Beneath My Feet

Wish-filled coins in a stream. Butchart (Japanese) Garden, Victoria, BC. 2022 Seeing these coins in the stream reminded me of a koan... "The coin lost in the river is found in the river." Koans are a zen study tradition where a puzzling phrase repeats in your head -- an ear worm that seizes you and won't go away. According to John Tarant, "A koan is poetic and personal. Let it be your friend, like a dog that follows you. Koans don't explain things, but may change you by showing you something... by opening a gate to walk through. Enjoy your koan. Relish it." Try wondering about the koan above. It may not be what you expect. Experiment... is it a coin? Is it really lost? Your mind presents all sorts of meanings... money, something lost and recovered, hidden treasure, a flowing river. Maybe it was never lost. Ah, the coin!

Thank you to my friend Kim Orynik for sending this fabulous photo of her hike to "the dome" with her son Jared. Overlooking the Yukon River above Dawson, Yukon. Sept 2022. Kim titled her photo "Top of the World" and asked that I write. I've always loved the lyrics of this uplifting song by Imagine Dragons which seemed appropriate. Certain life moments are filled with joy and that special feeling of accomplishment or possibly arriving, especially after a challenging journey! On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons - Listen here   If you love somebody Better tell them while they're here 'cause They just may run away from you You'll never know what went well Then again it just depends on How long of time is left for you I've had the highest mountains I've had the deepest rivers You can have it all but not til you move it Now take it in but don't look down Chorus: 'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey I'm on top of the world, ...