Prajna is really an extraordinary place. It’s situated at 9,000ft in a valley that is the result of thousands of years of mountain erosion. Modest fields stretch out before the cabins providing a sense of expansiveness despite the deep isolation. In the summer these fields explode with waves of wildflowers and grasses, but right now everything is blanketed by snow that seems to be receding quite quickly. The surrounding forest pf poplar, spruce and pine stands poised on the periphery of this small cluster of inhabitation, almost as though planning an imminent invasion into the fields. This is truly off-grid remote mountain living with only Marty and Maria up here most of the year in their separate personal hermitages. The birds are chirping everywhere, the dogs are in bliss, and the only other signs of civilization are the contrails left by airliners high overhead.

After the nice meal and introductions I was shown to the other buildings. First the Main Lodge where I was to sleep and then to the Pyramid where Maria resides. All of these buildings came with the place when Roshi bought it. It seems this place has had a few incarnations but the one immediately before Prajna was as a small farm where sheep, lamas and horses grazed. The domesticated animals are all gone now aside from the dogs and cats. The land, grateful for the years of manure, is now prepped to rejoice and spring forth completely unhindered by plodding hooves and chomping jaws. It’s almost as if the human impacts themselves have played beautifully into the natural cycles of this place and it’s development.

Once settled in, we all returned back to the initial cabin that seems to act as Prajna’s center. We drank tea, ate wonderful organic vegetarian food, and talked late (10pm) into the night. These five women that I had found myself with were truly strong, beautiful and wonderful people. I fell asleep that night tired from the hike, full from the meals, and filled with a sense of warmth and love having been invited into this new and openhearted community.

There’s a lot to be said of living from the heart in openness, compassion and gratitude. Oftentimes we shy away from the doorways that are presented to us out of fear or due to longstanding personal agreements that have little basis in reality. My friend Steve always says that Fear stands for False Evidence Appearing Real… I’m grateful I’m open… and I’m grateful that the doors I walk through usually result in meeting beautiful people and arriving in extraordinary places.

peace,
d