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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.

Friday, 6 November 2026

[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Dharma Book Club: Let's Be Late this December

Fall greetings, Downtown Dharma friends,

We’re excited to gather again for a December book club, and this one is extra special: we’re reading a book written by one of our own sangha members, and the author is hosting us at his home!

We’ll be reading Sometimes You Should Be Late and talking about what it means to slow down and live with intention in DC, together with the person who wrote the book. I'm really excited!

Two lil sangha easter eggs to look out for: Downtown Dharma gets a shout-out in the acknowledgments and the book talks about one of the Insight Dialogue groups Alex is part of.

Details

Date: Saturday, December 5th from 2-4pm
Location: 1337 Spring Rd NW, Washington, DC
Reading: Sometimes You Should Be Late by (our very own!) Alex Snider
Food: Vegetarian potluck (vegan appreciated). Bring whatever veg snack or dish you like.
Accessing the book: You can get it online (audio or print) or at any DC independent bookstore. Here’s a handy guide.

RSVP
Please RSVP on the spreadsheet here: December Book Club RSVP

As always, I'm here for questions! 740-707-5642.

With metta,
Kerrigan

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Wednesday, 4 November 2026

[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] 11/12 Downtown Dharma Board Meeting

Hi all,

On November 12th, we will continue our tradition of hosting a quarterly board meeting and shared vegetarian meal. These are open to the entire Sangha! It's a chance to gather and discuss new ideas or improvements for the community.

When: Thursday, November 12, 7:00pm

Where: 1460 Newton St NW, Washington DC, 20010 (It’s a row home; I’ll leave the door unlocked)

Please RSVP and feel free to add in any topics you’d like to cover in the meeting. I’m getting vegetarian Salvadoran/Mexican food catered from a neighbor (unclear exactly what it will be yet, probably pupusas/tamales). Please indicate if you’d like to chip in for the catering or prefer to bring a dessert or side. Thanks!

With metta,

[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Tell IMCW about your sangha experience!

From our affiliated/parent org, Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW):

“As part of our ongoing effort to strengthen sangha connection and to better understand the experience of community, IMCW is launching a Sangha Experience Survey. This survey is an opportunity to step back and listen to the collective experience of our sanghas so that we can make thoughtful, informed decisions about how we communicate, build community, support volunteers, and create pathways for people to deepen their practice and participation. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us”

Survey:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=qbQtSBrywkevehaXX6AzyCzqh7u4vq5HsG_zlIe62-VUMFhFR0dDNzJOM1RFMkhDNko1QVgzNlJLUy4u

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Monday, 2 November 2026

[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Re: Sangha Event: Autumn Haiku Hike!

Hi all!

A few folks have pointed out to me that I sent this with the wrong date and time--yikes! The real date will be Saturday, November 14, 11am-1pm. Apologies for any confusion!

Jude

On Sun, Nov 1, 2026 at 1:55 PM Jude L <judelavellewrites@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Downtown Dharma!

It's really starting to feel like fall... which means it's time for our annual autumnal haiku event 🍂🧡
What: Please join us for our Autumn Contemplative Haiku Hike through Rock Creek Park! Participants will learn how haiku relate to mindfulness and Zen Buddhism and receive brief instructions on how to write haiku. We will then take a mindful hike, taking breaks to write our own haiku about the nature we observe. (Haiku are short, accessible poems that typically evoke nature and contemplation of the present moment. Find examples of famous haiku here.)
When: Saturday, Saturday November 14, 11am-1pm (We will inform the sangha listserv and RSVP’d participants at least 24 hours in advance if the event will be canceled due to inclement weather.)
Where: We will meet at 11am near the Pierce Barn (2401 Tilden St NW) to gather for a ~15-minute introduction. Then, we will hike approximately 2.5 miles up the Western Ridge Trail to Boulder Bridge and loop back down the Valley Trail to end where we began. Lot parking is typically available near the start/end of our route. See the tentative route at the bottom of this email.
Who: Please RSVP on Partiful -

https://partiful.com/e/XEYiswGRcrCQ2Vmel1RY?c=M85pF4y6

(You can email if you don’t want to use Partiful.) All are welcome–no experience required! We have capped participation at 25 to ensure a great experience for everyone. While our pace will be slow and steady, this event is best suited for people who feel comfortable hiking more than 2.5 miles on park trails that are uneven and have some steep inclines and declines.

How: No experience necessary! We will go over simple instructions on how to write haiku. A handout on haiku will be provided. Please bring a pen and notebook.

Why: While haiku is not a strictly Buddhist form of poetry, haiku and Zen are closely linked historically and thematically. Haiku relies on the senses and encourages contemplation of the present moment, so both new and experienced meditators may enjoy practicing haiku as a way to engage with mindfulness. See additional resources at the bottom of this email for more info.

Questions? Please email Jude (judelavellewrites@gmail.com).

<3 Jude

Further Resources on Contemplative Haiku:
These are completely optional! No need to explore them before you attend.
Podcast: Writing and Haiku as Spiritual Practice (Tara Brach Interviews Natalie Goldberg)
Discussion on haiku, its relationship to spirituality, and Goldberg’s book Three Simple Lines begins in earnest at 10:35.
Article: Haiku: A Whole Lot More than 5-7-5
This comprehensive article covers a linguistic perspective on the differences between Japanese and English haiku, as well as some principles (“rules”) of haiku and the traditional haiku masters.
Article: Why Haiku Holds the Flavor of Zen
This brief article explores the Zen nature of haiku and connects the form to some principles from Western writing, if folks are more familiar with that.
Site: The Monthly Tricycle Haiku Challenge
This site is a hub for Buddhists interested in writing and sharing haiku, including submitting to a regular contest.

