The Spot in the Future
From Harbin Hot Springs Winter issue Quarterly article
This is a particular moment in our history together. The moment when a tool of meaningful
communication between two spiritual entities, the printed Harbin Hot Springs
Quarterly and you, has run its course and completes its cycle of
existence. That needs to be marked
as auspicious. While it’s true
that the past is here to be moved through and released, it’s also true that we
must pause to give gratitude for all the steps that led us to this moment in
the present. Many thanks and acknowledgement
to Ann Prehn for her faithful, capable and loving presence over these pages for
so long.
I ventured onto these pages in the Quarterly 17 years ago
when I first became a resident of Harbin Hot Springs. I have grown in many directions over these years. I became a business person, at first,
opening The Blue Room espresso bar.
Then a mother of an indigenous Harbin son, born and raised in this large
extended family. I grew as a
writer: on these pages I wrote a eulogy, poetry and pieces on my journey in
founding the Lake County International Charter School, each piece marking my
place on the path of this life shared in full view from your path. I became a minister of Harbin Hot
Springs integrating my truth as a spiritual being. I continued my professional evolution from French chef to
being fully versed in alternative cooking and the deeper value of nutrition in
food, as medicine for the body and spirit.
And so this is the end of the printed Harbin Hot Springs
Quarterly. I am here to check in
about the future. I’m certain that
as this form ends and we move towards electronic sharing of the life we live
with Harbin, another communication form will emerge that continues to ask the
implicit question, “What are you doing with your life?”
I’ve arrived in a future that, 17 years ago when I first
became resident, I couldn’t have guessed would manifest. I was a complete yuppie, back then,
yearning instead for the deepest possible spiritual life. I wanted my work to be evidence of a
life firmly based in meditation, moving away from “What are you doing” and into
“What are you aware of?”
17 years of personal growth later, I arrived at this point
in the future. I recently opened a
new business in Middletown proper:
“The Spot” is an organic juice and wheat grass bar with an expanding
repertoire of raw foods: salads, small plates, and desserts, with a dedication
to healthy, fresh cuisine that focuses on gluten and dairy free fare. We are sharing our location with
Malcolm Gordon, another long time resident. He handcrafts Healing Springs kombucha in eight flavors, jun
(a sweeter kombucha) in two flavors and two flavors of apple cider vinegar
refresher.
I’m aware of the need to provide an evolved business. A food service that is sustainable,
organic and most exciting of all, employee owned. It feels right to offer the community members of this
business the benefit of ownership.
We’re working together to provide service in the form of nourishing
products that offer sustenance that is attractive to your soul. I have been seventeen years cultivating
a life’s work that is satisfying and deeply committed to what the Buddhists’
refer to as “right action.” This
business is a chapter in my life that serves my deepest desire to serve. The gathering of knowledge accumulated
over my life has led me to one thought regarding commerce: There is plenty, in the benefits of any
profitable business, to be shared among community members who work so very hard
and with so much love to give back to the community that is served.
I am committed to being as present and capably walking my
professional path in service to your health and well being as I can be. I am committed to showing up locally
and making my contribution to the greater good of the planet. Who knows what the future will
bring? All I know is to live in
this moment touching into the pure positive energy of living a fully engaged
and thriving human existence, feeling the deepest connection of spirit as your
life touches mine.
That is what the Quarterly has done all these years of
printed publication. It has
effectively rippled out from its particular point of time, space and knowledge
to touch and affect you, where ever you have been in the past, up to touching
you now in this moment of Presence.
Bless what came before. Bless this moment now.
Bless what shall be. A ho.
The Spot is located in Middletown at 21163 Calistoga
Road, next to Mugshots Espresso Bar.