Mountains are Living Systems

Mountain are living systems that express the fullest extensions of life. Their very existance is a representative of the magnitude of eons whereby natural forces have randomly sculptured an expression of beauty that yields perfection. Giant ridges of rock formations situated harmoniously among a diversity of plants give an image of reality that transcends time and unites the living and nonliving worlds into completeness. It is here that the spiritual energy that flows through the universe can be felt. The make up of this perfection is woven into a web that allows each structural element to be connected and to remove any part would destroy its unity and hence fragment its beauty. Onced fragmented the spiritual flow is disrupted and the ability to be nutured by the wholeness of spirituality no longer becomes as readily available. Therefore it is paramount to move slowly, quietly and softly when within the mountains so as to be able to sense this spirituality that interconnects all factors in this living web.

The trail ascends steeply and I try to keep an even cadence on my mountain bike as I move ever so gradually upward. I relax and cognitively become receptive to the energy that surrounds me. The trees within the mountain forest form randomly dispersed gothic columns that support a magnificent canopy that allows a filtering of light rays to pass through. This serves as a natural cathedral and the filtered light rays connect me to spaces beyond. The solar system, the stars ans the galaxies articulate into a channel of oneness that tends to match the rhythm of my cadence. My movement shifts into transitional and I travel alone the fibers within the mountain web where pain and fatigue diminish and all perception becomes spiritual. Here the unification of my cognitions encourage a renewed awareness of place as an essential element in my life and the simplistic nature of moving slowly clarifies my understanding of my relationship to the mountain environment.

I reach the pavement in Blowing Rock and one street over I join a parade of clean SUVs. Stoned faced individuals stare through windows that act as shields to the outside. For the first time in several hours I feel alone and not in rhythm with the sounds of leaves blowing in the wind or bike tires rolling across loose rocks. The saints of nature vanish from my thought as I race to maintain my space among these machines of "progress". Hope, however is forever present in that tomorrow I will once again climb within nature's cathedral.

The Runner

The purpose of running must involve more than the calculated and prescribed methodology that is measured by scientific principles. Running is a very natural movement that takes one beyond moments of objectivity into a sensory world dominated by a reality that awakens the soul to the awareness of the connective forces that flow through all forms of life and non life. A runner in motion is truly expressing a primal movement born in the geological past that reaches beyond a present moment to enlighten the edges of any projected future. Therefore to the runner time yields the opportunity to explore the depths of the inner voice as ideas transform a routine world into one broaden by imagination. Through visual imaginary a gateway is created that insures moments of openness and elements of insight often surfaces spontaneously.

Moments of openness encourages a transformation of thought that may enhance the quality of insight. It is within this quality of thought that objects are seen and felt differently. The runner has the opportunity to release an attachment to self and experience the sensations of beauty generated when moving freely. With freedom the runner's soul becomes united with a universal soul and the runner ceases.

A Forest Traverse

I traveled through the forest on ice and snow while the wind forever caused naked trees to bend, sway and send cracking sounds that consistantly alerted me to the possibility of danger. However, in some manner I adapted, knowing by experiencing such a place under such conditions provide the opportunities for me to know more fully the language that nature expresses. I realized that I am very fragile when compared to the completeness of the elements that compose the landscape that surrounds me. At best I can only be a learner that is willing to be openly aware of the happenings around me. Fatigue and coldness often clouded my mind, keeping me from being attentive. My assurance resides in the fact that I move softly and when I pass, nature is left undisturbed and every form continues as though I was never present. The trees will continue to remain exposed to the forces of the wind and the rigidity of the rock formations that are covered with ice and snow remain as monuments to the real strength that flows through the forest. It is with this thought that brings a degree of comfort as I traversed the forest. Just maybe I can remember that to nature I am of little importance or use, but that through feeling nature's presence I may transcend dominance and become aligned to its strength. Then fatigue and coldness that once clouded my vision may more acutely be reinforced with the knowing that comes when traversing the forest.

Cycling on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Fog

Climbing through the flowing fog, I enter the rim where muscles strain to maintain the perceptual force that drives my motives. Thoughts reach beyond the context of comfort and I open to the diverseness of the landscape. Mist condenses into tiny droplets that meander downward across exposed skin leaving legs and arms veined with channels of water that drop aimlessly to the ground. The forest is silent but I feel its presence through voices not yet understood. A double yellow line marks my way and I follow it into my limited visual world.My body expresses an element of fatigue, but I dare not yield less I fail to grasp the true meaning that drives me upward. I am content to momentarily reside within the limitation of my world knowing that the cues that are transmitted to me through my efforts insure that progress is measured in quality of meaning rather that movement through time. I round the last turn and the gradient lessens, a moment of joy and happiness is replaced by sadness as I increase my cadence and move swiftly onward. Joy and happiness is tempered with contentment, but the struggle to reach beyond the search yields conflicting thoughts that provides resources change. Just maybe through the struggle I can feel the purity of the mountain.