Mountain Meditation

I've just spent a wonderful night away at Mountain Home Ranch, near Calistoga CA (click on the Photos tab at the top of this page to see even more of some great shots I got). I went to to this charming, rustic getaway to get away from people, away from my sweet cockatiel who won't leave my shoulder when I'm home, away from the city, work, phones and the computer. It was more than just a desire to spend some time walking the property to see if there were camera walk opportunities for our upcoming retreat, although that was one of my reasons for going before the Steven Forrest AP Retreat (Sept. 25-29) - my first. It was more about deepening my connection to nature, appreciating creation in it's purest form, and slowing down to the point of stillness - meditating. More about practicing wabi-sabi.

It's a working ranch with animals of all sorts. I have a new dog-Goddess  friend, Tyche—named after the Goddess of Fortune (luck and the roll of the dice—she's white w/black dots)—who is touchy about loud and startling sounds, who's a love and follows Suzanne (owner) wherever she goes. See my other pal here who followed me until the fence stopped him. He desperately wished I'd brought him a carrot from the big carrot basket in the dining hall in the lodge. They grow the majority of the organic food they serve — oh my, the luscious fresh sweet corn at dinner that had just been picked that day! I looked down from the 2nd floor balcony, and there were the corn stalks! 

The afternoon I arrived was the hottest day of the year there—almost 100 degrees. Yet the lower level of the lodge was cool and inviting and that was where Suzanne was hanging out with Tyche. We talked out farming, about organic foods, about the largest groups they'd ever had there. I asked her a zillion questions — which she happily answered: the labyrinth? (painted on the tennis court), the 1000 year old Grandmother tree? (a mile and half hike). She walks the property every week and will let me know what great photo ops have just popped up that we can see when we arrive for the retreat! John (owner, Suzanne's husband) came in to announce they had just picked 50 gallons of pears and promptly froze them — which right off will become sugar free sorbets and go into many other goodies. 

After an incredible meal, I turned on the fan in my room, and a read an entire book (a short Elizabeth Peters novel) I'd found in the library (next to the lounge — lower lodge level).  

Next morning, I was up at the crack of dawn, the coolest time of day during the summer. The walking sticks (see Photos/Mountain Meditation) called to me and I set off with my camera, journal, and a map (they have a stack of maps at the counter) of the property. I first walked the labyrinth, headed for Lookout Point, then walked to Lake Orth. Here's what I wrote that morning as I embraced stillness:

I AM the Cup—filled to the brim with warm decaf happiness.

I AM the Lookout Point. Green lush wilderness surrounds me. My fences, for safety's sake, ensure no deadly falls from this high cliff-hanging point.

I AM the maturing mountain, the evergreen tree, the solid rock, the changing sky, the sound of happy voices drifting on the breeze, the dark depth of the gorge, the golden peak of the hills hit by the dawn, the hawk floating gently on thermals, the path ... winding easily downhill from here.  

I AM the lake—dawning on others—reflecting what is projected on me.

HOW TO DO PHOTO SEARCH:

Single click on Photos tab top of this page.

Single click on Mountain Meditation.

Single click on the photo: "Grab a stick..." which will take you to photos larger than thumbnails for this photo file.

Just click on the black area to return to photos when done.

I can't wait - it's just two more weeks until I'm there for five more days!!!!