On January 21, we hope you can join One Earth Sangha for the Women’s March on Washington in DC or at any of the Sister Marches around the world to walk together as a mindfulness community. As the March platform states,
The Women’s March on Washington is a women-led movement bringing together people of all genders, ages, races, cultures, political affiliations and backgrounds in our nation’s capital on January 21, 2017, to affirm our shared humanity and pronounce our bold message of resistance and self-determination.
Recognizing that women have intersecting identities and are therefore impacted by a multitude of social justice and human rights issues, we have outlined a representative vision for a government that is based in the principles of liberty and justice for all. As Dr. King said, “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”
Our liberation is bound in each other’s.
Be sure to register with the march organizers and then find group in your area to join. You can find a list of mindfulness community gatherings on Lion’s Roar.
In particular, for those who can make it to Washington DC, please join One Earth Sangha, ARISE Sangha and all mindfulness practitioners for walking together.
Calling Practitioners to “Go As A River” in support of the Women’s March on Washington
ARISE Sangha invites “members of sanghas, friends, families, and other hearts wanting to join this powerful collective energy of peace” to gather in Washington, DC outside of the Starbucks coffee shop at 443 7th Street NW (7th & E) anytime after 8:30am. They will leave for the march around 9:30am.
Housing resources may be found here: https://mchb.createaforum.com/
From the ARISE website …
Call to Practice
We invite all practitioners and Sanghas in the United States and beyond to dedicate their practice during the week of Monday, January 16th (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) to Sunday, January 22nd (the weekend following the inauguration) to cultivating understanding and compassion for ourselves and our country, and healing from the violence, hatred, and fear that has intensified during the past year’s election. There is no true peace without justice and equity for all.
Begin by listening deeply within to develop clarity as to what you’re thinking, feeling, and perceiving in response to the events of the day. Reflect on the first and second of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings: We will train ourselves to look at everything with openness and the insight of interbeing in order to transform dogmatism and violence in ourselves and in the world…
And: Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views…
Dedicate your walking meditation and sitting meditation practice to generating the energy of compassion and healing with each step and each breath you take. Practice Deep Listening with yourself to with someone you don’t understand and bring Loving Speech into your conversations (see the 4th MT below). Read Thay’s “Calming the Fearful Mind: a Zen Response to Terrorism” and practice Dharma Sharing on the topics raised. These teachings are remarkably relevant today. Practice Touching the Earth (below). Listen to and meditate upon Alone Again, the song created from Thay’s poem Recommendation. Be creative and make up a new practice. Talk to your friends to share what supports you. See a full list of resources below.
Call to Action
Join members of the Thích Nhất Hạnh Sangha and other traditions from across the country as we march together in peace for justice for all at the Women’s March on Washington. People of all genders are invited. We will practice Marching Meditation to hold love for each other as a Beloved Community committed to justice for the disenfranchised as so many of our ancestors have done before. Sangha members will also participate in marching meditation in New York City, San Francisco and other sister cities.
This call to practice and to action is supported by the ARISE Sangha – Awakening through Race, Intersectionality, and Social Equity.*
