It is striking how much the simple act of being in nature awakens my joy. And in the Blue Zones—those rare places where people live well past a hundred—this is simply how life is lived.
Sardinian shepherds walking hillsides, Okinawan grandmothers tending gardens, Nicoyan villagers rising with the rivers: it’s grounding their joy and longevity.
I return often in memory to one of the most serene experiences of my life—a five-day camping trip deep into the southern Sierras of California. The scent of pine, the silence of dawn, the flood of starlight at night carried a meditative stillness that required no effort. The last few weeks I’ve spent time digging deep into a place on this planet, I would be comfortable visiting once a year. To hold annual retreats for the students and I. I’m leading in the direction of Montana. My father is buried there and before he passed, we visited some of his most cherished places in Montana.
Truly awakening
Music We’re Lovin
Life (Official Music Video) Ludovico Einaudi • 30M views • 520K likes (not for the faint of heart) I listen to music 16 hours out of our 24 hour day. That’s a lot of listening, but I must remind you that listening to books quite often is the same thing to me as listening to music. Regardless of where I’m reading; late at night or in the bath before bed, in the garden, running, swimming, traveling on that train leaving Morocco-dreaming. Or listening to a random person talk to me about something that’s none of their business, but for some reason, they feel compelled to try and make it my business. That has a very unique sound. Musical vibration. Color.
It’s interesting, associating their body position, odor, and overall energy/ frequency of their voice to a piece of music I’ve heard somewhere down the line…. then going back to that very day or several months later and listening to the music reflecting back up on that person or situation. The other day I stumbled across an image that took me for quite a moment. I’ve been swimming in the depth of his eyes, his clothes, surrounding environment for so long it is only now that I feel sound coming from it. It’s a travel novel with music…
I’ve said enough
Waktan Corridor, Afghanistan
Full Moon Mindful Meditation Walks
Many years ago, I was looking, standing, at the door on my Yogashala looking over the ocean and a very early morning full moon. I thought, there are a lot of people passing through here that never get a chance to see this.
So I started the “Full Moon Mindful Meditation Walks.“ First we would hike up Iron Mountain east of here. Then we started walking my home town beach where I learned to surf. Swamis-Pipes and down to the small delta we have here in Cardiff if one could call it that.
Eventually other teachers that I’m close with stepped in and lead the groups. I have been very fortunate and grateful for this. We will be holding yet another this year 2025. Let me know if you are interested. You can view more on our website here.
Stay in the light of love. It’s always worth it.. tat sat Dennis
