Standing at the edge of magnificence
So, I’ve been back from the desert Southwest for a couple of weeks now and I’ve been reflecting on what this journey has meant. At first, I thought to myself what a lovely trip it has been with meeting all kinds of lovely people and experiencing lovely things. But time is putting a different and deeper spin on things connected to this trip not the least of which is Love itself. In fact, Love is the thing that I learned most about now that I’ve had a chance to step back and look at what I’ve learned form this journey.
I used to look at the word love and would think casually “how nice” and not give it much more thought. These days, my experiences are teaching me to look a little deeper. When I look at the deep connections we all have to each other, I can see that Love is not just a feeling that we feel by way of affection but a true deep connection we have by way of the cosmos. Literally. As Carl Sagan said sometime ago in the beautiful television series Cosmos, “We are all made from the same star stuff.” Out of all the experiences of last month’s journey through the desert, it was this one that kept surfacing.
Connection in La Verkin, Utah
With our beautiful hosts Bob and Jane
When my traveling companion and good friend Lisa and I reached La Verkin for the Zion Flute Festival, it was in the evening. I called our wonderful host Jane to let her know that we had arrived in town and she guided us in to her and her husband’s, Bob, beautiful home. Bob wasn’t there yet as he was at the Zion Flute School wrapping up the week long string of classes. Jane cordially invited us to rest and have a cup of tea. Is was a blessing after driving for about 10 hours that day. As we sat, Lisa and Jane took off on this conversation as they made this incredible connection with each other. It was as if they were two old friends who hadn’t seen each other for a long time and were catching up in this moment. It was beautiful to watch.
From there on in, both Lisa and I made such connections with many people along our travels. As we did, I kept thinking to myself that THIS is perhaps what it is about being a light being in human form. Bear with me as I get a bit esoteric for a moment.
Connection all over
"On the shores of the cosmic ocean"
Because of our deep connection to the kosmos, we have a deep connection with each other whether we acknowledge it or not. Sure, we try to separate ourselves with things like titles, statuses, our personal stories, material goods we “own”, the money we make, even the body we reside in while we’re on this planet. Truth is, we are so much more than that. None of these external experiences reflect who or what we really are. So what are we? Well, for more on this I introduce to you a very special video to watch that may clarify things……or perhaps confuse them. It is a TED speech from Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist who tells of her experience of having a stroke at the age of 37.
Now, I think you may agree that this video is full of the unexpected and that’s the point. We are rarely who we think we are or expect to be. But I digress a bit. 
Connecting it all together….I think
Redwood Forest, Northern California
So, you may be asking at this point, what does any of this have to do with didgeridoo? Well, if it hadn’t been for didgeridoo, I wouldn’t have gone on this desert journey and met the people I met. I wouldn’t have made the connections, cosmic or otherwise, that I made and I wouldn’t have seen as much of this extraordinary “pale blue dot” as I saw in these travels. I got to play for an impromptu audience of students on a break from their class assignment in geology at Zion National Park where I also got to see and feel the red rock and mud of eons of evolution. I got to play with friends among the ancient stones of Superstition Mountain in Tonto National Forest where I also got to hear a conversation between Native American flute and an owl. I got to see and feel the sunrise on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and I got to feel the Canyon itself in all of its incredible hugeness. I got to celebrate being with newly made friends and reconnecting with old friends to share love and kindness through music. I got to cry and laugh at situations that now seem absurd and I got to “tickle” a saguaro cactus. I got to feel the sand and the ocean of a beach in California again and I got to experience the magic of sleeping in a forest of giants, the Redwoods. Because of didgeridoo, I got to do all of this and so much more. It’s such an extraordinary existence isn’t it?
Love,
Pam
"Life always finds a way." Flowers, Red Canyon, UT
6 comments
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Didger (Shaun) Graves says:
June 17, 2011 at 10:52 am (UTC 0)
Now this is why I took to participating in Facebook (FB) and recently Worldwide Didgeridoo Network (WDN). Also general Email correspondence etc. etc. So that I can harness some enthusiasm to lead me along new pathways. Having discovered didgeridoo in 2010 and also taken up Dan Moi, Throat Singing, Djembe, Bodhran; I have new ‘urges’ and new ‘needs’ to satisfy. Thanx for your input Pam, which I love taking time to experience, it’s like the imagination enables one to enjoy other peoples events. Respect and love – Shaun.
admin says:
June 17, 2011 at 9:24 pm (UTC 0)
Many thanks, Master Shaun,
I am very happy that you got something out of this. Moreover, I’m happy you have found enthusiasm and they lead you down those pathways. This is what we do for each other – inspire so with that, thank you for your inspiration. Just keep passing it forward……
Much love,
Pam
jP says:
July 15, 2011 at 1:32 am (UTC 0)
Thank-you Pam for sharing your thoughts. I am so glad you had such a Journey. It is amazing to read the thoughts of your space. I believe we are one, as you indicate Carl Sagan said, “We are all made from the same Star stuff.” I close my eyes and can see him saying those words. I love Carl Sagan and always have, even as a young man when he first introduced himself on the Tube
. The Universe is quite a Reality! We are One! I LOVE knowing that I am ONE with you Pamela Mortensen. Thank-you for your every breath! Enjoy the Universe!! Peace and Love always, me – jP
admin says:
August 7, 2011 at 5:02 pm (UTC 0)
And I thank you for your presence here and now and everywhere. You are a hero for stepping out into your light.
Mr. Sagan is a hero for his love and enthusiasm of the universe and bringing light to a little 17 year old many years ago through his “Cosmos” journey.
Didgeridoo is a hero too for bringing so many together with each other and with ourselves.
Hooray for Heroes!
♥♥♥♥
Pam
Fran says:
July 26, 2011 at 6:14 pm (UTC 0)
Hi sis,
Thank you so much for sharing part of your journey. It sounds like you had a grand time learning, laughing,
be-friending, and just being… I feel you have met your calling in life and it’s great to see you so happy with your new music! Lots of love to you, fran
admin says:
August 7, 2011 at 4:55 pm (UTC 0)
My dear Sis,
Many thanks for coming to this small pixel of the universe for a visit. I always have a grand time when it comes to being on this road to who knows where. And I thank you deeply for accompanying me. your presence means a lot to me.
Lots of Love,
Pam