Big Sur Wilderness Experience: Esalen, August 2011

Alive in the wilds of Big Sur

"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

Here are Big Sur Wilderness Experience links:
BSWE Photo Set
BSWE Photo Slideshow

Here are links to share from our group:
Michael Newman Mediation
Kate Register
Kirsten Mogensen 
Beatrice/Allowing the Light
More to come...

Thanks to Michael, Kai, and each of you that showed up to walk the wild paths of the Sur.

Gratefully,
Steven

For Fun: Pygmy Redwood Forest
For a Reminder: Big Sur Wilderness Experience
If you care to make a donation to Big Creek Reserve here is a link where you can do so (scroll) part way down the page to donation form): Big Creek Donation

The Art of Pilgrimage: Vallecitos July 2011

Discovery Point looking over Vallecitos Mountain Ranch

"'What is the purpose of pilgrimage?' asked the teacher. 'I don't know,' responded the student. 'Not knowing is most intimate.' said the teacher."

Most intimate is how I would describe our time together as a group and in the wilds around Vallecitos Mountain Ranch. Deep gratitude for how you all showed up so fully to make our time together so special. I especially appreciated the heartfelt presence from and for those in such potent times of transition. Wishing that we each walk with some gems from our pilgrimage to grow and integrate in our daily lives. Thanks to the Vallecitos staff (Carl, Matt, & Leigh) for providing the support for our pilgrimage.

"Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding
the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated
as birdwinds."
~ Rumi

Here are some links that I will continue to add to:
Art of Pilgrimage photo set
Art of Pilgrimage slideshow (full screen)
Don's Art of Pilgrimage photo set
Don Usner's Ventana de Luz website
Steven's workshop website 
Poems to Live By (including Birdwings) 
iThou Meditation House (an online meditation timer, group, instructions)

Warm regards from Santa Fe,
Steven

Body of Wilderness: Esalen July, 2011

Body of Wilderness out in the body of wilderness

What an honor to be with you all and my sister Susan at Esalen in the wilds of the Big Sur. Every year I feel such profound gratitude for each of you that show up so fully, Esalen, Big Creek, the wilds, and the many seen and unseen events that come together to support our experience together in community.

Reminding us all of our "seed" qualities that we are planting & growing in the "Big Workshop" of our lives.

Below find a number of links:
Body of Wilderness Photo Set (Check back for additional photos from other participants)
Body of Wilderness photos as full screen slideshow

Poems:
At Black Water Pond
Lost
Sleeping in the Forest

Susan's website
Steven's website

Big Hugs,
Steven

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

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

Walk on the Wild Side: Esalen, May 2011

 Walk on the Wild Side

"The wild requires that we learn the terrain, nod to all the plants and animals and birds, ford the streams and cross the ridges and tell a good story when we get back home.”

~ Gary Snyder

Here are some links and resources:

Walk on the Wild Side Photo Set

Walk on the Wild Slideshow

More on Redwoods

The Pygmy Redwood Forest... just for fun

The Art of Pilgrimage at Vallecitos Mountain Ranch
John Muir Nature's Visionary by Gretel Ehrlich (my favorite book about Muir)

I sit here in my office in the Big Sur digesting the rich images, sensations, and feelings of our week together. Still lingering is the strong sense of the human community that came together to walk in the wilds and I find myself deeply appreciating the fullness of everyone's "showing up." 

What a blessing. I am grateful have shared time on the path together... and wondering, what good story will you tell when you get back home.

Big Love,

Steven 

Simply Wild: Esalen, May 2011

Simply Wild in the wild... with Cone Peak

“I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done.”
~ Mary Oliver

I am amazed at how a relatively short weekend can be made timeless. Our experience together in Big Sur touched deeply... and, after all, "what else should we have done."

Here are links that you might enjoy:
Simply Wild photo set
Simply Wild slide show
Eske's photo set
Eske's photos as a slide show
The Summer Day by Mary Oliver
Workshop & Retreats

Thanks to you all for such a fruitful time together.

