Dinner by Candlelight! 
 
The Teuk Gong Team gathered around flickering lights to break bread and share fellowship at William Wright’s home Saturday evening, April 29. In an intimate setting, the Special Forces shared their experiences (with Will’s parents and girlfriend also contributing), and discussed the direction that the Academy is taking. 
 
The meal was punctuated by the clink of silverware hitting empty plates, as people devoured the sumptuous feast everyone contributed to. Special thanks to out host, who used the wood from the day’s belt tests to fire the grill and cook the meat! The most poignant point of the evening came when Mrs. Wright posed the question, “How does your Hwa Rang Do® training extend beyond the dojang into your daily lives?” 
 
Hands shot in the air and the babble of stories issues forth like a waterfall, as each TGT member rushed to tell their story. Kwan Jang Nim sat back and listened contentedly, as the fruits of his labor were born upon the table in the conversation. It was yet another example of how following a martial way is different from learning a martial art. All the stories, from Ms. Parga’s discussion of patience to Mr. Macias’ and Mr. Ginsburg’s discourse on fear, showed how the lessons we learn on the mat carry far beyond it. 
 
The evening wrapped up around the fire pit in the backyard. From The Da Vinci Code to the recent revelations of the Gospels of Judas, to the problems with comedians and actors, the specials forces wrapped up the evening discussing those events in the world that interested them. Sharing their other interests always serves to draw them closer together. Hwarang!