Caves, Exploration, New Vistas: Invitations for Discovery

I remember as a child and a teen the enjoyment of exploration and discovery!  My family would take day trips or go camping around the Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz counties.  Family time = exploration time!  One of the places I enjoyed was Pinnacles National Park which extended over two of the counties.  It was a place to visibly see the effects of the San Andreas fault, how a portion of the geographical terrain was being moved northward.

The joys, though, were in the talus caves, caves formed by boulders.  Some of the caverns were quite deep, but my parents and my five siblings would venture as far down as it was safe.  As we moved away from the dry, arid exterior to a cool, dark interior, I found the harmony of inner and outer observations as wonderful as the balance of the rocks overhead!

Obstacles to our journey (Pinnacles National Monument)

Today, as I continue the inner journey of self-discovery balanced with the outer exploration of relationships, I marvel at the lessons revealed through the entrances to both worlds: inner and outer secrets balanced by unexpected beauty.

If we pay attention, the external vistas invite us outward:

• Am I willing to listen to and see your perspective?
• Can I move beyond the boulders that  stand in my way?
• Will I venture both inward and outward to expand the world that may limit me with an either-or fork in the path?

Beauty beckons us outward (BTM Dezignz)

At times, it is true, we may need to dwell in our cave-dwellings - for security and protection, for self-reflection and discovery.  But, the richness of Other is encountered as we move beyond the walls that surround us.  Welcoming people into our dwelling place, and accepting their invitation into their world allows new vistas and viewpoints to be experienced.  (It's almost like taking the exit off the freeway to stop at the View Point or Camera Spot!)
 

 Choosing where to live (Bandelier Cliff Dwellings)

As we move into these Spring months to celebrate the emergence of life, we are invited to release old ways and ideas and to resurrect (awaken, breathe new life, energize, enkindle, make whole) our relationship with the people and world around us.

Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego

Taking a long loving look at the real (contemplative noticing) and Double-Loop Learning (slowing down to create a pause, a choice point) are two ways to search out the beauty balanced between both Self and Other.

Möbius Strip: infinitely working internal and external

Reflective practices this week:

• Seek and hold lightly the internal boulders that have created our Dwelling Past.
• Take courage to ask others what they see and what boulders they are encountering.
• Move together past these boulders and toward a new landscape.

Drawn to the world outside, together (La Ventana Cave, Puerto Rico)

Enjoy the Caves and Vistas that greet you this week!

Larry Gardepie