In the Himalayas, in the areas we climbed, we saw mostly domesticated animals, but full sized male yak, although mostly gentle, can seem quite intimidating, (at up to 2,400 lbs) especially as we were on foot! I have a pair of photographs, one taken immediately above me on the path and the other immediately below, both of very curious, extremely large yaks. Needless to say, I backed into the woods to let them pass by! Peter and also encountered a mama black bear and her cub at a short distance on a walk up to the lookout in the Agawa Canyon (whose sides are supposedly too steep for large wildlife to descend!) In all these experiences I felt very much put in my proper place as a human being, but one of the many creatures who depend on the planet for survival – but as well the only one with the capacity, and we hope, the will to protect it. As always it was humbling and inspiring and ultimately very healing to be in the eternal presence of mountains. I was reminded of poems by Nancy Wood, some of which are in our hymnal “Singing the Living Tradition.” "My help is in the mountain Where I take myself to heal The earthly wounds That people give to me I find a rock with sun on it And a stream where the water runs gentle And the trees which one by one give me company. So must I stay for a long time Until I have grown from the rock And the stream is running through me And I cannot tell myself from one tall tree. Then I know that nothing touches me Nor makes me run away. My help is in the mountain That I take away with me." And this one: "Earth cure me. Earth receive my woe. Rock strengthen me. Rock receive my weakness. Rain wash my sadness away. Rain receive my doubt. Sun make sweet my song. Sun receive the anger from my heart. Earth cure me." And of course, by Psalm 121 – A Song of Ascents “I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains, from whence cometh my help.” I was reminded at all times of the deep peace, healing and messages of hope and rebirth inherent in nature. In my train ride and subsequent camping trip to the Agawa Canyon with my mother and my sister, we had an incredible opportunity to do some healing work for three people most affected by my sister’s death. Losing a sibling at 47 years of age was a powerful reminder of the finite nature of all our days, and it was a great privilege to be able to spend such a beautiful week with my 82 year old mother, including going canoeing with her all around the Agawa River. Time in nature was an intrinsic part of the healing and personal transformation that occurred for me on sabbatical; I began to finally sleep well, lose weight and feel my energy return after years of insomnia during my sister’s illness and death. Although I have been blessed with good mental and physical health and a very happy marriage, the stresses, losses and strains of the last few years had begun to accumulate in me, body and soul. After an opportunity on sabbatical to re-order my priorities, I am happier and healthier than I have been in a while. I need to retain this healthy way of living as well as a sense of the preciousness of time with those I love and the finite nature of it as I return to the work I also love. 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free, 'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the place just right, 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight. Deep Learnings There is no point in the future when there will be more time available for those I love. There is no substitute for taking care of myself and my soul in order to serve the world. Regular time in nature restores my soul and feeds my spirit. I need to learn how to live richly in the moment so that the choices I make are a reflection of my deepest priorities. UU Values • The UU Principles I feel are most connected to the insights gained in nature are Principle seven and the first and sixth theological source (please see above). Next Page