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Sunday, 1 November 2026

[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Sangha Event: Autumn Haiku Hike!

Hello Downtown Dharma!

It's really starting to feel like fall... which means it's time for our annual autumnal haiku event 🍂🧡

What: Please join us for our Autumn Contemplative Haiku Hike through Rock Creek Park! Participants will learn how haiku relate to mindfulness and Zen Buddhism and receive brief instructions on how to write haiku. We will then take a mindful hike, taking breaks to write our own haiku about the nature we observe. (Haiku are short, accessible poems that typically evoke nature and contemplation of the present moment. Find examples of famous haiku here.)

When: Saturday, August 29, 10am - 12:30pm (We will inform the sangha listserv and RSVP’d participants at least 24 hours in advance if the event will be canceled due to inclement weather.)

Where: We will meet at 10am near the Pierce Barn (2401 Tilden St NW) to gather for a ~15-minute introduction. Then, we will hike approximately 2.5 miles up the Western Ridge Trail to Boulder Bridge and loop back down the Valley Trail to end where we began. Lot parking is typically available near the start/end of our route. See the tentative route at the bottom of this email.

Who: Please RSVP on Partiful -

https://partiful.com/e/XEYiswGRcrCQ2Vmel1RY?c=M85pF4y6

You can email if you don’t want to use Partiful.) All are welcome–no experience required! We have capped participation at 25 to ensure a great experience for everyone. While our pace will be slow and steady, this event is best suited for people who feel comfortable hiking more than 2.5 miles on park trails that are uneven and have some steep inclines and declines.

How: No experience necessary! We will go over simple instructions on how to write haiku. A handout on haiku will be provided. Please bring a pen and notebook.

Why: While haiku is not a strictly Buddhist form of poetry, haiku and Zen are closely linked historically and thematically. Haiku relies on the senses and encourages contemplation of the present moment, so both new and experienced meditators may enjoy practicing haiku as a way to engage with mindfulness. See additional resources at the bottom of this email for more info.

Questions? Please email Jude (judelavellewrites@gmail.com).

<3 Jude

Further Resources on Contemplative Haiku:

These are completely optional! No need to explore them before you attend.

Podcast: Writing and Haiku as Spiritual Practice (Tara Brach Interviews Natalie Goldberg)

Discussion on haiku, its relationship to spirituality, and Goldberg’s book Three Simple Lines begins in earnest at 10:35.

Article: Haiku: A Whole Lot More than 5-7-5

This comprehensive article covers a linguistic perspective on the differences between Japanese and English haiku, as well as some principles (“rules”) of haiku and the traditional haiku masters.

Article: Why Haiku Holds the Flavor of Zen

This brief article explores the Zen nature of haiku and connects the form to some principles from Western writing, if folks are more familiar with that.

Site: The Monthly Tricycle Haiku Challenge

This site is a hub for Buddhists interested in writing and sharing haiku, including submitting to a regular contest.

--
https://www.downtowndharmadc.org/
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[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Tonight at Downtown Dharma: On Being Kind

"Be kind." Of course. Who would argue? The Dali Lama famously said, "Kindness is my religion."

But easier said than done. And what if being nice is actually conflict avoidance, indeed, a false peace?

Kindness and the rest of the 'heart practices play a foundational role in the Buddhist tradition. Understanding the why and how of these practices supports the promised benefits of kindness, guards against its shadow side, and, when seen deeply, points the way toward liberation.

In a moment when the broader culture seems loaded with conflict, we'll explore just how profound kindness can be.

I hope you can join us, in person or online.

In-person: Tonight, 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

https://downtowndharmadc.org

Kristin Barker

One Earth Sangha

Pronouns she, her and hers
Supported by the Potomac River watershed, traditional lands of the Piscataway.

kristin@1earthsangha.org

No mud, no lotus.

— Thích Nhất Hạnh

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Saturday, 31 October 2026

[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] April 2027 Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Puglia, Italy!

Hello, Downtown Dharma!

Jackie Powell and I are so excited to invite you to a 7-day yoga and meditation retreat in Puglia, Italy, from April 12-18, 2027!

Early bird registration closes tomorrow, Nov. 1: https://abundantloveyoga.com/retreats/puglia-retreat/

Why Puglia & What to Expect

The Puglia region, located in south eastern Italy (the heel of the boot), is pure magic: warm spring sun, quiet countryside, dramatic coastal cliffs, and a slow, authentic pace of life far from the tourist crowds.

We are building this retreat around the core theme of PLAY and JOY.

Play is about spontaneity and authentic connection with other humans, animals, and our natural world. It’s about finding true joy in the simple, the mundane, and the beautiful.

Through daily movement and meditation, bike rides through the countryside, handpan music, pasta-making, and sound healing, we'll create plenty of space to drop in and simply be.

How This Retreat Came to Be

Jackie and I first met four years ago in DC over a shared love of yoga, meditation, laughter, and community building. We attribute our strong friendship to Downtown Dharma, where we plugged into a welcoming group of open-hearted people seeking peace (YOU!) and felt instant connection. This past May, one of our small group sanghas visited Italy (where I am currently living), and as Jackie and I were walking through poppy-lined roads, we looked at each other and said: “We absolutely have to bring our community here.” Here is the picture from that very moment 🙂 (photo credit: Andy Schnitzer :)

We are making it happen!

Registration is open! https://abundantloveyoga.com/retreats/puglia-retreat/

We can't wait to move, relax, and create magic with you. If you have any questions or want to see if this is the right fit, please reply to this email. We’d love to talk!

With love,

Steph & Jackie

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