This week, our online sangha gathering will explore what Engaged Mindfulness means and how we can use the lessons we learn to bring more justice, generosity, compassion and awakening to our world. We are very lucky to have a guest facilitator, Marisela Gomez from the Baltimore and Beyond sangha; she will be accompanied by WMC’s beloved friend Annie Mahon from the Opening Heart Mindfulness Community.

Dr. Marisela Gomez is one of the organizers of the Village of Love and Resistance (VOLAR), a Dharma teacher and follower of Thay’s teaching for the last twenty years, and has first-hand knowledge of how territorial injustices have affected East Baltimore residents. While acquiring her MD, PhD and MPH at John Hopkins University, she did extensive research in the area surrounding John Hopkins Hospital, one of the poorest in Baltimore. 

After our initial meditation period together, we will hear more about the engaged mindfulness projects of VOLAR and have time to ask Marisela questions on the practice of love and resistance and VOLAR. Some questions you might reflect on for Monday:

• What does engaged mindfulness mean to you? 

• How do you practice engaged mindfulness when you leave your meditation cushion and go out into the world? How else might you like to practice? 

• Is there a need to build villages of love and resistance?

• How are you challenged by engaged mindfulness? 

If you would like to join this online event, please write to us at wmcsangha@gmail.com, and we will send you the Zoom link.

With love

Jeanine, Joann, Jude, Nigel, Pat

WMC Practice Council