Shumei Invites you to 6th Anniversary in May
see schedule
Consider this an invitation, not just to attend an event, an anniversary, but to celebrate this community that is yours. I am humbled, honored and grateful to be a part of the Shumei community, as I know so many others are to be a part of theirs. I ponder once more that Crestone is a “community of communities”, circles, within circles within circles. More so than in many other places, I think people in Crestone recognize that ultimately we are One and yet there is such beauty in our diversity. This is an invitation to celebrate that knowledge and a way of doing so.
Forgive me, it is a Sunday afternoon, the Spring winds have already begun to awaken in our vast valley; I find I am inspired to say something beside what is happening on the weekend of May 17 – 18 and that I want you to come. But I do and I will as well. Someone last night used the word “Sangha” in reference to Shumei and I realized with gratitude that is a suitable word. I am grateful for this Sangha because of the support, the wisdom, the healing, the shining examples, the friendships, the great vegetables, the beauty and a thousand other reasons large and small. I have been a part of the “Shumei Sangha” for 3 years now and realize that our anniversary each year is as much a celebration of you and everyone else in this community as it is anything else. Your presence and involvement is very important to Shumei and we hope many of you can join us in May.
On all the planet, with 350,000 members worldwide, Shumei marks this place as its Sacred Earth Center. Our anniversary, the sixth this year, has always been Shumei’s largest event of the year. We do many things, more perhaps than most are aware of, but nothing gets more of our commitment and attention each year than our anniversary. I see a great confluence of events; a (musical) work of art called Crestone, recognition of that beauty from the so called “outside world” in the form of a Grammy, a performance by a man (Paul Winter) who has been recognizing this beauty and collaborating with it for more than 30 years.
It is entirely possible (likely) that more people than we can fit in and around our Sanctuary will be present for Paul’s solo “Celebration of the Earth” performance on the afternoon of Sunday May 18th. It doesn't matter, the celebration will take place and we are all a part of it. As our Native American friends say “the two legged, the four legged, the winged ones, the standing ones…” ALL of us. Please prepare yourself for the possibility of a crowd in fact consider being grateful for it! You can look at our ad for the complete schedule, but I’d like to say a few words about the following events. Once again on the Saturday of our anniversary celebration Shumei will invite a speaker from each of the traditions, religions, centers and groups in Crestone to say a few words, songs or prayers about unity, coming together, global citizenship or whatever they feel is relevant for the occasion. In my 4 years of living here now, this is still the only time of the year I have seen this happen, I respectfully suggest if you are interested, not to miss it.
There are also 2 Sampai (prayer) services each year lead by Ms. Hiroko Koyama, the President and spiritual leader, who’s family has lead Shumei for 3 generations, and who had the wisdom, guidance and foresight to establish the Shumei International Institute here. I myself feel a great debt of gratitude to her wisdom. Ms. Koyama and 80 – 100 guests travel all the way from Japan to celebrate this event here with our community. Saturday evening will be a special Sampai for world peace followed by a candlelight ceremony where we carry the light from our Sanctuary out into the world. Sunday morning will be our anniversary Sampai when Ms. Koyama will offer all present the Light (Jyorei) that is the very center of all we do at Shumei. If you resonate with any of these intentions, please join us for the Sampai’s. Ms. Koyama will be heartened by your presence and it is my belief that the combined joining of our intention manifests in many ways both seen and unseen.
As always we will offer a Sunday luncheon of virtually 100% Natural Agriculture ingredients from around the world for all who wish to join us. There will also be a Saturday concert, art exhibition and reception among other events throughout the weekend. We would be honored by your presence. This is as much a celebration of you, this community (which is you) and the values and ideals we all hold dear, as it is six years of Shumei’s presence in it. I wish to close with this quote from Shumei’s founder.
“To create paradise on earth; where people have beauty in their hearts, a beauty in their spirit. Words and deeds should embody this beauty, this is beauty at the individual level, and when individual beauty spreads, social beauty comes into being.”
[Mokichi Okada 1882 – 1955]
