Twenty of us had lunch and shared together one day. It’s always good to connect in person, so we try to facilitate opportunities at SDI, SOULfeast, at our own biennial gathering and retreat, and other events as we can. (The next HOF biennial retreat will take place July 25-28, 2016 in Houston TX.)
Participants heard inspiring keynote addresses and attended a variety of workshops they selected based on interest or need. In the display area, Buddhist monks created a beautiful sand mandala during the course of the conference. It was moving to observe the sacredness of their task, and to appreciate the intricacy and beauty of their work.
The ritual times of centering created sacred space in the conference center, and provided a way for people with diverse traditions and practices to come together in a meaningful manner.
One bit of poetry that was used in centering is from Wendell Berry:
It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer know which way to go
we have come to our real journey.
The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
The impeded stream is the one that sings.
~Glynden Bode