Hello dear sangha,
Hugh will be offering a talk for these difficult times at our class tonight at 6.
I hope you are all finding strength and solace in the practice and in community.
Peace,
Erin
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Hugh Byrne <hughgbyrne+yahoo.com@ccsend.com>Date: 2016-11-10 9:04 GMT-05:00
Subject: Post-election Community Meditation Gatherings
To:
erinjanedb@gmail.com 
 | Warm greetings! Tuesday's elections came as a relief to millions around the country after the length and bitterness of the campaign. The outcome, however, has been a source of sadness, anger, confusion, and pain to many in our community on account both of the rhetoric, policies, and actions of the president-elect during the campaign and the fact that we live in a highly diverse part of the country (in terms of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, wealth and income, etc) that contains many of the groups that have been most targeted by his policies. (In DC the vote was divided 93% to 4% between the two candidates).
One of the greatest gifts of the Buddha's teachings and practices--and the secular practices of mindfulness that have come out of this tradition--is to allow us to meet all that is arising with an open and accepting heart. When we meet the sorrows and joys of life with kindness and care, we can find peace even in the midst of the most challenging inner and outer conditions. The peace and equanimity we cultivate can provide us with the courage and resilience to be able to respond and resist wisely, appropriately, and effectively. Feeling the sadness, pain and grief in our community--and the wider community--we are facilitating community gatherings to provide space for individuals to open safely to what is present in the body, heart, and mind through meditation--and to be held and supported in the heart of community/sangha. For example, the day after the election fifty people gathered at a few hours notice at Flow Yoga for a guided meditation and sharing together. It was a powerful experience to practice together and hold space for all that was present in our experiences and in the room. In the coming days I will be leading meditations, teachings, and opportunities for sharing at these gatherings: - Thursday evening, November 10, at 7:30 pm at the final session of the year on Mindful Politics at the Lamont Dharma House we will have a guided meditation, short talk, and time for sharing on what is arising in the wake of the elections.
- Sunday, November 13, at the regular class in Tenleytown from 10:30 am to 12 noon we will have periods of meditation and time for sharing and reflection.
- Sunday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at The Church of the Holy City (1611 16th Street, NW) we'll have a 30-minute meditation and a talk on cultivating mindfulness and compassion in these challenging times.
Please let me know if you plan to attend one of the first two gatherings since space is limited--ample space should be available at The Church of the Holy City on Sunday evening. Tara, Jonathan, and La return this weekend from IMCW's fall retreat and other gatherings may be offered as well as the regular IMCW classes. Please check the IMCW website for information on upcoming classes and gatherings.
Wishing you ease and well-being in these challenging times. With warmest wishes, Hugh PS I am teaching a weekend retreat on changing habits with mindfulness at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, January 6-8. This is an excellent opportunity to look at all the changes that are happening and take stock of our lives. |
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