I Am Because We Are

I am because we are is a traditional saying from the African Ubuntu tradition invoking the truth of interconnectedness and the promise of beloved community.

“We will not end…any form of human evil…by trying to tear it to pieces. Instead, we can offer people better ways to belong and better things to belong to.”
— Resmaa Menakem, My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Mending of Our Bodies and Hearts

We all yearn to find and engage with others in spaces of deep meaning and heart-felt belonging, where we are each doing our own work in authentic connection with one another.

This is the ideal of Beloved Community.

Our dharma practice provides a crucible where we hold the tension between our ideals and what is happening now, which sometimes feels very far from our ideals.

How do we show up for ourselves and others with an attitude of openness and curiosity, willing to see clearly the parts of us that are both longing for freedom and those still in the shadows, confused, or actively resisting change?

This question is relevant to both how we work internally and also how we engage in beloved community. It is the ground from which true inclusivity can take root, grow and flourish, creating beloved community from the inside out.

Over this long weekend we’ll explore:

• Our intentions for practicing and our vision for liberation for ourselves and others
• How our unique conditioning shows up in the space of meditation and how we relate to what’s happening now
• Embodiment as a radical act
• The role of joy and pleasure in opening to ourselves, one another and the world
• How a creative response to fear, grief and anger can support our efforts towards collective liberation
• The co-created and interconnected nature of experience and reality

For those with at least six months meditation experience interested in deepening their personal and collective practice in the context of social and environmental justice activism.

Singhashri is a queer, Latinx-American dharma teacher and writer. They teach mindfulness and compassion as a means to awakening to love, beauty and truth, and have committed their life to supporting collective liberation for all and the joy and freedom found there. They are on the trustees of the North London Buddhist Centre, teach at various retreat and urban centres across the UK, Europe and the USA, and support a number of projects aimed at creating greater diversity and inclusion within Buddhist sanghas and the secular mindfulness field. They currently live in London with their partner.
www.radicalembrace.org
https://www.facebook.com/radicalembrace

Safety: *Please note that this event was posted in February and our covid-related policies may change as the event approaches.

How are we coming together safely?

• We are requiring that all in-person participants be fully vaccinated vs Covid-19, including a booster, and will ask for a photo or scan of vaccination cards.
• Please plan on taking a covid-19 rapid test on the day of the event. A negative rapid test is required for entry.
• Masks are optional unless otherwise stated.
• If you have cold or flu symptoms, we ask that you do not attend.
• We have installed new air purifiers with virus-destroying technology!
• We will have the same few people working in the kitchen.
• We will practice social distancing in the shrine room.
• There will be some new cleaning and sanitation protocols.
• There will be one-person per bedroom unless already sharing a household.
• The retreat population will be limited.

*Please let us know if you have questions or concerns about how we’re coming together.

A Culture of Generosity and Support
In the tradition of passing on the Dharma freely, our Dharma retreat and workshop facilitators offer their work without charge and are not paid. We recognize the value in what they do and want to thank them for their time, energy and wisdom. A financial gift can help support our facilitators to afford them the opportunity to lead. Please consider making a donation towards their support. 
There is often a cash collection and a thank you card that is passed on the retreat, though one can also make a donation directly to facilitators with a check, and some use money transfer services such as PayPal or Venmo.
Thank you for considering this.

Image detail from Cueva de las Manos in Argentina

At Aryaloka, we strive to make our programs available to everyone regardless of their financial circumstances. Our fee structure allows you to pay according to your means. 

The Event Rate is our actual fee for the event. It is for people paying their rent or mortgage, and who can afford occasional or regular leisure expenses such as dining out. Any payment above the advertised fee is a tax-deductible donation. 

The Mid-Level Reduced Rate is for those who are paying their mortgage or rent, though experience a consistent tightness in budget that makes extras like leisure activities or unexpected expenses difficult or impossible. 

The Base-Level Reduced Rate is for those without an income or with an income low enough that making ends meet is a challenge. 

Those whose circumstances are not included above can email the office to make other arrangements. info@aryaloka.org