Listen to the Duck

A duck walked up to my wife today and staed at her and said...ok, sounds like the beginning of a joke right? But it happened and it's a curious thing. There's a message there for her (besides quack)and a mystery. The world talks to each of us on a personal level and it's our job to translate the holy scriptues of the universe into an inner language that's revelent to ourselves and only to ourselves. The universe talks to us personally and our message doesn't have to have any meaning to anyone other then our deepest selves. I'm curious as to what my wife will unravel and would be honored if she shares it with me - but only if she wants - if the universe has something to tell me - it will send another duck.

Eric

A Little Bit of (Deep) Truth from the President

Today in a speech in Michigan I heard President Obama say what may be the must honest and true words spoken by a plotician - ever - "I am my brothers keeper...I am my sisters keeper." The president was talking about values, yet there's a much deeper aspect to these words - we are the keepers of our brothers and sisters because not only is there welfare our own, but their very existence is our own as well. There is no point where another leaves off and we begin - it's an optical delussion of time and space. I am and therefore you exist and you are and so I am. There is no greater truth than this. We are our brothers keepers and we are our sisters keeper - it's the interest of the Self that makes it so. John Donne decalred that no man's an island and further in the poem tells as not to ask for whom the bell tolls - it tolls for thee. On a very deep level the President gets this and on a deeper level as well we all do. The bell tolls - and we all must answer.

Peace,
Eric

Happy Birthday to My Dad

Yesterday was my Dads 85th birthday. Reflecting on my relatonship with him now and through the years it's easy for me to see that no other man has had the impact on my life as he has. This is true in many father/son relationships I'm sure and it gladdens me to know the positive role fathers play in the family dynamics. My love of books, the outdoors, history, science and so much more were first stirred and later nutured by him (they still are)Yet even more so my hope for being a good man, honest, steady, kind and loving to his family are a gift from him. His care for my mother during her long illness and to her last breath was astonsihing to witness. If I can love to that extent - then I know my life was well lived.
Happy Birthday Dad.

Love,
Eric

Race Review - Hashawha Hills 50k

Hashawha Hills 50. Don't let the name fool you...there's a lot of hills here. I don't know why I was expecting gentle inclines and easy slopes but these were some serious, nasty hills. With the last five hills being officially labled the "5 evil sisters" runners had their work cut out for them - especially on the last of this two loop course.
Hashawha Hills is a small race (120 people) in Westminsiter MD. and what it lacks in size it more then makes up for in quality, scenery and spirit. I loved the fact that Race Director Alan Gowen got a little "Barkley Marathon" here and had runners collect rubber bands to show that they completed two loops at the end of the race - that really added to the fun. And the fact that collecting the rubber bands sent us through two stream crossings and a long stretch of mud added some more.
The race was sponored by Virginia Happy Trails Running club and to a person all who came out to volunteer and cheer runners one were helpful, friendly and full of good spirit - on a cold, windy, muddy, hily day, those qualities are worth quite a bit. Thanks guys!
Ok, the hills of Hashawha are relentless. Maybe I was still in recovery mode from the Mid MD 50k two weeks ago but those hills really wore me down. Maybe only two or three were severe but they were constant, some rolling, some gentle, and some just sucked, yet there always seemed to be there. For the first time in a very long while I seriously thought of making it a one loop day. I surprised myself by finishing the first loop well shy of 3 hours and thought that maybe I could bring the second loop in close to that even with my tired legs. And I was close -6:02 being my offical time but the last 5 miles of the second loop slowed me down considerably. Not the time I wished for but I'm in no way unhappy with it.
I mentioned the hills - they really stand out. Besides that this is really beautiful country and Hashawha Park is worth the drive to spend the day hiking or running - from woodland to farmland and several stream crossings the park and course offered a rich diverity that kept the race interesting.
I faced my usual lack of hydration and fueling issues and there's no one to blame but myself. Maybe because my parents were depression era babies I seem to constantly find myself trying to get by on as little as possible. Or maybe I just make bad choices on long days in the woods. Problaby that.
A beautiful, handcrafted ceramic mug was presented to all who finished the 50k. I really like unique finnishers awards and this was a really nice touch to end the race with. A few ending notes - for a small race the aid stations were well stocked with lots of variety. The warm room (visitors center) for pre race and after race gathering were awesome on a really cold day. And the vegan chili rocked! Thank you Moca for forcing a bowl on me (I told you I make bad choices)Both Matt and Moca opted for one loop to save up for Seneca Creek 50k next week. Wise choice as the course is a leg waster for sure. Seneca should be easy in comparison (excpet for the additional miles they always throw in) And it was great seeing Trail Dawg lengend Carl Perkins and Conestoga Runner Carli Cress Moua out there! Only one person was missing and you know who you are!
Once again a big thanks to RD Allan Gowen,Virginia Happy Trails Running club and all the volunteers for sharing the cold day with us.
Next week Seneca Creek - and then rest!

