Compassion

Dropping a Pebble of Kindness – A Mindfulness & Compassion Community Circle *A single act of kindness, like a pebble dropped in still water, creates ripples that reach far beyond what we see.* Join Tina Neuhaus, of Destination Tarot, for an evening of mindfulness, heart-centered meditation, and shared reflection. In this space, we practice together to nurture the quiet power of kindness toward ourselves, each other, and the world around us. Come as you are. Let’s drop a pebble of kindness together. What to Expect: \* Guided meditation and gentle breath work \* Mindfulness practices to ground and center \* Group reflections and compassionate sharing \* Occasional reading of inspirational material, tea, or nature walks When: Wednesday 7:30 - 9:00, twice a month Where: Light Works Spiritual Wellness Center Meet Tina Neuhaus!! Tina is a tarot reader and owner of Destination Tarot. Tina takes a therapeutic approach to readings, working with the shadow aspects of the self. She finds this to be essential for growth and empowerment, creating deeper self-awareness to engage with life from a place of strength. To learn more about Tina or to schedule a session, please visit her on Facebook at www.fb.com/destinatontarot

Dropping a Pebble of Kindness – A Mindfulness & Compassion Community Circle *A single act of kindness, like a pebble dropped in still water, creates ripples that reach far beyond what we see.* Join Tina Neuhaus, of Destination Tarot, for an evening of mindfulness, heart-centered meditation, and shared reflection. In this space, we practice together to nurture the quiet power of kindness toward ourselves, each other, and the world around us. Come as you are. Let’s drop a pebble of kindness together. What to Expect: \* Guided meditation and gentle breath work \* Mindfulness practices to ground and center \* Group reflections and compassionate sharing \* Occasional reading of inspirational material, tea, or nature walks When: Wednesday 7:30 - 9:00, twice a month Where: Light Works Spiritual Wellness Center Meet Tina Neuhaus!! Tina is a tarot reader and owner of Destination Tarot. Tina takes a therapeutic approach to readings, working with the shadow aspects of the self. She finds this to be essential for growth and empowerment, creating deeper self-awareness to engage with life from a place of strength. To learn more about Tina or to schedule a session, please visit her on Facebook at www.fb.com/destinatontarot

Now at **11 a.m.**, this beginner-friendly guided meditation class helps stabilize the mind and open the heart. The session includes traditional practices such as Shamatha (calm abiding) and Tonglen (sending and receiving), as well as Jetsunma’s Light Expansion Prayer. Both relaxing and healing, these meditations can be practiced by anyone, regardless of religious tradition. Each class concludes with a dedication that our efforts benefit all beings. All are welcome whether new to meditation or regular practitioners looking for a supportive group with whom to sit. Join us! Class is offered IN-PERSON in our Prayer Room and ONLINE on our Facebook and YouTube channel. Watch online here: [https://www.tara.org/kpc-maryland-events-calendar/](https://www.tara.org/kpc-maryland-events-calendar/) Missed a class? You can watch past classes on our YouTube channel: [https://www.youtube.com/@KunzangPalyulCholing/streams](https://www.youtube.com/@KunzangPalyulCholing/streams)

