Growing up near enough to take those Boundary Water trips several times, and canoeing on the rivers and lakes near to my home not far from the Mississippi headwaters, I know the peace and presence that comes from that immersion. Now on Whidbey Island, it’s still around me in slightly different forms. Water, trees, hills—all bigger here, but still the same forces that unfold what confines me and holds me in love. Thank you for bringing this back to me today.
Thank you, Parker, last day at church our daughter slipped into the pastors role, singing a spontaneous resurrection song which turned into a blessing as only children can say it: “it is sad that people die and do not resurrect immediately”…
Thank you, Parker, for your wise and beautiful words. The wilderness of northern Minnesota is like no place else. Thanks for the reminder that I can visit that heaven on earth in my mind and heart whenever I need respite and sanctuary from the chaos.
The same principles of natural law apply to our current politics and culture. We must first be impeccably true to our selves and our connections to everything because our personal transformation enjoins this magnificent life force of love, that's why and how all will be well.
Wow-thank you so much for your article Reprint. It is timeless. It warns us, but more alerts us to the precious opportunities and connections We have with nature to rebuild our spirits! I was just a child when you came to the Virginia Beach Friend school to lecture and i loved your calm demeanor, though I probably didn’t understand the depth of what you said! That’s OK. I do now at 78! Thank you for your words and insight and your warning and your invitation to act. I could say so much more, but thank you thank you!
Thank you for reminding us to always take care of ourselves. We should never forget the oxygen mask rule. Thanks for reminding us that healing and renewal in real time allows us to return to the place in our imagination. Reading your words is a healing experience for me. Thank you!
"It’s the patient, resourceful, resilient way nature heals itself, reminding me what it takes to heal my own wounds so I can show up in the world as a healer.". true words to allow to soothe one's soul as it finds spaces between the dross and greyness of hopelessness
I spent time of two summers in the BWCA- as a teenager. Then we drank right out of the lake- no water bottles- just dipped a cup during a rest in the paddling. One week it rained 7/8 days. I still remember what it felt like to put on wet socks in the morning. And I remember the pride I felt as I hauled the aluminum canoe over my head and trotted through the portage- something I couldn’t do when the week started. My group was all guys- except for me and my tent mate. And I was determined to pull my own weight. The beauty of this place and the life lessons have never left me. Thank you for the reminder and awareness of current concerns. I love reading how this place has affected so many here.
Thank you, Amy. I love your story of lessons learned in the BWCA when you were a teenager. I wish I had experienced the place when I was young, but I'm very glad I've had the last 25 years to catch up with what wilderness has to teach us.
Lovely essay, Parker. We love to go „up north“ every summer also. I loved your description of the „resurrection“ after the storm. Indeed it was nature which offered itself as living word when our now 6 year old asked „mama, what is resurrection?“ since then we walk the garden come spring here in MN and she points to every new sign of life, green sprouting on bare branches, tender first green peaking through wintery soil, and shouts out with joy: „resurrection“!
You made me homesick with this. Growing up in the “way north” of Wisconsin we canoed in the boundary waters one summer and it was bliss.
Growing up near enough to take those Boundary Water trips several times, and canoeing on the rivers and lakes near to my home not far from the Mississippi headwaters, I know the peace and presence that comes from that immersion. Now on Whidbey Island, it’s still around me in slightly different forms. Water, trees, hills—all bigger here, but still the same forces that unfold what confines me and holds me in love. Thank you for bringing this back to me today.
Thanks so much, Deb. You've lived in some beautiful places—Whidbey Island is another one of those "thin places" on earth!
Thank you, Parker, last day at church our daughter slipped into the pastors role, singing a spontaneous resurrection song which turned into a blessing as only children can say it: “it is sad that people die and do not resurrect immediately”…
https://cloisternotes.substack.com/p/it-is-sad-that-people-die-and-dont
Thank you, Parker, for your wise and beautiful words. The wilderness of northern Minnesota is like no place else. Thanks for the reminder that I can visit that heaven on earth in my mind and heart whenever I need respite and sanctuary from the chaos.
