We have been travelling along the coast of Maine upon the recommendation of many travelers we have met along the way, and we are pleased to say we have become Maine-iacs—lovers of Maine. This northeastern state is comparable to Washington State in latitude, however Acadia National Park (a bit south latitude of Salem Oregon) accumulated 71 inches of snow this year and becomes terribly cold. The Northwest on the other hand has the inflow of the Japanese Currents, much as England has the Gulf Currents, that brings moist warm air. However, we are here at a different time of year (by design!), with New England shaking off a record cold year that lasted late into the season, but has now put on its summer clothes for the year. Temperatures with highs in the 70s and 80s with coastal breezes made this an ideal time to be here.
The coastal villages are around every corner, with charming harbors and homes that bespeaks the wonderful designs of the seventeen, eighteen and early nineteen hundreds. From Cape Cod to Victorian and Georgian designs these houses are immaculate–clustering around the harbors known for their lobsters. We have driven, hiked and biked along the coasts and enjoyed every moment. John Rockefeller obviously enjoyed this area, on Mt. Desert Island he bought half an island that is walking distance on low tide, and built 75 miles of carriage roads on the big island—all for public use. Those carriage roads are now bike and walking paths and the bridges made of granite blocks from the island were designed to match the needs of the environment, Rockefeller knew all the names of the workmen and are of a quality that would make ancient Roman builders proud.
We found several spots that are Nature’s Cathedrals. One spot we felt we could stay and never leave we discovered when riding our bikes. We explored a river running under one of those magnificent bridges. Just upstream there were a series of small waterfalls—the feeling was one of purity itself. Such is Nature’s design that She gives us Herself in all Her original state in naturally sacred spots. When we are attuned to the inner Quiet, then the resonance of Spirit easily transfers itself to the open heart–God is everywhere speaking His truth, love and kindness. However, it is only those who have eyes to see, and ears to hear that such wonders reveal themselves. It is not difficult to perceive this sacred essence, it only takes a keen desire to know Spirit, within and without—to give up prejudice of presupposition and stand in wonderment and awe in one’s own prime simplicity that leads such receptivity. Such willingness is not hard, but seems to be rare for some unfathomable reason—for being blind and deaf to this miracle is a banishment that is hard for the soul to endure. Attunement to God and cannot be made up for by the constant bombardment on the brain of playing music, television, movies, alcohol or drugs, all these things leaving the soul even more thirsty for the Living Waters of pure Spirit.
Later that same day Carla had decided that for Guru Purnima Day she wanted to do something special for me. She arranged for us to take a sail out on the bay for the afternoon. The weather could not have been more perfect, a sunny mid-eighties with ten mile an hour winds. Perhaps due to my Pisces sign the water has always had a salubrious effect—this day was no exception. It was another wonder-filled day. There is no day that God does not have this body under some tremendous stress through the day in doing work for Him, however this seemed to be an exception to the rule, and it was pure joy. I thought of you, those who were having Service, those who sent loving notes, those who silently sat in meditation with inner attunement, and all felt close, near and dear to me on this most special of days.
This is a tremendous life God has given us. Surely there are times when life tests us hard, straining us to the limit of human endurance; there are other times when things seem to go so smoothly—both can be tests for our loyalty to God. Do we forget Him? Do emotions becloud our judgement and obscure Him? When life is hard, do we seek out His power, wisdom and comfort, or feel sorry for ourselves and have a pity party of one? Or if things go wonderfully smoothly do we bow in wonder and awe at what He has brought about, or do we feel we can do without God–ego thinks, I am the clever one, I am riding high and do not need attunement with anything or anyone, much less with God?
Just as in marriage: in good times and bad, sickness and in health, in prosperity or adversity, beloved I am ever yours. That is our vow, our commitment, and we keep it unconditionally in our marriage with God. He is our eternal Beloved, and though He might be able to do without us, we could not exist for even a nano-second without Him. I have loved Maine because I have found God there, even as I have found Him in all the places I have travelled—for He is in me, and I am in Him, and He is all in all. Even though He is equally present everywhere, He seems to be more equally present in some places and people than others. He has certainly outdone Himself in revealing Himself in our tour of Maine, making us firm Maine-iacs.
Travel Note: We have traveled north through Maine and entered Canada, currently camped near Quebec City. Our internet is very limited here, we have a plan for having a device that will give us good coverage while here but it has not yet arrived. As a result, I do not have an ability for receiving or sending email or texts, but both may be possible soon. Also, neither Carla nor I will have phone coverage for the time we are in Canada, the next month or more. Feel free to contact me by email, and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Pronams, David
