* Commemorative Meeting for the 7th anniversary of student division
Our San Francisco Community Center welcomed nearly sixty students, some eager and some wise, but all youthful, to the commemoration of the seventh anniversary of the Student Division’s founding. Some from as far as Nevada traveled across California to attend. Even the gentle breezes that sailed earnestly across our bodies moved us to open our hearts to honest conversation.
Our gathering, certainly, must have been one of deep rhythm and resonating harmony. Mairone opened the session, arms stretched open, of course, leading us all through a number of dips, side to side wiggles and turns as if to mimic the blood which began to course just a little more urgently through our awakening flesh. The way he smiled revealed, clearly, that he saw the joy that had come welling up out of us, trying our best to follow his motion.
As the day continued, just a handful of the experiences that were shared was enough for one to see that this room full of people was fertile with potential, strength, and courage. The eyes of those who did not get up to stand behind a microphone amplified loudly enough their own conviction.
During a question and answer session, one young woman expressed a desire to travel to Italy, yet confessed that she was troubled by the seemingly conventional schooling procedure binding high school graduates.
“Education isn’t meant to confine!”
“Buddhism is in every aspect of your life!”
“Follow your heart.”
At once, the voices of not only the leaders but also those of the students around the room came together and washed over her in successive waves of delicate compassion and focused encouragement. She sighed with joy, the expression of her face shouted out with passion. This was the spirit of the day.
