Worldly Winds

Well, we’re snowed in again. Despite the Equinox, the spring is late in coming this year. And this week marks three years of living in the mountains full time. I’ve been writing about the unfolding of my life, and it still amazes me how much my life as well as the world have changed largely brought by the pandemic.

In the Buddhist tradition, there is a concept known as the Eight Worldly Winds. These are eight experiences that we all encounter in our lives, and they are often characterized as either positive or negative: Gain and Loss; Praise and Blame; Fame and Disrepute; Pleasure and Pain. I think we literally experienced and witnessed all eight winds so vividly in the last three years.

For me personally, the losses of my beloved 17-year old cat, Nicola, and my 93-year old mother were by far the most poignant besides letting go of our residence in the city. I must emphatically say, though, the “positive” winds blew much more prominently in my life including the experience of living in the mountains itself. So many nourishing connections were made during these last three years. I had opportunities to travel to unexpected places, to collaborate with like-minded people, and to simply appreciate life as it is amidst the blowing winds.

As I look to the future, I can’t help but wonder what the next three years will bring. Life is unpredictable, and there’s no way of knowing what’s around the corner. But one thing I do know is that I’m grateful for every moment I’ve spent living in this beautiful place despite the occasional need to deal with the weather. It’s taught me so much about myself and has given me a new perspective on life. I’m excited to see what the future holds, and I know that no matter what happens, I’ll always have the mindfulness practice to help me navigate life as it shows up.