The weekend of February 6 – 7 provided a double opportunity for Elements residents to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Monkey. Eleven people defied the threat of showers and made their way across Dennis Road to the Bodhi Chan Meditation Centre to welcome the New Year with around seventy other people. The large industrial shed is a place of hospitality and welcome, and the food tables were laden with a large array of vegetarian dishes, with everyone bringing a plate to share.
The evening included singing and music from the harp, Chinese zither and guitar. There were stunning displays of Tai Chi. The whole group joined in singing We Are Australian, a fitting anthem to a gathering that showed “we are one, but we are many and from all the lands on earth we come”. A candle ceremony provided a reflective conclusion to the occasion, and the candles were carefully placed to form a large heart. Such a positive way to welcome a new year!
Thanks to Geoff for driving us in the bus. Heading home down the track would have been a tricky option, raining or not!
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