On the retreat, Senthilnathaswami took Sivanadiyar Mayuran and Woody Waits, who is here on task force for six months exploring monastic life, to Kokee State Park on the west side of the island for a hike. They hiked the Makaha Ridge Road, an old dirt road/trail that extends west from the main canyon road along one of the many ridges roughly toward Polihale Beach. The hike was seven miles in all, and covered an altitude change of 1,000 feet between the top of the trail and the far end. Suffice it to say, climbing 1,000 feet in 3.5 miles on the way back was great exercise!
Yesterday three monks hiked the Alakai Swamp Trail in Kokee State Park on the northwest side of Kauai. There is a swamp at the very top of Kauai, just behind Mt. Waialeale, at around 4,200 feet. The trail is made up mostly of an old boardwalk that renders it traversable. Enjoy our simple swamp depth test at one point in the video. We hiked from the trailhead in Waimea Canyon on the west side all the way to the north end, called the Kilohana Vista, where, on a clear day one can see all the way down to Haena, Hanalei Bay and Princeville. It was cloudy this time, and it was quite the experience walking through the clouds near the summit. The vegetation up here is not like the rest of Kauai; it is high tropical mountain forest, with mosses and lichens, Ohia Lehua groves, ferns of all kinds, some evergreens and only a handful of other vegetation--and not a single mosquito! Jai to Siva's perfect universe.
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The power of nature has a humbling effect, reminding us of our small place in Siva's vast cosmic universe. Our own nearby volcano is an ever present reminder of the dynamic state of our planet. The volcano on the big island is considered to be in a state of eruption, but that state is more like a constant "bubbling" of the lava. Residents of what we know here as "The Big Island" (which has the same name as the state itself: "Hawaii") keep a watch on the activity as they are all living on top of this boiling mass!
The US Geological Survey's Hawaii Volcano Observatory division keeps constant and very detailed data on the current state of the activity. For the geologically minded among you, or just for a fascinating read you can find out about the nature of the lava tube, it's location, depth and the exact state of things in the last 24 hours here: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov. They also publish photos daily. Click the photo or this link to see a larger version of the photo at the left.
Indefatigable transcriber of Gurudeva's and Bodhinatha's audio discourses, Hitesvara Saravan, sends this image from his garden on the Big Island of Hawaii. He writes:
"Here is a 'Fuzzy' Heliconia Regalis, Barnum and Bailey unfolding today in our Summa Iru Walking Meditation gardens."
Years after we received some pumpkins seeds from Mauritius, we continue to collect seeds from the giant fruits. The seeds are true cultivars, meaning that their DNA is passed on from one generation to the next, unlike modern hybrid sees. Each year we take seeds from the healthiest pumpkins and dry them and replant.
The Siddhidata kulam likes to start their seeds in small pots in the nursery. When the seedlings are strong the are ready to go into their own small pots. These are strong enough to go straight out to the garden.
A plot that was roto-tilled and covered in very deep mulch has plants placed at six or seven fee apart. They are growing really well.
Over the next few months the vines will cover the area completely, flower and fruit fruit. Stay tuned for Mauritius Pumpkin, Episode 2....
Meanwhile, a CyberCadet was inspired by the earlier panorama of Lord Murugan in the banyan and sent a poem:
He stands alone
in the grove of roots
child renunciate warrior sage
Who else is He?
I want to know Him better
I want to draw Him close
Stories I have heard
of His Glory and His Wisdom
It's time to experience all that
all on my very own
I have had glimpses of His Presence
and now am ready for more!
His brother is my friend
Him I really know
He knows me too and
has been with me
He guides me, He saves me
He does love me so
that I very well know!
The time is ripe
to reap the rewards
of seeds that I have sown
A time for fasting, penance
and solitary contemplation
A time to be alone
'tis time to be alone
I go now to my cave of roots
where He patiently waits
"What took you so long?" He says
His smile lighting up
the darkest of space
My eyes take in His form
till it is all just Light
My heart overflows with joy
and begins the peacock dance
motionless, yet in movement
attuned to the rooster's silent song
What blissful state is this
How grateful I am
to Him, to you and to me
for this wonderful experience
taking me closer to Home
closer to Him, to You, to Me!
Inspired Talk: Title: Niyama Ten: Tapas
Category: Soul Duration: 15 min, 4 secs
Date Given: 2012-01-11
Given by: Bodhinatha
Description:
Tapas is to practice austerity, serious disciplines, penance and sacrifice which increases the speed at which we are moving forward on the spiritual path. Daily sadhanas and penance to atone for misdeeds are obligatory. Austerities, assigned and overseen by a guru, give a great sense of release from the past, a profounder understanding of the path and deepening of one's worship and meditation. Meditation on Ishana and Tatpurusha: veiling and revealing grace. All along we are Siva and finally that dawns on us.
