Laughing Yoginis

My gentle friend, I sense that the ones who surround you do not know the answer to your question. I think they may not even know the question exists. I am convinced that you need fellow travellers who have been down that path, dove into that well, and come back with the answer. You need these people not because they can tell you your answer -- they cannot -- but because they will understand you, they will love you for who you are in ways that you have never known love, and their love and compassion will illuminate the possibilities. They will help you in your jorney to find home and may even show you how to answer your great heart question . And me? How do I fit in? Why did I show up? Although I am not sage or illuminated, I am there to encourage you in your quest. I believed in you deeply when I first met you -- even with all of the flaws and imperfections you may have. (Hey, we all have them.) So my gentle friend -- You can do it!

"Stop thinking this is all there is. Realize that for every ongoing war and religious outrage and environmental devastation and bogus Iraqi attack plan, there are a thousand counter-balancing acts of staggering generosity and humanity and art and beauty happening all over the world, right now, on a breathtaking scale, from flower box to cathedral. Resist the temptation to drown in fatalism, to shake your head and sigh and just throw in the karmic towel. Realize that this is the perfect moment to change the energy of the world, to step right up and crank your personal volume; right when it all seems dark and bitter and offensive and acrimonious and conflicted and bilious... there's your opening. Remember magic! And, finally, believe you are part of a groundswell, a resistance, a seemingly small but actually very, very large impending karmic overhaul, a great shift, the beginning of something important and potent and unstoppable." - Mark Morford, SF Chronicle columnist

I missed this retreat this year in order to go to Tibet. Photo compliments of one of the retreatants. New Mexico, January 2008

Part two of a four part apology. I just wanted to clear up any confusion. E-mail is so lousy sometimes, but I've been overwhelmed with deadlines and had to resort to it from time to time. We just needed to make some adjustments to our approach and wanted to share with you the reasons for the abrupt change. We appreciated all of your hard work and flexibilty, and we would not have made it through some of the tough parts without you. I wanted you to know that we were working with a lot of strong perceptions in our extended team as well as recognize that there are many valid and different styles and approaches. I guess I could have said just that, but there was some barrier in finding the right words. Please chalk up any ungracious communication to me being very young, still learning, and being very overwhelmed. My wise grandmother said, "sometimes thirty, sometimes three." when referring to my age. She meant the small handfull of things I have the fortune to understand some...