Inspiration

 

The inspiration for this move--horses and nature.

Each piece added is examined in its use and generates a point of gratitude. The wheelbarrow, the rakes, the brooms, the can opener, and so on are all part of the building of solutions for day-to-day activity. Learning from the remarkable team of people taking action at the farm: the electrician, the plumber, the grass cutter, the painter, and so on who are creating a safe, functioning work space. How interesting to take this all on as a transition from minimalism. It suits my energy level. Wonderful place and infrastructure. The horses are learning a new routine. Chloe is having a ball running, running, and running. 

Columbia, Kentucky

Next adventure!!!  Kentucky farm. Horses shipping out. Storage unit shipping out. In the morning, I pick up Chloe, my new dog, and I start the drive to Columbia, Kentucky. Work has started on the farm for plumber, painting, etc. Water works. Energy transferred. The drive will be 30 hours. Global nomad to owner of an eighty plus acre farm. 

Chloe

Last ride in Loomis on Lincoln

10 Year Anniversary

 

10 years ago to the day, I walked out of the hotel in Jaipur and headed to the ashram. I was a day early from meeting with the group, but I wanted to know the route and distance, so I wouldn't be late. The walk one way was about 1 1/2 hours. The group was staying 10 minutes from the ashram. I had just landed from South Africa and was use to walking. Curiosity drove me. I was use to traveling, so walking through a foreign city was nothing new. Seeing cows on the street was. Somehow, I had created a map and was about to test it out. The sights, sounds, and smells were unfamiliar. By this time, I was searching/seeking answers for the pain in my spiritual heart. 

2021. First year to not go to India. Pandemic. Heading to Kentucky instead. I am not sure if I would return to India if I wasn't going to see Gurudev. Although, I have grown to embrace the differences and it feels like a second home.

Something pulling me to Kentucky not unlike the pull to India. Curiosity and gratitude for what is about to unfold. Takao has been babysitting a rug that I was given from the ashram. Maybe there will be a floor to keep it now. I have been thinking about Durga and all of the wonderful festivals I attended. Maybe I will find a picture to honor her. The house is going to be painted. I haven't had a wall to hang anything for a very long time. A student from over 15 years ago drew wonderful headshots of two past horses, both dead now. 

My first home. My real home is inside now, but it will be fun to play farmer for a bit. 

Watching the Evolution of Self

Watching the evolution of Self in a way that I could have never imagined before. India provided the catalyst for discovering it as a way of being. Now, it grows and becomes the way I am. Gratitude and beauty for this unfolding/deepening. As a drop, I am in the ocean, but the ocean is also within the drop. KY is becoming a catalyst for going home in a way that is filling a voracious appetite. To drink tea with nature, horses, and whoever comes through the gate. 

Nurturing the Gap

 

I have been looking at another way to be with the horses over the past few years. Studying through the eyes of the horse. Someone visiting the current group of five horses for the first time gave a voice to her experience of hand feeding grass trimmings.  It brought invaluable confirmation of the design that I want to continue pursuing. She observed their presence, kindness, and awareness. 

My focus has been on developing their intelligence, so they can make choices. It requires leaving a gap, so they can think and not just react. I have to be a better partner to nurture the gap. The gap is where a lot happens. I confirmed that while living/learning in India.

Reduce the Fear

 

An opportunity to ride the horses instead of walk/hike with them. They have to make different decisions when I am riding. Marvel at how they evolve and take in their environment in such a discerning and thoughtful way. I try to give them time to make a decision on their own or from a place of asking rather then forcing. Develop the intelligence/confidence and reduce the fear. 

Tidying-Up

 

Before a transition, I have noticed a tendency to tidy-up and invest in new resources for the destination. In this case, I spent time investing in warm under-garments, boots, socks, gloves, and hats for the potential shift to cold in KY. Nice to go and examine the farm and location in the middle of winter and a cold front. No attachment to the outcome, but trying to ask questions and follow relevancy/depth in many new areas.