Thursday, May 23, 2019

Nature & Contemplation: Esalen, May 2019

 Nature & Contemplation gets wild
click on image to view larger photo

Well, well, well, we had a week of anomalies! From the May weather anomaly, to me being under-the-weather anomaly, to a changing adaptive group & schedule anomaly.

It seems everything conspired (breathed together) to create all of the conditions for a true week of contemplation with wild nature as our primary teacher. Our capacity to be adaptive to the unfolding present moment led to surprises and many fresh moments — where everything can be.

Here are some requested links:
Photos!
Poem to Live By
Mary Oliver Tribute in NYT
Tick Resource 
Big Sur Trails by VWA
Meal Chant Stew: on Bro. David's Gratefulness.org site
Contemplation of a Monk (poem for Bro. David)

I hope you are all weaving your essential qualities in the the fabric of you "other" lives and asking the open question, "What calls to you your one love?"

Love and gratitude (both/and),

Steven

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

The Nature of Zen: Tassajara, April 2019

Nature of Zen: Tassajara Zen Mountain Center

The annual opening of Tassajara with the first retreat of the guest season is one of the ways I mark time. I have made the pilgrimage to Tassajara for over 40 years during this time of year. Each time I find the land and the place changed and different. From years where I saw 6 inches of snow to 105 degree temperatures, from the black char and white ashes of wildfire to the hillsides carpeted with wildflowers and the plants shouting "green."

That everything changes and everything in interconnected is felt viscerally and intimately apparent as I make my way through the wild terrain that holds and supports Tassajara. The concepts of impermanence and interconnectedness are perceptually touched through direct experience and bare awareness.

Here are some links:
Nature of Zen Photos
Tassajara Photos
Poems to Live By
Dharma Talks by Zen Center Teachers
Leslie's talk at the beginning of last year's guest season

Deep bow to you all for showing up so fully.

Gratitude from the Big Sur,

Steven

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Big Sur Wilderness Experience: Esalen, April 2019

Big Sur Wilderness Experience

We opened the first workshop of my season at Esalen with excellent hiking weather and catching the height of the wildflower bloom. Thank you all for showing up so fully!

Here are some of the links requested:
Photos
Poems to Live By
Mary Oliver Article in NYT
Ticks
Condors in Central California
Tribal Ground: Chris Price

I hope the threads of the Big Sur wilds are still weaving their way into your daily life in seen and unseen ways that let life live through you.

Wildly,

Steven

Thursday, May 09, 2019

Ground of Belonging: Esalen, February 2019

Ground of Belonging

After many year of taking a break from leading month-long work scholar months at Esalen I stepped back into the new Residential Education month-long program. I had an amazing and courageous group of people in our group and two great assistants.

I have been so full with workshops, retreats, and other commitments I am just now getting around to posting photos.

Here is a link to some photos, plus some reminders from the resource sheet I already sent:
Ground of Belonging Photos
The Joy System: Joy Margolis
Poem to Live By
Tribal Ground: Chris Price

With deep gratitude,

Steven