I've just spent a weekend at the beautiful Mana Retreat on the Coromandel Peninsula, where I led a winter solstice ritual for the community and helpers who had gathered for a big working bee. On Sunday I had time for replenishment. At Mana, there are many choices. On this day I felt fit, and as the mist cleared, I decided to walk up the mountain.
In the still rhythm of walking, I could hear the mountain guiding me.
'Take a staff,' it said. 'This will steady you.'
I had forgotten to pick one up from the big basket as I left, so I needed to search amongst the trees. The mountain had a staff ready and waiting (not one of the soft punga trunks in this photo, but a tough kanuka pole),
and it was true, the staff gave me steadiness as the path ascended steeply and at times it was hard to find a foothold.
'Pause to notice what's here', said the mountain. Native flowers are quiet, not flamboyant. They are mostly white, because of being pollinated by moths at night. I paused, and discovered rangiora about to burst into flower.
'You will be supported,' said the mountain, and so I was, with a sign just as I was feeling lost, or a foothold cut into a steep part, when I was faltering.
'And when you think you have reached the top, know that it is not really the top.
Take some breaths and gather more energy.'
'Now is the time to stop and rest.'
'Lifted high above dwellings and roads, bushes and tree tops, up in the realm of bird song, pause to drink in a new perspective.'
To descend from such a height is sometimes more challenging than to ascend. In my next post, I will tell you how the mountain guided me, and what I found. But for now, dear reader, we have climbed enough. Take a rest with me, and enjoy the view.
7 comments:
What an amazing climb, Juliet. Such an superb view.
What a magnificent view it is, Juliet. Thank you for taking me on this walk.
I always forget a walking stick. They help us all along the way, but, now that I am getting a bit older and my knees and hips often need a little assistance, a walking stick is just the right friend to have along.
I look forward to learning how the mountain guided you.
* Gallivanta, it was well worth the effort.
* Penny, it's so easy to forget the stick, but it does make a big difference. I was lucky that the misty rain cleared and I had such a clear view.
The retreat sounds very restful. It looks like you did your climb on a beautiful day. The scenery is lovely xx
Charlie, I was lucky with the weather as when I started it looked like rain. I'm glad you enjoyed the scenery.
A beautiful post -- a beautiful view! And now for the descent...
Thank you Vicki. I'm glad you enjoyed the view.
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