Confident Speech and Seeking Feedback

During the Symposium at MAPLE in the summer of 2024, on the last morning, the group began as it had for the last two days, with Buddhist chanting, then meditation, then Hebrew praying. On this last morning, instead of Rabbi Marc Gafni leading the praying as he had done on the following two days, Krista was empowered by Rabbi to lead the praying for her first time.

She led the prayers well, as far as I, Virabhadra, could tell, as the group’s praying resembled the previous mornings, alive and strong.

Immediately after finishing the praying and Krista wrapping up, Soryu Forall said to Krista, with the whole group present, words such as “Well done”, “That was very good”, and “I am honoured to be present for your first time leading praying”.

Moments after Soryu said these words, as Zak Stein was leaving the zendo, Soryu asked Zak “Was that okay?”, and Zak replied, “It was great.”

My reaction to hearing this praise and then hearing the request for feedback* was that Soryu, while confident and clear in his praise and appreciation, also demonstrated an interest in being open to words of feedback and corrective connection.

*Later clarified by Soryu: “This was in reference to the schedule, not the chanting or my appreciation. But your point still stands.”