From the wilds of the Sur with love,
Steven

P.S. Special thanks to Anna for all she gave and all she gives.

The Nature of Zen at Tassajara: April 2011

“Climb Mount Fuji,
O snail,
but slowly, slowly.”

~Kobayashi Issa

There is nothing quite like spring at Tassajara… emergent green, wildflowers, cold creek crossing, the beginning of Guest Season, fresh trails, good food, the lingering wildness of winter.

For more than 30 years I have been making my annual “pilgrimage” over to Tassajara. Each year my relationship to the place and these mountains deepens. I am honored to lead with Abbot Myogen Steve Stücky and to have so many people join us this year.

Here are some links of interest and ones mentioned in conversations:

Photo Set

Slideshow of photo set

Trees of Big Sur

Retreat at Vallecitos Mountain Ranch


Some of you asked about the online meditation site we have been experimenting with... Click on the link and take a look around. There is a meditation timer, virtual candle site, lectures, instructions, a group that sits daily together at 7:00am, and more: iThou Meditation House


Gassho,
Steven

Big Sur Wilderness Experience: April 2011

Where the land and sea meet...

What a way to start off my workshop season. Thank you to each and every one of you. I so dearly appreciated how much heart each of you bought to our circle. 

Here are links I spoke of to explore:

Photo Set of our workshop (photos by Michael C, Arturo P, and me): BSWE photos

Full screen slideshow of the above photos: BSWE Slideshow

Poems: Poems to Live By

Vallecitos Mountain Ranch, New Mexico: The Art of Pilgrimage

"To climb these coming crests
one word to you, to
you and your children:
stay together
learn the flowers
go light"
~Gary Snyder

May you walk in peace,

Steven

Grand Canyon at Sunrise

While in college at Northern Arizona University, the Grand Canyon became one of the first places as an adult I clearly fell in love with the wilds. I would make regular trips up to the canyon to explore different trails.

I first visited the Canyon at 7 years old on a family trip west. At 14 I hiked to the bottom and back in a day with a friend that did all 16 miles barefoot. College days was about exploring. Later I planted trees on the north rim. And much later I worked as a boatman running the full length of the Canyon on the Colorado River on numerous trips.

Returning recently for a short visit reminded me once again how easy it is to fall in love with this open expansive space.

Here's to hoping we all keep falling in love with the wilds.

Steven

2011 Workshop & Retreat Schedule

I am excited to say my entire schedule of workshops and retreats are all set and up on my website. All of the venues where I lead programs are taking reservations. My April workshop is already booked full. I look forward to seeing many friends from past workshops and many new faces this year. 

Here in Big Sur, Spring is in full green and getting greener each day.

Here are some links:

Steven Harper Homepage

2011 Schedule

Photo Sets of past workshops & retreats

Wildly,

Steven

Human Planet

Click on the image above... and let your self be touched.
We only have one 3rd planet from the sun.
Wildly,
Steven

Snow in Big Sur

Esalen Hot Springs with snow in the mountains

Most years we will get more than a few storms that leave snow in the higher elevations of Big Sur (2,500 feet and up), but only a few times in the last 30 years have we seen snow to sea level. Now to be clear, the snow was not sticking, but very wet flakes were making it to sea level in a few locations. Today's "snow storm" was unusual because it was snowing while the sun was out in many locations! 

From the Sur with love,

Steven

Spotted Owls

Spotted Owl

We have a Spotted Owl living in the canyon next to our house. I hear it in the evening and early morning when it is still dark. The other day it spent some time out in the open daylight. For a bird that is known to be "shy" and nocturnal, it seemed quite curious on this day. 

The Spotted Owl is often split into three sub-species. While the Northern Spotted Owl and Mexican Spotted Owl are both listed and 'theatended' on the Endangered Species List, the California Spotted Owl is not. It is, however, of considerable interest as it is one measure of a healthy ecosystem. Their preferred habitat appears to be a multilayered forest with some old growth and a dense canopy.

Most of all, each time I hear the call of 'our' local Spotted Owl something deep inside me stirs... a soft smile and easy breath comes — I am remind of the wildness I am surrounded by and feel a bit more alive.

Here is a link where you can listen to the call of the Spotted Owl.

Warmly,

Steven

The Holidays & Coming New Year

Light at the end of the tunnel.

With heartfelt appreciation we send our wishes of peace and happiness to you and your loved ones. May the journey ahead bring the finest of your heart’s desires. May we all know the spirit of aliveness and gratitude in every moment.

Love to you all,

Steven Harper & Family

Folllowing the Way, Returning to the Source: Esalen 2010

Following the Way, Returning to the Source: 

A Celebration of the Life and Work of Richard Price

Thank you all for your participation in this once-in-a-lifetime event. All I can say for now is, "What a ride!"

I am blessed to have such great friends along this path. Heartfelt gratitude to you all.

Group Photos
Slide show of group photos
357 of Dorothy T's photos!

John Callahan's Gestalt Legacy Project can be found on the following links:
By the book: Manual of Gestal Practice in the Tradition of Dick Price
Read the book online: Manual of Gestalt Practice in the Tradition of Dick Price

Here is a link to the Dick Price Facebook page: Dick Price Celebration
You can read more stories, see more photos, plus I posted the slide show on this site too.

Love,
Steven

The Way of Nature: Esalen 2010

At Esalen

What luck with the weather... sandwiched between to storms we go sunny, cool, fall weather.

Here are some links:
Photo Set
Photo Slide Show

Pygmy Redwood Forest (just for fun)

More to come!

Love to you all...
Steven

Stepping In, Stepping Out: Gestalt and Hiking Practice at Esalen

80 years ago on October 12th Richard (Dick) Price came into this world. This workshop is/was in honor of all that Dick brought to life.

Here are some links:
Photo Set
View Photos as Slide Show
Facebook: Dick Price Celebration

Here is Dick's favorite passage from the Tao Te Ching:

14

Look, and it can't be seen.

Listen, and it can't be heard.

Reach, and it can't be grasped.

Above, it isn't bright.

Below, it isn't dark.

Seemless, unnameable,

it returns to the realm of nothing.

Form that includes all forms,

image without an image,

subtle, beyond all conception.

Approach it and there is no beginning;

follow it, and there is no end.

You can't know it, but you can be it,

at ease in our own life.

Just realize where you come from:

this is the essence of wisdom.

From a Stephen Mitchell translation 

Wildly,
Steven

The Art of Pilgrimage: Green Gulch Zen Center 2010

25 pilgrims exploring the art of pilgrimage...

A special day with special friends. I was so touched to see both new and familiar faces from Esalen, Tassajara, and Green Gulch. This once a year event occurred this year near the Fall Equinox, on Yom Kippur, and the day before International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

My hope and intention of offering this retreat was and is to explore what meaningful contemporary pilgrimage might be, to build community, and deepen our connection to place. Although the fog was thick we stepped awake and alive onto the path. All of my hopes and intentions for the day were met. I am filled with gratitude and hope to see you all again next year, if not sooner.

Links:
Photo Slide Show
Photo Set

Two claps, One bow (gassho),
Steven

Special thanks to Jeremy Levie, Michael, and Linda (for the many seen and unseen gifts they give)

Big Sur Wilderness Experience: Esalen, September 2010

Above Whale Point in the wilds of Big Sur

"A little too abstract, a little to wise,
It is time for us to kiss the earth again,
It is time to let the leaves rain from the skies,
Let the rich life run to the roots again.
I will go down to the lovely Sur Rivers
And dip my arms in them up to the shoulders."
~ except from Return by Robinson Jeffers

Thanks to each one of you for letting "the rich life run to the roots again." A extra thanks to Michael and Tjarn for so skillfully holding the "space" for our time together.

