Dear Friends

In response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, three Washington DC area mindfulness communities practicing in the Plum Village tradition have come together with a project that is a concrete manifestation of our engaged practice. These are the Still Water Mindfulness Practice Center, the Opening Heart Mindfulness Community, and the Washington Mindfulness Community.

The Czech Republic currently hosts around 390,000 Ukrainian refugees, of whom 40 percent are children. There are also a large number of students from Africa who had been studying in Ukraine.

Order of Interbeing member Jindra Cekan has been practicing with Washington DC area mindfulness communities for over 25 years. Now based in Prague, Jindra, along with neighbors and Sangha friends, have been responding flexibly and speedily to needs as they manifest. They have provided food, gift cards, and money for hotel and hostel stays, school registration fees, legal advice, medicine, toys, and much more.

From day to day no-one knows who will stay or go or how the situation will change. This makes it very challenging to plan or to reserve ahead; maximum flexibility is key.

The demand is far greater than the cash Jindra and her immediate circle of friends have available personally. Our shared plan is that the sanghas in the DC area, as well as other Sanghas, together seek to raise $10,000 in the first month, and continue our efforts as long as there are urgent needs. Jindra and her co-workers will be our loving hands. Funds donated to Still Water MPC will be designated for the “Love in Action Fund” and passed on directly to Jindra. Contributors will receive regular reports. Donations will be tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Please donate what you can. Click here.

“Mindfulness must be engaged. Once there is seeing, there must be acting. Otherwise, what is the use of seeing?” Thich Nhat Hanh