Day of Freedoms Meditation

The colonial history of the Netherlands

As Liberation Day is celebrated in the Netherlands on May 5, July 1 is commemorated and celebrated that the Netherlands abolished slavery in 1863 in the then colonies of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles. On both days we celebrate values such as freedom, democracy and human rights for everyone, regardless of origin, culture, color or gender. To reflect on the experiences of African-Surinamese, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese and Antilleans, but also on the colonial past of the Netherlands in Indonesia and in the Moluccas, we are organizing a compassion meditation on 27 June.

Remembering and recognizing our painful shared past can be of great significance and ensure connection and solidarity between all who come together for this. Angela Merkel's courageous words about the atrocities in the Second World War can serve as an example for the Netherlands in recognizing its past. As humans, we are shaped and conditioned by our past and environment, and dealing with the legacy of our shared history that brought pain and atrocities takes compassion. We need compassion for each other.

We can develop these qualities of the heart by repeating best wishes to all living beings over and over, as is customary in the Metta and Compassion Meditation. This meditation comes from Buddhism, which is radically against any form of exclusion and oppression.

We want to empower the shared qualities of our hearts by reflecting on this by meditating together on Sunday 27 June '21, from 10 to 12:30. This meditation is guided by Jotika Hermsen and Simin Abravesh.

When: Sunday 27 June '21 from 10:00 to 12:30.

Where: Online on Zoom

Registration: via Sjarda Joemai