Shumei on Solano

Strolling down Solano for my community's annual block party - the Solano Stroll - last Sunday, I came upon something I thought was particularly interesting. In among the craft and jewelery stalls, the art cars, bands and musicians, stands for library outreach and various other community projects, there was a table for what appeared to be a Japanese spiritual organization of some kind. It was called the Shumei Center and caught my eye because the poster out in front said Shumei was "dedicated to creating an ideal state of health, happiness and harmony for all humanity" through three methods: 1) Practice Jyorei (healing Light) in order to purify your spirit, 2) Appreciate Art & Beauty, and 3) Revere nature by eating organic foods, what they call Natural Agriculture.

Well, what's not to like about that?!

Especially when I read in their literature later that two of their major concerns are fostering dialogue between religious groups, and developing programs that will ensure the health of our environment. Apparently they are working with the United Nations on 'various projects for the betterment of all mankind (sic)'.

So of course I sat down with them for few minutes to receive the free jyorei session they offer. Now its true that I have 30+ years of meditation to draw on, and I was feeling pretty good already, but it was absolutely delightful. Like being bathed in a soft violet light; naked, with no distractions, nothing but me and that soft light for a good five minutes.

Here's what they had to say about Art & Beauty: "Art and Beauty have the power to nourish and refine our souls. Not only do they bring pleasure, but profoundly move the heart and mind. When touched by beauty and art, we place a higher value on life and on all creation; the ugliness of destructive behavior becomes apparent and loses its appeal. Shumei encourages everyone to have art and beauty be an essential part of his or her life."

Now that's what I call a spiritual path! :-)

Synchronistically, later that afternoon at home my eye happened to fall on the cover of the as-yet-unread new issue of Orion (one of my favorite magazines), which had 'Natural Agriculture' listed as one of its themes. Sure enough, it contained a beautifully written and illustrated article by Lisa Hamilton on the Shumei Natural Agricultural practice, entitled Land, Farmer, Community: Sacred Trust.

Isn't Life fascinating?