bi-monthly community gathering with meditation, sharing, music-journey and food for those active for social justice

Aralez organizes bi-monthly community gatherings with meditation, sharing, dinner and music journey for people who contribute to making a more socially and environmentally just world. We believe that next to activism (in whatever form it expresses itself) we also need to take a moment of rest, en this sometimes can be best done in community. By taking care of each-other and individual needs we are also better able to serve the collective community and goals for social justice.

“Without inner change there can be no outer change. Without collective change, no change matters.” – Angel Kyodo Williams, Author of Radical Dharma

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.” – Audre Lord, poet and activist

Background:
To bring change in the world, it is important to take care of yourself first; mentally, spiritually and physically. This is to prevent us from fatigue, pain or frustrations and then passing this on to our loved ones and environment. In addition, it is important to be heard, to feel connected to others and to have a sense of community. The need arose as some spaces are only about activism without taking time to care and rest, and other spaces are only about the ‘self’ without community care or taking into account issues of social justice, this is why we wanted to create a space that is just in-between those two.

What are we doing?
During the bi-monthly community gathering we come together to bring people to rest and to share from the heart in combination with a sharing circle, mindfulness exercises, and a sound/music journey and food.

Who can participate?
The program is offered on a donation basis and is accessible to everyone. You do not need to have experience with mindfulness, meditation, and/or sharing circles to participate. Also, you do not need to be an ‘activist’, anyone is welcome.

Donations & Registration:
we do the sessions on donation basis to keep them accessible, you can keep an eye on our social media, newsletter or events page to see when the next session is coming up

Some reviews:

“The community gathering with meditation, sharing and music from Aralez has been a valuable experience for me personally because it is a moment to turn within yourself through meditation. A moment of peace in all the hectic moments that you encounter as an activist. See it’s self-care.”
– Saida Derrazi, Comité 21 March & S.P.E.A.K.

“For people who are mainly used to being ‘givers’ and who, through their work or personal lives, are committed to themes such as colonialism, anti-racism or forms of exclusion, this community gathering is a great moment to pause and take time for yourself. But also to share experiences with others. The sound journey is also a soothing experience and gives me a kind of ‘recharged’ feeling every time, as if I can now take on the world again.”
– Jonathan Tjien Fooh, Poet & research associate VU

“I went into the community gathering without expectations. I needed concentration, peace and quiet in a period where every minute was fully planned and where I was trying to juggle 50 balls at the same time. The community gathering gave me a lot of peace in half a day and de-stressed my body. Every session I have attended I have experienced the same thing: peace for your body and mind. Aralez offers a safe and familiar environment in which you can regain your senses“
-Merve Kaçmis, stichting we promise

“The community gatherings with meditation, sharing and music are healing for the soul. A nice and safe space to be vulnerable, to listen and to absorb new things. It is a moment of connection with like-minded people, where you are reminded that you are not alone and that there is a community that fights for the same thing and cares for each other.”
– Susan N. , regular visitor