Sunday, October 17, 2010

Wild Rides

We had the sweetest passage from Greece to Syracusa, Sicily. Gentle breezes and calm seas and the oceanic experience of moon rising, sunrise, moon set and sunset all into the vastness of nothing but water. This has got to be one of the purest, timeless experiences that we wish you all could personally experience for yourselves.

Richard has become the master of calling forth dolphins to come play with us, and they did many times on this journey. They are the playful puppies of the ocean and truly seem to thrive on our attention and they love to interact with us. They swim and leap at the bow, rolling over and looking right up at us as we whoop and holler and laugh like children. What a gift of joyful consciousness they give to us.

After a few days in Syracusa it was time to move on to the island of Sardinia where we will leave EcstaSea for the winter. And just as sweet as the last passage was, this passage couldn't have been more punishing. It was 2 days and nights of what can only be described as the scariest carnival ride that you could ever imagine---and you can't get off of it. Or imagine being tossed and turned in a giant washing machine.
And once again our old friend and teacher "fear" had a chance to visit with us, challenge us, and bring us truth. The opportunity to meet fear face to face, and then the invitation to breathe into that spacious place of peace deep within. And yes, it is there in all of us if we are willing to be still and allow it to reveal itself as our true nature.

We landed a bit beat up but safe on the east coast of Sardinia in the little port of Arbatax. After sleeping for 14 hours upon arrival the seas were still unsafe and so we rested for a few more days waiting for the rain to let up and the seas to calm down. Then we slowly made our way up the east coast and around to the north coast of Sardinia before having to find shelter again from the gale force winds. Then once again on our way, we took on a 20ft. wave as we were going through the narrow and shallow Fornelli Passage. And that truly got our attention!!! And again we were so thankful that we have such a strong and powerful boat.
FINALLY we arrived at our destination port of Alghero on the west coast where EcstaSea will spend the winter. What a journey and what a relief to finally arrive safe and sound, although exhausted and wet.

We have a truly blessed life-- truly blessed and we are thankful for every moment of it. But this time on the boat is not our vacation- it is our life and a life that we have chosen as our path to self inquiry and truth. Often it is pure ecstasy and other times it is pure hell but within each experience we acknowledge the gift it gives us to dig a little deeper. And fear this year has been a huge blessing taking us deeper and quicker to the place of letting go of even the smallest fears that no longer serve us. The challenges have also given us the knowing that we can truly trust, depend on, and love one another in an even deeper way. And that together in our love we can rise to meet any challenge or fear.

This beautiful vessel called "EcstaSea" is the vehicle that we are currently using as our path for self discovery just as each of you have your own vehicle whether it be work, children, relationships, health, etc. We encourage you to use your vehicle well. Allow it to take you to that deepest truth of who you really are as magnificent beings of the universe. Dive into that exquisite endless ocean of "You"!!!!

Sooo, this summer was not what we had envisioned or even wanted at times-- but it was just what we needed and it was perfect. Life continues to expand and grow us.........

Friday, October 1, 2010

Thank you Greece

A few pictures of our time in Greece as it comes to a close........



This is the island of Skorpios- the private island of Aristotle Onassis and the little beach house that Jackie Onassis loved. Of course, it is a totally private island and one can only sail around it. It is beautiful.



















Who says we don't cook or eat really, really well on board EcstaSea?????









End of Season Photos as the Captain gets ready to swim and snorkel and the First Mate (and Only mate) enjoys a sail around the islands...........





It is time to sail on and make our way to Syracusa, Sicily. How thankful we are for our time this year in Greece with it's treasure of valuable lessons for us. It has given us the chance to meet fear face to face (real or imagined) and choose what we do with it. We often ask ourselves "What would love do?" and since we believe that fear is the opposite of love we can also ask ourselves "What would fear do?". And with both of those questions there is an answer and a choosing. Not a one time choice but a moment by moment choice. Of course for all of us there is always a choice in everything whether we do it consciously or not. Our seeing and meeting of fear this year has born a commitment to be aware of it in all areas of our lives (big or small), to meet it and not hide and then to consciously choose again. To choose love........