The newDharma Community held a New Year’s Eve Release Ceremony and Meditation to bid farewell to 2010 and usher in 2011. Twenty-five folks from the Bay and beyond gathered at CXC and set their intentions to release what was no longer needed and to manifest what was to come.
The Release Ceremony was conducted by Rev. angel Kyodo williams, and entailed an evening of cleansing, support, and connection. Clearing and cleansing of mind and space was done by using sage and offering bows in the four directions. Then, participants were encouraged to commit to paper those things they wished to release whether in the form of prose, poetry, drawing, doodles, symbols, etc. Afterwards, each participant offered their paper to the fire as a final release.
A silent sitting meditation followed, sealing the intention. At the stroke of midnight, 108 bells were sounded, marking the new year. Drumming, noisemaking, and joyful shouts followed.
Hearty food, drink, and conversation were shared afterwards, well into the new year. All in all, it was a very auspicious way to start 2011.
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