In spending intimate time with elephants and people here in Thailand this past week, the big gift I have received is remembrance.

Re-membering, as in reclaiming all the parts of myself…

My physical body, as I scrambled up and down my large female elephant, Praduap, and felt how deliciously sore my muscles were as we walked into the forest at the day’s end…

My emotional body, as I felt heartbreak watching elephants who have been crippled by landmines, and then joy watching the ecstasy of a baby elephant at play…

My spiritual body, as I watched monks go on morning alms rounds through the streets of Sukhothai, and did walking meditation amidst ancient Buddhist ruins…

My community body, as we shared sumptuous food, rice whiskey, smiles, and music with the mahouts (elephant caretakers) and their families…

I am also remembering that poetry and music are at the core of who I am, and that when I swim in poetry and music I am connected to everything.

So this week, I want to bathe you in that remembrance as well and share some images from this past week of my life, accompanied by music from cellist Jami Sieber who had the vision to create this amazing journey. And finally, at the bottom of this post, a poem from Deena Metzger.

Elephants embody so much ancient wisdom. In being with them this week, my own creative fires were remembered and re-ignited… may yours be as well.

Slideshow Credits
Photos: a few taken by me, most taken by my travelmate, Mary Ann Bennett
Music: “Maenam” by Jami Sieber from the album Hidden Sky

Mandlovu

by Deena Metzger

Suddenly, I am of a single mind extended
Across an unknown geography,
And imprinted, as if by a river, on the moment.
A mind held in unison by a large gray tribe
Meandering in reverent concert among trees,
Feasting on leaves.
One great eye reflecting blue
From the turn inward
Toward the hidden sky that, again,
Like an underground stream
Continuously nourishes
What will appear after the dawn
Bleaches away the mystery in which we rock
Through the endless green dark.

I am drawn forward by the lattice,
By a concordance of light and intelligence
Constituted from the unceasing and consonant
Hum of cows and the inaudible bellow of bulls,
A web thrumming and gliding
Along the pathways we remember
Miles later or ages past.
I am, we are,
Who can distinguish us?
A gathering of souls, hulking and muddied,
Large enough — if there is a purpose —
To carry the accumulated joy of centuries
Walking thus within each other’s
Particular knowing and delight.

This is our grace: To be a note
In the exact chord that animates creation,
The dissolve of all the rivers
That are both place and moment,
An ocean of mind moving
Forward and back,
Outside of any motion
Contained within it.
This is particle and wave. How simple!
The merest conversation between us
Becoming the essential drone
Into which we gladly disappear.
A common music, a singular heavy tread,
Ceaselessly carving a path,
For the waters tumbling invisibly
Beneath.

I have always wanted to be with them, with you, so.

_________________

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