season

Anxiety and “Milk Maids Blooming With Hound's Tongues Peeking Out"

Anxiety and “Milk Maids Blooming With Hound's Tongues Peeking Out"

We had our first seasonal contemplative walk in the hills of Portola Valley in February. It was a gorgeous day on the land of the Puichon Ohlone: with clear skies and perfect temperatures for a walk in the woods, we were treated to a never-ending symphony of busy and loud woodpeckers, to a mating dance by young happy juncos and to a deep, warm and intimate conversation between two bullfrogs. Inspired by the ancient Japanese calendar of 72 micro (ko) seasons and 24 small (seki) seasons, a participant titled our first walk: “Milk Maids blooming with Hound's Tongues beginning to peek out”. It’s amazing what one starts seeing, hearing and sensing when in stillness and silence even for just a few hours!