When: Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 5:00pm (rain or shine)

Where: The Monadnock Labyrinth and Peace pole located on Airport Rd., Keene, NH       

A Special Event –– An Invitation to Practice Active Compassion

A cornerstone of mindfulness practice is compassion. In that spirit, several years ago, the Center placed a peace pole at the labyrinth rock sculpture located at the Keene airport. The four-sided pole is engraved with four words that acknowledge the wish that all people find Happiness, Health, Safety, and Peace.

In that spirit, the Monadnock Mindfulness Practice Center invites our sangha to join in honoring U.N. World Refugee Day, Tuesday, June 20, 5:00pm, at the Keene Airport labyrinth. The day’s event is co-sponsored by W.S. Badger Co. of Gilsum, and Project Home, a local group of volunteers providing security, safety, and the basic needs of food, health care, and shelter for asylum seekers housed in our community as they await a hearing.

The event will feature a special address from Alejandro Herrera, an immigrant and Project Home founding member. Alejandro was born and grew up in the Dominican Republic, where for over 20 years he taught sustainable development and economics. In one of his many roles of service to the community, Alejandro was a member of Building the Fulbright Future (BFF), a binational initiative funded by the US State Department to envision common issues on immigration, climate change, education and economic development across the Hispaniola Island.

All participants will be invited to walk the stone sculpture of the Mt. Monadnock Labyrinth to reflect on and deepen their internal experience of compassion and recognition of struggling people in our community and beyond.

According to Katie Schwerin, Badger’s Co-Founder and Chief Mission Officer, “Everyone has the right to be safe and feel protected―it doesn’t matter who they are or why they are forced to flee their home. In 2023, the worldwide focus will be support for refugees and help to raise awareness and advocate for their rights. This is such a critical time for us to come together and call attention to the plight of refugees, knowing that we can do something in our community,”

In addition to helping organize the local World Refugee Day event, Katie is an active participant in Project Home, hosting a refugee family in her home since 2020, and was the driving force behind the construction of the Mt. Monadnock Labyrinth.

All are welcome to attend. Bring interested friends! There is no charge for the event.