at the rubin

chanda and i participated in the special ceremony for sonam dolma brauen's art installation, field of wishes, at the rubin this evening. we were very excited about it after having made several tsatsas for the event (which you can see here and here). we arrived at 4:30 and waited for about half an hour for the rehearsal to begin. it was good we rehearsed as there were twenty-five of us and we had to walk up four flights on a winding staircase.

photo from the rehearsal. part of the ceremony was for the artist to present us with a white shawl which we used to hold the tsatsa. we then proceeded to slowly walk up the spiral staircase to the fifth floor where, one by one, we set the tsatsa before the shrine. 

the procession . . as we set the tsatsas before the shrine, we gathered into a tight circle and were led in in a chant by the monk and sonam, supported by many of the tibetan participants of the event (dressed in their beautiful traditional clothing). it was a strong, peaceful and uplifting moment, all feeling blessed to be within it.

with sonam in front of her installation. it was dedicated to the memory of her mother with wishes for peace on this earth, made with love and care by the workshop participants.

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it felt difficult to leave, but we did and met greg on the way home. he had finished all the chores that we had left him: moving the car (which is his main chore), feeding the cats and scooping the litter boxes - and was finally having a slice of pizza at a new neighborhood pizza place. it was nice sharing our story about the ceremony with him.