I normally tell people who are interested in recording “gravity glue” that there is a certain lack of expectation that must be applied. As with balancing rocks, the more I expect. the more frustrated or disappointed I become…Even for beginner’s it is a valuable point to abandon any expectations and just FLOW with the moment…

Balancing year round in most weather has brought a heightened appreciation for observing the interaction between the rock arrangements and moments of weather……. simple temperature changes can turn familiar creations into ice-rock-snow hybrids of natural flux and creative touch.  Although I pay closer attention to weather reports and do certain things at certain times and locations, bottom line is the weather is reasonably unpredictable…  As I walked up to this bridge this morning, I was suspended in curiosity as to whether it withstood all the snow.. deep breath upon realizing it was still standing..

Although the weather said freezing temperatures, this morning was different somehow from the last freeze… warmer water?  snow insulation? Normally where solid ice formed at the surface of the creek, a slushy layer of snow/ice formed instead.. soft enough to run a finger through it… Anyway, there was some ice formation but I wonder if the heavy snow had anything to do with slush instead of ice..

one unique result from the present conditions was the series of slush/ice droplets hanging under the arch.. So quiet when the everything is blanketed in snow.. :)

“The universe is much more grand, more amazing, more beautiful, more elegant and more subtle than what has ever been written in any holy book, and you are here for a brief moment in time, against nigh-incalculable odds, to momentarily be a part of it all.

Just consider that for a moment.”

―Professor Richard Dawkins, 2011.

Today is a day of Thanksgiving in the United States.  Although the spirit is mostly positive, I have mixed feelings about this holiday as the history goes much deeper and darker than many care to recognize. On one side of the coin we have Thanksgiving, which is a time to come together with friends and family to celebrate all the blessings in our lives. Conversely, the ‘holiday’ is also a “Day of Mourning” for many in connection to the genocide of native peoples during the establishment of this country.  So the holiday seems more like a Catch-22 in my eyes.

It is great to observe our blessings, but let’s not forget about the bigger picture and how we got to this moment. Also, I hope that most if not all people realize it is important to give thanks EVERY DAY. independent of a mixed-appeal national holiday.

Stone balance has generally carried a ritualistic quality of showing appreciation.  the process is so intimate that feeling grateful becomes natural. Even if the gratefulness is simply that the rocks did not collapse and destroy my fingers… ha

In general, sitting and contemplating the beauty of stone balances with their surroundings is enough to bring me into a state of relaxed awe for the possibilities in life. for breath. for the multitude of blessings i have earned and have been given..

Today I was in Colorado Springs to visit my mom. we went walking around a beautiful place called Garden of the Gods. It is a local park of AMAZING rock formations, carved into towering structures by wind and other erosive forces. The balance shown here was done today in the park. It made many people smile, including myself and my mom. :)  It would not have felt complete without projecting some creative energy into a gesture of my appreciation… for EVERYTHING, just as it is.

Thanks! :)

There is a voice that doesn’t use words.
Listen.
~ Rumi ~

Today I drove into Rocky Mountain National Park for a day of retreat, re-balance, observation, and reflection.  This weekend was anticipated to be near-peak for many Aspen groves as they underwent their brilliant color changes for Fall.  I had no expectations. No particular balance session in mind. Just me, my pack, the mountain and a few random hikers along the 12 mile round-trip hike.  My intended destination was an alpine lake just below the timberline. The hike was incredibly strenuous as I was slightly out of shape for such a long, constant uphill trek.  After a few hours, I finally reached my intended destination. Out of breath, exhausted, sweating; however, the views of the lake and peaks, were well worth the struggle. The silence was therapeutic as I sat next to the water in meditative observation.  Listening. Being. Occasionally imagining what it might be like to live in such a place. Peace of mind flooded my senses. City life became a distant memory as I quietly traded thoughts with the mountain, reflecting for quite some time. I ended the session by balancing a large rock as a gesture of appreciation for the experience.  The challenge then became leaving the lake to begin the 2 hour hike back down to the trailhead. Daylight fading. Unsure if darkness would overtake my descent.  Unsure if various predators would spot me alone in the wilderness.  Perhaps it would be better to think in terms of oneness as opposed to separate and alone.

There was a strange enchantment that befriended my descent, as if countless spirits watched me shuffle quickly down the mountain. Unavoidably delayed by Fall colors, views of aspen groves, rocks to balance, and twilight brilliance, I could sense darkness closing in faster than I could walk.  I had not seen another hiker in hours and wondered how much farther the descent might be. The solitude and growing darkness made for quite a primal experience. Adrenaline was high as I looked out for possible mountain lions scoping me for dinner. Not to mention bear territory.  Eventually I caught up with other hikers in the last half mile of the descent, relieved to feel somewhat safe again… I felt strange upon my return to the familiarity of cars and roads, but also quite relaxed and fulfilled with the day’s experience.