Help build the Garden of Hope Mindfulness Centre

Garden of Hope Mindfulness Centre

 

The “Garden of Hope” is the vision for a mindfulness centre in the Palestinian West Bank—a centre, for contemplative practices, to build cultural exchange, foster resilience  of non-violent resistance and movements and support the processing of the ongoing trauma created by ongoing violence . The centre’s mission is to foster the hope, courage, dialogue and inner resilience needed to face the harsh, persistent realities of racism, violence and injustice and thereby continue building the inner strength and resources to act for peace and justice for all people in the region.

The Garden of Hope is the dream of Issa Souf, who has been engaged in non-violent resistance for decades. In 2001  he was shot by Israeli soldiers using illegal bullets. He remains committed non-violent action and engaged action, attending  Buddhist Mindfulness retreats and retaining his ancestral spiritual tradition.  He hopes that his vision,  of creating a haven of peace and wellbeing within a context of violence, occupation and oppression, will offer activities supportive towards local community building and creating  a welcoming space for people to gain awareness of Palestinian culture and the realities of life under occupation.

This haven, in keeping with the welcoming, engaged action community hub that Issa has been creating, in his home, for people around the world - Buddhist monks, teachers and groups; local children, farmers and activists;  international peace-maker travellers, rabbis and  groups- around 300 people a year, will expand  work and activities he currently does.

 The Garden of Hope Mindfulness Centre will increase  capacity through volunteering and community development to become self-sustaining.  It will offer retreats and events for people of different ages, from different parts of the world, from different walks of life, and from different wisdom and spiritual traditions. The programmes offered will provide the support and the necessary skills to face the barriers of bias and fear that feed divisive beliefs and result in harmful action. These include events for youth, children, ex-prisoners and contemplative interfaith gatherings.

Issa has began turning this vision into reality using  personal funds to purchase the land, in the area designated as Area C,  under full control of the Israeli Occupation Authority,  and private funds to initiate the construction. Your  support will help  finish construction which will include a full accommodation plan to host guests, finalise the meditation halls and the community gardens.

 

Your generous support is deeply appreciated. Help us build a new legacy of peace and justice for generations to come. 

This fundraiser is an international collaboration in supporting the creation of the “Garden of Hope” in the West Bank of Palestine with:
—Buddhists across Traditions (BaT)
https://buddhistsacrosstraditions.org/

—Buddhist Alliance for Non-Violence and Human Rights in Israel-Palestine (BANVAHR)
https://www.banvahr.org/

—Sacred Mountain Sangha
https://sacredmountainsangha.org
 
—Engaged Dharma
https://engagedharma.wordpress.com/english-2/english/

A bow of gratitude.