A bright campfire burns in the foreground while a group of people sit in chairs around it beneath a dark, wooded sky.

Greatwoods Zen

LXCL:Suggested between $15-45

Donation

On the longest night of the year, we invite you to gather together in beloved community! We will embrace the darkness of this season with glowing candlelight, soul enriching songs, somatic movement and art, a warm and hearty meal, and the rejuvenating peace of meditation.&nbsp; Many of us have been through challenging and traumatic times this year. Our practice is about holding each other and our community in precious darkness, where the faintest rays of light can feel the most powerful. The Buddha&#39;s teachings guide us to look deeply into darkness and light, suffering and happiness, life and death, challenges and resilience, in order to realize that all elements of the universe depend on each other in this soul dance of interbeing. Our practice of mediation, reflection, movement, and art will reveal how the darkness of our challenges this year is just as precious as the light of our joy.&nbsp; Gathering together on this sacred day of the year, we see that we have all the creative resilience, ancestral support, and beloved community that we really need and wish for our happiness. You&rsquo;re invited to bring musical instruments, songs, poetry, or any other piece of art to share if you feel called. What to Expect<ul fr-original-style="text-align: start;" style="text-align: start; box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guided and silent meditation</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mindful somatic movement</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mindfulness songs and chanting</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Outdoor mindful walking (weather permitting)</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A teaching, reading, or video on mindfulness</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Group Dharma sharing</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Optional mindful potluck dinner</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Bonfire</li></ul>Practicing Together Our sangha is a welcoming community of practitioners from many backgrounds. No prior meditation experience is needed. We practice in the Plum Village tradition, with an emphasis on presence, kindness, and shared humanity. Sample Schedule<ul fr-original-style="text-align: start;" style="text-align: start; box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">2:00pm&ndash;5:00pm: Formal practice</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">After 5:00pm: Optional mindful potluck dinner</li></ul>Please arrive 5&ndash;15 minutes early so we can begin together calmly.If weather does not permit outdoor activities, we will remain indoors. Offered in the Spirit of DanaThis gathering is offered freely, in the spirit of generosity. You are welcome to attend whether or not you register or contribute. If you&rsquo;d like to support the continuation of this space, you&rsquo;re invited to register with a sliding scale contribution ($15&ndash;$45). Your support helps sustain the weekly rhythm of practice and care for the community. Contributions of food for the potluck or help with clean-up are also always appreciated.

On the longest night of the year, we invite you to gather together in beloved community! We will embrace the darkness of this season with glowing candlelight, soul enriching songs, somatic movement and art, a warm and hearty meal, and the rejuvenating peace of meditation.  Many of us have been through challenging and traumatic times this year. Our practice is about holding each other and our community in precious darkness, where the faintest rays of light can feel the most powerful. The Buddha's teachings guide us to look deeply into darkness and light, suffering and happiness, life and death, challenges and resilience, in order to realize that all elements of the universe depend on each other in this soul dance of interbeing. Our practice of mediation, reflection, movement, and art will reveal how the darkness of our challenges this year is just as precious as the light of our joy.  Gathering together on this sacred day of the year, we see that we have all the creative resilience, ancestral support, and beloved community that we really need and wish for our happiness. You’re invited to bring musical instruments, songs, poetry, or any other piece of art to share if you feel called. What to Expect<ul><li>Guided and silent meditation</li><li>Mindful somatic movement</li><li>Mindfulness songs and chanting</li><li>Outdoor mindful walking (weather permitting)</li><li>A teaching, reading, or video on mindfulness</li><li>Group Dharma sharing</li><li>Optional mindful potluck dinner</li><li>Bonfire</li></ul>Practicing Together Our sangha is a welcoming community of practitioners from many backgrounds. No prior meditation experience is needed. We practice in the Plum Village tradition, with an emphasis on presence, kindness, and shared humanity. Sample Schedule<ul><li>2:00pm–5:00pm: Formal practice</li><li>After 5:00pm: Optional mindful potluck dinner</li></ul>Please arrive 5–15 minutes early so we can begin together calmly.If weather does not permit outdoor activities, we will remain indoors. Offered in the Spirit of DanaThis gathering is offered freely, in the spirit of generosity. You are welcome to attend whether or not you register or contribute. If you’d like to support the continuation of this space, you’re invited to register with a sliding scale contribution ($15–$45). Your support helps sustain the weekly rhythm of practice and care for the community. Contributions of food for the potluck or help with clean-up are also always appreciated.

Greatwoods Zen

Winter Solstice Bonfire

2631 Buckleigh Dr

Donation