Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Fathers & Sons: Esalen June, 2011

Father & Sons:
Celebrating Father's Day in the Tradition of the Old Ways

"It is a wise child that knows his own father."
-Homer
"It is a wise father that knows his own child."
-William Shakespeare

What an honor to spend the Father's Day with you all. I feel it is a rare opportunity to spend time with group of fathers and sons in the shared experience of simply hiking and being together in wild nature. I know my relationship with my father and two sons deepened and is refreshed. For fathers and sons everywhere... may we continue to grow our relationships—alive

Fathers & Sons Photo set
Fathers & Sons Slideshow of photos
Missing the Boat: Someone had asked for a copy of this poem I read the first night.
David's local venture in Big Sur: Gorda Springs
Ben's dance company: LEVYdance
Let me know if I missed anyone's website and I will add it here...?

I encourage us all to follow through with the statement we played with our last session, "What I would like to be responsible for growing in our relationship is... "

With gratitude,
Steven

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Wild Mind, Zen Mind at Tassajara June, 2011

Near the Wind Caves deep in the Santa Lucia Mountains

"Oh what is that beautiful thing that just happened"  ~Mary Oliver from At Black Water Pond

Thanks to you all for making the journey to Tassajara. This is one of my favorite times of year. I was, and still am, surprised by how late the wildflowers emerged this year. Special thanks to Leslie James for showing up with me once again.

Here are some links:
Wild Mind, Zen Mind photo set
Full screen slideshow of photos 
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center slideshow

The following links are from various conversations I had with individuals in our group
The Art of Pilgrimage at Vallecitos Mountain Ranch, New Mexico
Trees of the Santa Lucia Mountains
Monarchs
2011 Workshops and Retreats 

In one of the discussions in the Kaisando, Leslie used the quote, "Not knowing is most intimate." Here is the origin of this quote. It is from the "Book of Serenity":

Zen Teacher Earth Treasury asked the monk Dharma Eye as he was leaving the monastery, "Where are you going?"
Dharma Eye said, "I'm going on pilgrimage."
Earth Treasury asked, "What is the purpose of pilgrimage?"
Dharma Eye said, "I don't know."
Earth Treasury said, "Not knowing is most intimate."
Dharma Eye was greatly awakened at these words.

With gratitude...
Two claps, One bow,
Steven