This past weekend was planned to be the second meeting of the Choose Life study group (read the first post here for details of the group). Rather than Taplow, we were to meet in the London Ikeda Peace Centre, located a short distance from King's Cross Rail Station. We would be studying chapters 3 and 4 of the dialogue in a session led by Justine Marchant, national women's division leader.
However, as you will all be aware, the snow hit this weekend and, just under 24 hours before the scheduled meeting, I received a phone call to let me know that the session was canceled. It was deemed too much of a risk for members to travel from all parts of the UK when the weather conditions were so uncertain. When I received this phone call, I was already on a train on my way to London, having planned a weekend of visiting friends and attending this meeting. I was not phased by the news, simply embracing the opportunity to spend more time with friends I have not seen in a while.
While still on the train, I was e-mailed by Masashi Inoue, the national young men's division leader, to formally inform us of the cancellation. I e-mailed back to explain my situation and ask if I would still be able to visit the centre to do some daimoku while I was down. Before I arrived in London, I had already arranged with Masashi to attend a kick-off meeting in the east of London while I was down and to visit LIPC - I was thrilled.
The next morning, I showed up in Bethnal Green for the East End HQ 2013 Kick-Off. The small venue filled quickly and, despite more and more chairs being brought out, people still had to sit in the aisles. Young children were darting around and playing while the meeting went on, giving it a real family atmosphere; everyone was in a jubilant mood from the off, including me.
The day started off with a Gohonzon receiving ceremony and we saw three new people join our wonderful SGI family. This was such a joy. I also got to see a whopping 35 members receive their certificates for passing their Grade 1 and 2 study exams (I later found out that I, too, had passed my Grade 2). The meeting was lively and inspirational, with a great lecture from Masashi, entertainment from each of the four divisions and a surprise visit from Lisa Cowan (who was supposed to be at the Choose Life group). There were also some great determinations from the chapter leaders in the HQ.
The highlight of the meeting, for me, was the entertainment provided by the future division. Around a dozen children stood in front of the audience a sung a lovely song, complete with interpretative actions, and brightened the mood of every single person in the audience that little bit more. I saw the future of kosen-rufu in East London and I was truly moved.
So, while the weekend may not have gone to plan, I still took a lot from it and met some great new people. The youth division leaders encouraged us, in light of the canceled meeting, to create the maximum possible value from the weekend; I think I absolutely did that. It was a weekend to remember and hopefully I can bring a little of the spirit of East End HQ back to Northern Lights. I have such gratitude to Masashi and all the members who make my experience so unforgettable.
The next Choose Life meeting is to take place in mid-March and I absolutely cannot wait. This year is, without a doubt, going to be one of the most jam-packed and joy-filled. I'll be sure to keep you all up to date with my various exploits.
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