What if the most sacred site is where you are?
And the pilgrimage begins on your doorstep?
This week, the third holiday I’d planned this year got cancelled. More than anything, I was humoured 
. My biggest disappointment of the year was cancelling the pilgrimage I was set to lead in the Himalayas of Nepal, followed by a stay on the banks of the Ganga in India – two Motherlands of my soul. .
Yet one of the greatest blessings of this year has been a deepening in connection to country; this land where I was born and brought up.
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Ever deeper reverence for this land And its ancient, ancient wisdom Has blossomed like the pink flowering eucalypts ready to burst in my front yard
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The trees, the soils, the rocks, the waters – the ancestors – They are sharing so much more of their wisdom, because I am here . And I am listening . The land longs to be heard ; And to hear our prayers and our praise And most of all – our songs.
The land longs to heal And be healed . And as I’ve listened she has revealed the songs Longing to be sung And so I have . The trees and the rocks have steadily witnessed all that has unfolded in my life with everlasting patience and infinite compassion .Now and then I turn towards them – and yet they never turn away from me
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I have fallen more in love with eucalypts than ever before – a tree I used to consider “boring” – I guess because their presence was so familiar I had never stopped to really and truly appreciate the incredible spirit of this tree. . I adore the way the grey gums turn red at this time of year And their bark crumbles under my feet.
This depth of my roots has allowed me to expand more into my truth . Apparent ‘restrictions’ and ‘confinement’ have been prime conditions for my soul’s expansion Because the flights got grounded, I am more grounded than I’ve ever been . I’ve been making daily pilgrimages to sit with particular trees . I’ve discovered pockets of nature and walking trails on my doorstep that eluded me for the 7 years I’ve lived here – probably because I was too busy jet-setting about. . I’ve had the luxury of seeing the world and now my eyes are wide open in awe of what’s been here all along. . The place I call home and the endless wonders and wisdom it is revealing to me.
I can still call upon the spirit of the mountains, rivers, lakes and temples from lands afar that have stirred my soul and where my footsteps have lain. .I can access the power of these places wherever I am – and indeed I do.
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When I recently pondered the question of what makes something sacred, I considered this: Something becomes sacred because we make it so. . I know that the reverence I have poured into this land where I live has brought it more to life Without a doubt . The more I love her The more she loves me back When I have nothing to give She holds me regardless .It’s not the Himalayas But it’s home Sweet, sweet home
