First week, first song

Dear friends,

It’s been an incredible week. Between the monks, nuns and laypeople like myself, there are 95 of us here at Deer Park who have agreed to stay within the boundaries of the monastery for our 3-month Rains Retreat. California is so beautiful right now as the weather cools and allows for comfy clothing to deepen our meditation practices. I’ve met so many interesting people so far; every day I seem to stumble into deep conversations about personal aspirations, community practices, mindfulness, music… working meditations have been a lot of fun too: disassembling old worn benches to reuse the nails and wood, emptying trash and recycling with one of the most joyful monks I can imagine... Would you believe I’ve even already found my way into working in the kitchen?? I’m really enjoying my experience here.

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the tea room lately where many of the instruments are stored. This tends to be a very creative space for me, so I’m posting a video snippet today of a song I’ve been working on using this 5-string guitar (it’s actually a regular guitar missing the low E string, but I appreciate the chance to approach that problem creatively before I restring it with some extra strings I brought with me.)

A little background on the lyrics: when I first got here, it was very hot and dry, and I was a little let down that the waterfall that was flowing here this past spring isn’t active at the moment, so I started writing about the rain. I’m not saying I had anything to do with the unexpected change in the weather, but I’m super grateful that since I wrote this first verse, it’s rained two times :)

Lyrics:

May the rain come

May the river run

May the water be one with the mountain

Wash us clean

Paint The Valley green

May your heart pump peace like a fountain

Free as anyone could ever want to be

In this place feeling right at home

Tuned in to the present moment

No worries, never in a hurry

Doing just what it takes to be happy

As anyone could ever want to be