The woman to my right wanted to know if it was okay that she didn't get caught up in the drama or negative attitude of others. She clarified that although she cares very deeply for people, she just couldn't be bothered by getting worked up over such things.

In both scenarios, Fletcher took in what each woman said. She let them talk without interruption before sharing her thoughts. Fletcher didn't so much give advice, but take turns questioning each woman. "Have you confronted your sadness?" she asked the first woman.

At some point during their discussions, the women became satisfied. They had stumbled upon their answers themselves. Fletcher just served as a guide.

"Satsang is a gathering for those interested in living in an awakened way of being," Fletcher later told me. "People should come if they are interested in that, including finding out just what that means."

I'm still not sure what that means. But I do acknowledge that I could benefit from sitting still a little longer and listening more than talking. If I need a cushion and a backjack to learn that, then so be it.

For more information and the satsang schedule, visit whitemountainsangha.org.