A Ruahine forest dripping with vibrant energy and force, glistening with Life as the filtering sunlight argues with the swirling cloud above, the forest floor simply sighing as the argument continues, the rich musty aroma of the earth intoxicates my senses. The light and moisture illuminate my path as if I were part of a painting. The pull gets stronger and I must return to this place. My pack and boots await. Soon.
For me, this very place is where a strong part of the soul of the Ruahine resides. This deep part of the forest which has tapped me gently upon the shoulder stronger each time until I finally stopped and Listened, and felt it inside, drank it all in with every part of my being. To implore me to let go of my humanness, and to rather just embrace being part of Everything. As close to any religion or of any God as I will ever get. I was just there with a cheap camera, an observer, yet part of, this incredible scene. The hand of Papatuanuku Herself is at work here. It is almost too much for the eye to take in and process without allowing our very selves to enter it as part of each tiny molecule. It is a place that now draws me closer each time I pass by and spend moments here. And in spite of the relative permanence of the forest itself, the mood and ambiance are forever fluid, much like the whole of this land called Aotearoa. In the Te Ika a Maui, Aotearoa ( the North Island of Aotearoa), the Ruahine was one of the first land masses to nudge her head above the safety of the sea. So the ancient, ethereal feel comes from those earliest moments. I feel like I belong to them.
(Kia ora and aroha to my wild kindred soul Robin Easton for suggesting I expand a mere observation into words about this Matariki huna nui that envelopes my being. She understands.)
Aroha,
Robb
21 comments:
Beautiful writing e hoa. I would like to witness that arguing, a centuries old argument I imagine, familiar and timeless. Reading your words is probably a poor replacement for the experience, and yet you communicate it so well. Hope you get back there soon.
What a hauntingly beautiful picture and words to go with....
Thanks Robb
Kia ora Bearer of Discomfort,
It is the "argument" of the ages, and the forest is always the beneficiary one way or the other, the rich lustre and aroma benefits from both the sun and water. Yes, soon!
Aroha,
Robb
The forest looks truly ancient, like the site of the genesis of the Ruahine. I've never seen anything like it in person.
I can tell that it is magical for you, and I wish that I could experience it. Ah, and the question of "self" and how it changes a magical place. It's one that I've contemplated many times.
Kia Kaha,
KB
Kia ora TB,
Cheers. I know you must have a spot or two that evoke the same sorts of thoughts and connections in the Boundary Waters. Certainly another place which brought out in me a young not fully understood affinity and connection to Nature and Wilderness. Hope all is well e hoa.
Rangimarie,
Robb
Kia ora KB,
I have always held to the theory that nature cares not for our presence, that she is completely neutral to our being there. Yet a dear friend, whom has traveled much in the mountains, and with me as well, once suggested to me that perhaps places we do come to love, cherish, and honour, that in a way they do understand our being there. I do like that thought. Sorry I have been out of touch as of late, just going through a few things. Hope all is well with you and family. Kia kaha e hoa. Mauri Ora!
Aroha,
Robb
Robb, that photo is exquisite. It's so intricate and complex, it reminds me of the human mind - somehow kinetic, complicated, rich, sensory, lush, full of contradictions and grace and divinity. I love your words - they paint a story almost like a dream. It's sort of like being in that state between consciousness and the subconscious, the place where a person connects to all things in the universe, in all the You explain it so well when you write, "It is almost too much for the eye to take in and process without allowing our very selves to enter it as part of each tiny molecule." I can feel this from your photo. It's as if the place speaks to a part of myself that's deeply buried, and that is connected with all humanity - if that can be believed - and I feel submerged into it. It's just something I feel. And I'm not sure how else to explain it.
I'm so glad that you've got this place, this connection. I wish I had one of my own, but do feel a whisper of it every time I stand out in back of our house and watch the maple and sumac and blue spruce rustle and hear the ducks and frogs and watch the sun set behind the birch. I love this place. And am so blessed to be here.
