JOIN US for Online sangha
MONDAY June 9, 7:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
Ellen will facilitate
Meditation schedule
Upcoming events
Love is the Strongest Force
We’re honored to share that Dharma Teacher Annie Mahon’s article, Love is the Strongest Force, has been published on the Plum Village website.
Written at the start of the current administration, the piece explores how fierce compassion—rooted in mindfulness, community, and the Four Noble Truths—can help us respond to injustice and suffering without turning away from love. Annie reflects on how practicing boundless care allows us to transform both personal and collective pain, and to build sustainable communities that truly care for all.
We are all one
We recognize the struggles of immigrants because many, though not all, of us have experienced immigration, arriving in this country ourselves or our ancestors arriving before us. We also stand in solidarity with members of the LGBTQ+ community who experience discrimination and hardship.
To offer support, we warmly invite you to review the information and links we provided.
Organizations we support
VOLAR’s mission is to co-create a cooperative community in East Baltimore owned by Black and Brown people … built through the reclamation of land, healing, reconnecting and building a base of community power.
Learn how VOLAR has evolved and where it is going — and how you can be a part of this incredible initiative.
LEARN MORE
Engaged Buddhism / Deep Listening to our Differences
by Annie Mahon
In this article we explore the transformative art of deep listening while door knocking in the lead up to the US election from Annie Mahon, an engaged practitioner and Dharma teacher in The Plum Village Tradition.
New book release from friend of our sangha, Magda Cabrero:
WALKING ON EARTH WITH THICH NHAT HANH: My Experiences with Silence & The Sanctuaries & Kindred Spirits I Found in Many Places
by Dr. Magda De La Paz Cabrero
First Mindfulness Bell article in Spanish:
Inhabiting Interbeing / Habitando el Interser
We're so excited The Mindfulness Bell has published their first article in Spanish!
All are invited to join our community
Mindfulness is being here now, with kindness and open hearted curiosity.
The Opening Heart Mindfulness Community is open to everyone and meets to practice sitting and walking meditation and discuss mindfulness-related topics every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Circle Yoga. We practice together in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
No previous mindfulness or meditation experience necessary.
No registration is required, and there is no fee to attend. Donations are joyfully accepted to support this and other similar programs Sitting meditation can be done on the floor or in a chair.
In consideration of those who have chemical sensitivities, we ask that you do not wear any fragrances (including essential oils) while attending Opening Heart meditation events.
Making-Visible
The Opening Heart Mindfulness Community created this special sangha to build awareness on the issues of social injustice facing our country and the world today.
Dear friends,
This week, we will meet Monday evening, June 9th, from 7-8:30PM EDT online; Wednesday morning, June 11th, from 7-8AM EDT in person at our meditation space (3812 Northampton Street NW); and Friday, June 13th, 12-1PM EDT online.
On Monday night, Ellen will facilitate. Ellen shares:
Sometimes life brings things together in unexpected ways, sometimes good, sometimes tough. We have a lot of uncertainty in our world, in our country, and our communities now. I’ve been thinking about uncertainty in my life and how we can use mindfulness to calm the difficult feelings that can arise in uncertain times. At the same time, I’ve been thinking about equanimity, which seems more important than ever now. Attaining equanimity is not easy, and it’s especially hard with so much uncertainty and pain around us now. But what is equanimity really?
Here’s the first definition I found online, and how amazing that it included the Buddhist view of equanimity:
Equanimity is a state of being calm and balanced, especially in the midst of difficulty. It refers to evenness of mind, especially under stress. In Buddhism, equanimity is one of the Four Immeasurables or four great virtues that the Buddha taught his disciples to cultivate. The word equanimity can also refer to right disposition and balance.
Merriam Webster