After about a mile into my 5+ mile Sunday hike I sat on a bench and chronicled the pure ecstasy of my Sunday sojourn. In this post I share how taking a side trail shifted my experience…and some of my paradigms as I traveled through The Bardo: The place of transition according to Tibetian Buddhism.
A turn through the style
And a passage into a past time once lived
At first, I searched for new memories
Then different scenes, scents and thoughts brought back times long gone
The salty air of the marsh trail
Old scenes crashing into erotic thoughts now lost
The boardwalks where wayward dogs
Sought refuge from heat in muddy waters
Humans followed two sets of large paw prints
The tide moves into this place of transition
And with it the memories return, bittersweetly
The many years of scenes with
Wet dogs swimming at every clearing
in brackish waters begging for owners to
Throw a stick or a toy
Careful in some places, the current is swift and will steal
Away the gifts
In this moment, my presence reaches for
The sights and sounds …
The feeling of water brushed onto my legs as wet, excited dogs run past
of dogs playfully nipping at one another
A competition for the attention of their owners
Loyal dogs with high intelligence
Their ears perk and heads turn giving us
Their full attention
Chewbacka just may have been modeled after a German Shepherd Dog’s vocal inflections
Then there are the copper cypress needles adding richness to the brown hues on the trail
Here I remember my son’s first steps on the sodden earth
Or carrying my daughter in a rainbow sling,
Pausing for snap shots and capturing memories
Or the “pregnant” tree I stood beside
When my first baby bump began to show
Yes, here I am once again in the Bardo
Where the bittersweet memories meet the pain of what is no more
Walking along the low trails near the cypress bogs
I release my emotional pain into the winds
And through salty tears that stain my cheeks
Then in the mirror-like water of the tiny lakes
I see the sky reflected more beautifully below than it is above
The water’s reflection symbolic of its adoration of the sky
Oh, to be adored in such a way
My mind takes a different path on this day
For so long I have feared my uniqueness and my ability to carry so many different energies
Now in this place of Bardo and balance, I see and begin to believe
by law there exists a man
Who can carry the same
More tears well up, threatening to burst forth
Yes, there must be balance – you cannot be alone in this
The smell of the earth and cypress needles fills my senses
Soon to be replaced by a curious citrus…
Tears from bittersweet memories have dried on my face,
Such a cleansing feeling the citron scent brings
It’s been at least 18 years since I started hiking regularly at this park
Hard to miss memories made here
I wish I had appreciated all of these times more
Lessons I seem to learn over & over again
The search for new memories
Slowly replaced by the reliving of old ones
All in the same place
The Bardo: this place of transition
I could know by now that ecstasy can only be maintained for moments in time, surely each time I soar or fly, there is a requisite digging into the darkness below. Balance in all things.
This song seems to capture the feelings I had during the latter part of my Hike.
unfiltered from the heart 
So many memories, so many changes and transitions in life . Thanks for sharing with us Tiffany. Warmest wishes and hugs to you my friend. Have a joyous Christmas. xo
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Miriam, warm hugs and Holiday wishes for you & yours! I appreciate your gratitude for my sharing ❤️
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You’re most welcome Tiffany. Big hugs back to you for a peaceful and relaxing festive season ❤️
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Yes!!! Maintaining my balance while embracing all experiences has been the journey. It’s been toughest when the trail turns without warning.
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Sweet Rita, I am so honored that you understand. I almost canceled the schedule for this because it sounded so crazy, yet balance seems to find me whether I like it or not… I’m so grateful for your understanding! ❤
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Not crazy in the least! It’s life ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼
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❤❤❤
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I named one of my cats Bardo….he kept coming back into my life as a different cat, but with similar physical features.
Are you a fan of Alex Grey?
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That’s cool re your cat. They really do support our growth.
Yes, I am an Alex Grey fan! Any particular work?
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That’s a cool way to look at it.
I was thinking of the painting Bardo….I like Journey of The Wounded Healer too…and many other ones. I saw that you’re a fan of Puscifer too. I’ve been listening to a lot of their stuff lately. They “hit the spot” for me, as far as music goes, right now.
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Yes, I’m familiar with the journey of the wounded healer and can identify with it. I’ll check out Bardo. I may have seen it and just don’t recognize it by the name alone. I have one if his books. I believe it’s transfigurations. Have also seen the documentary re cosmic mirrors.
Oh, if you can, see puscifer live… right now I’m going through a Florence and the machine phase. Completely understand re puscifer. Agostina is one of my faves.
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I have wanted to see them but never have had the chance. Hopefully they come around here to Texas again one of these days. Jose Gonzales and Junip had my attention for a while too, just to name one (or two) of too many to name
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Oh, yes re Jose Gonzalez. I’ll need to check out Junip.
I saw Puscifer in North Carolina during the “bathroom” controversy. (I’m from another state). The Humbling River was MJK’s response to the controversy when many bands were canceling their shows in NC. Pearl Jam canceled their show that week. Instead, MJK made a political statement about it…” don’t vote for Neanderthals” it was a great show!
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Yes there is balance and sometimes hard to see with all that is going on in the world. Thank you for taking us into a segment of your journey bittersweet as you say. Lots of beautiful lines that shoots to one’s essence. The video was awesome and thank you for that treat. Be well my friend.
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Thank you, Joseph! I’m so honored that you enjoyed this. Truly! May you also be well, dear one! ❤
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🙂
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Absolutely enjoy moments like these!
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It definitely was a full circle 🙂
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