Women docs at Esalen

Women in the circle at Esalen

Laughing, making bead necklaces,
Telling stories,
Sharing time and space:
Beautiful, beautiful world--
Green spring grasses
Dancing,
Trees full of new leaves,
Rushing stream below the bridge,
Cool air over the meditation room,
Jasmine on the hill path,
Sunlight on the baths,
Whales spouting in the bay,
In the silvery blue ocean.
Lettuce and spinach from the garden,
Poppies and marigolds,
And alyssum,
Cedars cleansing the air,
Shadows full of midnight stars,
Warm water steaming in the stone pools,
Sinking down into that goodness and warmth,
Looking out to sea forever--
Reborn, renewed, refreshed.

The circle widens,
As we occupy this sacred space,
Here and there a friendly face,
Someone who knows our secret sorrows,
And shares the strength of our vocation.

We desire to serve,
And also to be healed.

We also are wounded,
And now we can bandage those wounds for each other;
Balm in Gilead,
Warm sunlight on the stones,
Warm water holding us,
Girlish laughter in our hearts,
Songs sung with guitars and full throats;
”Happiness runs in a circular motion,
Thought is like a little boat upon the strand,”
Kindness springs from the full heart,
As we stand up together in the circle.

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