BeautyDialogues

Seed Pod

When I don't write anything for a while it's usually not because there's nothing going on. Rather, perhaps because there is SO much going on ... I often feel like this seed pod, ripening and ripening until I'm ready to birth a thought into the world.

Survival School

Six important years of my life - between the ages of 15 and 21 - were spent in a back-to-the land commune in rural north eastern Vermont. It was one of the seminal experiences of my life, and I’ve always felt fortunate to have had the opportunity at such an early age - to bond so deeply with nature, learn key survival skills, and know without a doubt who my friends are and what really matters in this world.

"Moonlight in Vermont" - photo by Professor Bop

I know that Vermont, although resolutely rural, is not wilderness, and that even though we built our own shelter, grew our own food, cut the wood that provided heat for both and did so in one of the most extreme climates in the US, it was not the same as a wilderness survival experience.

Still, when I read an article by Laura Read about Wilderness Survival Schools in the SF Chronicle Magazine this weekend, I saw some similarities in what happens to the human psyche when you live in nature, giving me an even deeper appreciation of all those years immersed in the beauty of Vermont's green hills.

Here are a few quotes from Read's article:

"Most good schools teach that wilderness survival is not only about making a fire, capturing food and building a shelter, though those skills are important. It also requires an intimacy with natural systems. Students learn how things work in the environment around them, and how they themselves fit into that environment."
~ Laura Read

“It’s not what’s in your pack that makes the difference in survival, it’s what’s in your heart.”
~ Lawrence Gonzales, National Geographic Adventure columnist

“Survival is not so much about technique; it’s about the opening of your mind to possibilities.”
~ Lawrence Gonzales

“We want people to realize that they are part of nature, and nature is their home – that they can trust nature, but that they can also trust each other.”
~ John Chilkotowsky, Program Director, Wilderness Awareness School

“There’s something elemental in nature that invites you to be who you truly are.”
~ John Chilkotowsky

"Things Look Brighter in Vermont" - photo by Paul+Photos=Moody

Dreams of Mount Tamalpais

Last week I set off on a jaunt on my favorite mountain with Howard Rheingold and friends, participating in the ritual he calls "Church of Mount Tam". Totally embarrassingly, I only stayed with the group for the first 200 yards, which were directly D O W N the side of the mountain, when my elderly left knee decided to drop out and take communion on flat or uphill ground until the rest of the congregation returned.

I had a rare and delightful time wandering completely alone, and took a few photos, including the one above. I needn't have bothered since this turned out to be an amazingly well-documented walk, including a whole Flickr stream by Fabrice Florin and a lyrical video by Freddy Hahne (his sound track is brilliant!).

This little congregation isn't alone in loving Mount Tam, either. Tomorrow night I'm going to hear Tom Killion and Gary Snyder present their new book on this beautiful mountain, Tamalpais Walking, at Book Passage in Corte Madera and I just know the place will be packed with Believers.

Matilda is 12 Today!

Staying with the Spring theme, here's a photo I took yesterday morning of my neighbor's tree. Its freshness and delicacy reminds me of my beautiful Goddaughter Matilda, who lives in England and is turning 12 today. I am dedicating this image to her, with the wish that her life continues to be blessed, and that she is true to herself always. Happy Birthday, Tilda!

Yep, Definitely Spring

My friend and neighbor Barbara Speed, wife of photo-blogger Fletcher Oakes and a darn good photographer herself, sent these in response to my "It's Spring!" post...

It's Spring!

I guess I've been spending too much time indoors lately, because when I finally went out for a walk the other day I was stunned at how beautiful and green and totally alive everything is. It must be Spring ...

On the Mountain

All those who live in my region are blessed by the presence of a sacred mountain, Mount Tamalpais, who shelters and graces us with her presence. She was sacred to the Native Americans who lived along these shores long long ago, and she is sacred still to those of us who know her.

I was driving over this very mountain Sunday on my way to Bolinas, and I had an experience that I wanted to share with you here. But before I could write it, I found myself in my Medicine Wheel circle on Second Life telling the story:

"It was one of those foggy wet days we get here (when we're lucky :-) and everything had that rain-drenched glow - all the colors standing out rich and deep like river stones in a glass of water. There were streams crashing white against the dark rocks that held their banks and trees like arcs of green tinged with a still lighter hue; prism drops of rain-light falling from them."

image by Eric in SF, found on Flickr

"It was so enchanting. I was lost in admiration and just so grateful, feeling the gift of this world - experiencing the infinite beauty of each tiny part. I heard myself think, "Darn! I wish I had brought my camera!"

But then I realized that it was a blessing, this time, not to have it and instead to feel the record of that perfect drive etched on my skin, captured in my eye's membrane instead of the camera lens. In that moment I felt the full power of my work as "Record Keeper"; the sacred work of keeping my eyes open, keeping them clear so I can see the beauty in this life and share it with others."

So, on this day I didn't bring my camera, and that triggered the epiphany, but there are many ways to record the beauty of this world, and I plan to try as many of them as I can. That's part of my work as a Record Keeper, a Light Bearer.

We light-beings are precious to each other, and to those around us, especially in these times - our light is truly needed now. Here is my prayer for all of us: May we be strong and clear. May we see the beauty around us, even in these days of darkening and fear. May we become beacons of light, sharing the beauty & clarity we see with those around us. And may they too be strengthened by our vision.

Beautiful People

From Paule Marx, this link to the French photographer Hans Silvester 's view of what must be some of the most beautiful people in the world.

My Kind of Leader

I've been engaged in a seven-month leadership journey process called the "Heart of Leadership", offered by my friends FireHawk Hulin and Pele Rouge Chadima of Resonance, in partnership with Heartland.

One of our first assignments was to write a letter from the vantage point of having finished the course and achieved all our goals, and this is a 3.5 minute video I made from that letter. It tells not only what kind of a leader I want to be, but why.

Cabbage

Definitely not ephemeral, but no less beautiful, these cabbages (also from my morning beauty walk):