julirae

Two years ago almost to the day, I sat in my apartment in Minneapolis and watched all of my belongings be wrapped and packed and shipped off to India.  As I sit here today on the other side of the world, I again watch my things disappear into boxes.  I wonder, aside from the things packed being packed away and shipped … More Two Years Later

“Going slowly, slowly,”our Nepali guide, Jetha, said each morning as we set out for our daily trek. Life has a way of revealing lessons when we need them the most if we are present and reflective enough to notice them. Lately, I have found myself in a space of anticipation.  I’ve always liked change and transition. … More #springbreaknepal

Rhinos for Thanksgiving?  When in India, why not!  For the holiday break, a group of us headed out to the far northeastern state of Assam to check out Kaziranga National Park, an expansive grassland most notable for its population of Indian one-horned rhinos. It was a long journey from Delhi – 3 hour flight followed by a 5 … More Kaziranga National Park

A few weeks ago the country celebrated Diwali.  As the city exploded in colors and lights, a few colleagues and I decided to escape the festivities and duck away to a cabin the small mountain village of Kanatal. We woke up each morning to a song of birds and watched the sunrise from the back deck. … More Cabin in the Mountains

Next weekend there is an event that I need a dress for.  People who know me would not describe me as a fancy person.  I own few dresses and none of them would be suitable for this upcoming event.  So I balled up my fists, gritted my teeth, and headed out to one of my least favorite … More Designing Life

I am alive.  And this is my life.   This is what I was reminded of this weekend.  I spend three days with members of my Sangha meditation group for a retreat led by Sister Damcho, a Buddhist nun who has worked closely with our group over the years as a mentor and guide.  Laksh Farms, an … More Life in a Day

After an amazing summer filled with friends and family and many, many miles on my bike, Courtney Jones and I set off for an amazing two weeks to explore India’s mountainous north. Courtney is one wicked travel partner.  She loves adventure as much as I do, and I was so happy to have the opportunity to share … More Hiking the Himalyas

One of the purposes of yoga is to create space in the body.  At least this is something I hear a lot in yoga classes.  I certainly feel lighter, more open, more settled after a good asana practice.  But I’ve never really given much thought to what it means to create space.  Last week while … More Space and Time