A Meandering Quest and Meditation with Mother Nature in the South Perry Neighborhood

To assist in thoughtfulness and embodiment, below are some thoughts to ponder. Some solo, some together.

Don’t overthink this. Just let it be what it happens to be. There is no right way, there is no right answer.

Hoarding won’t save us … All flourishing is mutual. - Robin Wall Kimmerer

“We have the world to live in on the condition that we will take good care of it. And to take good care of it, we have to know it. And to know it and to be willing to take care of it, we have to love it.” – Wendell Berry

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Without manipulating someone’s lawn or property, try and find a rock or log to flip over and see what is underneath.

If this were a mythic pilgrimage, what kind of fantasy creatures might inhabit this terrain? Where are they lurking? What is your role on the quest?

Try and identify 3-5 “landmarks” on your walk. 3-5 elements of nature, yard decor, or anything that evokes personality that make the walk what it is. Try to steer clear of civil infrastructure (fire hydrants, street signs, light posts, etc) Keep these just to you for now. At Meeting House, we’ll talk about the many walks that can be born from the same walk. 

Try and humbly ask the question, how might this place long to be loved?

.At some point, stop walking for 30 seconds. Pay attention to your five senses. What does this pause stir in them you may not have been aware of before hand.

Notions of God are often born from notions of nature. This is a big question, but perhaps let it be simpler than society says it ought to be… where on this walk are you seeing the Divine?

Talk to each other about what you think might be here, in this very space you are walking, in 5 years, 50, 500, 5,000. 

The whole group has to do this one together… it is a game… no cheating make sure you are all paying attention to this one… on the count of 3, the first one to find a bug, WINS! 1… 2… 3… GOOOOOO!!!

Hug a tree, roll on the grass, salute a flower, compliment an insect, verbally thank a bird. Bonus points for posting it on your story and tagging @allthesebranches. (these points can be redeemed for… nothing. no one wins, no one loses; there is an abundance.

The Road to Altamontia

Longest route, perhaps the most whimsical(?), uphill, portions without sidewalk but wide roads

The Sword of 13th

Medium route, some elevation gain, some park time.

The Royal Court of Perry

Shortest route, park time, urban, lots of yummy smelling businesses, least elevation.