Gratitude for Joy, Music, and the TNH School of Interbeing

I’m still feeling an almost ecstatic joy from this weekend’s Rhythm of the Earth music festival at Deer Park Monastery.

Really…when else do you get to attend a music festival at a Zen monastery?

Deep bows of gratitude to the many hands that made this extraordinary offering possible, especially the beautiful leadership of Thay Phap Luu and the organizing team for creating something that felt both deeply rooted and quietly revolutionary, music, mindfulness, community, and joy in support of the TNH School of Interbeing.

I had the chance to reconnect with my dear Dharma brother Joe Reilly and meet Born I for the first time, whose warmth and presence immediately touched my heart (and who also won “coolest human” status from my 8-year-old son.)

But honestly, the most meaningful moments of the weekend weren’t on stage.

On Friday night, we gathered around a bonfire with the musicians, one of those evenings I know I will cherish for the rest of my life.

At one point, my son Kai was having a hard moment. We gave him some space, and the next thing I knew, he was sitting in the center of the circle and between his “monkles,” Brother Phap Luu with a mandolin and Brother Nhat Tri with a guitar. Kai was then given a kazoo. And there he was, nestled between them, glowing in the firelight, singing, kazoo-ing, laughing, fully included.

And then the next day, another teaching arrived.

We were about to begin walking meditation, and Brother Phap Luu invited us to “walk with lightness.”

I remember thinking: This should be interesting.
I was carrying what felt like an entire household, heavy bags of snacks, drinks, extra clothes, a cooler. Parents of young children understand 

I could barely walk.

Then a sweet aspirant to become a monk named Tristan simply noticed.
Without hesitation, he came over and offered to carry one of my bags.
And, of course, me being me, I initially gave him the lighter one.
Because I am so used to carrying things.
Eventually, I handed over the heaviest bag.

And as we walked, I suddenly understood something more deeply: Lightness becomes much more accessible when we are not carrying so much alone. I found myself reflecting on how many of us especially caregivers, parents, and MOMS become so accustomed to carrying everything that receiving support can feel unfamiliar.

But perhaps community is also this:
Someone quietly seeing what you are holding.
And helping carry it.
Still smiling. Still full of gratitude. Still carrying the music in my heart.
 

Dharmacharya Meena Srinivasan
True Seal of Peace
Co-Founder & Board Member, Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing
Board Member, Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation