Monthly Archives: February 2015

Daily Life, Out and About, Overcome Difficulties, photograph

The Cherry Blossom Blooms….

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Cherry Blossom blooming.
Cherry Blossom blooming.

The kind woman who made it possible for me to stay on Cortes Island left some twigs of Cherry Blossom in a vase. She said, ‘I hope they bloom by the time you leave’. They have as you can see. And the sun shafts in the windows of the house by the beach while I pack to return to Victoria via Gabriola Island.

Rev. Alicia is on the move too. 24 years ago she came to Throssel to be a monk. I admire the Reverends up-beat optimism conveyed in this post. I’m glad you became a monk and glad to be part of your journeying onwards.

Good fortune to all on this lovely day as I look out on Desolation Sound. So named by a George Vancouver. Reflecting on his sailing through these waters, “there was not a single prospect that was pleasing to the eye”. One sea sick sailor I’ll be bound! Just shows you how the body influences ones outlook on life don’t it! Oh and how the condition of ones body can impact ones outlook too. So easy to miss in the rush to go places and do stuff.

Daily Life, photograph, Teachings

Old Growth – Memory, Like a Movie!

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My start point was at the top left hand corner of the map seen below.  

Thanks to Ourcortes.com and all the folks who maintain the trails.
Thanks to Ourcortes.com and all the folks who maintain the trails.

Phew! I am so glad to look at the map of the trails I walked late last afternoon. It would have been kinda handy to have had it in my hand at the time! From my understanding, and befuddled mind, I must have walked all around the edge of the map! It was over two, and nearer to three, hours I was on my feet deep in the magical mossy old growth forest. It was getting dark by the time I completed the walk and I was definitely getting anxious considering I didn’t know where I was, or how much trail lay between me and where I’d parked the car! Somehow all turned out well and I had one of the most memorable walks. Ever.
Gunflint Lake and Hague Lake
I think I took the Swim Rocks trail. It was a choice between that and this way…!
Cortes Hike
Yes a walk which is linked to an adventure back in 1967. I came to Cortes with two friends by water taxi, stayed a night with their acquaintances, swam in Gunflint Lake and then flew back to Campbell River on Vancouver Island the next day by sea plane (or float plane as they are called). The whole experience left a deep impression and almost by chance I find myself here again AND yesterday I walked in the forested-edge of Gunflint Lake! Forty + years later.

I have had the time and the mental space to reflect on the intervening years. Nothing and everything has changed. How so? Time, and space, have a way of twisting and curling and evaporating and reemerging which defies the ordinary mind and its capacity to understand. I’ll say no more!

With much gratitude to those who have facilitated this trip including those who have donated CAD (Canadian Dollars). Rain and sun, mist and blue sky – all magical. And memorable – in the way a movie is memorable when it touches ones heart. Thank you to those near and far for making this trip possible.

photograph

Join Me Here

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Desolation Sound morning
From the bottom of the garden of the house where I am currently staying. Early morning mist clearing. Then later in the afternoon at a massive 200 ft above sea level.

View from Sally Rock.
View from Sally Rock.

I’m so very fortunate to have five nights in a cabin on Cortes Island offered me where the sun is shining out of a clear blue sky and a sighting of Dolphins said to be a sign of good luck! It took me around six hours by road and two ferries from Victoria to reach the island and by the time I got here I really felt like I was on an adventure.

Over the desk where I am typing is the following quote:

Out beyond the
idea of
wrong doing
and right doing
there is a field
I’ll meet you There

Rumi
Please join me, at least in your imagination, in this magical place.

These past couple of weeks I’ve been with the Vancouver Island Zen Sangha and visiting Rev. Master Meiten who is rehabilitating from a fall. All good thoughts for the sangha and for Rev. Master Meiten.

Daily Life, Overcome Difficulties

Words In Repose

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Words sing from my heart
Unformed.
Like air in the feathers
of a bird in flight.

What Joy!

Words can land
Take form.
You said where there’s wind
there’s ‘hot air’.

Hum, what’s that mean?

The bird folds
her airy wings?
Hot air condenses
Onto the cool page?

Ah! Rest, repose.

Anyhow
This is a start
standing in the kitchen
making marks.

Need, lunch.

This is for Gerry with unbounded gratitude for your writing encouragement. Yes. OK. You said I have an ‘ear’ for words, I bow to your long life experience. I heard you, every word. And saw your smile too. Thank you. No ‘landing’ is every happy (for long), just presents new challenges. Good fortune.

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