Here are links to:
BSWE Photo Set
BSWE Photos as Slide Show
Poems To Live By: A new section I am building on my website
Hoopin' at our lunch spot: For fun... for Robyn
Blister prevention tape that Michael was using: Adhesive Knit Tape
or in large rolls from:
Stein's Foot Specialties
Jessup, GA
800-526-0985
3" Adhesive Knit-25 yard roll #401303 765-1303-0000

With heartfelt gratitude,
Steven

Belonging to Earth: Esalen 2010

Belonging to Earth: Finding Our Place in Nature

Here are links:
Belonging to Earth Photo Set
Belonging to Earth Slideshow
Poem I read by David Whyte 
One of Grazia's sites
The Pygmy Redwood Forest: just for fun... when I was learning how to use iMovie

"Our work is to make ourselves visible in the world. This is the soul's individual journey, and the soul would much rather fail at its own life than succeed at someone else's."
~ David Whyte

It was an honor to share the path with each of you. I appreciate the diversity of background and collective wisdom that we shared during our time together. Even more impressive to me was the fresh mindful courage I witnessed as we each discovered the "edges" of our individual and collective learning.

Love to y'all,
Steven

P.S. Maybe I should have titled the workshop: Belonging to Water?

The Art of Pilgrimage: Vallecitos 2010

On Discovery Point above Vallecitos

This last week has made me more aware of how deeply grateful I am for the still wild areas of our earth. I so fully enjoyed exploring pilgrimage, the wild inner terrain, and the wild outer terrain (especially that territory of the Usner Triangle). We stepped into and let ourselves be touched by each other and the place. Deep gratitude to each of you for choosing to "show up."

Here are some links:
Art of Pilgrimage photo set
Art of Pilgrimage slideshow
Bear Video 
Don's Art of Pilgrimage photos
Don's Video of Vallecitos
Don Usner & Ventana De Luz Photography 
Vallecitos Mountain Ranch
Bill's Photo Set 

Special thanks to Don for conceiving of the idea that this retreat would work at Vallecitos and the many efforts he put into making it happen.

Wildly,
Steven

Big Sur Wilderness Experience

Timber Top high above the fog...

"Stand still... The forest breathes... Listen."

As I sit in my office here in Big Sur breathing and reflect on this last week an easy smile comes to my face. I feel blessed, tired, satisfied, and full of rich experiences (just to name a few things). I am appreciating our collective willingness to soak up and take in so many of the places we journeyed to in such a time-less manner. I am also impressed by how we stopped time in the Little House... the present moment is timeless.

Here are some links:
Photo set of our group
Photo slide show
Warm Springs video

I wish every one an easy transition into the big workshop... may you touch others with a bit of the fresh wildness of the lovely Sur mountains...

Gratefully,
Steven

P.S. Special thanks to Anna and Michael.

The Nature of Zen: Tassajara, July 2010

On the Horse Pasture Trail

What an honor be with you all... walking the mountains around Tassajara, sitting in the Kaisando, hot springs, cold streams, good food, heartfelt conversation, authentic curiosity, and the intimacy of not knowing.

For photos of our group: The Nature of Zen Photos
For the same photos as a slideshow: The Nature of Zen Slideshow
Ron has some photos he took up on Flikr also: Ron's Nature of Zen 
Matt took some short videos also on Flikr: Matt's Nature of Zen Videos 
Julie sent a link to her photos on Picasa: Julie's Nature of Zen 

Special thanks to Abbot Steve Stücky, Michael, Tassajara staff, and everyone else that showed up so wonderfully.

