Back in 2000, when I was in the process of relocating from San Antonio back to Oklahoma City, I passed a community south of Austin called Canyon Lake. It's a small fishing resort with a beautiful lake, condos and a couple of small restauramts.
I thought briefly about stopping right there, buying one of the available (and cheap) condos, and just staying. I had read Walden at that point, and was still excited about the idea of living a solitary and reflective existence, but I was still looking at the world through a conventional American view of success, failure and responsibility.
Now I'm trying to rid myself of concepts entirely. Canyon Lake no longer seems a sensible option, but sometimes I think about the area around Turner Falls and the Arbuckles as a place to which I could retreat and try to keep original mind. (Of course, the notion of retreat itself isd a concept. Best not to overthink the process, okay?)
Ideally, I suppose, I would be able to do this anywhere. But I think that's beyond me. I think there's soemthing to be said for arranging my environment, insofar as possible, to reflect the life I want for myself. Maybe something down in the Arbuckles could be my Cold Mountain someday.
2 comments:
If you see the Arbuckles as your Cold Mountain, then why not start moving your life in that direction? Anything is possible if your heart is in it.
BTW, you selected a beautiful area. I once considered the Arbuckles a possibility for my Cold Mountain.
Yuck, ewwww, no way. Pretty yes, but infested with Indian Casinos and Deliverence people who believe if YOU do not believe in their precious Jesus you're going to a hell that is comical at best. TRULY! I do not mean any disrespect to Jim Bob and Elrod but there is no way on this planet I could add insult to injury by moving from OKC to an area with LESS education and insight. You're still going to have to rely on the people around you unless you can be FULLY autonomous. Can you supply ALL your own water and other utilities? Grow 100% of your own food? If so, power on; I am incredibly envious. If not, I fear that your headed from the frying pan to the fire. Ha! Fire - that's funny! Elrod thinks you're going to the fire too! Buddhists have no place in Elrod's life 'cause he gots to be going to Bingo on Saturday night, not sitting zazen. I have no idea where this attitude is coming from this morning. Please excuse.
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