research: notes on awe

It was clear though and outside of my vision I heard geese on the pond.

Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore, Joseph Turner 1830’s courtesy of the Tate Collection

I walked outside this morning on the deck with my barefeet. I realize it is February. I do this often before dawn letting my mind wake up in the deep blue of dawn. This morning was a quick one because with each step I could feel my feet melting a thin layer of ice under them. It was clear though and outside of my vision I heard geese on the pond. The plum tree was frosty and the buds were insistently making their way towards March. I love the long, bleating light of November and February. After a big swallow of cold air,I came back inside.

I think of this place, the re-enchantment and this writing as research, it allows an opportunity to return to trains of thought over time and watch things unfold (or not) as they do. And for the last few weeks I have been thinking about some of those threads. As often happens I don’t point them out, something else does. In this case it is the expanding field of studying awe. For a long time I have been skirting around the edges of this and when I listened to this I recognized not just what I love but what I find impactful and transformational in this layered and difficult moment in the world.

Awe is powerful, important, and ordinary. It excites me because in this moment of polarized everything it spans moralistic divisions. It just is. And it is here with us. I notice it most in the in-between moments, just after waking up the way my skin touches the warm sheets, a blast of rain in the face as I step out of the car, the long line of gray, blue, mercury, gray of the beach at low tide.

I am curious about where and how awe exists for you. Where do you find it? And what happens when you do?

—

Class releases are on hold for a while as other projects come to life! Get in touch if you’d like individual support on a project, with editing, or copywriting!

Melody Overstreet, poet and artist just released a new book for preorder and I am eagerly checking the mail each day to see when mine will arrive!

Sit together and explore, come to a short talk and meditation we’ll do together. Being and Breathing happens March 9, 5-6 pm PST, It is really wonderful to practice together and I look forward to seeing some of you there.