A letter from James and Marian Koslick,
by Joyce Johnson
The Koslicks, long time residents of Paradise Valley, are known for their property in No. Glastonbury that has a stunning view of the valley and the Crow mountains. Their land is dotted with many little greenhouses, and, has a beautiful mural of flowers and foliage above the entrance to their home painted by visiting garden helpers called “Wwoofers.” For those who have serious garden operations on their property, you might be interested. The Wwoofer Org. sponsors young people to work along side, and learn, from farmers in exchange for room and board during the growing season. They often end up like “kin.” Here is a link: https://wwoof.net/
James and Marian are also members of an International Meditation Org. called Ekam, based in Southern India, from which they share the healing tools of meditation and eastern teachings of peace with neighbors at regular group meditation gatherings that are also fun socializers and potlucks. The Koslicks are temporarily living in an ashram in Southern India, so we asked them to send us notes now and then describing their experience. Here is the first one:
“Thanks for asking to hear snippets of our lives in India! Our day starts at 6am with Early morning yoga, then we meditate together for 10 minutes, and then sit in nature for 30 minutes in huge lovely gardens listening, smelling and sometimes tasting.” [...Marian is very knowledgeable re herbs and plant life, and has led edible plant hikes around the Emigrant hills]... “Then breakfast in the dining hall after which is free time or rest, and we usually do our Sadhana. [a Sanskrit term for a daily individual spiritual practice using tools such as yoga, breath work and chant. Also includes daily study of yogic or spiritual scriptures.]
“We take daily walks in this beautiful paradise watching bamboo grow, flowers bloom, and birds and bugs play! It’s slow, relaxing and we do whatever we want until lunch. We have lots of free time, and donate our skills to serve local needs. Several days a week we gather with students from all over the world, for ongoing ‘enlightenment and wisdom’ teachings.
We share and have open discussions of our mental/emotional state and whether we are suffering or not in any way. We are taught that suffering is a choice, and a habit we have learned. It can be very subtle and we often aren’t aware of our own suffering. When we are having stressful thoughts from our past or into future, it is suffering. We are living with no suffering when we are in the present moment. Then we are truly living.” Namaste!,Marian
[a lot of the time they are on a voice fast, meaning no talking. It is believed that the saving of energy from silence is very empowering. Right now it’s sunny and about 75 degrees there. Namaste back at you dear Koslicks! Looking forward to more notes!]