My body and soul crave natural beauty. Driving down to Ojai yesterday worked its
magic inside of me. Fields of yellow
wild flowers are taking over the valleys of California. I must have seen at least 15 different kinds
of wild flowers, each having its romance with the wind and my heart as their
colors entered into me. The sun bounced
around in-between the clouds, the ocean spoke in the language of peace, the
butterflies flew in the spirit of freedom, the wind rushed through the window
into the car and its chill made me alive and happy to be.
We journeyed on, stopped and picked some avocados and
oranges from the giving trees on the roadside.
Then we visited the Ojai Foundation, a sacred home and place of learning
to many. Natural buildings such as
tepees and yurts provided a cozy place for one to find shelter, there was a
sweat lodge, a community kitchen, lots of plants, some wise old trees, a place
to watch the sunrise and a place to watch it set. We spent some time in a kiva which is a natural
dwelling carved out of a stone. Afterwards
we went to a natural hot spring nestled in-between the mountains in the valley
below beside a babbling creek whose music accompanied the love song of the
frogs, calling out to each other on this half-moon night. I nestled myself between two rocks in a
perfectly hot pool and starred up all night at the moon. The ring around the moon was in golden and
blue hues and I felt its center inside of me, in complete unity. After many hours we went back to the Ojai Foundation
and shared a fire with our new friend Eddie and then we went to Rebecca and
Matthews where we met them and stayed in the warehouse that was their
home. Now I am back beside the babbling
stream, where the warm water is soothing me.
The sun is on my back, the wind on my arms, rocks on my feet and peace
inside of me. I’m trying to remember all
I was taught yesterday, but I am rather content to know it’s a part of me and
while it may not manifest itself in words or even thoughts, its beauty is found
deep in my heart.
I met Rebecca and Matthew through an amazing network called
couch surfing. Couch Surfing connects
people from all over the world as it provides an alternative way to
travel. I love couch surfing not just
because it gives me a free place to stay, but mostly because it increases my
hope in humanity and shows me that there are a lot of people out there who
still believe in taking care of each other.
I have entered into the homes of many strangers this year and have left
as a friend. Currently there are 1
million people involved in couch surfing and if you are not one of them I
encourage you to consider joining, you can surf, host or just meet for
coffee. Check it out at couchsurfing.com