Grateful Racing

Race two of my mini grand slam ws today - Hashawa Hills 50k. Full report tomorrow but for tonight I just want to say thanks to all those involved for making it a great day. It's a tough course and the volunteers and fellow racers made a big difference. Beautiful scenery fills me with a sense of peace that's somewhat hard to find these days. I found a little bit today and for that I am thankful.

Peace,
Eric

Race Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Hashawa Hills 50k - my third ultra for the year and second on my mini grand slam quest. I'm hoping for a sub 6 hour run but I will be happy just being out there on a trail I haven't covered before. It's an adventure first and a race second. Of course I do have goals and I hope to do well - but those are side effects from a day well spent. Tomorrow, I will run, and that alone is all that counts.

Peace,
Eric

Out Running

There are some problems I can't out run. And they're approaching. No matter how much distance I put on my feet my mind and soul will be in trauma. My hope is to reframe my running - not distance from but towards something new, something better and a life of hope.
Every step counts.

Peace,
Eric

The Struggles of the Dali Lama

I just read in the New York Times today that the Dali Lama himself struggles to stay on a vegetarian diet and that his Dr. adviced him to eat meat for health reasons. I find this heartening in many ways - first that the struggles of the Dali Lama are so similair to the struggles we all share and second he has bad dietary advice from his Dr. as well. We'll all in the same boat here. Years ago I read of the Dali Lama's words on practicing meditation and how after a lifetime of meditation there were times when it was still a struggle - the Dali Lama struggles (sometimes) during meditation? That's permission to cut ourselves so slack right there. To be honest I don't struggle much diet wise - I enjoy what I eat and I'm happy to no longer be part of a viscious chain of cruelty that begins with the suffering of animals and ends with the destruction of my health. Once I made the switch completely I never looked back and my health, running and conscious have never been better. There has been and will continue to be a bit of tweaking on my diet - I am considering 100% raw right now (I eat one cooked vegan meal in the evening - lightly cooked vegtables and often legumes of some sort)but my commitment to a vegan lifestyle is rock solid. I still find inspiration in the Dali Lamas struggle and my prayers go out to all who struggle to improve not just the quality of their own lives but the lives and well being of all Gods beings.

Peace,
Eric

Dark Night

I fear I may be on the edge of my own Dark Night - or perhaps I have been on this edge for awhile now and the abyss is near. St John wrote of the Dark Night as a catalyst of greater awakening in faith - I pray that I too may have the wisdom and courage to arise from the night in greater faith. I question if there is wisdom in attempting to avoid the dark night of the soul if a surrender to grace and what may be is in greater order, or even if the signs (and vague feeling of unease)are just a passing cloud of grief and sadness. I honestly don't know. In times of doubt and sadness I write, meditate, pray and of course run - funny thing is that these are the things I do in good times as well, yet now with greater urgency. Clouds may be approaching and dusk is drawing near, night will always come and just as sure - there always comes a dawn.

Thanks for listening.

Run

Running - long distance running - is at once both intimate and grand. The insular nature of running, even in groups, creates a space that is only penetrated by our own thoughts. The edge of pain and pleasure we run upon in untouchable to others even as we share this unique design. We cannot give this pain away and at the same time how can we possible desribe the immense pleasure we're expereincing, this bliss of motion. Those who run already know and those who don't can't possibly understand. This moment is truly ours alone. And yet....as the ego draws down from the swiftness of legs, and thoughts stilled from running on the edge, we open ourselves up to a world that cradles us as a fellow traveler within itself. We run with and not against the earth. We are a small thread of motion, yet essential to the fabric of the universe. The grand design reveals itself and we find that we are key to its completion. We are larger than ourselves.
Run, and run far and long enough - and you'll know this.