Thank you, Mary. I'm glad this piece spoke to you and pointed you back to the BWCA!
The same principles of natural law apply to our current politics and culture. We must first be impeccably true to our selves and our connections to everything because our personal transformation enjoins this magnificent life force of love, that's why and how all will be well.
Thank you for your good words. Amen to all of them.
Wow-thank you so much for your article Reprint. It is timeless. It warns us, but more alerts us to the precious opportunities and connections We have with nature to rebuild our spirits! I was just a child when you came to the Virginia Beach Friend school to lecture and i loved your calm demeanor, though I probably didn’t understand the depth of what you said! That’s OK. I do now at 78! Thank you for your words and insight and your warning and your invitation to act. I could say so much more, but thank you thank you!
Thank you, Pam. I don't remember that Virginia Beach visit, but I know the Friends School there has long done good work.
Beautiful article. I was so touched by your writing. I hope to visit the Boundary Waters someday. Thank you
Thank you, Nancy. I hope you can make that visit someday soon...
My nervous system calms through reading this, thank you.
Thanks so much, Julie. Peace and power to you...
Thank you for reminding us to always take care of ourselves. We should never forget the oxygen mask rule. Thanks for reminding us that healing and renewal in real time allows us to return to the place in our imagination. Reading your words is a healing experience for me. Thank you!
Thank you, Katy. I'm very glad you experienced these words as you did...
I'm so excited for your new substack page!! I've enjoyed your words so much, whether spoken our written!!!
Thanks so much, Carrie. Glad to be here!
Parker Palmer asks:
How, then, shall we live? And die?
Earth Spirit replies.
...
Life’s persistence shows
healing hummus holy host.
Feels, fills, feeds, freely.
...
Suffering, seat for
renewal, resurrection.
All good and all gold.
Thank you, Marisol. Once again I love the way you show us big things in microcosm...
Macro meets micro
somewhere in some middle way?
Become allies, friends. 😊
“It’s all good and it’s all gold…” This piece is so beautiful. Thank you for speaking such peace into our chaos. It is like salve for the soul.
Thank you, Brandi. I'm grateful that the piece spoke to you.
"It’s the patient, resourceful, resilient way nature heals itself, reminding me what it takes to heal my own wounds so I can show up in the world as a healer.". true words to allow to soothe one's soul as it finds spaces between the dross and greyness of hopelessness
Thanks so much, Nettie. I like the image of the soul finding its way between "the dross and greyness of hopelessness."
Thank you Parker for inspiring me today and bringing a glow to my soul, much needed🙏🏻
Thanks, Patricia. I'm glad that this piece spoke to you.
I spent time of two summers in the BWCA- as a teenager. Then we drank right out of the lake- no water bottles- just dipped a cup during a rest in the paddling. One week it rained 7/8 days. I still remember what it felt like to put on wet socks in the morning. And I remember the pride I felt as I hauled the aluminum canoe over my head and trotted through the portage- something I couldn’t do when the week started. My group was all guys- except for me and my tent mate. And I was determined to pull my own weight. The beauty of this place and the life lessons have never left me. Thank you for the reminder and awareness of current concerns. I love reading how this place has affected so many here.
Thank you, Amy. I love your story of lessons learned in the BWCA when you were a teenager. I wish I had experienced the place when I was young, but I'm very glad I've had the last 25 years to catch up with what wilderness has to teach us.
Lovely essay, Parker. We love to go „up north“ every summer also. I loved your description of the „resurrection“ after the storm. Indeed it was nature which offered itself as living word when our now 6 year old asked „mama, what is resurrection?“ since then we walk the garden come spring here in MN and she points to every new sign of life, green sprouting on bare branches, tender first green peaking through wintery soil, and shouts out with joy: „resurrection“!
Thanks so much, friend. What a lovely story about your 6 year old daughter! That's a connection that will be in her heart forever.