“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” –Henry David Thoreau.
It’s not every day that you get invited to sign copies of one of your books at ground zero of the simplicity movement: Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts.
It is here where, in 1845, Henry David Thoreau lived intentionally for two years, two months, and two days. (And PS, can I say, it’s as if he never left. His presence is still so very much alive and palpable.)
While I’m still processing the experience, signing copies of Your Spacious Self in this holy of holy places was very special, fun, even mystical. It felt like the man himself had a hand in getting me there, cheering me on, and winking from the other side – right over my shoulder. 😉
Also fun was the short video I made of the experience (see below). With some new (to me) editing hijinks on iMovie, it captures more of a playful burst than a mystical vibe.
Yes, what you don’t see in the blur of this short video segment is the good-juju energy coursing through my hands as I held each one of my books. Was the light coming from me? The man? The place? I can’t say for sure. All I know is that time stopped, my awareness amplified, and I felt high when it was over.
If you have the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Walden Pond; to commune with clean-burning spirit of Thoreau; and experience the timeless and nourishing beauty of this sacred place, let it be your first stop. Or just pick up his book, Walden. You may come away feeling as I did: more lit and spacious than ever!
PS, A special thanks goes to Corinne Hosfeld Smith, manager at the Shop at Walden Pond, for inviting me in, and kindly taking over camera duty.
More photos on Instagram here…
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Photos: Stephanie Bennett Vogt
