It’s early morning and the sun is about to appear. In the sand by the ocean I draw a circle, as perfect as I can make it. This sand already holds the tracks of waves, deer, crow, gull, otter, rabbit, dog, humans, and now this two-legged one. I mark the directions, the cardinal points of east, south, west, and north. … Read More
Walking the Razor’s Edge
When I move from here – “here” may be a teaching situation, a conversation with a neighbour, preparing a meal, or writing this piece – I can go to either of two states of being. Between them is a razor. On one side of the razor – the side of the linear, the physical existence we all participate in – is … Read More
Writing In the Rain
I am in the universe like a small child at a fair The universe offers a line or a poem a surprise balloon Sometimes like that small child I am distracted from my poet self by the pragmatics of this all too busy life But if I let go that line or poem like a balloon it soars away. So I … Read More
Winter: it’s about Attitude and Clothing
It’s winter on the Wet Coast. Rain, sometimes just dull flat grey. Four months or so of sitting inside, waiting for the clouds to break, maybe seeing a big yellow bright thing in the sky for a moment or two, hurting your eyes until it disappears again. Tolerable? – Barely. Pleasant? – Naw. Absorbing, stimulating fun? – Are you kidding? … Read More
Don’t Be Stressed, Be Blessed
We are all loved, small as we are. That love comes unconditionally and generously from Source, God, the Mystery, the Creator, Universe, Guides, or whatever other word you have for that power that is all around you but out of sight of your eyes. One time I was speaking with people who were preparing for a Vision Quest, a powerful … Read More
The Re-Empowerment of a Generation – or two
We have been abusing our children with too much safety. We have been creating incompetent children who will become incompetent “adults.” Too many young people don’t know how to take even basic care of themselves in a strange or potentially dangerous situation, to avoid getting hurt, to ask for help, or to get out of even minor trouble. How does … Read More
I love Nature, but humans…? – not so much
Not long ago I listened to a young person talk for a time, then commented, “It sounds like you love nature and hate people.” She responded with a simple, firm, “Yes.” This young person is not alone in her feelings. Perhaps you too (almost certainly you too!) have had such feelings. Take your grief (anything that is not peace is … Read More
Healing the Vax Divide
The question of “To vax or not to vax” still weighs heavily on many minds and hearts these days. Not because we’re still deciding – most of us found our answer long ago – but because different responses continue to be a source of great pain. There is no other topic I know of that has divided so many people … Read More
Rewriting the Past
I had a memory that wouldn’t let me go; or maybe I just didn’t know how to let go of the memory. It doesn’t really matter which of those is true, or where the balance lies. The incident happened when I was seven years old, and it was emotionally and physically traumatic. I had used various means of healing for … Read More
Release
A young woman saw a smiling photograph and said, “You look sad.” How did she know? I was sad so long, not knowing what I missed, until mind and ego fell away and I remembered: First in a frightening flash: a boy alone in a canoe, the bedrock calling me; The ridiculous beauty of a candy bar wrap on the … Read More