California: Vagabonding for 6 Weeks

I’m falling head over heels in love with Mount Shasta! Why?

Gorgeous lakes, pristine air, and the freshest water I’ve ever tasted.

Another thing I love is Shasta Abbey, a Zen Buddhist monastery. 

This non-profit Abbey rocked my world and made me see I need a sangha, a group of masters who study, live, and teach Zen Buddhism, meditation, and how to deal with everyday life.

This is the best part of the practice. Learning how to cope with reality. 

After doing an introductory meditation weekend, I’m now going back for my own personal retreat and can stay longer. You don’t leave the grounds and have work to do every day in the kitchen or temple.

You may assist the monks and nuns with what work needs doing.

Then you have meditations during the day in the serenc temple so you can get the benefit of slowing down and strengthening your practice.

Seeing Mount Shasta every morning, noon, and night soothed my soul. And daily meditations and sweeping helped too.

The Abbey doesn’t allow leaf blowers.

So one day I swept around the temple for 2 hours. This is called “work meditation.”

After sweeping for so long, I saw life differently.

I was contributing by doing a simple task that I enjoyed. And I paid attention to each brush of the broom. This leads you into a meditative state.

And there’s no sitting.

Next I will go back to Stewart Hot Springs.

The oldest hot springs in California as soon as I can. Dunking into the river was invigorating after sweating in the hot steam room stoked with a giant wood stove inside the 100-year-old bath house.

Mount Shasta is not an easy place to leave. It’s slow, snowy, and sensual with the change of seasons, and the smaller population, only 4500 residents.

 

 

 

 

The temple was my favorite place to be other than staring at Mount Shasta.

We weren’t supposed to talk so I did a lot of staring.

Another cool thing was re-connecting with my wonderful friends and clients. My clients became my friends so I’m eternally grateful for the strong connections and love I feel here in California.

One of my favorite moments was surprising Lisa at her house when she didn’t know I was visiting. Showing up on a dear friend’s doorstep, highly recommend it.

I did manage to eat a lot more than I usually do and will get right back into swimming and eating barrels of fruit as soon as I return to my life on Kauai.

I feel heavy.

But these eggs were yummy, thank you Dan!

Loved Dan’s living room that looks out onto a sweet fountain to greet you when you arrive.

Didn’t think I’d see a castle in California but here it is just north of St. Helena.

And a poetic-looking fire engine in Calistoga.

Indian Springs has the oldest pool in California but it was closed for renovation.

They spiffed up the grounds and added a new restaurant, Sam’s Social Club. Great wine and food, check it out.

One thing Kauai doesn’t have is a Whole Foods store.

But here in California Whole Foods is everywhere. Love the flowers, the food, and the people watching.

Tomorrow I go back to Hawaii! I’m ready to get back in my bikini and get to work.

Shooting, writing, and teaching. Yes!

Grateful for my life, friends, and family. Blessings to the world, all of us, and new ventures on the horizon.