ALTOGETHER/together

Together

James Broughton

Together

to gather

to begin

to come

to be

together

to begin to

before

behind

because

beyond

between

betwixt

beside

to be

together

to be beside

next to beside

almost beside

nearly beside

closer beside

alongside beside

together

to begin

to behold

to befriend

to befit

to bestow

to believe

to betroth

to belong

together

to be coming

to be he and me

to be me and he

to be he and me and we

coming to be

close to be coming

together

to be almost inside

to be next to inside

to be nearly inside

to be coming inside

together

to be coming

all together

all in all together

altogether together

on the whole together

wholly together

totally together

in toto together

together

totally in toto wholly altogether

all in all wholly totally on the whole

together

altogether wholly in toto in toto

in totally toto together altogether

together

TROUBLE/maker

Newsy update from The Sacred Tremor Newsletter:

Hey, Y'all!

I hope that you've been keeping up with me on my blog. I've been posting pictures and short movies that I've made. If you haven't checked it out recently go ahead and click now: SACRED TREMOR BLOG There's lots of fun stuff to look at including a recent Full Moon Dance around the fire.

I'm still living at Easton Mountain just north of Albany, NY. I'm truly having the time of my life. I moved here with the intention that this was going to be my SUMMER OF LOVE. It's been everything I dreamed of and more. Everyday I wake up with gratitude that I am here in what I call Heaven on Earth. Everyday is a new adventure. Everyday is a new beginning. Everyday I'm inspired, challenged, uplifted and supported in exploring the deeper aspects of life. Easton Mountain is a spiritual community that encourages and holds space for gay people to find wholeness and connection.

It feels a lot like camp including making a new soulmate friend buddy co-conspirator. Michael James. We somehow have gotten the reputation for being the trouble makers of Easton Mountain. Imagine! I guess we've earned it in that we like to have fun and we don't let much get in our way of being happy and spreading joy to everyone around us.

The land here is beautiful, and I've re-connected to nature's rhythms in a really intimate way. I spend most of my days outside whether it's hiking around the mountain, walking to the garden to pick kale for dinner, swimming in the pool, passing football, canoeing on the pond or relaxing in the hammock. At night the sky is thick with stars and the Milky Way Galaxy roams across the blackness like some ancient mist. Sometimes Michael and I take the canoe out late at night in silence and just soak in the vastness of the universe.

I came to Easton Mountain on somewhat of a sabbatical from teaching. I've been teachig yoga full-time for almost 10 years, and I wanted to take a break for the summer to re-discover myself, to replenish my well. I took on the role of volunteer co-ordinator, which is itself a volunteer position. It feels good to be here in the form of service. I teach yoga, organize and host events, scrub toilets, wash dishes, talk with guests, make movies, frolick and comingle, and keep the volunteer program running smoothly.

My yoga practice has changed quite a bit since being here. I'm less focused on the postures, and I've been exploring the more philosophical side of things. Oh, I'm still doing asana and loving it, but my interests have been focused more on sitting with the questions that come up. What does it mean to live a life of truth? How can I open to more compassion and forgiveness? Do I really need another piece of pie? The questions more often than not lead me to more questions.

What are the questions you are asking yourself today?

Lots of Love,
Roger

PS: I've created The Sacred Tremor Project recently as a means of sustaining myself here at Easton Mountain, while supporting others with their intentions. Find out how you can receive your own original piece of art that holds your intention.

WHEN/oliver

When

When it's over, it's over, and we don't know

any of us, what happens then.

So I try not to miss anything.

I think, in my whole life, I have never missed

the full moon

or the slipper of its coming back.

Or, a kiss.

Well, yes, especially a kiss.

Mary Oliver

from Swan

MOON/dance

One of the volunteers here at Easton Mountain organized a Full Moon Ritual around the fire. We were encouraged to dress up. You don't have to tell me twice! I spent the day thinking about what I was going to wear. As the sun went down the fire was lit, and the full moon rose up over the mountain shining it's reflective round light onto the land and onto our faces.

Michael captured me dancing on a log in front of the fire and turned it into a little movie.

STORM/prayer

Yesterday I went out to the garden to pick some kale for dinner. A storm was quickly approaching. The wind was fierce. The clouds grew more and more ferocious until it let loose a torrential rain fast and furious.

JANE/fonda

FRESH/altar

Last night I stayed up late cleaning my altar at the head of my bed. I took everything off and wiped the shelf down. As I put everything back I wiped it off and remembered the significance of that piece. I added some new things and took away some old things that no longer seemed appropriate. After it was all done I prayed. I prayed for peace for myself, for my riends and family, for all beings on this planet.

Here's a video of the altar. The music is from one of Jim Beckwith's albums.

Song : Vayu Putra- Son of the Wind God

Album: Hanuman

www.livemusicforyoga.com

KALE/garden

My body was craving kale for dinner tonight so I walked up to the garden and picked a big bouquet of purple-red-green kale. I brought it back to the kitchen and sauteed it lightly in olive oil, garlic and sea salt. Oooooo la la. It was, perhaps, the best kale I've ever eaten. No kidding. I'm so thankful for the garden and for Scott Simons who takes care of the garden all summer long. There are so many wonderful vegetables and fruits in this garden. YUM!!

STRANGE/sacred

DANG/word

THE/one

I've been into cover tunes lately. This one stands out to me.

RW+/boom

Sunday night I hosted a dance party in The Temple at Easton Mountain. I spent the day creating a magical space with big help from my friends here Michael, Marshall and Wayne. I set up the star machine and disco ball. We created a beautiful Moroccan style lounge in the back with draped chiffon fabric, big cushions, candles and slow blinking colored lights. There were candles all around the room with more blinking lights on the altar. I set up a DJ booth and played DJ all evening. A lot of people showed up and we danced our asses off!! At some point I slowed the music down and everyone cozied up on the cushions in a big puppy pile. It was fun to DJ for a puppy pile! A first.

SETTING/up

Setting up for tonight's event: Red, White + BOOM!! This dance party is sure to rock the house down! Woo Hoo.