Friday, May 25, 2018

Nature & Contemplation: Esalen, May 2018

Nature and Contemplation
click on photo to enlarge
"The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself."
~ Henry Miller

As I sit to write this post and feel back into the week I notice some quality of hope — to see and feel wild beauty being appreciated and loved. Perhaps we can find our way to reclaiming the wild beauty that lives in each of us, collectively, and all around us.

One important measure of a healthy ecosystem is diversity. We had a diverse range of interests and places of curiosity. I appreciated how were able to "listen" and follow a sense of "organismic self-regulation" and each find our unique ways in the context of a group as support. I see this reflected in the number of record breaking links requested for this post. And, a first time ever book tour into the wilds of the Esalen bookstore. There were many other firsts... all to be celebrated. 

Here are many links, some of which were personal requests, others for the group:
Photos
Lelani's Photos of our time together (make sure you see all of the sets)
Poems to Live By (poems I used in our workshop, plus many more.
Voices of Esalen Podcast: Interview with Steven (More stories, with Kai as one of the guest hosts)
Gratefulness.org: Bro. David Steindt-Rast's website

Some of Steve's writing related to our workshop or requested:
Waters of the Sur by Steven Harper for Esalen
Ecopsychology: Way of Wilderness  by Steven Harper
Published writings by Steven Harper

Noël & Fletcher:
Wildtender Tending Inner & Outer Wilderness
Gnome Life Records
Cold Spring Fletcher's latest.

Ticks My favorite of the many sites on ticks

I will end here with this poem of encouragement:

Don't Go Back To Sleep
 
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.

The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.

~ Rumi translated by Coleman Barks
From Essential Rumi

With Heartfelt Wildness,

Steven

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Big Sur Wilderness Experience: Esalen April 29-May 4 2018

Big Sur Wild Ones
click on photo to enlarge

WOW! What a way to start my 40th year of leading workshops at Esalen. What to say?

Perhaps silence is best. Humor me... take a moment to feel your feet on the ground... hara, heart, head in alignment... receive a fuller breath than normal all of the way to the top of the lungs, and an extended slightly audible exhale. Open awareness...

May you feel fully the seed qualities that are walking with you from our time together in wild nature of the Big Sur.

Here are some links that were requested by the group or from side conversations:
Photos: You should be able to view photos and download any you wish.
Poems to Live By: I read: Mindfulness, Morning Poem, Hokusai Says, and others
Voices of Esalen: Podcast interview with Steven: Direct, Sound Cloud, iTunes
Gratefulness: Meal Chant Stew

Trails in Big Sur:
Hiking in Big Sur
Ventana Wilderness Alliance

Ticks: There are many sites on ticks this is one of the best. Read to be informed and educated, not to scare yourself.

Gratitude to Big Sur, Esalen Institute, all of our teachers and ancestors — may we share the beauty freely.

Big hug from the Big Sur,

Steven

Saturday, May 05, 2018

Nature of Zen: Tassajara Zen Center, April 2018

Nature of Zen: Tassajara
click on photo to enlarge

"But do not ask me where I am going, As I travel in this limitless world, Where every step I take is my home."
~ Dogen Zenji (founder of Soto Zen)

In every step and every moment we can find our home — our deep belonging of interbeing. Gratitude to all of you that showed up to step on the pathless path and wander and wonder in the wilds of the inner and outer intimate terrain of Nature.

Here are some links:
Group Photos
Henry's Photos
Meal Chant Stew (an article about Tassajara, the meal chant, gratitude, and more)
Hokusai Says
Poems to Live By
Voices of Esalen: A recent podcast interview.
Among the Wonderful by our own Stacy Carlson

May we find home in every step and may every step benefit all our relations.

Two Claps, One Bow,

Steven

P.S. Special thanks to Leslie James for making herself available to us all.