Yesterday we had our first ever kido retreat led by Linc Rhodes, JDPSN. It featured about seven hours of chanting kwanseumbosal over and over while sitting and walking and keeping time with percussion instruments. In the words of Sam Wisely, it was "interesting." At one point, about 4 hours into our afternoon chanting, everyone seemed to wake up together and began hitting their instruments hard. Several us of were hitting the floor. The energy was palpable. This went on for a while. It's hard to explain how one minute you can be practically falling over with exhaustion and the next minute clear and exhilarated.
This morning we had practice at Ana Franklin's Yoga Studio and chanted Ji Jang Bosal to commemorate 9/11. Ji Jang Bosal is the "earth storehouse boddhisatva," which is a lovely way to think of the dead. Afterward we sat in a circle and talked and ate Ana's delicious meal. Thank you, Ana!
And many thanks to everyone who participated in both events, especially to Linc for traveling so far and being so steady.
kwanseumbosal kwanseumbosal kwanseumbosal