My Mini Grandslam

I'm one week away from my next 50k - Hashawa Hills in Westminister Md. This is following closely the Mid Md. 50k last week in Elkridge and there'll be another 50k the week after Hashawa. This will make a grand total of 4 50ks in a two month period. I'm thinking of this series as a real test to not just my training but my diet and spiritual practice as well. Maybe test isn't the best term as there realy is no failure for me as I see it. Sure I may not make the finish for a number of reasons - that's the nature of any race let alone an ultra. The task for me then is to be ready to face the starting line - can I dial in my diet (and hydration) to be as recovered as possible to run the race on the terms I set? Will I be able to reduce my stress level through meditation, qigong and other spiritual practices? That's the real test and one I am eager to face. I'm looking forward to the next few weeks. Stay tuned and thanks for reading!

Practice

More often than not it takes real effort to come to a place of forgiveness - it's our natural state of being yet we live in a world that's filled with the illusion of separation. It's hard for the ego to forgive something that we view as "other" than ourselves. If we could arrive to a (holy) place within were we knew the truth of our existence, if we could extend our vision from this place outwards - the world would change in an instant. We would see that the happiness of another is vital to our own happiness. Forgiveness would take place in this instant. How do we arrive to this holy place? Practice.

Peace,
Eric

Forgiveness - What it is and What it isn't

It seems that forgiveness is often msunderstood as a meek attitide and an allowance for abuse, it's thought of in terms as reactive after a violence (emottional or pyhyscial) has occured. Instead forgiveness is very much a proactive statement that we cannot be abused because we stand clearly in the recognition that in a universe of singular purpose - no act may be commited indivudually. If I strike I am at once both the striker and the struck - if I forgive then I too am forgiven. This in no way implies that we bring violence or misfortune upon ourselves - it only states the obvious truth of our unity and at the same time gives us the sole responsibility of our response to our abuse. If you stike and I strik back I have reacted. If you strik and I forgive then I have made the proactive choice of recognizing our unity and knowing that I can let go and remove myself from this situation with love, grace and detachment. I am now free and no event, person or situation has power over me nor can I be bound to past events. Forgiveness is the great liberator.
But only if we so choose.

Peace,
Eric

Forgiveness Lessons

I write often on forgiveness. It's an important matter and one that has far reaching and life changing potential. It's essential for true happiness and the only way to bypass ego and enter directly into spirit while remaining in this world. A Course in Miracles can really be summed up as a text book on forgiveness. It's a natural act that seems so difficult for most of us- why is that? I believe it's so difficult because we believe that we will gain something for our resentment, that if we could just make a person feel as bad as we do then surely they will see the error of their ways, or by sheer force of will we can change a circumstance to our benifit. This seldom works and never for long. Forgiveness - once committed to truly from the heart is for ever. And once we enter this remarkable kingdom of peace we become aware that forgiveness is not even really needed as this is are permament state of being - we are bliss in manifest form. Forgiveness is the key. Yet to get there we must practice as we have come a far way from our true home. The world os full of lessons and each one is our chance to forgive and to begin to recognize that in this way leads to home. We'll all get there - one lesson at a time.

Peace,
Eric

You are a Runner

One of the most wonderful things of being a runner is the feeling that your body is capable of covering great distances, that you are able to tread rough terrain quickly and with a sense of grace and ease. Runners held an honored spot throughout history for the swiftness and courage and were needed for these abilities to communicate with other villages and cities. There was a great scene in The Last of the Mohican's where a runner set off through hostile territory under the cover of the night and a sharpshooter. The runner relied only on two things as he kept his vision straight ahead towards his goal - the accuracy of the shooter and the power, drive and stamina his legs would provide. It was a stirring scene. Think of this on your next run - you are part of something much larger then yourself - you are a runner and history and the universe honors you.

