People one meets...


Three years ago this week I had gone to Lily Dale Spiritual Community for my first time. I was taking a course on religion in America and went there for research. I cannot believe that I had never been there prior and have not since; it is such an interesting and unique place. But I digress. On the day I went there were a group of Tibetan monks making a sand mandala. An intricate task that took days to make but would be destroyed shortly after completion to represent the frailty of life but also that nothing really dies it just changes. It was a hot July day, not unlike today, and I couldn’t help but think how hot they were while working in a room that was not air conditioned while wearing their traditional robes. Anyhow, after watching for a bit I left and as I walked around the outside I saw one of the monks taking a break and getting some air. It was such a beautiful sight with the backdrop he stood against, so I first told him how beautiful the mandala was then asked if I could capture his image. He simply smiled and I realized he did not speak English, so I held up my camera and motioned like I was taking a picture. With hands clasped together he bowed to me, nodded the universal gesture of yes, then stood up straight and I captured his image.

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