December 27, 2012

This morning began as a cool one. The temperature has been dropping going forward on into the winter season. Snow is on the ground and the days are at last becoming longer in relation to the sunlight at this latitude. It may well be awhile before the warming begins. Should see a change in

things on the ground as we near the 1^st ten days of February.

Going inside is simply the rest of the story after the clamor and calamity of the material world and by extension the American Culture— has had its course with us.

Unaware are those that simply have not experienced the constant and consistent wearing away of the Spiritual-side or bombardment of the military- industrial amenities economy via the media moguls, the resource kings and princesses and the general psychological degradation involved in the American shopping experience itself.

These unaware folks may have the key to the reasonable, sensible and a saner style of living. I think Rolf and Miller above have the key too.

December 25, 2012

There comes a time as was today-- This morning the only tracks in the sand-snow were those of Ellie- Mae's and mine...  nice cold day overall... At times it seemed like the Spirit shone on us all... nice cold day!

December 3, 2012

“He who learns must suffer…”  —Aeschylus

Ever since humans shed their fur and felt the warmth of a lightning-caused fire and realized that if they could keep the flame alive, they could avoid the brutal cold forever, we’ve spent a good portion of our time in pursuit of that goal. For those of us who reside in the “modern world,” the effort to stay warm is as challenging as turning the dial on the thermostat. But before gas furnaces and heat pumps and electric radiant heat and solar collectors, staying warm could be a full-time job. If any of you has ever tried, at least for a while, to stay warm with a wood fire and a good cast iron stove, you know the challenge. The work never ends. There’s never enough fuel and the fire always dies at three in the morning. But for most Americans, at least, even that chore is only something to be read about—“Honey, turn up the heat,” is all we need to do to stay warm.

But there are a few of us, driven by forces that can’t quite be explained, who possess a willingness to suffer and display an utter lack of common sense that causes us to abandon these comforts and deliberately seek the misery of sub-freezing temperatures. I’ve been doing this for years and still dabble in self-inflicted misery from time to time. It’s called ‘winter camping.’ It started like this…

— Jim Stiles—

http://www.canyoncountryzephyr.com/2012/12/01/take-it-or-leave-it-winter-camping-by-jim-stiles/

The dog— big black lab— is aging and goes a lot slower these days. Will bring her over to G-town on turkey day for a walk up Guanella— to the G-town Water Supply for a swim. She loves swimming and hopefully the Water Supply will still have an unfrozen lead in which she may. Ellie- Mae has grown accustomed [I think…] to the various nick-names I give her as each day unfolds.

• Elwood
• Mae
• Bubbsters
• Bubbers
• big dog

These she responds to most of the time. And then of course there is—>  big black dog.

                                                   

The politicicking is still going on, as is the unfolding propaganda of the marketers. Now, Hostess Bakeries is going by the wayside after a huge profiteering run. Sometimes businesses become just too large and greed ridden.

**************************

I pay attention to my INSIDES at different times more than the externals. Not to say the externals are any less important of a focus. Helps to keep me engaged in the REAL. 

 

Seems a hiker must!

Be well,

me

November 10, 2012

When this type of weather disturbance occurs in late fall [as it is happening today in the Denver Basin]… it serves to remind me about sleeping in the tent. Oh sleeping in the tent!

Do you resonate inside with the following quote from a hiker’s blog? —> 

Lessons Learned
“…While I feel my planning was very solid, I learned a lot from having a friend along that was struggling. The human element is probably the most unpredictable of all factors when planning trips and traveling with capable people is paramount to having and enjoyable trip. I have to take on a big part of the responsibility for our near miss because I allowed someone who was not adequately prepared to come on a very difficult hike. Outside of that issue, the trip was a stellar success. I got the chance to introduce four great friends to a backcountry experience that ranks right up there with the most rewarding backpacking trips I have done.”

http://www.summitpost.org/thunder-river-deer-creek-loop-grand-canyon-national-park/460019

It is the solace that sleeping in the tent with winter weather provides the soul.

October 26, 2012

From a friend— concerning the weather this morning:

“… first its numbing, then clears your thoughts…”—

Today is the second pulse of this Western Storm to push in w/ snow. It is dramatically cooler and the skiff left in the metro area has the leaves on the remaining trees embraced in a blanket. The trees appear from here to be 80%+ gone. Remember photosynthesis here at this elev. and latitude stops during the week of August 8^th through the 14^th. It has been a rather nice interlude in between the end of the growing season then; and the on- coming middle- autumn weather conditions we are benefiting from today. Indian Summer is gone now and the animals that are left in the urbanized corridor as the media moguls call it now— are left to manage without assistance: for them selves as they always are left to fend.