Much aroha to you, my dear friend,
Mary/Ophelia
"Cheap camera?" Wow! Gorgeous shot, Robb -- and I love your soulful description.
Kia ora Mary,
How are you e hoa! It is good to see your words and spirit here once again.
You do have your own place my wild sister, right there in your own backyard. You described it very well. If your heart sings when you are amongst such a spot, if you give it more than you take from it, then it is indeed your special wild place.
And please believe me, I carry your spirit with me whenever I am in the wild, ancient, and ethereal Ruahine, so you have this place as well :). My aroha and hugs to you and yours e hoa. Kia kaha!
Aroha,
Robb
Good stuff, beautiful stuff, I'm glad you are out there...
Kia ora Jeff,
You should see that spot in real time :). Cheers for tuning in.
Rangimarie,
Robb
Kia ora Lc,
Likewise.
Aroha,
Robb
Beautifully written brother,
I'm there with you. In the heart of that peace,
M
A spiritual observation and words and the picture is like a fairytale or like heaven Arohanui
Very lyrical and stirring. I agree with Robin and I'm glad you wrote it.
And your forest is pungent, lush and magical, indeed. I can feel it from here!
Dear Robb, I have been here four times but not, until today, had a chance to share. So much going on here. Will fill you in later, But, for now I HAVE to tell you that I am so deeply touched that you dedicated this to me. Sooo moved by that. AND SO glad that you DID write this. WOW!!
I read this and as usual teared up. But more importantly, I felt like I had written it. I am dead serious. I felt like I was reading something **I** had written, as if you wrote the words on my own soul. I know without doubt that it is exactly how I have felt in particularly one special place in the rainforest (which is in my second book). I got goosebumps reading it.
What really slammed into me? These two lines. First this one: "As close to any religion or of any God as I will ever get." I look at this photo and KNOW, KNOW, KNOW that it IS Heaven. It IS god. For me, Heaven isn't something "up there" or "out there" with harps and angels, etc. :):) It is RIGHT HERE.
And then, that leads into the second line that slammed into me. I believe we enter Heaven EXACTLY by doing what you say here: "It is almost too much for the eye to take in and process without allowing our very selves to enter it as part of each tiny molecule."
THAT is exactly what happened to me in the rainforest. It is how I entered "Heaven", by merging with these places on an atomic level, or by merging molecule to molecule, atom to atom. They became ME, I became them.
More interesting, is that although I've not physically been to this place which you love body, heart and soul, I FEEL that I am ALREADY merged with it, already know it, AND that it already knows me. I really believe this to be true. I feel that when I finally get to trek through those mts, that it will be like going home. I will recognize and claim another part of myself. I have no doubt.
Thank you from my heart dear dear friend. It is an honor to know you, Wild Brother. Thank you for inspiring me, for "seeing" me, and for understanding. Aroha always, Robin
PS: Thanks to you and Tara, we are setting our ten year plant into motion. Just not sure where yet. But YOU made that a reality for US.
Kia ora Maithri,
Thank you for stopping in brother. It always warms my heart to see you and know you are out there doing the hard yards. I honour that and am humbled by it. Kia kaha brother.
Aroha,
Robb
Kia ora Marja,
Trust you are bearing up down there e hoa. Good to see you as well. Indeed we live in such a beautiful but volatile land. Mauri ora!
Aroha,
Robb
Kia ora Lynda,
I have missed you as well my old friend, I have taken a bit of time away from the world of blogging, and curiously found there are certain spirits I come to miss. Yours is one, and your beautiful view of nature is one I immediately respond to at your place. I hope all is well and healthy e hoa. Mauri Ora!
Aroha,
Robb
Kia ora Robin,
I have absolutely no doubt in my mind or my heart that if I pointed you to this rough track along and above the river and walked well behind you, that you would unerringly be guided to this very spot. I do "see" you Wild Sister! Rave On my wild sister! Mauri Ora!
Aroha,
Robb
Waiting for your next post, Robb.
Post a Comment