Flow

Sometimes "things just get better" as Flora Purim sings on her wonderful album recorded with her husband Airto, and this weekend was one of those. When you're in the flow, connected, things string together in ways unpredictable yet coherent when viewed from the history perspective.

Sharon browsed her email, found an email about a Jewish event in Berkeley where a woman who lives in Jerusalem was to sing. Turns out Sharon stayed with her on a visit to Isreal back in the 90's so she called to say hello. Miriam needed a ride to an event that was a mile from our home, Sharon went to fetch her.

Once here, it was a joyful reunion. Miriam is a singer and we invited her to stay with us on the weekend. Her event was at a Catholic University, and went well. In the moring we taped an impromptu segment of Sharon's show featuring Miriam's work for peace in the middle east, and her songs of peace.

Miriam went for a hike with us in the afternoon in nature at a nearby State Park. We hiked past marshland with wonderful birds, up the hills covered with golden grasses that reminded her of Isreal. Indeed the plants are similar here in California to the plants she sees walking in her homeland. Miriam wanted a challenge so I led the group on a small trail that asended into the forest that covers the hills overlooking San Pablo Bay.

Quite challenging, our climbing trail lead us to a saddle with a view that stretched from Vallejo to San Francisco. Took us a lot longer than we thought, and once we made the top we stopped for a bite of our food, drank our water, rested. Realizing we were late for a visit with her teacher, Anna Halperin, we hurried down to the car.

We called Anna as we were late, she agonized over our visit as her children and grandchildren were due for dinner. Anyway, we hustled and made it a few minutes before 6 as Miriam wouldn't be able to come halfway around the world for a long time, and Anna is in her high 80's.

Well after rushing there, her children called to say that they took a senic ride and would be late to dinner! So our visit with the Halprins could happen anyway.

Many years ago Miriam studied dance with Anna Halperin at her studio in Marin County, and it changed her life. Both are working for peace in Isreal, both share a vision of how Art is connected with our society and influences consciousness.

Sharon gave Anna a copy of her book, and learned that Anna's dances helped to solve a crime 30 years ago that Sharon wrote about in her book. WOnderful how closed time-like loops form when given that magical chance. Lawrence ( Anna's wonderful architect husband) shared his latest work with us (he's almost 90). It was such a gift to see this couple still together after all these years ( is it 60 years?) and vibrant, intellegent, giving and so conscious, so connected with nature.

After a short visit, her children and grandchildren arrived and we respectfully went on our way. The take away lesson is that despite the disruptions to our routine, despite the apparent lateness and displacements, Miriam was in the flow and we swam with her. The rich love that she sings about floated us to a series of magical encounters.

A remarkable part of the weekend is that I was to prepare for our upcomming trip, and was having difficulty finding someone to care for the garden. While we were late, a woman came by the house for another task and agreed to do the garden! So the time I "lost" with the unexpected house guest wasn't lost at all! Indeed the solution was perfect and with the efficeincy that only the flow can deliver.

Musicians know what I'm talking about, sports players know what I'm talking about, and you know what I'm talking about. I heard a musician who played with Miles Davis say that Miles was so much in the flow that when this fellow missed a note on the Sax, Miles filled in before the Sax player even knew that he missed the note! Thats being in the flow.

I give thanks for the love and flow this weekend.

Nameste.