Today in my opinion is exactly weather to wake up from in the backpacker tent and move about in efforts to keep warm and go/ or continue hiking –backpacking. Those of you who know the Abajo’s and have been in this area when a Colorado Plateau storm has pushed/ pulsed through can empathize with my sentiment this morning.  I am reminded again and again about the calling of the weather and at times lament my suburbanized schedule these days that prohibit me from doing what we all know to be the soul- food of the hiker— to be out in it… to immerse the self in the wrappings of the temperatures, humidity conditions and the general ambiance of its play upon the skin.  Right?

I smile as I suppose you are—

 

October 18, 2012, Lakewood, CO

11:12:49, hours MDT

...continued hiker’s meditation…

Well, the frosts and pooled water upon the ground in varying places has been lightly freezing, forming the ever familiar crusts of the on- going seasonal change here.

The big NW front came through and blew hard for what seemed to be over 10 hours total. The windiness was truly an event to be experienced. Steady winds I suppose in the 35 mph category with elongated higher “gusts.” Those of us who relish these wind events were rewarded.

The trees look, appear and give the impression to be more than 50-60% gone. Some trees are continuing to hold onto some leaves of color and some are continuing on w/ the pale watery green of the season. Others, mainly the ornamentals are completely barren at this date. The ground cover has moved from the yellow to now the deeper shades of red, brown and some gray is noticeable. The rabbit brush is nearly gone to, having gone to seed virtually- completely.

The frosts are becoming a regular feature of the season here, as well the trees are likely 50% done turning. Leaf fall is on- going. I sense the desire to awaken on the trail...

October 1, 2012

There comes the time seemingly on a routine basis whereby most hikers sense the need to clean house from the inside out. Most practitioners seem to understand this step the same.

The alternative is all to clear for those that shine on this opportunity to clean up… — the choice is to  slowly abide for the superficial, slowly become too hungry… slowly become too angry… slowly become too lonely… and slowly become way too tired.

Remember that the autumn is upon us and the trees are 30- 40% turned at this elevation. Go out there and intentionally take some images, walk until your metabolism kicks in and don’t forget to listen in on yourself.

Your thoughts?

September 30, 2012

There are many times, opportunities and occasions to increase stamina and metabolism while in the swing of a multiple day out- and- back. Remember that weather conditions change and may affect your routine… the key to remain in the zone is to observe the mind as it wanders without your permission— as Rolf so eloquently points out.

Meditations from the Mat 

Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison

Day 221

 

September 27, 2012, Lakewood, CO

10:29:37, hours MDT

...continued hiker’s meditation…

Below is another meditation from our guy Rolf:

Meditations from the Mat, Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison

Day 220

In the night of all beings, the wise man sees only

The radiance of the Self.

Bhagavad Gita

Leaf fall has begun here at this elevation. The showers of the past evenings are readying the soils at the roots of the trees as they shut down and the phloem slows to a stop for the dormant season. Smells abound; both animal scent and decaying leafs etc. Folks are wearing more clothes and the dew is a noticeable element earlier in the mornings.

Things are okay these days… no emotional emergencies that others are overrunning me with. Nothing is so darn urgent that I can not take time to just Be and respond accordingly.

Things, events and people’s “stuff” takes TIME at times. Rushing around and thinking that there is urgency— to react to every electronic ping, text, email or call is a falsehood in the culture at large. There just is not an emotional emergency that needs the instant reaction that Apple or ATT or the political hacks dictate to us all that we need to react or lose something. Lose what, is my response— lose what?

Seems like the material world Rolf addresses above is the cause of the injustice and related emotional pain, pressure and stresses we experience. Correct?

When was the last time you noticed- that the clamor of the material goods culture did not have this pressure upon you?

The months and years I spent living outside helped me to understand that there are no emotional emergencies that lead one into this type of despair. The culture’s mores and how the parts of this puzzle interact w/ one’s psyche have more to do with one’s despair than living in nature and working the metabolism.  We should heed the sage’s advisement here— that connecting to our own soul is the leading beacon— for those attempting to alleviate the pressures and pain of the encroachment of the Culture. We need the like- minded here, hence the power in practicing asana in a group.

Bo Lozoff, director of the Human Kindness foundation

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kxci/arts.artsmain?action=viewArticle&sid=14&id=894545&pid=218

 

       “There comes . . . a longing never to travel again...         except on foot.”

                                   ― Remembering / Wendell Berry

the slowest way is the best way...

I believe this to be true. 

Ever notice that the seasonal changes are in no special hurry and that the animals do not worry about politics and such things?

