Wilds of Big Sur: Workshop Journal: May 2006

BSWE: in the Redwoods

BSWE: in the Redwoods
Originally uploaded by surharper.

Nisha reading poem-fortunes to the redwoods in Big Creek. Shorty after this we discovered that the water in the creek is indeed wet.

Photo by Joe Lindsay

Big Sur Wilderness Experience morning-mist

Big Sur morning-mist
Originally uploaded by surharper.

Fog teases the coast of Big Sur as first sun of the day makes its way to the sea.

Big Sur Wilderness Experience

I don’t know exactly what a prayer is
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
in the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

Mary Oliver from “The Summer Day”

We were blessed to stroll through the fields and forests and beaches of Big Sur this week. The weather cooperated nicely as the fog moved in and out during the week giving us cool shade on the up hill sections of the trails and sun at lunch and on the down hills. From being “sponge-like” to “holding the open questions” we collectively and individually showed up so fully. What else should we have done?

Thanks to Juliet and Joe for so graciously assisting in so many ways. Gratitude for the wilds of Big Sur, the Pacific Ocean, and to all of you that participated in the week.

Wild Mind Group

Wild Mind Group
Originally uploaded by surharper.

"Are you awake?"
"Don't fool yourself."

From the Zen story that Leslie told in our discussions.

Wild Mind, Zen Mind, at Tassajara

It is hard to imagine catching the conditions at Tassajara better. As the first retreat of the season everything was fresh. From the freshly cleared trails, to the high water in the creek, from the many shades of green to the excellent meals served with such kindness, from sitting in the Kaisando, to sitting in the hot springs, from clear blue skies to no mosquitoes yet (we were lucky), the weekend was so fresh. Good inspiration to wake-up.
Gratitude to the Santa Lucia Mountains, Tassajara Hot Springs, Leslie, Michael, and especially to all of you that participated.
Two claps, one bow,
Steve