April 6th, Dharma Reflection

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April 6th, 2025
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Sunday Morning April 6th at 8:45am Eastern Time
Where: At Gather, 48 Merchants Row, Middlebury VT and online via Zoom.
Join Joshin for this week’s Dharma Reflection.
Details: This is a time to hear and discuss the benefits of Zen in our everyday lives. Zen teachers, Zen students, and guests offer their reflections for about 30 minutes. Community conversation about the talk follows for about another 30 minutes. Please come for the entire time so we can give our discussion time some energy and attention. It’s an open session. Always free.
Join us for our next reflection led by Joshin, the guiding teacher of the Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community. This reflection offers a chance to deepen your understanding and practice of Zen in a warm and inviting community setting.
April 6th, 8:45am Eastern Time at Gather, 48 Merchants Row, Middlebury VT and on zoom (for the zoom link please click here)
After the Dharma Reflection you can join us in person for our coffee hour at 10am
Get zoom link
Mark your calendar!
In anticipation of our new temple opening in June, the Dharma reflection is returning to Wednesday evenings at 5:30 EDT, starting May 15th.
A Note on Giving**
Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community depends entirely on the generosity of others. Please consider making a donation to help us maintain our offerings and to cultivate this community. We extend boundless gratitude to everyone who gives to make this community possible. (View Highlight)
The Blessing Bowl, Midnight Path Deals + Hands Off! Day of Action

The Blessing Bowl
Wednesday April 9
9–9:30 AM EDT
By donation
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](https://engage.squarespace-mail.com/r?m=67ee867caea8981de81d0011&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thelotusinstitute.org%2Fevents-all%2Fmeditation-april-2025%3Fss_source%3Dsscampaigns%26ss_campaign_id%3D67edb28c227980786779397b%26ss_email_id%3D67ee867caea8981de81d0011%26ss_campaign_name%3DThe%2BBlessing%2BBowl%252C%2BMidnight%2BPath%2BDeals%2B%252B%2BHands%2BOff%2521%2BDay%2Bof%2BAction%26ss_campaign_sent_date%3D2025-04-03T13%253A01%253A56Z&w=627d71921c16fd3a8b7df95f&c=b_67edb28c227980786779397b&l=en-US&s=XOkBcFLYMGx73BSEpEl40nwKekQ%3D)
Join us online next Wednesday, April 9 for a unique loving-kindness practice with Peggy Rowe Ward and Midnight Path guest teacher, Tamara Cress. Loving-kindness, or metta, is one of the ten paramitas we’ll explore this spring and summer in Midnight Path.
For this free, donation-based practice, we’ll pair meditation with experiential exercises in grounding and resourcing. Together, shaping and molding a communal blessing bowl to hold our prayers for all beings.
[REGISTER NOW](https://engage.squarespace-mail.com/r?m=67ee867caea8981de81d0011&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thelotusinstitute.org%2Fevents-all%2Fmeditation-april-2025%3Fss_source%3Dsscampaigns%26ss_campaign_id%3D67edb28c227980786779397b%26ss_email_id%3D67ee867caea8981de81d0011%26ss_campaign_name%3DThe%2BBlessing%2BBowl%252C%2BMidnight%2BPath%2BDeals%2B%252B%2BHands%2BOff%2521%2BDay%2Bof%2BAction%26ss_campaign_sent_date%3D2025-04-03…
…T13%253A01%253A56Z&w=627d71921c16fd3a8b7df95f&c=b_67edb28c227980786779397b&l=en-US&s=XOkBcFLYMGx73BSEpEl40nwKekQ%3D) (View Highlight)
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In the US, we are facing an unconstitutional threat to our country and our freedoms. Now is the time to make our voices heard and to stand up for what we cherish: our democracy; the future for our children; our civil rights.
On Saturday, April 5, join the Hands Off! National Day of Action to stand up against those who believe they can take whatever they want. Find your local rally, or maybe your sangha has already planned a walking meditation as part of a larger march ☮️
Like our mindfulness practice, a core principle behind this mobilizing movement is the commitment to nonviolent action. As a wise and compassionate practitioner, a bodhisattva, a caring citizen, please be the leader and support in any dangerous situation, helping to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values, and to act lawfully at these events. (View Highlight)
Together in Faith: Eid, Easter, and the Promise of New Beginnings

