We Gather with our Grief and Joy, a Stronger, Kinder Sangha | Order-Mitra Day Retreat

It’s been well over a year since we’ve all gathered in person, and a lot has happened. In coming back together, we would like to cultivate the space to hold the complexity of this past year’s experiences. We will hold space to acknowledge any grief that we bring with us, and also the joy. Many of us have witnessed the grief of others and we may have experienced our own losses. Many of us noticed that the new pace of life brought new opportunities that bore good fruit for our quality of life. On this day, we intend to hold all of that as we come back together.

The day will include meditation with a focus on the karuna bhavana and mudita bhavana. We will have time to share with each other — What was difficult? What was delightful? What did we learn? In what ways was our practice challenged? In what ways was our practice deepened? There will be a festive picnic-style lunch (details coming). We will also have a ritual to acknowledge the grief and joy of the past year.

Safety:
How are we coming together safely?
We are requiring that all in-person participants be fully vaccinated vs Covid-19.
We have installed new air purifiers with virus-destroying technology!
We will implement best-practice protocols around the picnic meal-service.
We will practice social distancing in the shrine room and at meal-time; our intention is to have indoor and outdoor options for picnicking. 
There will be some new cleaning and sanitation protocols.

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

Online Zoom Option:

If you are not vaccinated, live too far away, or if you are not quite ready to attend an in-person retreat, we will share part of the program on Zoom so you can participate. (Schedule forthcoming). 

Led by Dharmasukta, Narottama, Saddhavasini and Suddhayu

Overnight accommodations are available if needed. Please email info@aryaloka.org for details.