Imagine yourself entering a tranquil yet vibrant oasis. It’s not far from the center of Honolulu and the hubbub of a busy new day, You fill with a welcoming sense of the sacred coming to this forever home of Still & Moving Meditation Fellowship and Still & Moving Community Center.

The greenery of the grounds calms your nervous system. You fill your lungs with fresh air. In the distance, you see a raised hula mound under the trees where hula dancers are practicing for an uniki graduation ceremony to the strong beat of the ipu. A stream or fountain cools the air. 

You pass the striking outdoor pavillion, its roof and floor in the shape of an octagon. You imagine it filled this coming weekend with strains of live music and Sufi dancers in twirling meditation. 

You now see volunteers tending a garden of Hawaiian la’au lapa’au healing shrubs and gathering ti leaves for lei-making. In a shadier spot, near a peaceful Buddha statue and perhaps a koi pond, grow plants for traditional Japanese ikebana flower arranging. 

Paths lead to sunny benches and to shady alcoves for meditation or prayer. A statue of Saraswati - goddess of wisdom, music and language - plays her veena in divine silence while song birds lend their voices. Around a bend in the path, a carved Father Damien (now Saint Damien) gives comfort. 

In a small clearing, folks are just finishing their morning qigong practice. A group of contemplative artists on higher ground reverently gaze into the natural setting, their easels set up and brushes in hand for plein air (outdoor) painting. 

Hearing the voices of friends, you feel called into one of the lovely buildings. You’ve entered the sacred space for fellowship, for community, for both moving and still meditation. The simple elegance of the design, bright decor, and the light-filled spaciousness all welcome you. Artworks from the world’s wisdom traditions grace the walls. You notice a framed quote on inner peace by Mahatma Gandhi. One wall honors all the many donors and benefactors of this special place.

A large space with a sprung wooden dance floor extends in front of you – perhaps filled with aerialists or bharatanatyam dancers practicing for the upcoming Diwali festival of lights. You hear a vocal practice with live piano accompaniment in another room. You’ve heard that an Academy of Mindful Music will be opening here soon. 

Or maybe you go into a classroom for tai chi or for a mindful yoga teacher training. 

Or perhaps your body worker leads you to a massage room. On the way, you hear students of the Puana Lomilomi Academy learning a sacred Hawaiian oli, or chant, that they can use while giving bodywork. You get the feeling of deep presence.

Perhaps you head to a comfortable gathering spot. A small library of books on meditation, wisdom, faith and inspiration nestles on the wall with a picture of the Dalai Lama. You notice on the shelves The Jewel in the Lotus, a well-worn King James bible, and volumes of the Gupta Vidya. The Torah rests in a special spot. You find copies of the Still & Moving almanac available for purchase. 

Here in this gathering place, you may hear one of the founders speak on one of the 7 Aims of the Still & Moving Meditation Fellowship. You may participate in an uplifting conversation circle, a silent meditation, or perhaps a tea ceremony. 

Afterwards, one of your friends invites you to her baby granddaughter’s name giving ceremony to be held here soon. You look forward to attending!

Saying goodbye and feeling the warmth of fellowship, you leave the building. As you take your bike, scooter or car from the parking lot, or walk to the nearby bus stop, you transition into the rest of your day – your mind clear, your body refreshed, and your soul inspired.

Mahalo for walking with us through a visualization of our Still & Moving forever home.