First light at the Laguna de Santa Rosa
I have walked the Laguna de Santa Rosa more than 100 times. Many times were at sunrise, others at different times of the day, and a couple evening walks. And yet, this morning, when I walked the Laguna at sunrise, it was fresh, new and once again opened my heart, mind and body. How is it that this Laguna touches me so deeply, and in different ways each time?
My friend says it the best when she describes the sunrise walks:
“The Sunrise Walk is like a re-set button. I get to take all the extra things I have been carrying the previous day and put them down.
I get to start the day with a fresh start, with no extra baggage.
I like to start the day this way. It gives me energy!”
There is something unique about the Laguna de Santa Rosa. One of the gems of this land is the symphony of sound. Yes, there is a symphony that occurs throughout the day. And this symphony is different in different places along the path. But, a very unique symphony happens at sunrise. It is this symphony that makes this experience a walking meditation.
On the Solstice Walk, we will be walking deep into the Laguna. About half way on our walk, we will get to what I call the “great sound space”, where you are removed from the road and city noise. It is at this place that you begin to hear sounds of nature for miles around. There are the Red Wing Black Birds, of course. But, there is often so much more. This is where there is the symphony of sound is heard.
“There are no fences before sunrise”
-Aldo Leopold
What I love about Leopold’s observation is that sounds are not defined by a section of property.
What happened this morning, when I walked the Laguna at sunrise, was that I heard the sound of an owl far off, a flock of birds as they travelled through the meadows, and the breeze through the trees This is a new kind of symphony. This is a symphony of Nature. It is a symphony of sunrise. This eco-symphony changes regularly throughout the walk, and throughout the day, as well as through the seasons.
I must say that the sound is most miraculous at sunrise.
It is one thing to read it in a book, that there are no fences before sunrise. But, it is totally different to experience the symphony of sound that comes from all directions as the sun rises, and to see the vastness of the land in the morning light.
To experience this reminds me that inside myself there are no fences. And I think this is why, this very morning when I walked the Laguna, I felt fresh in my heart, my mind and my body. It is just a moment. But, like my friend says, it is these moments that make the walk like a re-set button. You can feel larger than the fences that usually define you.
You can find the symphony of sound anywhere in the world. You can find it in your own backyard, at your favorite park, or with us at the Laguna de Santa Rosa.
Please come experience this walking meditation as we celebrate the Solstice Sunrise Walk at the beautiful Laguna de Santa Rosa!
Blessings on your path,
I walked as far as I was physically able at Thursday morning sunrise and experienced the wonderful variety of sounds you described. I saw a quail with its sweet little topknot perched on a post and heard it calling. All was shrouded in fog and so peaceful.
Kathy, It was so nice to have you on the walk. You are an example of how any part of this walk, a short walk or a long walk, can give you the beauty and benefits of the Sunrise Walk.