The [The Ark of Compassion (AOC)](https://theaoc.org/) and [Veg Society of DC (VSDC)](https://vsdc.org/) invite you to join us for a Compassionate Conversation™ on Saturday, February 1st to celebrate Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees, a holiday rooted in renewal, gratitude, and reverence for the natural world. **Talk Title: Tu B’Shvat - Jewish New Year for Trees** **Speaker: John Netzel, founder of Peaceful Fields Sanctuary** • Location: [Siena’s Vegetarian Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant](https://sienasrestaurant.com/food-menu) • Address: 4840 Boiling Brook Pkwy, North Bethesda, MD 20852 • Date and Time: Sunday, February 1st, 2:00–4:00 PM • Cost/Food: Order at the table (no set ticket price) Our guest speaker is John Netzel, founder of [Peaceful Fields Sanctuary](https://peacefulfieldssanctuary.org/) and longtime vegan advocate. John’s work is grounded in Jewish values such as tikkun olam (repairing the world), compassion for all living beings, and mindful stewardship of creation. His story bridges faith, ethics, and action, offering a powerful reflection on how plant-based living connects with Tu B’Shvat’s deeper spiritual themes. In this uplifting conversation, John will share: • How Jewish teachings inspired him to build a sanctuary for rescued farmed animals
 • The connection between compassion, environmental care, and Tu B’Shvat’s call to honor the earth
 • What we can learn from animals about responsibility, community, and kindness
 • How plant-forward choices can deepen our practice of tikkun olam No prior knowledge of Judaism or veganism is required. This event is open to everyone who enjoys good food, meaningful conversation, and learning from diverse perspectives. **Why This Event Matters** Tu B’Shvat invites us to reflect on: • Our relationship with the earth
 • Our responsibility to protect creation
 • Our gratitude for the abundance of the natural world By pairing this holiday with a plant-based meal and a conversation led by a sanctuary founder living out Jewish compassion in action, we hope to create a meaningful bridge between tradition, ethics, and modern food choices. **About the Venue** We’ll gather at [Siena’s](https://sienasrestaurant.com/), a beloved kosher vegetarian Italian-Mediterranean restaurant and community gem. Attendees may order directly from Siena’s extensive vegan menu, which includes: • Fresh salads
 • Homemade pizza and pasta
 • Mediterranean favorites
 • Plant-based options and easy modifications Siena’s warm, welcoming atmosphere makes it the perfect place to honor Tu B’Shvat’s themes of renewal, nourishment, and connection. Questions? Contact CompassionConvos@theaoc.org **[The Ark of Compassion](https://theaoc.org/) (AOC)** is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting animal welfare through education, outreach, and partnerships that inspire beneficial change for all life. Founded on the belief that compassion should extend to every living being, The Ark of Compassion bridges faith-based and secular communities to explore how our choices, traditions, and systems impact animals, people, and the planet. It creates inclusive spaces for conversation and action, helping launch events and ideas that bring people together. By turning meaningful moments into sustainable movements, AOC amplifies compassion into lasting change. Its mission is inspired by faith, shaped by empathy and reason, and powered by a vision of a future in which animals, people, and the planet flourish together. --- **[The Veg Society of the District of Columbia](https://vsdc.org/) (VSDC)** is the nation’s oldest continuously operating 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization promoting an all-plant diet and vegan lifestyle through education, community-building, and social activities throughout the DC metro area. VSDC believes in treating all people, animals, and the planet with respect and kindness. We are committed to creating a more compassionate and caring world. We do this by creating a community of like-minded people who are on the path to an all-plant diet and vegan lifestyle. Whoever you are, and wherever you are on this path, we offer resources and fellowship to support you. We make your journey easier, more enjoyable and meaningful.

Title: Talk/listen about life-changing loss and grief, and care-giving challenges We have created “LET'S TALK - Leesburg” and you are invited to attend. Folks meet to give and receive support dealing with caregiving or life-changing events. This activity is for any one that is experiencing powerful life changes such as loss of independence, caregiving challenges, any loss that has been a life-changing blow to them or has significantly changed their life, including the loss of a precious person. Participants who attend the “LET'S TALK” group say that the group is a place to: Feel safe, to talk or to listen, gain understanding of experiences, and foster confidence! Realize that: “I Can do …” , “Get my equilibrium back.” “LET”S TALK” invites participants to come together...so that they might share the feelings, thoughts, questions, challenges and concerns. This activity is facilitated by a professional counselor.

**Choosing Compassion Over Conflict** ### **You don’t have to fight to be strong.** In a world where tension and division feel constant, choosing compassion is a powerful and conscious act. This session invites you to explore how compassion can become your greatest strength, especially in moments of disagreement, misunderstanding, or emotional charge. We’ll explore how to pause, regain clarity, and respond with calm rather than react from emotion. Discover how compassion does not mean giving up your voice or values, but expressing them with dignity, steadiness, and inner confidence. Leave feeling empowered, centered, and equipped with tools to navigate difficult conversations and relationships with grace and strength, starting from within. ***(In person at the Meditation Museum in Silver Spring, MD)*** Sat., Jan. 24th, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. Held at Meditation Museum, 9525 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/fuwuy](https://shorturl.at/fuwuy)