Tales From The Trails

"Ready?" A Brief Introduction

I run over 70 miles a week searching for thin places.  Those places, according to Celtic spirituality, are where the separation between creation and the cosmos, heaven and earth, even life and death is merely a thin veil and appear to be simultaneously present in a time defying moment. As a spiritual director, I was schooled in the ways of the early Celtics as well as other mystical traditions that hold the belief that everything is holy, everything is sacred. So, I journey deep into the Angeles National Forest and high into the San Gabriel Mountains in search of ancient sanctuaries, those thin places where I can renew my mind through contemplation, find peace through meditation, and gain ancient spiritual wisdom through mindfulness.  

It is my hope that through my offerings here on this Substack, we can share explorations and discoveries from venturing miles into the vastness of this area I call home.  Because I have been running for over 40 years, running is now a metaphor for my life and life has become a metaphor for running.  Hopefully every Wednesday, I’ll offer thoughts on where the intertwining relationship between life and running will become clearer.  Before I talk about where running and my contemplative practice have brought me to today, the first few essays will give some context to my ever continuing personal growth journey.

If I am running with someone else, I always ask the same question before we begin. It’s this question that I’m asking you now.

“Ready?”

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