The hiker uses the tent to sleep in and otherwise uses the hikers on the feet to his or her own advantage. 

your thoughts?

The tranquility of it all... in winter at the River.

Labor Day.... The laborer's DAY

  

Used to hold a local card w/ the Mason Tenders of Mid- town Manhattan/ the Locals in Denver and G. Jct and over in So. Nevada/ Las Vegas long long ago..

taking the DAY is still important to me.

Enjoy !!!
http://www.billcook.net/puttin-up-the-flag.html

Puttin' Up The Flag

www.billcook.net

At times we have to slow down and allow the world to go at its pace, while we rejuvenate and reinvigorate our souls. At times we pray and meditate at other times we find ourselves making the jump from knowledge to wisdom. 

August 5, 2012, Lakewood, CO

11:17:09, hours MDT

...continued hiker’s meditation…

“In life we must learn not only how to live, but how to die well.”

Seneca

Meditations from the Mat, Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison

Day 195

When my master and I were walking in the rain, he would say,

“Do not walk so fast, the rain is everywhere.”

Shunryu Suzuki

“Out of the pain of where we have been, many of us come to the mat in a hurry. Our self- study has revealed a universe of pain and loss, while at the same time it has intimated that there is a better way. Some work on the mat has brought some relief; therefore, we assume, more work on the mat will bring more relief. 

So we attend workshop after workshop, attempt postures of ever increasing difficulty. We are in a hurry to escape the pain we have been in and are still contending with, but our haste is self- defeating. Do not walk so fast. The pain you wish to escape is everywhere. Do not walk so fast. The grace you seek is everywhere.”

Reminds me about the years of time I put in doing just this. Reminds me about making time to ARRIVE.

Just arriving takes time. Arriving at the mat takes time to adjust to the asana, pranayama and motion in between postures. Patricia Hansen used to tell us in her Yoga class that we will always be “beginners.” I remember the first set of hikes at GRCA 2005 through winter 2007. It took me this many months to adjust from the inculcation to go fast over the course of the last career and living in the socially busy State of Colorado…

Took me a similar time to adjust to living in the SW 40+ years ago too, although blissfully I believe I was not aware of the transitioning time required to Arrive. Suzuki reminds me of the many times I have walked slower in the rain/ weather/ ice- fog of the Colorado Plateau and the 5-day a week walks into and from the Inner Canyon Ranger Station. At some indiscernible juncture with time, energy and matter, I believe I did not walk so fast. I arrived in the present moment. The memories are solid of this- ‘arriving slowly.’

Going fast always gives me a lament for being in such a rush. When involved in evolving it behooves the practitioner to observe the current internal/ external environment and then remove from the environment that which is indicated for the change. Going fast always gives a ‘less than-- result.’

 July 11, 2012

Reading list:

• Through the Grand Canyon from Wyoming to Mexico / E.L. Kolb; with a foreword by Owen Wister ; with 48 plates from photographs by the author and his brother.
• Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power / Steve Coll.

Remember something which may be elusive and confounding at times of attachment to outcomes:

Surrendering into the moment is far better than surrendering those things, circumstances and events which produce agitation in the mind.

 A meditation follows:

Meditations from the Mat, Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison

Day 182

“We shape the clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.” 

 Lao-Tzu

“Aparigraha, or nonhoarding, is the art of appreciating emptiness in ones’ life, but before we can learn to appreciate emptiness, we must first learn to let go.  On the mat we practice aparigraha by letting go of our expectations and letting go of the concerns of the day.  I recently caught myself comparing a class I was taking to another class that I had found more fulfilling.  I paused then and questioned my belief that the other class had somehow been more satisfying.  I realized that the class I had found more fulfilling was one in which I had surrendered more deeply, one in which I had given a big sigh, let go of my day, and relaxed into the moment – with

no thought of how it should be, no repeated clock checks, just childlike compliance and present-

moment awareness.  I had allowed that class to be fulfilling simply by letting go into it.  I had to admit now that I was making a choice not to be fulfilled by the class I was in, that I was so full of my own expectations that I could not receive from the class I was taking.  Aparigraha reminds us to always let go and never hold on.  This letting go is the cultivation of emptiness in our lives.  Into this emptiness, grace will come.” 

Like Rolf suggests, perhaps we should try incorporating more aparigraha and appreciate more— the empty spaces in our lives, the non-happenings, the transitions.

Transitioning is at times a spot I find my self at— much like standing at a bus stop, waiting for the bus to come. It is a temporary lull in the velocities in which I travel, and by extension the rest of us here on the planet. Put this in context of the military- industrial complex or the current divisiveness of the politicos, political hacks and their sirens  They are jockeying for position— best favorable position I might add. Correct? Transitioning seems by this analogy to be outcome focused?

