Join us for a slow morning in the green hills as we settle in, stumble our way through greetings, and chant Japa together on our beads. There’s laughter, sidetracks about John Lennon, Basho, and that old “war is over” sign lost somewhere in childhood memory. Chant with us or just listen while we fumble our way to peace, weaving in sweetness and a bit of honest mess. We start with grounding and personal stories (remembering the first time we saw that “Footsteps in the Sand” poem, or learning meditation as a kid surrounded by host families in Japan), then open up about what chanting and simple practices do for the body and the mind. You’ll hear about birds, goats, letting go of old stuff, living in a van, and what “wealth” really means when you strip things back. There’s gentle humor, plenty of awkward pauses, and the messiness of actual daily bhakti life. We chant “Gopala Govinda Rama Madana Mohana” for a bit, with notes about finding that rhythm for yourself (slow, fast, just loud enough), and share how animals, friends, and every living being are part of this song. Toward the end, we talk about moving on, letting go, and what it means to be sheltered and carried by something bigger. This is for anyone worn out by the world and looking for kindness, softness, and a reminder they aren’t alone.
