Oct 06
From Santa Fe
I don’t know if you have ever been to Santa Fe – it really is a beautiful place. I actually hiked a small way up into the mountains where the brilliant flame coloured Aspens shone among the dense green of the Fir trees. Whilst walking, we lost the dog and found her peering round a tree, very still, at a lone man, practising his violin in the middle of the forest. Quite surreal and very moving.
I don’t walk much – too lazy. However, when I do, I really enjoy it and this walk made me realise what I was missing. On the way back we spoke to the violinist, a lovely, gentle man – now sitting in his car and quietly reading the score of a Bach Partita! Bizarre you might say – but somehow, for me quite inspirational – hopeful I think.
The earth coloured and strange shapes of the adobe houses – so beautifully suited to this climate – add to the magic of this desert town. What an amazing time to be here. The Presidential election fight is something else. Its crazy and getting increasingly hostile. My friend here is pretty philosophical, however the combination of election fever and the financial world falling apart is really extraordinary. The contrasts of the peace in the forest, the lone musician and what is seen on the TV is good practice for meditating in the market place!
Persephone
October 10th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Persephone, I find a walk through trees, up a hill or along a beach the best way to put the world into perspective. Far too many of us drive the short distance to work or shops, and just sit indoors watching TV – perhaps the financial worries and uncertainties will kick start a new wave of walkers and cyclists. We would all be healthier and thinking for ourselves rather than what we are told to think by the powers that be!
Glad you are enjoying Santa Fe.
October 10th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Hi Davinian -a lovely piece, thank you. To be staying right now in America at the convergence of world monetary collapse with the election of the new President of the USA, is to experience the extraordinary. On TV here each day we see panic holding hands with commonsense. We hear childish petulant comments competing with calm, dignity and strength. Legislation that gave priority for bike and walking trails could be one of the biggest antitidotes to the stress being felt globally by everyone. In the meantime all we can do, is follow our own small ways to stay peaceful, whatever they may be. This is what you have been doing – keep doing it!
October 10th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
An extraordinary time indeed – exciting but a little bit scary at the same time. I have a large coffee mug on my desk that has a little saying about Peace.
Peace
It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
Nobody knows who wrote it, it’s marked (unknown), but it’s so true – although trees and hills can also help.