Peace,
Eric

Veganism, Slaughter, and (Slightly) Pro Hunting

I'm reading The Pig Who Sang to the Monn, by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson right - this book is an emotional roller coaster - from the lows of the expereinces of these "farmed" animals to the highs of their rich emotional lives and again to new lows, now knowing high these highly sensitive and intelligent creatures are treated. If more people could fathom the pain and suffering animals go through for the mere convenicne of ready meat at our tables and command then veganism would not just be an option but a demand. Personally I am convinced that a Plant Based diet is the healthiest and most eniormentally friendly way to eat. Yet even if I wasn't I would be looking for healthful options so I could do my (however small) part in sparing animals this unnecessary suffering. Fortunetely it's a win/win/win as veganism is better for you, the planent and of course the animals. Before I made the transition I looked for alternatives - dairy from "happy cows", cage free eggs, and grass fed beef - non of these are options, they just postpone the enevitable. Meat is death all the way around. If meat is a must (and it isn't) I would much rather see it come from a hunting source then farming. A hunter with who is hunting for meat and not "sport" or a trophy and knows how to select, and then properly care for the slain animal, how leaves little for chance and will not risk wounding an animal on a chance shot. I come from a family of such hunters and while I don't wish to hunt myself and would like for hunters to have a change of heart in such matters - I will not turn a anti hunting finger to them and condem. My father quit hunting in his twenties after returning from the South Pacific in WWll, he simply no longer wished to kill animals. We may all reach this descion someday and those who hunt I belive will reach it sooner then those who turn a blind eye to the slaughter on their plates. A hunter seems somehow more honest to me. Check out the book mentin above. And more - really take a look behind the scenes of where your meat is coming from.

Peace,
Eric

Sharpening

Somethings demand focus - writing, meditating, kettlebells, running - for me all of these events are similair in that my mind needs to sharpen on the activity to get the best results and there are sonsequences of attention waivers. And attention will waiver and do so repeatedly - that's the nature of learning concentration. It's the focus on an object, the loss of focus and then the sharp return when absence is noted. In time we have shaprened our mind to one the mystics call "one pointed attetnion" and everything we focus on begins to be a meditation and the universe opens itself up for our discovery. The consequences for allowing the mind to wander can be as simple as an unfocused meditation session, to unproductive writing (or worse - no writing) to being hit on the head by a kettlebell (yes, it's happened) to falling on the trail (again, happened)
But my mind always returns.
Gently I place it back to the mantra, the page, the act of lifting or on the trail.
My mind is sharpening.
And the universe beckons.

Race Review - Mid Maryland 50k

I really hope that I can say that this was the 1st Annual Mid Maryland 50k abd that there will be many more to follow. Race Director Phil Lange and his team of volunteers did a terrific job on a cold and wet day. Thanks guys! Phil even went so far as too lace up and lead the first lap after a coat of snow covered the white spray paint used to mark the trail course. Once tracks were established it really wasn't an issue. Phil went the extra mile (6 actually) in assuring that no one would get off track.
Of course there wasn't a thing he could do about the mud - and there was plenty. The course consisted of five 10k loops and each loop grew more slick and deeper in mud with use. It really was a mud fest and everyone was covered by the second or thrid loop. It kept the focus on the trail but made for wet feet. Which was really by only issue (save for skimping of fuel and hydration which has become my trademark ultra mistake)I wore my NB Mt 110 which is essentially a "sockless" sure along the lines of Merrells barefoot collection and other minimal shoes. The first two, even three loops felt fine but then the mud began to pull and my feet grew raw and then bloody and quite painful. Not to mention cold. Next race I'll go up a side and wear some Smartwool socks (a commercial plu in hope of free products)
Phil's race production enterprise is Bullseye Running lined up some great sponsors - Davids Natural Market, Vega Sports (my favorite "go to" gels and bars) and Uno's who brought warm food for everyone (non vegan but smelled great!) and this was all under a pavillion and made for a nice stop and gathering between loops which really added to a community feel to the race.
Despite the mud, wet and snow, abd the bloody feet and poor fueling I managed a 5:54:14 and I'm pretty happy with that. Except for the final loop where some walking took place I ran fairly strong and steady and excpet for some quad tightness from slipping around in the mud and the tender feet I feel pretty good today. I now have two weeks to recover for Hashawa Hills 50k (where I'll wear socks - maybe Injinji - another plug) with Seneca creek after that. Lots of fun on the horizon!
Another big thanks to Phil and Bulleyes Running, the volunteers and all the other runners and freinds who came out to add to the day. Phil is also a great coach and if you're looking to up your game (or just start your game) he's the man to see. Check his site out here - http://bullseyerunning.com/

Thanks for reading!

Eric

Deer, Grace and Running

deer
ran.
and so did I....and the grace of
our difference -
was only in our
mind

Mid Maryland 50k Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the first Mid- Maryland 50k held at Rockburn Park in Elkridge. It promises to be a wet,muddy, cold and maybe a bit snowy. In other words - fun. It's the first stop for a three race series I', hoping to complete. Wish me luck!

