Celebrating the Earth & Others

On Saturday, Roger and I attended a day-long retreat — in appreciation of Nature — hosted by our neighbors who teach yoga about a quarter mile from our house.

The day began with a 2 hour plus yoga session (it was advertised as a “vigorous Asana practice”… ) With only three classes leading up to this event, you can bet I am still sore two days later! I have never been in some of those positions before, and I did indeed massage my internal organs. Today, I could use a full body massage. I’m sure I’ll feel better after my walk today in 80 degree sunshine… yum.

After yoga, about 10 of us shared a vegetarian potluck lunch. Roger made African Daal which was quite popular. It was pleasant to meet a new group of sincere, compassionate beings who wanted to take a full day to appreciate our physical and spiritual surroundings. We were game for the rest of the day’s agenda, and it proved to be an unusual day.

We shared several nature exploration exercises. Then we walked as group down the hill and around the corner to Gleason Falls. It was interesting to view our neighborhood through the fresh eyes of visitors, and to observe others experiencing a familiar space in different ways. Of particular interest was viewing the damage from the recent Northeaster that damaged a section of the Stone Arch bridge and took out 30 feet of road.

The evening began with another vegan feast catered by one of the participants, Denise Kemp. Most of us ate outside, trying to squeeze every sunny and warm moment from what felt like the first true day of spring. At sunset, we went back inside view, listen and sing along with a kirtan… and evening of chant to songs written in Sanskrit. After a long day and the strenuous yoga exertion, I found it almost impossible to sit comfortably on my “sits’ bones.”

My favorite part of the day was mid-afternoon. Tom Wilkins led us in a Lokata Indian nature mediation that included drumming and singing. We all took a turn sharing about what Earth Day has meant to each of us in the past and what it currently represents. Each of us was then assigned to either the Tree, Rock, or Water Group. I was a Tree. We all received the same assignment: make an offering of tobacco (we were each given a pinch from a small sack), introduce ourselves to our object of focus, write down the first ten words that came to mind, and then ask (in my case the tree) and answer a series of seven questions.

The first ten words that came to mind upon selecting my gray oak were: elephant, memory, matriarchy, patience, loyalty, knowledge, curiosity, faith, happiness, and compromise.

Here is what “my” tree had to say to me and how I responded to each question:

Who Am I? I am a student of all that surrounds me. I see and hear and feel everything, so that I may lead through observation, listening, and action. I am a conduit and bridge from here and now to then and there, helping all to realize that it is the same.

Where Am I From? I am from every day that has passed before. I bring the joy and pain, and all the collected wisdom to this moment to share with you.

What Am I Doing Here? I am here to rediscover my gifts and to be reminded of how I can serve others.

Where Am I Going? Everywhere and nowhere. I have been working hard, but it is through feeling—fully trusting my intuition and what it tells me—that I will be transported to teh great palaces of mind, heart, and soul.

How Can I Help You? I can help you by remembering that you are just like me: you need light, clean air, and good nutrition. You need space to grow tall and strong, but you need companions to create shade, peace, and safety from the elements. You need kindness and respect, and belief in what you can be.

Do You Have a Gift For Me? To remember that I am just like you. I can emulate your features: stand tall, absorb the sun, and extend myself to others.

Do You Have Anything Else to Tell Me? You are exactly where you need to be, literally at this moment in your consciousness, and in your belief in the better self you can be.

When we all came back together, we shared some of what we “heard” and composed a short piece comprised of our first ten words. This is what I set down:

Our collective memory is held by the matriarchal elephant. She reminds us that faith is achieved through loyalty, knowledge through curiosity, and happiness through patience and compromise.

A very satisfying day all around.

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