Monday, January 13, we will meet in person.
Go to calendar for our schedule
Address for OHMC meditation space:
3812 Northampton St. NW, Washington DC 20015
Please arrive a few minutes early so we can invite the bell on time. You may also arrive 15 minutes early to practice working meditation by helping us set up cushions.
Dear friends,
This week, we will meet Monday evening, Jan. 13, from 7-8:30PM EST in person at our meditation space (3812 Northampton Street NW); Wednesday morning, Jan. 15, from 7-8AM EST online; and Friday, Jan. 17, from 12-1PM EST in person & online (hybrid).
On Monday, Camille will facilitate. Camille shares:
This Monday evening we will share together the practice of Touching the Earth. It is a beautiful practice offered regularly in Plum Village centers around the world. This writeup with the touchings was shared online last year and will be shared in person on Monday night, January 13. The script of the touchings is below.
This practice is about “emptying ourselves” as we bow down to touch the earth in order to make life possible in the present moment. We can begin to release ideas, stories, notions, anger, attachments, and let go of the idea that we and this world we know are permanent. When we touch the earth we can empty ourselves and surrender these ideas and any unwholesome qualities in us.
I love and relish the Earth touchings and have much gratitude as I am reminded that I have the support of my ancestors, family, friends, teachers, sangha, the earth, and all who have walked and worked the lands in sharing their love, understanding, nourishment, caring, and healing with me and all the world.
When I get stuck with my anger and resentment, I try to remember the touchings and I know that my difficult feelings will change. I can let my feelings go, nothing is permanent, and I have the support of many. I can bow down, surrender, accept change, and live more deeply and fully.
In Thich Nhat Hanh’s short video on Touching the Earth he says:
When we touch the earth with our five limbs, we surrender to earth to our true nature and accept any form of life our true nature offers to us. And surrendering our pride, hope, and notions of impermanence and emptying ourselves completely is the best way to get replenished. If you don’t breathe out and empty your lungs, there is no way to breathe in, there’s no way for the fresh air to come in. That is why to empty oneself is a very important practice.
On Monday, we also invite you to bring something for our floor altar that is nourishing and peaceful to you. Our evening’s altar will sit in the center of our circle and celebrate those we love including family, friends, teachers, and those that bring harmony and peace to the world. Please bring any nourishing items such as flowers, books, photographs, a piece of nature, or anything else that brings you joy and fond memories.
We will have an opportunity to look toward the altar while practicing the Earth touchings for healing and guidance to help us let go of unwholesome feelings and actions and live life more fully and deeply.
So, I invite you to join us on Monday evening to let go, surrender, and find more joy and happiness as we continue on this path together.
In peace and love,
Camille
Please note while we will practice the touchings in person this week, they will also be offered online in our Wednesday morning sangha on June 4 for those that would like to share in the practice but cannot make it in person.
The Earth Touchings (modified PV version by Stillwater and OHMC)