Here’s where my attention has been lately:
I’m 5 weeks into my Workaway stay at a Buddhist retreat center in northern California.
The days are calm and spacious, my basic needs are beautifully met, and there’s a lifetime of learning on these 460 acres in the coastal hills. Sounds idyllic—and there is much to be grateful for—yet the days/moments don’t feel like the fantasy they might seem.
I’m digging into some mucky muck I can no longer ignore, with help.
Processing the summer/fall… the ongoing now-2-year grief journey too.
Observing, noticing—both internally and externally. Unlearning defenses in a non-judgmental environment. Learning about my spirit, body, & my ego, the Earth, its creatures, & the universe in an enchanted forest environment. Using the people around me as mirrors. Practicing ceremony, prayers, stating intentions to the universe.
Making when I’m pulled to create. Appreciating the laughs and joys in a great accidental pun. Teaching myself to Look at the plants and life around me. Sending love in letter form: snail mailing. Watching for clues. Surrendering into ease.
Enjoying the construction projects I get to help with, and the maintenance skills I’m learning from them.
Podcasts:
I’m newly obsessed with the podcast Two Girls One Crossword, and I don’t even do crosswords! It’s funny, smart, interesting, has a good pace, and has been an enjoyable listen.
I’ve also discovered podcasts by Tara Brach, Hay House Publications, You Can Heal Your Life, Sandra Ingerman (The Shaman’s Cave), Marianne Williamson, Amanda Palmer, & Michelle Obama — and have enough listening for ages. Am patiently awaiting the arrival of my Dormi headphones, so I can fall asleep more comfortably to Tara Brach in my ears, or silently do Yoga with Adriene videos in a shared house (bluetooth!).
Tea: Have now tasted my first yellow tea, and have several new blacks and greens coming from China (via TeaVivre. A friend here bought me “The Tea Enthusiast’s Handbook,” so I’m slowly dipping my toe further into this realm. Holding tea ceremonies weekly, and sharing with the people around me.
Reading:
“The Anatomy of the Spirit” by Caroline Myss,
“Wild Mind” by Natalie Goldberg,
“Griffin & Sabine” by Nick Bantock, and
“The Book of Ceremony” by Sandra Ingerman.
On deck: “The Earth Path” by Starhawk
This page was last updated December 14, 2020 and was inspired by Derek Sivers‘s “Now” page.
An archive of this page can be found here.