Winter Solstice Compassion Meditation and Puja | Aryaloka Buddhist Retreat Center

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Event Description

<img alt="" src="https://aryaloka.org/sites/default/files/images/events/solstice%20puja…; style="width: 800px; height: 800px;" />Winter Solstice Compassion Meditation and Puja 
Thursday December 21st, 6:30-8:30pm

All are welcome for a special evening on the darkest day of the year! Please join us in celebrating the turning of the season, and the coming of new light. The Winter Solstice is a time of rebirth and new beginnings, of creative transformation and of letting go.

This year finds us in relation to heightened conflict, violence and loss at home and internationally. The focus of the evening will be a karuna bhavana meditation in which we sit with unconditional love (metta) for the world while holding the reality of the world’s suffering. This gives rise to karuna or compassion. This will be followed by a related puja (Buddhist devotional ritual) and the chanting of mantras of compassion.

As we approach our annual Meditate for Peace Day on January 1st (see the link in our bio for more info) we are aware of the intensity of suffering created by violence in the world. We are confident in the Buddha’s encouragement to be aware of such suffering, of the conditioned nature of such suffering, and of being with such suffering with a heart of compassion. And we remain confident in the Buddha’s teachings of non-violence and loving-kindness. We stand, sit, walk and breathe in solidarity with all those who suffer at the hand of violence and oppression. May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering. May our lives as Buddhists contribute to the arising of lasting peace in the world. Zoom option is available: <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87900842811">CLICK HERE</a> to join on Zoom.

How are we coming together safely?

<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">If you know you have been exposed to Covid-19 within a five day period of the event’s start-time, we ask that you not attend in-person.*  Stay up-to-date with exposure guidelines <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/if-you-were-expos…; style="text-decoration:none">here</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">Masks are optional unless otherwise stated. If you have recently recovered from Covid-19, stay up-to-date with CDC guidance <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html&qu…; style="text-decoration:none">here</a> as to when you’re clear to be back in public.*</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">If you have cold or flu symptoms, we ask that you do not attend in-person.*</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">We have installed new air purifiers with virus-destroying technology!</li>
<li aria-level="1" style="list-style-type:disc">There are new cleaning and sanitation protocols.</li>
</ul>

*Zoom options are available for many events. Transfer of fees or refunds are also available for illness or illness-preventative related absence. Please email <a href="mailto:info@aryaloka.org" style="text-decoration:none">info@aryaloka.org</a> if you have any questions about our safety protocols. Aryaloka may adjust these policies in relation to current, local infection rates, and will keep retreatants posted on such changes.