Dear friends,
The Opening Heart Mindfulness Community invites you to join us in person or online for our event hosted by Annie Mahon, with chanting led by Melina Bondy.
Join us for fun and supportive care for ourselves and each other through the practices of chanting, meditation and community gathering. Chanting is a heart centered practice that can soothe, strengthen, and ground, and is a precious and joyful way to come together, especially during challenging times (but really anytime). No experience in anything is needed, and we will provide an introduction to chanting in the Plum Village tradition.
All funds raised at this event will be donated to one of two organizations working to provide collective care in the world:
A local organization rooted in solidarity not charity, that supports BIPOC and poor communities through mutual respect and autonomy.
An international organization supporting bold solutions for climate, food, and economic justice.
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Where: Online (Zoom link will be emailed upon registration) and in person at our meditation studio at 3812 Northampton St. NW, Washington DC 20015
Register by donating to one or both organizations below.
Suggested donation range is $20 - $100+
If you have any difficulty with this payment or any questions, please email us at info@openingheartmindfulness.org
About Melina
Melina (they/them) began meditation and Dharma practice in 2003 in both Plum Village and Vipassana traditions, eventually taking monastic vows under Thich Nhat Hanh in 2012 with the name HaiAn (Sister Ocean.) After six years in the monastery, and a few more outside of the monastery, Melina returned to lay life in 2021. They now blend Insight and Plum Village practices with an orientation to somatics, justice and creativity into meditation and Dharma teacher, in addition to their work as a psychotherapist. As a queer, white settler, Melina is honored and challenged to live on the colonized land of Tkaronto, colonially named Toronto, where they continue to sharing the gifts of the monastery with a wider community. Melina completed the the True North Insight Community Meditation Leader Mentorship program in 2022.