Monday, May 31, 2010

"Standing Before..."


It seemed a significant unfolding epiphany as we rested there that adventure day...
There we were, now standing quietly before our chosen objective. Having made great time on the trail with one of our earliest starts yet, we now had some moments to pause and gaze up at what we were journeying towards. Off came the packs, then the hats and headlamps too, as first light was now just upon us. Then the fleece, gloves, and even a few peeled off their boots for a restful airing of tired feet.
Our conversations then were open, and respectful of what was to come. We seemed to realize the enormity of the chosen challenges, and the implications of such commitment was exhilarating yet humbling...
The muted tones were still of enthusiasm though, as while still holding on to our dreams and goals, we seemed to be letting go of trying to predict and control the outcome yet to be experienced... There was a softening, within our expectations that blended well with the determination there; less of ego if you will and more of intentional allowings... A peeling away down to the basics of why we were out there...
To meet this goal, we each would likely have to modify, maybe even set aside our own personal objectives, so that the group could attain a shared success. It seemed a process, however brief, of 'standing before', of distilling our gear, ourselves, and our desires to a core of something essentially else...
It felt more pure in a sense, more relaxed yet more focused, and with a different kind of energy - as all that was left was now spirit, shared spirit as we stood there before going onward and upward.....
DSD
My appreciation to G. Wiltsie for the above wonderful images.


Tuesday, May 25, 2010

"Outward Bound... Out Beyond..."



Each and every spring I set aside some special time, to again read over my Outward Bound journals, and then to gaze over those precious images from years long past... Such reflections have become important moments of meaning and memories that have set direction for myself and so many others. A gift from Outward Bound and 'out beyond', which is a reference I noted in my journal from my first course. It was said by an Instructor who used it often to reflect the wonders of the wild places and the mysteries of the experiences we were about to have out there... I now know that such amazing journeys do not simply happen without much preparation, planning, and the development of unique vision and program perspectives - all of which takes great efforts to put in place.
When recently visiting Outward Bound Canada's website I could see how, yet once more, they are setting course for 'out beyond' on some very exciting new adventures.
They say again: "In sailing lore, Outward Bound refers to a vessel departing the safety and comfort of the harbour to venture into unknown, unpredictable waters. In educational terms it has come to mean resiliently adapting to the unexpected, embracing a path of skill and mastery and leading with compassion". I do so love this metaphor...
They write: "In response to a changing world, we've simplified our delivery model and expanded our focus on partnerships with national organizations that, along with us, are committed to building community assets and community strengths at all levels of society".
Some of these new experiences for out beyond include the Outward Bound Veterans Program, where "Sometimes this is the first time Veterans have had the opportunity to share impressions of their experiences in a completely supportive and like-minded forum with other Veterans surrounded by the beauty of the rich Canadian wilderness landscape. Your home".
Then there is the Women Of Courage Program which, "Brings women together to share a powerful experience of discovery, while immersed in the beauty and serenity of the natural world". The Aboriginal Youth Asset Building adventure is so very unique as well, and is seen as a 'Mountain Spirit Program', combining culture with adventure into ageless, timeless, priceless experiences.
Such wonderfully potent new opportunities for musings and meanings for those who choose to participate. Please have a look and pass this information forward to anyone who may benefit from these journeys.
Outward Bound, out beyond, yet again... Setting out upon unique courses and exciting new directions where so many will be able to create a spirit and life of adventure from wandering among the wonders of the wild places.....
DSD



Monday, May 17, 2010

"Of One's....."


One little piece,
One small portion,
One step, one thing,
One day, one night...
We don't really climb a high mountain all at once.
We more truly reach just for the next bit of rock...
We don't actually hike those long valleys endlessly.
We more simply take just that next step...
It's not about the distance it seems,
It's more about the focus we take and the spirit we bring.
The task of the whole,
Then becomes the wonder of the one's...
So on that day, during that moment,
When taking just the next step,
We are then on our way,
To being present.....
DSD

Thursday, May 06, 2010

"Somethings Different....."



It had been such a long, trying, stormy day out I remember... Many of us on that Outward Bound course had not experienced such sustained rough weather before. Yet, not only did we endure, but we bonded and were to experience the potency of humour and playfulness in the midst of the winds, sleet, and rain. The next morning we were up early before our Instructors, had cleaned up and prepared breakfast even before they got moving, all amidst even more joking and good natured teasing. They gave us much space and time that stormy day, night, and next morning to become 'something more'. When they joined us for our meal they simply smiled and said, "Somethings different about you crew", and then let us find our own meanings within that message...
I could not have been more pleasantly surprised when, many years later, a close companion and Mountain Guide, said as we reached a very elusive summit, "Somethings different about how you climbed today...". The memory of our Outward Bound course, the smiles and strong feelings, echoed from both of these moments even though they were decades apart...
Here, now I write, having returned from a solo summit, where I had climbed for time to muse and wonder while scratching out some ponderings. I had been up there before, yet this time it felt, it seemed, so surely that somethings different now. The rocky terrain may have been the same, but the emotional vistas were not, and the older eyes now looking out were very different as well...
On special occasions I find myself, in a very particular way, looking into the faces of younger adventurers and then passing on these two words during some high wanderings. "Somethings different", I quietly say... and watch as they smile, now each of us knowing, that within such adventures, something very elementally is truly, wonderfully, different.....
DSD

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

"The Pack Goes On... And The Realities Shift..."


So much preparation, so much enjoyable anticipation, and then it is here...
What comes next is a very particular moment when the pack goes on...
A point in time where everything before falls away.
A point in space where the elements all now join.
At that brief, yet profound pause, when the pack goes on - the realities shift...
Each of us knows it. Each of us has felt this.
It had all come to that very special point of awareness.
When the pack goes on... The realities shift... And we are on our way.....
DSD


My appreciation to R.Reid for the top image above, and to J & M Monkman for the lower image.