Chanting the Way - Dedication and Discipline, Round 2

"The thought of this completely thrilled him. It was like discovering a cancer cure. No more explanations of what art is. No more wonderful critical schools of experts to determine rationally where each composer had succeeded or failed. All of them, every last one of those know-it-alls, would finally have to shut up. This was no longer just an interesting idea. This was a dream."
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

The Way Home II

I believe now is the time to return to my meditation studies, so I have been practicing in my studio, at the Garfield Street Zendo, and today, at the 40th Street Buddhist Institute. 

I stopped in at the Zendo for Sunday meditation, which is at the late hour of 9:30am. 

At 1:00pm I began my walk to the Institute and when I arrived I was greeted by a practitioner.  He explained what they would be doing from 2:00pm-4:00pm. The Institute is home to Tibetan Buddhism, which involves chanting, and the practitioner explained I was not required to chant. 

I took my seat inside the hall, along with seven others, and was given two prayer books. The time passed quickly, and I enjoyed the small amount of chanting I did. 

When the service ended I was asked to stay for a drink and meal. I took my seat and listened to the group discuss various topics. 

A bottle of wine was served and I found it curious that the group could flow into conversation immediately following the two hour meditation. 

I hope to attend the 5:00am meditation tomorrow at the Zendo.