Soul Connection

I just returned from a walk in the desert. Out the front gate and down the sandy road are many paths I can wander with my dog, Daisy. We were the first ones to walk the road after a huge rain storm came through. The smell of creosote permeated the air. It is a unique desert perfume.

As I walked I contemplated the vastness of the desert. It's similar to the sea. Perhaps they are the only wild places left. Many of the desert plants look like things you see in the ocean. I noticed some green sprouts popping up through the sand. Life finds a way.

Out here in the Mojave Desert you can feel exposed. The sky is immense and you can see for miles. The beauty of that is you can feel your own presence. Really be with yourself. That is, if the mind doesn't take over with endless chatter. But even my mind quiets out here. Like it's tuning into a different frequency. I notice more things in nature. I hear the ravens chattering in the Joshua trees. I feel connected to myself and also something greater. I feel like I can really hear things, like the longings of my own heart and the whispers from my body that say, yes, this.

I am more in touch with my animal self out here amongst the cactus and creosote. When I am in that state I can actually "let the soft body of my animal love what it loves." ( thank you Mary Oliver)

How often do we allow that? To let ourselves love what we love. Enjoy what we enjoy. Marvel. Wonder. Taste. Smell. Connect.

There is freedom when we can let go like that. Let go to receive a deeper connection. To self, soul, to the earth and the cosmos.

We're all connected wether we like it or not. We're made of the same stuff. Energy, earth, stardust... We are wired for connection.

I'm a human who craves solitude, especially in nature. But I also absolutely love connecting with other humans. I prefer to go deep. Skip the surface level stuff. Nope, not for me. Perhaps you are like that too.

I was reflecting on the vision for Hawk + Horse as I walked. It was created to be a place of deep connection. A place of peace and to just "be." There's so much to "do" in the world. We need places that exist as sanctuaries for our souls. That is the vision here. For your soul to find sanctuary. Maybe you're on a healing journey or learning to befriend grief. Perhaps you are in a major life transition or feeling lost and alone. You are welcome here. All of you.

Come and be held. Let the land hold you. Let the horses remind you who you are. Let Spirit speak to you in the vastness of Mother Mojave. Connect to yourself, other travelers and all that is. Because, as Ram Dass said "We're all just walking each other home."