Some of you asked about the online meditation site we have been experimenting with... Click on the link and take a look around. There is a meditation timer, virtual candle site, lectures, instructions, a group that sits daily together at 7:00am, and more: iThou Meditation House

Two claps, One bow,
Steven

Fathers & Sons: Esalen June 2010

Fathers & Sons over the Father's Day weekend in Big Sur

Over the years I have led a number of workshops at Esalen and other venues. Once again I was surprise by how deeply moved I was by this particular workshop.

The power of having a group of all men with life time relationships in the wilds and at Esalen was and continues to be inspiring. Having three generations in our group added a dimension of both depth and breadth. Seeing so many young men stepping into themselves so passionately and so many of our older members gracefully taking the path of being true "elders" touched us all. The collective heart and wisdom of our group was exceptional and gives me hope.

For fathers and sons everywhere... may we continue to grow our relationships—alive.

Click here for photos of our group: Fathers & Sons
Click here to view photos as a slideshow: Fathers & Sons

From the Wilds of the Big Sur with Love,
Steven

Mountains & Waves: Esalen, June 2010

Mountains and Waves on the beach at the meeting of Hot Springs Creek and the Pacific Ocean

What a ride... such a rich heartfelt time together.

View photos of our workshop: Mountains & Waves Photos
View as slideshow of our workshop: Mountains & Waves Slideshow

Collectively we had a hundreds of photos... I narrowed them down a bit, but not in order of how our time unfolded.

So grateful to you all for so many moments. This poem speaks my heart.

At Blackwater Pond the tossed waters have settled
after a night of rain.
I dip my cupped hands. I drink
a long time. It tastes
like stone, leaves, fire. It falls cold
into my body, waking the bones. I hear them
deep inside me, wispering
"Oh what is that beautiful thing that just happened?"
~ Mary Oliver "At Blackwater Pond"

from the wilds of the Big Sur,
Steven

Simply Wild: Esalen May 2010

What a great weekend with you all.

Here is a link to: Workshop Photo Set
Here is a link to see the photos as a: Slideshow
Here is a link to: Trees of Big Sur

We pour over words, and point out this and that,
but if our chest is not soaked dark
with love, then what?
- Kabir The Book of Kabir


Simply,
Steven

The Empathic Civilisation

Worth watching!
Steven

Walk on the Wild Side: Esalen, May 2010

On the beach in Andrew Molera

Closing my eyes I still can hear the sounds and smells of Conoga Falls. In such wildness I feel so alive. It was a great adventure for Michael and I to be able to share with you all the spots we don't get to take groups very often. You now know the wild side of Big Sur better than many folks that live here.

Here are links:
View: Photo Set
View as: Slideshow 
Carol's photos: Carol's Photo Set

Just for fun:
The bonsai redwood forest youtube video: Journey Into the Wilds
The golden staircase and Pico Blanco: Search for the Center
Here is a link to Ann's site: Ann Randolph
Here is a link to Doug's music site: Doug Goodman

And on Ann's suggestion I will be introducing a complete line of collector spoon's featuring the Bonsai Redwood Forest, Pico Blanco, Esalen Hot Springs, and more!

Like Johh Muir, may each one of us be a highly contagious "wild" virus that brings happiness, aliveness, and a call to the wild to all that we come in contact with...

Love to you all,
Steven

Wild Mind, Zen Mind: Tassajara, May 2010

Wild Mind, Zen Mind

Maybe we should have titled the retreat: Wild Flowers, Zen Mind... I am still struck by the abundance and diversity of wild flowers we pushed our way through on the trail.

Here is a link to a photo set of our group: Photos
Here is a link to view the photos as a slideshow: Photo Slideshow
Here are some of Henry's photos: Henry's Photos

Even though the fires of 2008 burned so much of what I knew of the wilds of Tassajara, I am once again amazed and inspired by the regenerative power of nature. Such a profusion of new life after so much fierce change caused by the fire.

We simply stepped into the finest of Tassajara—Buddhist practice, wilderness walks, wonderful meals, hot springs, and silence. Thank you all for sharing the experience with Leslie, Michael, and me.

Gassho,
Steven