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Thanissara

Thanissara embodies the integration of the contemplative with the activist. Trained in the Ajahn Chah Forest Tradition, she was a monastic for 12 years. She and husband Kittisaro founded Dharmagiri in South Africa where they integrated activism on AIDS with hosting Theravadan retreats. As senior teachers at Spirit Rock, Thanissara and Kittisaro later co-founded Sacred Mountain Sangha based in California. She has an MA in Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy from the UK, and is author of several books, including Time to Stand Up: An Engaged Buddhist Manifesto for Our Earth — The Buddha’s Life and Message through Feminine Eyes.
© Utku Özen | @theutkuozen from Unsplash

Ceremony and Sacred Action

Moving toward Atonement, Advocacy,
and Communion with Earth

In an age of separation, how might we bring ourselves back into sacred relationship with Earth? On February 26, Thanissara led this EcoDharma Exploration on activism rooted in radical belonging.
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Session Two

Session Two

Cultivating the Conditions for Transformation

In this second session, we will especially make space for difficult emotions, such as fear, grief, and rage. We can investigate the narratives that support these emotions and how they might be loosened, meeting our habitual defensive responses not only with kindness but with clarity, courage, and determination.
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EcoDharma
© Derek Thomson from Unsplash
EcoDharma

Code Red

A World in Free Fall Calls Us to Rise Up

As the old paradigm of endless growth, extraction, and exploitation proves increasingly unable to sustain its contradictions, Thanissara invites us to step fearlessly into the radical, collective transformation that is already underway.
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EcoDharma
© Ian Cylkowski from Unsplash
EcoDharma

Standing in Solidarity

Part 2: Thanissara

Thanissara, a frequent and cherished partner of One Earth Sangha, gave the second talk of our Standing in Solidarity gathering.
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Session Two

Session Two

Cultivating the Conditions for Transformation

In this second session, we will especially make space for difficult emotions, especially fear, grief, and rage. We can investigate the narratives that support these emotions and how they might be loosened, meeting our habitual defensive responses not only with kindness but with clarity, courage, and determination. This is an ambitious journey, one that requires not only safety and compassion, but also a certain boldness. We are challenging massive forces and patterns; Mara doesn’t go down easy (and gets back up). So we can also purposefully discover and nourish our wholesome ambition.
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Practice
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Practice

Kuan Yin Compassion Ceremony

Tap into the sacred power of community, even as we remain separated from one another in space. The recording of the Kuan Yin Compassion Ceremony, led by Thanissara and Kittisaro on November 8, is now available to all who wish to participate.
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Practice
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Practice

Kuan Yin Compassion Ceremony

Background Resource

If you wish to learn the history and practice key components of the ceremony before participating, start here.
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Session Two

Session Two

Cultivating the Conditions for Transformation

In this second session, we will especially make space for difficult emotions, especially fear, grief, and rage. We can investigate the narratives that support these emotions and how they might be loosened, meeting our habitual defensive responses not only with kindness but with clarity, courage, and determination. This is an ambitious journey, one that requires not only safety and compassion, but also a certain boldness. We are challenging massive forces and patterns; Mara doesn’t go down easy (and gets back up). So we can also purposefully discover and nourish our wholesome ambition.
Go Deeper
EcoDharma
Showing Up for the Planet Thanissara 16x9
EcoDharma

Inspired by Standing Rock as the Fires Rage

As wildfire threatens to engulf her home, and as the world faces disaster following on disaster, Thanissara draws courage from the extraordinary spirit of solidarity she encountered at Standing Rock.
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EcoDharma
© skeeze from Pixabay
EcoDharma

Awakening to the Suffering of Animals

Throughout the pandemic, the slaughterhouse has been a hotbed of virus transmission among its workers. But our compassion can't stop there. We are called to confront and remedy the horrific treatment of animals raised to feed us.
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No Mud, No Lotus

— Thích Nhất Hạnh

We are building a global network of individuals and communities committed to transforming the human-earth relationship through Dharma wisdom and practice. 

We hope to meet you there. Sign up for our mailing list, share this with friends, and we’ll see you at our next event.

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One Earth Sangha is a fiscally sponsored project of Inquiring Systems, Inc. EIN: 94-2524840