Eric

A Little Bit on Passion

If passion is a wave - then true love is the very depth of the ocean- untouched by storm or winds that cast the surface to and fro. This is the love to strive for, it's our birthright and indeed our real idenitiy. We love because we are made to love and made from love and passion, while a needed spark, is ot the blue heat that feeds the fire. Allow passion it's course without becoming attached or confused by what it is - what it isn't. Enjoy it while cultivating something deeper, something worthwhile and something true. As a wave passion wil ebb and flow, but when the depth of the ocean is known - nothing else will ever do.

Peace,
Eric

Healing on the Run

I started running long distances when my world began closing in on me. Running, especially on the trails, created space - my interior matching the open landscape my feet delivered me to. Distance began to mean freedom - freedom from the restrictions of my heart, and the crush of loss that fell heavy against my mind and spirit. I ran farther and wanted more still. Maybe, at first, I ran to escape - from myself and others - but soon found my escape lingered even after I arrived back to what I viewd as prison. So maybe there was no escape - but a deliverence, a path without end from the trail to further still within. I'm not healed. I'm healing. Running brought me here and now continues to do so. With every step.

Peace,
Eric

Snow Too

Again it snows - and the
world awaits its
new beginning.

~
There is something momentarily cleansing about snow - a new world created on top of the old, a brightness that shines even in the dark of night - it adds beauty to city streets and a weighted depth to earth, trees and plants. And more still it's knowing that this will last for only moments, the first steps and tire tracks detracting more and more until the magic once more retreats for another day, another season.

Enjoy it while it's here.

Peace,
Eric

Suffering

We all will or have lost someone or something we care deeply about. We will all greive to a depth we can't possibly prepare for. We suffer. The Buddha claimed that he taught suffering and how to cease suffering and that was all - the very essence of his teaching. A worthy agenda in his times and ours. The Buddha claimed that we suffer only because we cling to what is inherently transient. Eveything must pass and yet despite the knowing truth of this statement - we still suffer for our hold on all that passes. The Buddha wnet on to teach a way out of suffering - his Noble Path - and this way has stood the test of time for over two thousand years now. Jesus Christ taught another through the salvation of forgivness. In forgivness we find an openness that alows these transient things to pass through while still cherishing them in their passing (as does Buddhism) Both paths (and others) share common threads and each also has methods unique to their path alone. The end goal remains the same - letting go. I have seldom regretted the things I have let go when their time has come - and I have always regretted holding on to things that have reached the point of letting go. I wish I was wiser and could claim even a slight level of mastery of this. But I haven't. And life gives more and more to aid our practice. Perhaps I'll get it - perhaps I'll reach and hold and cherish deeply all that life to offer, and then with grace and open palms, I'll offer my release. Perhaps. Yet until then I offer my forgiveness - to myself and my heart that grasps and clings to others, and to the world with all it's pain and sorrows. May this forgiveness bring sight that see the world in all its deeper beauty.

Make Your Choice (My race day strategy)

The first in a series of 50k races is approaching - this Saturday at Rockburn Park. It promises to be a fun, muddy,long and challenging day. But mostly fun. What makes an event like this fun is the mental preparation that goes on before the event. If I am unprepared for a long day, if I hold expectations (different than a goal) for how the day will turn out - I am bound to be dissapointed. An ultra, even a short one, is a long day on your feet. For the most part it's a long day in the woods, on the trails and in some beautiful areas - that's not a bad way to spend the day. I've spent some days in far worse situations. So the day begins by telling myself that I am in an area, a situation and a given time frame that I have choosen. I chose it because I WANT to be here. After all I could have stayed home. This is a great reminder because no matter what the day brings - this is my adventure - I trained for this, I paid for this and I willingly choose to endure -everything.
Make your choice.
And enjoy.

