photo credit: Corinne Stanton
Kacey, Demitra and I had an entirely different day planned for yesterday. But, as Demitra pointed out (and I knew) Mercury is totally in retrograde, and as such, things change. We ended moving from an indoor venue to the peaceful, beautiful Chuang Yen Monastery. Thanks to Kacey for coming up with the inspiring location.
Kacey got us started. As always, Demitra led us in a beautiful blessing. And then we walked. In quiet.
Kacey got us started. As always, Demitra led us in a beautiful blessing. And then we walked. In quiet.
Time shared with beautiful women ~ Kacey & Demitra
I have had a lot of noise, chatter, phones ringing, and blow dryers in my life. And as much as I am "on" while at the salon, I am someone who craves quiet and solitude. I need peace. I need to retreat into my own little world and come out when I am ready. I have honestly not had that for far too long.
Today, we spent a small bit of time, probably ten minutes, in quiet contemplation of the women who have guided us - past, present and future.
Today, we spent a small bit of time, probably ten minutes, in quiet contemplation of the women who have guided us - past, present and future.
We walked in silence to the "Lady on the Lake" (the goddess Kuan Yin, an 18' stature that was placed there on 4-28-94) and tossed three stones in honor of our amazing women. (That's where the picture up top was taken.)
As we walked along we came upon gorgeous sights.
As we walked along we came upon gorgeous sights.
We walked back to the Great Buddha Hall - a vast and glorious space to spend in quiet contemplation. It is the home to the largest Buddha in the Western Hemisphere. At 37 feet tall and surrounded by 10,000 tiny Buddhas, it is a spectacular sight to behold. We took our shoes off and entered.
photo credit: Corinne Stanton
The woman on the floor was chanting her morning prayers the entire time I was in the hall. It was soft and lyrical; her song filled the cavernous space with a lilting joy. As much as it is a place of reverence, there was the sound of young children laughing and running through the space. Life, it is always happening.
We walked back to the parking lot and shared a quick tailgate snack. We mingled with our new friends. We pulled cards from Amy's lovely oracle deck. Corinne took a short, wonderful video asking each of us to share what "got" from the day. Demitra finished the day with a blessing of goodbye and then everyone began their day, again, in my case, a little more peacefully than two hours before.
As soon as I turned right out of the driveway, the skies opened up. Leaving me feeling refreshed, clean, and grateful, as always for the power of women.
xo
We walked back to the parking lot and shared a quick tailgate snack. We mingled with our new friends. We pulled cards from Amy's lovely oracle deck. Corinne took a short, wonderful video asking each of us to share what "got" from the day. Demitra finished the day with a blessing of goodbye and then everyone began their day, again, in my case, a little more peacefully than two hours before.
As soon as I turned right out of the driveway, the skies opened up. Leaving me feeling refreshed, clean, and grateful, as always for the power of women.
xo
I love listening to Snatum Kaur.
Her music makes me feel uplifted, present and delighted.
https://youtu.be/gPbmJwHmbDA
Her music makes me feel uplifted, present and delighted.
https://youtu.be/gPbmJwHmbDA
