to take a deeper dive. 

---

Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind

In my experience, there are two obstacles that prevent many people from developing a sustainable and fruitful long-term meditation practice:

1) not knowing how to sit upright for sustained periods without discomfort 🧘🏽‍♀️🧘🏻‍♂️
2) ongoing distraction coming from various ways of worrying about . . . "Am I doing this right?!" 😬

If you didn't see it already, I published an article this week that is a nice preview for Sunday:
Practice to become your true self: Learning meditation through the lenses of Shunryu Suzuki & Moshe Feldenkrais. 

Suzuki was a Zen master best known for introducing Zen to the West. Moshe Feldenkrais was a somatic educator who created the Feldenkrais Method, which I am trained in. I describe it as "a wisdom practice disguised as a movement practice." The article includes dozens of quotations from these two teachers and some of my personal story of learning to meditate. The article also includes two instructional videos on sitting posture for meditation, based on the Feldenkrais Method, covering some of the same principles we'll explore together (part one & part two). If you are curious to dive in ahead of time, you might get even more out of the Sunday class. 

In addition to the postural work, we'll inquire into our basic attitude towards learning - in particular, learning how to meditate. We'll be guided here by the idea of "beginner's mind", articulated by Suzuki as follows: 

“In the beginner’s mind there is no thought, ‘I have attained something.’ All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something.” (From Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind)

Ahead of Sunday, I invite you to contemplate the following questions which we'll discuss together: 

- How do you define "meditation"?

- What motivates your practice?

- What do you find difficult about meditation?

- Do you have any notions about "right" or "wrong" ways to meditate?

I look forward to exploring wiith you!

Warmly, 

Seth Dellinger

sethdellinger.com

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https://www.downtowndharmadc.org/
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Read More :- "Re: [Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] This Sunday: Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind with Seth Dellinger"

[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] This Sunday: Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind with Seth Dellinger

Dear Friends, 

I'm looking forward to being with you for this Sunday's meditation. We'll inquire into Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind.

• In-person: Sunday, 7:00 to 8:30pm @ Yoga District — 1910 14th Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC

• Online via Zoom:  Join here  

Below you'll find a bit more description about what to expect along with some resources that you can use leading up to our time together if you want to take a deeper dive. 

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Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind

In my experience, there are two obstacles that prevent many people from developing a sustainable and fruitful long-term meditation practice:

1) not knowing how to sit upright for sustained periods without discomfort 🧘🏽‍♀️🧘🏻‍♂️
2) ongoing distraction coming from various ways of worrying about . . . "Am I doing this right?!" 😬

If you didn't see it already, I published an article this week that is a nice preview for Sunday:
Practice to become your true self: Learning meditation through the lenses of Shunryu Suzuki & Moshe Feldenkrais. 

Suzuki was a Zen master best known for introducing Zen to the West. Moshe Feldenkrais was a somatic educator who created the Feldenkrais Method, which I am trained in. I describe it as "a wisdom practice disguised as a movement practice." The article includes dozens of quotations from these two teachers and some of my personal story of learning to meditate. The article also includes two instructional videos on sitting posture for meditation, based on the Feldenkrais Method, covering some of the same principles we'll explore together (part one & part two). If you are curious to dive in ahead of time, you might get even more out of the Sunday class. 

In addition to the postural work, we'll inquire into our basic attitude towards learning - in particular, learning how to meditate. We'll be guided here by the idea of "beginner's mind", articulated by Suzuki as follows: 

“In the beginner’s mind there is no thought, ‘I have attained something.’ All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something.” (From Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind)

Ahead of Sunday, I invite you to contemplate the following questions which we'll discuss together: 

- How do you define "meditation"?

- What motivates your practice?

- What do you find difficult about meditation?

- Do you have any notions about "right" or "wrong" ways to meditate?

I look forward to exploring wiith you!

Warmly, 

Seth Dellinger

sethdellinger.com

--
https://www.downtowndharmadc.org/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "IMCW Downtown Dharma social/volunteer listserv" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to downtowndharma+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/downtowndharma/CAFP3riSNK7DtzrsUDSnj_x9G-v3pw84h8VquXPq5YYXmgZRozw%40mail.gmail.com.

Read More :- "[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] This Sunday: Upright Sitting & Beginner's Mind with Seth Dellinger"