The Power of Meditation, an illuminating event held in Southern California and New Mexico on December 4th and 17th, respectively, was part of a national tour hosted by Dahn Yoga. In California at the Pasadena Convention Center, the event hosted 1,000 people and began with a beautiful rendition of “Nella Fantasia” followed by a majestic display of discipline in a performance of the ChunBuShinGong. The event’s highlight was Dahn Yoga Founder Ilchi Lee teaching participants “Oxygen Breathing,” a special breathing technique that supplies more oxygen to the body and brain.

While the participants took five minutes to focus quietly on their breathing, malfunctioning equipment in the venue suddenly triggered an emergency alarm; then the PA system blared instructions for everyone to evacuate the convention center. Because they recognized there was no immediate danger, nobody budged and everyone continued to breathe intently, demonstrating that this was truly the power of meditation in action. The incident, which could have easily created chaos, elicited positive feedback from participants.

A young man who was introduced to this event by his friend said, “When the alarm came on, I don’t know if you guys planned it, but it gave people an insight into themselves. They saw how much they got over taken by what was going on. I thought it was great; that was the best part.”

As you already know, Dahn Yoga is involved in outreach activities throughout the country; this year alone, in Southern California members have been doing outreach in 56 locations to about 780 participants.

Additionally, the New Mexico Dahn Yoga outreach programs have been implemented in about 40 locations thus far, including various schools as well as the Native American community. In response, as an expression of gratitude, the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico, proclaimed that Santa Fe is a City of Brain Education.

Santa Fe Mayor David Coss sent the following congratulatory message. “Mr. Ilchi Lee, as Mayor of Santa Fe, I would like to express deep gratitude and respect on behalf of the people of New Mexico with regard to the event, The Power of Meditation, and congratulate you on the publication of The Call of Sedona. I hope that, like your wonderful book, this event will deliver hopes and dreams to many people.”

Check the 2012 schedule for other events at www.powerofmeditation.net.

— Lynn Moon