Seeing the Light ☀️🕊️
March Offerings: (3/1) Writing on the Dosewallips • (3/9) Learning from the River • (3/19) Equinox Writing Circle • (3/29) Listening with the Body • SAVE THE DATE: 3-Day Retreat @Mt Adams (4/17-4/20)
Dear Rising in Love readers, the light is returning.
As we approach the Vernal Equinox, the days are growing longer, with the sun rising earlier as it approaches the East, setting later as it nears due West.
On this remote peninsula in the Pacific Northwest, I am seeing the first signs of growth. There are buds on the rhododendrons. Burgeoning cherry blossoms and tender pussy willows. Daffodils pushing their way up through the softening earth.
While the return of the light can be easily seen in the lengthening days and brighter sunshine, it may feel less easy to spot when looking at national events here in the US.
But dear readers, the light is there too. Just as earthly heat and pressure can forge the most luminous diamonds, I can see that these challenging conditions are transforming many of us into fire-tested gems of radiant luminosity.
If one is consumed by the cycle of news, that luminousness can be hard to see. But it is there, and the onus is on each of us to find it.
I have found this growing radiance by looking not at the global news cycle, but at the actions of friends and family — as well as the occasional stranger — in places close to my heart:1
…in Minneapolis, where residents are using creative ingenuity, organic grassroots organizing and the transcendent power of song to unite thousands in peaceful solidarity.
…in Maine, where churches have rallied to provide safe havens, monetary support and legal resources to African immigrants targeted by ICE’s aggressive sweep in February.
…in DC, where the Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace culminated at the Lincoln Memorial and was attended by hundreds of clergy of every denomination, tens of thousands of supporters in-person, and a million+ more online.
…in Greenwich Village NYC, where city officials and denizens restored the Pride flag to the Stonewall Monument after the current administration removed it, with New York legislators advancing a bill to permanently protect it.
…in politicians like the Republican candidate running for Governor of Minnesota who stepped down from both the race and his party, saying he could not abide by a party that sanctioned violence against Americans;
…in individual citizens like the New Jersey man who broke down on camera when attending his first-ever protest, saying that after seeing neighborhood kids run away from ICE officers, he had to act: “I love the United States, but that’s not who we are.”
This is but a short list of actions that have moved and inspired me personally. It is up to each of us to make our own lists, to consciously see and cultivate the light within us and around us. Because when we focus on it, we grow that light, both in our hearts and in the hearts of those around us.
In this challenging time, seeing — and growing — the light is our most sacred purpose.
In our offerings this month, we will be sharing practices to help find and nurture the light within. We also have special 3-day retreat in April for a deeper dive into being the light (more details coming soon). We would be honored to have you to join us.
Writing on the Dosewallips
Sunday March 1st from 11am-3pm
When I first hiked the Dosewallips River Trail some 5 years ago, the late summer afternoon light was sifting through haze in the distant mountains, the river a steady burble as it played over the rocks and pools. It was pleasantly warm and a faint breeze wafted over the water, with dipper birds bobbing in and out of the rapids. It was so peaceful, I decided to stay for a bit, soaking my feet in the coolness of the river. The longer I lingered, the more I became aware of something quite extraordinary: the river, the valley and everything within it were pulsing with unconditional love.
As that feeling continues to permeate this beautiful valley, to wander along this river is like receiving the deepest of hugs from Gaia herself.
On our journey this Sunday, spring sun and warmth is in the forecast! We’ll stroll to an easy river access point for lunch, allowing for ample time for writing along the way. Roundtrip distance is about 2 miles on a wide flat trail with a couple of short washout areas to navigate.
COST & REGISTRATION:
Members ($5) | Non-Members ($50)
REGISTER HERE
Learning from the River
Monday March 9th from 1pm-5pm at the Dungeness Delta, Sequim
The mighty Dungeness begins in the heart of the Olympics, wending her way down through peaks and valleys until spreading out in the vast expanse right before reaching the Pacific. But this was not always the case, for only a few years ago was the levee that had hampered her route removed so that she could once again flow free. Her delta habitat now restored, the marsh plants, ducks and birds have now returned, creating a safe haven for all who meander along her rivulets as they wind lazily home to the sea. Please join us to write along this absolutely exquisite stretch where — if the weather spirits bless us — we’ll get to see the sun begin its descent over the gloriously snow-capped Olympics. This is an easy meander on a gravel trail then dirt path along the river.
COST & REGISTRATION:
Members ($5) | Non-Members ($50)
REGISTER HERE
Equinox Women’s Writing Circle
Thursday March 19th from 4-8pm
In this special longer writing circle session to celebrate the arrival of Spring and the balance of day and night, we will start our circle with a wander down a moss-covered path fringed by spring’s new growth to a private small gravel beach on a very special section of the Little Quilcene River. Here we will have a small Equinox blessing ceremony before walking back up to the cabin for repast and writing circle.
River & Ceremony: 4-5:45pm | Light Dinner & Writing Circle: 5:45-8pm.
COST & REGISTRATION:
Members ($10) | Non-Members ($40)
REGISTER HERE
Listening with the Body
Sunday March 29th from 11am - 3pm
Falls View Campground is only open during the summer, but in the off-season, visitors can amble along the campground’s dirt road to a short trail that leads to a luminous valley with views of a pristine waterfall. It was on one such recent amble that I was lured by birdsong into one of the campsites and discovered a wondrous cedar grove encircling a smooth picnic table and well-appointed fire pit. So much peace was radiating from this grove, it seemed a wondrous place for a forest-bathing and writing retreat! As such, we will be doing some deep somatic listening, writing and lunching amidst the cedars next to a cozy campfire, periodically ambling the short path to the falls canyon view for expansive inspiration and perspective.
COST & REGISTRATION:
Members ($5) | Non-Members ($50)
REGISTER HERE
Save the Date: 4/17-4/20
Being the Light: A 3-Day Retreat to nurture the light within.
This retreat will be held at beautiful, expansive lodgings on a river in Trout Lake, WA next to Mount Adams. Registration and details coming soon.
For inquiring minds: these places are close to my heart as I was born in DC, grew up in Maine, went to college in Minnesota, and lived in NYC prior to moving to the Pacific Northwest — and the 25th Anniversary of Stonewall was my very first Pride event.
Mahalo for sharing! 🙏🏽💓