Joshin

Community as Peacemaking

Community as Peacemaking “I suggest a core practice of gathering: embracing the art of togetherness, mindful welcoming, just listening and being present for each other, and responding out of a felt sense of kinship. There is nothing more important. By doing this, we bring calm, connection, and care into our

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We Found A New Home

We are purchasing a beautiful new space in Middlebury.     One Step. One Breath. Moving Forward! This mantra is my constant companion when opportunities arise. We have a wonderful one in front of us and we’re taking steady steps to make it a reality. We negotiated a good price

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Message from Joshin (February 2024)

Dear friends, We’ve been doing some cozy and heartwarming things this winter at Bread Loaf Mountain. Some of you already heard about Valentine’s Day Gather Anniversary and Peacemaker Quilt Party. I hope you’ll enjoy the write up below and the article that our local newspaper ran about the event. Many

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Quilts Soothe Children Dealing with Trauma

Quilts Soothe Children Dealing with Trauma February 8, 2024 By John Flowers A UKRAINIAN INFANT enjoys a quilt generated by volunteers involved in the Peacemaker Quilt Project. The project provides homemade quilts to children going through difficult times, ranging from war to foster care. Photo courtesy of Joshin Byrnes  

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It’s Time for Some GATHER Celebrations!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, January 14th and 15th Gather continues to welcome guests every Wednesday through Sunday, and to function as a center for conviviality, artistic activities, sharing food together and cultivating friendships. We recognize that Gather flourishes because of the many friends who serve as

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An Impression of Residency from Busshin Nash

My residency at BLMZC was a somewhat unique experience. I had planned to move in after graduating from Middlebury College in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the campus shut down completely, so I ended up moving in halfway through my final semester in March 2020. At the time,

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New Year’s Intentions – A Note from Joshin 

New Year’s Intentions – A Note from Joshin  Onward in Love! May each of us who wants peace on earth Make a commitment to transform the anger, hatred and violence in our own hearts. May each of us who wants a world without conflict, Make a commitment to resolve, in

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Message from Board Member Ric So’on Dunworth

Being a Board Member of BLMZC continues to be one of the most rewarding ways for me of giving back and helping to serve the larger Sangha. I had the privilege of joining the Board very early in the emergence of Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community. I’ve joyfully watched the

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In the news: “Gather Offers Relief for Loneliness”

Gather offers relief for hunger and loneliness Addison Independent November 30, 2023   ‘Gather’ offers relief for hunger & loneliness GATHER AT 48 Merchants Row in Middlebury hosted a Thanksgiving dinner last Thursday for around 60 people, many of them houseless and/or struggling with other challenges. Pictured here, from left,

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