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Seasons of Renewal: From Fasting to Feasting, From Grief to Growth “The metaphor for Palestine is stronger than the Palestine of reality.” – Mahmoud Darwish As the blessed month of Ramadan comes to an end, we extend our warmest congratulations to our Muslim friends and families on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. Eid is a time of joy, gratitude, and unity, a moment to celebrate with loved ones after a month of fasting and reflection. However, this year, as we gather in celebration, we remain deeply mindful of those who continue to suffer, especially in Gaza, where the weight of war and hardship continues to overshadow everyday life.Yet, even as we mark this special occasion, we cannot ignore the ongoing realities around us. The war must end. Gaza must be given the opportunity to heal, to rebuild, and to flourish once more. As a people, we deserve to live in peace, to celebrate our traditions without fear, and to look toward the future with hope.At the same time, for our Christian friends, the journey through Lent has been one of reflection and renewal, culminating in the joy of Easter. This sacred time reminds us of the power of faith and resurrection, of light emerging from darkness, and of hope triumphing over despair. In Bethlehem, despite the challenges, we have sought to embrace the spirit of Easter by creating spaces for children and families to find moments of joy and strength.With the arrival of spring, the land begins to blossom, offering us a natural symbol of resilience and renewal. Just as nature revives itself after the cold of winter, we too remain steadfast in our vision of a future where all people in this land can thrive, free from fear and oppression.As we celebrate Eid and Easter, we hold onto the belief that love and justice will prevail. We thank you for standing with us in our mission to transform trauma into hope and to build a future where every child, every family, and ever…
…y community can live with dignity and peace.Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Eid and a joyful Easter. Delegation Visit by Evangelical Church Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia*Strengthening Cooperation for Women’s Empowerment*27.03.2025 On Thursday, March 27th, Holy Land Trust in Bethlehem hosted a delegation from the Evangelical Church in Berlin and Brandenburg, along with the Director of the Berlin Mission Germany, to explore opportunities for joint cooperation—particularly within the framework of the “Generation to Generation” project. This initiative focuses on empowering Palestinian girls by developing their leadership and public speaking skills, increasing awareness of trauma and methods for emotional release, and using writing and photography as tools for expression and community impact.The project aims to highlight the leadership role of Palestinian women and shed light on inspiring stories of women who have faced various challenges, documenting their experiences and presenting them through photo exhibitions. It also seeks to create initiatives that strengthen the role of girls in their local communities, rooted in Holy Land Trust’s belief that empowering women is a vital step toward building a stronger and more just society.
From Hardship to Hope: Your Support Matters As we celebrate the resilience of our people through Eid and Easter, we are reminded of the urgent need to continue supporting families, children, and young leaders in Bethlehem and beyond. The ongoing hardships have made daily life increasingly difficult, but together, we can bring hope and transformation.Your support helps us sustain essential programs like the Generation to Generation project, trauma-relief initiatives for children, and vital aid for families affected by the crisis. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference in creating safe spaces for growth, healing, and empowerment.Join us in building a future where every individual has the chance to thrive. Donate today and be part of the change! Support Now ”“In Bethlehem, where the call to prayer and church bells echo side by side, the celebration of Eid during the Christian season of Lent is a living symbol of harmony. It reminds us that even in a land marked by trauma, we can choose hope—finding unity in our diversity and strength in our shared identity.” Elias Deis, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Holy Land Trust P.O. Box 737 Hosh Hanania – Star Street, Bethlehem P1510352, Palestine (View Highlight)
Peacemakers Podcast – AFLAME
We welcome the acclaimed author Pico Iyer to discuss his latest book ‘Aflame’ and his profound experiences with silence, retreats, and the enduring presence of fire.
Peacemakers Podcast – L.A. Fires (Part One)
We speak with a Los Angeles resident who lost his home in the recent wildfires. Through his deeply personal account, he reflects on the sudden loss of everything he owned and the emotional weight of impermanence.
UPDATE to ZEN PEACEMAKER ORDER MEMBERS, SPRING 2016

Dear Member of the Zen Peacemaker Order, On April 29-30 2016, the international ZPO governance circle gathered at Bernie and Eve’s house in Massachusetts USA with the circle’s members flying from California, Germany, Belgium, Colorado, Israel and driving up from New York City. All the ZPO regional governance circle stewards were in attendance. For […]
Join the Zen Peacemakers in Auschwitz/Birkenau, October 2016
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Join Our Bearing Witness Programs in 2016

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BERNIE'S HEALTH: 1/17/2016

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BERNIE'S HEALTH / The Dude Says: “Lotta Ins, Lotta Outs, Lotta What-Have-You’s”

By Roshi Eve Myonen Marko Jan 15th 2016 In the morning Bernie seems rested and not much changed from yesterday. Soon he, Alisa and I are greeted by Mark Keroack, President/CEO of Baystate Hospital, accompanied by senior staff, wanting to make sure Bernie’s getting the quality care he needs. We have no trouble assuring him that […]