Peace,
Eric

Long Over Due Diet Rant

There is quite a bit of evidence supporting the benifits of a plant based diet. Overwhelmingly so I might add. The WHO recommends it not only for our health issues but for the energy and climate crisis. More and more doctors are coming around to see how our diets need to change drasticly in order to fight the plauge of health issues that have befallen our country. Please note that I am referring to a plant based diet - whether someone chooses veganism, one of the many forms of vegetarionism, or uses animal products in the most healthful way possible (as Micheal Pollen recommends - a side dish to the main portion of plants)is entirely a personal choice. I would urge people towards veganism for mostly ethical reason, although I do also believe it may be the most healthful.
Yet at the same time, I am seeing so many personal trainers urging ther clients to eat a "paleo" style diet. This is a high protein, grain free, dairy free diet. There's much behind this diet that I really like - dairy free is good for everyone (yes, everyone) and the emphasis on organic food is a wonderful attribute as well. I'm not sold on the grain free, but it's worth looking into as many people do have an intolorence for certian grains. It's also worth noting that there is eveidence that the Paleo people were actually grain eaters as well (to an extent)It's the high emphasis on protein, especially from animal sources that is really worrisome and I find it disturbing that these trainers are placing such a high priority on meat. Yes, we need protein. But not that much and the dangers of an (extreme) high protein diet are eveident in the number of kidney malfunctions that people face these days. My father has kidney trouble and is fortunate not to need dialysis - when I take him to the doctors I see far too many who are not as fortunate as he. This is irresponsible for trainers to place their clients health in such jeapordy. So meat or no meat is not the issue (maybe another blog) the issue is health and how much we actually need. The research is out there - please do it.

Peace,
Eric

It's Snowing

Snow coates the world in silence - dampening the sharp edges of our daily soundtrack. Snow lays an added beauty to the ground and brings a wildness to city streets. Every season carries it's own beauty.
Today it's snowing.

Forgetting and Forgiveness

What if we practiced the "art of forgetting" in all our daily encounters? If we met a friend or relative with fresh eyes and a mind clear of preconceived thoughts about them or our relationship with them - imagine the joy reawakened in each and every new beginning.
It's possible.
Yet first we have to break our addiction to grievences, to past slights, and resentments that fuel the heat of our encounters. We can only do this my clearing the slate of memory through forgiveness. Forgiveness is the clear swipe that brings love to replace resentment and anger. Love (true love) is wise, and brings us an intuitive protection that doesn't lead us blindly into a hurtful situaton. That's the fear of forgetting slights and forgiving - that we will be hurt again. In fact forgiveness places outside the realm of hurt - we are lead to forgive, to let go and see motive with clear eyes unclouded by the past yet still wise to see true and move beyond. Trust your highest wisdom.
It only comes with clear eyes and a
forgiving heart.

Lessons From A Table

One of my favorite lessons from A Course in Miracles is - "I wish to see things differently. The lesson goes on to claim that the secrects of the unierse would open up to us while viewing a table if we could only drop the lables that we hold of what a table is. This sounds hard to believe and it is hard to believe - and that's because of the notions we hold on tables, and trees, and oceans...and people. Especially ourselves. As the Course tells us, the first step is to want to see things differently. In Zen this is called beginners mind and Christian tradiotions see it as viewing the world with the eyes of a child. Perhaps the best way to approach this is to simply question everything, especially our assumptions on all things. And again - especially ourselves. Author Katie Bryan uses what she calls The Work and it's a series of questions that help strip lables and assumptions. I highly recommend her books and tapes. For me, the most important step is to begin to question the validity of our thoughts. Just because we think a thing does not make it so. Start here - question your thoughts for a few mins, for an hour or for a day - and see if maybe your view if the world clears just a little.
Worth a try.

Peace,
Eric

Religous or Spiritual

What does it mean to be spiritual? I there a difference between being spiritual and ebing religous? Of corse this is only my take on the subject but I have given it a little thought and have tried to live my life by a spiritual ideal. I don't consider myself religous only because I am no longer a member of a Church or religous organization. There are many of such that I respect and a few that I once belonged to and may one day return. There is beauty in service and a call to worship with others, there is a holiness to rituals that have been handed down through ages and have a rich tradition of symbolism and meaning. I love that aspect of religion. I also love tha gathering of friends and family into a shared community of worship. Yet for me that call to solitude and quiet contemplation whisper more strongly to my soul. Finding God in silence, the hush of forest and soft call of birds and streams and the moan of wind - that's spiritual. And what we take from these expereinces and hold inwards and then reflect back unto the world - that's being spiritual, living a life of spirit, truth and beauty. The two often go together and that's a wonderful thing (and person) to expereince. And just as often they do not. And that's unfortunate. For everyone should live a life os spirit. Religous or not.

God bless,
Eric