At The Ashokan Center, we are continually reminded that community is something we build through shared experience—through music, conversation, and the simple act of gathering in a meaningful place.
Recently, we received a reflection from Michael Cash, who attended an Ashokan event with his husband, Vince Masi. Their words speak to the deeper meaning of connection and how places like Ashokan become part of people’s lives over time.
Michael shared that their connection to Ashokan began with a gathering of Beaverkill Road neighbors that we hosted and has continued to grow through each visit and interaction since. What started as proximity has developed into a deeper appreciation for the Center’s mission and the community it fosters.
He describes Ashokan as a place where people from many different backgrounds come together—each carrying their own experiences, perspectives, and journeys—yet finding common ground through shared moments.
For Michael, this sense of gathering is not abstract; it is something felt in real time.
He reflects on Ashokan as a place where each experience, no matter how brief, becomes part of something larger—a space where music, art, and shared purpose help shape connection and understanding among those who come through its doors.
“The energy of the Ashokan Center is palpable from the moment you arrive,” he shared. “Each experience… each moment brief as each may be… is something to be cherished… appreciated… and celebrated.”
We are deeply grateful to Michael and Vince for sharing their reflections and for being part of the Ashokan story as it continues to unfold.
Michael’s full poem is attached below for readers to enjoy in its entirety.
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