ANOTHER GLORIOUS WEDDING RECEPTION

The days and weeks Before

They've been together for sixteen years and now it's legal

(I'm in the photo at the bottom shooting the picture hung for the occasion)
For weeks the Sangha have been making Cranes

Stringing them and turning them into curtains.

Here is a part of that curtain, and below the whole curtain stretched across the entrance

~*~

Friday Evening Begins

Dai-en’s spiritual journey began in the 60s when she was forced to seek help for a back injury. This event proved to be a wonderful preparation for her eventual immersion 20 years later in Buddhist Vipassana practice at Insight Meditation Center.  After she established her Vipassana practice, she then began her journey into Zen practice. Her teachers include Peter Mathiessen, Joseph Goldstein, Matt Flickstein, and Maureen Stuart Roshi.  Dai-en is now a Sensei at Ocean Zendo, located on Eastern Long Island.  She is honored to be invited teach with Koshin and Chodo in the wonderful work at NYZCCC, for the benefit of all beings, as we live and die.

More members and friends arrive

She's wearing a lovely antique dress

Here's a close up of the fine material especially for cloth sisters

Conversations were conversed

Lemonade, Sparkling Water, and wine flowed. Gourmet treats were served by a great staff of caterers circulating seamlessly

 ~*~

Song and Dance Time

"Keep it Jewish" Koshin says with a smile after his dad (red suspenders) included it in his tribute story.

Splendid children sang along

The Rabbi Spoke

We listened

Koshin spoke, then Chodo (rainbow fan)

We listened

Such joy!

The film crew (in the window) was efficient and very professional

 Mary (blue dress) spoke beautifully earlier
Spoke from the heart for the Sangha

 We listened

A Board member spoke about the importance of the work and....

and then...
"Shall we dance?"

(((Awwww)))

More Joy!

Old friends

Members delight in each other

lots more schmoozing

Elegance appreciated

and on and on...

...until the Cake

"It's Time!"

The unbelievably rich, not too sweet, chocolate mud cake was cut and serverd plus chocolate dipped Ice cream pops, and Champagne!

~*~

The End for now, but the work of Contemplative Care never ends
(25 minutes)

https://youtu.be/3ZFn_Tae5Dc

Dorothy Dai-Friedman
(1 minute and 30 seconds)
Spiritual leaders such as Rabbi Jeffrey Sirkman and Dorothy Dai-En Friedman teach that life and death are just part of nature. Once we accept that, we really appreciate life on a much deeper level. This kind of thinking is not about religion. Once we reprogram our thinking we learn that the great fear of death is actually the fear of not living a full life. This perception shift is liberating and empowering. 
https://vimeo.com/121785260