Yes, correct again!

Gates proposes that there is deeper meaning— meaning with depth and weight, I believe. To relax into the moment just as it is and allow the jockeying of the mind to settle out the clamor of the world and the bellowing of the mind.

I find that when I look ahead past transitioning I find moments of stabilization. Stabilizing the moments, and remembering again that beginner’s mind seems to yak and holler as if it is the immature teenager, is worthwhile.   Relaxing into the empty spaces and places seems to take time.

The calls to us to buy our way into pleasure leads to addicting efforts and the goal always is elusive. This surrendering into the moment/ empty spaces seems worthwhile compared.

At times I believe those places in Nature— those special places we all have in our mind’s eye— are the solace producing experiences which when immersed in- produce a change; for some profoundly.

Stillness in motion....

House Finch

At times there is the moment when the stillness is prevalent...
Lake Louise, ALB, CA

June 8, 2012 Lakewood, CO

09:58:49, hours MDT

...continued hiker’s meditation…

Remember it is not what we become saturated with— that becomes the growth and turning points in our living...BUT... how much of this saturation we are able to lay by the wayside as we practice coming into the moment. Our creativity relies on the latter and for some gives the practitioner an inner living that becomes unmistakably rich— with feeling and depth.

This practice is truly REMARKABLE…

Meditations from the Mat, Rolf Gates, Katrina Kenison

Day 170

The conjunction of the seer with the seen is for

the seer to discover his own true nature.

Yoga Sutras

“This is good news. We’ve heard the bad news: we don’t know who we are, which gives us an exaggerated sense of I-ness and pride, which in turn tethers us to an endless round of fear and desire. And if that’s not bad enough, we’re not even supposed to be afraid of death. So, what’s the good news?

The good news is that all of this, every last aspect of this experience called life has only one purpose: our spiritual growth. The intersection of the spiritual with the physical, energy with matter, life with the lifeless, all has evolution as its aim. It is all about evolution, and we are invited to the party. That is, if we choose to go.

Krishnamurti said that we do not learn from the experience; rather, we learn from the experiences we choose to learn from. It’s all about evolution— if we are willing to see it that way. We have free will. The eight- limbed path’s solutions to life’s difficulties offer us a means for making systematic our choice to learn from experience. Yoga is a means for cultivating personal responsibility for our growth. The practices, the yamas, the niyamas, asana, pranayama, and meditation are merely invitations to partake more fully, more completely, in the divine dance.

We have a sense of the problem, and if you are at all like me, you have more than a sense that you have lived it. Now, let’s embrace the solution. Start where you are. Begin to see your entire life as your spiritual practice. Whether it is thanking the person, who opens the door for you,

giving a good tip to your waiter, or the hours you spend sweating on your mat, embrace your place in the moment with all your heart.”

Embrace your self where it is you find yourself dwelling on this type of I-ness or that category of righteous indignation  or where energy meets matter and you sense you are truly carrying around the adipose tissues and sucking in your stomach every time you sense others staring at it.

Embrace your self at the intersection of energy and matter- at the intersection of self- centered pattern and the awareness, the wakefulness of the spirit when it comes to pass that you indeed choose to evolve.

The pathway is broad- for you this will be rewarding however fraught with unknown twists and diversions and back- tracking. 

The solution will not be as straightforward in the false rewarding sense we all have come to know. With the bosses touting these “products”, financial, material, the cruises to so- called exotic spots of luxury or the ubiquitous entertainment of the social- media genre. 

The solution lies within the framework of the yoga practice and in complimentary turn the meditation practice available to all – by choosing this pathway.

Otherwise the chooser has the alternative— more military strife, more political bosses turning down the heat for us in cold times and then gouging us all with their abilities to make us pay their way by making everyday sundries pricey.

This method of living turns off the opportunity to grow spiritually. Choose to learn from those experiences which maintain so- called free rent in your memories.

Breathe deeply of the air, practice yoga and mediation to lessen your reliance on the succor and intoxicating effect of the Amenities Culture with allures us falsely into a basket of passive lethargy. 

Make the time to have the time to be in sync with the time it takes to choose this path. It may mean reducing the business as usual, the false pretenses and the so- called shopping experience we all have come to know as the American Experience and obtaining some outside support along the way.

Yoga is best learned not from a DVD or practicing alone but in a group of like minded ones who will assist you along the way.

Am anticipating the trip onto the North Kaibab Ranger District for a period of reflection, rest and discovery.