Listening to Our Yes

 Yesterday, an awe inspiring group of women gathered at the Chuang Yen Monastery in Kent, New York. It is the second time we met there and it was even more magical than last year.

GIANT, huge thanks to Barbara for being our unofficial, official photographer. What a gift. All love, darling.

We gathered in the parking lot - I had my banner hanging on my car so people would know where we were. There were quite a few new women to our event as well as women who have shared each and every event and a few in-between.

We walked up to the Great Buddha Hall. We gathered in a grassy field where we held hands (you're welcome, Maria) and introduced ourselves. The energy was absolutely extraordinary. I wish some kind soul had gotten a picture of that moment - more than 20 women, many strangers, holding hands and sharing the energy of love.

​As always, Demitra led us in a moving blessing.

From the circle of women (join our page on FB) we each gathered three stones, or rocks, or quasi boulders, and walked in silence to the Lady of the Lake. Kwan Yin holds court there.

We circled around Kwan Yin. I read this poem. It was the inspiration for the day. I first heard it at the Glennon Doyle Melton event I attended in February.

The purpose of the three stones was so that we could state three things we were going to say yes to. We would throw our stones into the water while we cheered each woman with the word "yes" each time she tossed (hurled) her stones. There's power in women collectively chanting the word "yes" many, many times. Kacey started us off and from there we bore witness to the beauty and majesty of each woman's yeses.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

From the lake we strolled over to the gazebos where the ever amazing Demitra shared how our astrological signs help us to say yes to what matters to us. I have no photo documentation of that so imagine all of us sitting together listening in rapt attention as Dee delighted us with her insight.

This was a free event. However, it was a tailgate vegetarian pot luck lunch at the end of the walks and talks.
​
Women + food = abundance.

Whenever two or more are gathered in his/her name, there IS love.

OH! The colors!

After we had cleaned and packed the cars up we took a moment to take this photo. When I looked at it this morning I wept. With joy and love and gratitude. The three of us work so organically well together. THIS is what love looks like.

Kacey with her "on the go" altar. Of course I had mine too - set up in the back of my Jeep. So often we think alike.

I went up to the Great Buddha Hall to finish the event quietly in my head and think about all that had been shared. Unbeknownst to me, Barbara took this picture.

Such a blessed day. Grateful.

At every event there is a playlist. Imagine my sincere, total, and sheer delight when I realized MCC had a new album coming out and this song was already available. Music played during our meal.

Until next time.

​xo

Here's a map I've memorized of
Everywhere I've ever been.
And the faces of everyone I've
Loved and left to try again
I couldn't make out
what they were saying
So instead I listened hard to what's inside
What else are there but
the voice in your heart?
Something tamed
something wild

https://youtu.be/MkPfHoT5Vc0