Silent Walks on the FULL Moon at Black Rock Forest: The Clear Light of March

 

Last night 17 people participated in the first of three Silent Walks on the FULL Moon at Black Rock Forest.  After the wind and rain of the previous days, we welcomed a chilly, clear evening. We moved through the twilight with deliberate silence. As the light faded, our senses opened to attune to the smallest shifts of perception--smell, sound, sight, and we became aware of these woods on this night.

Ripples of life under the water's surface, the wind made visible as a luminous shimmer across the reservoir, the echoes of geese, and of course, the loud slapping of the beavers, were magical, but they did not happen for us. We simply were able to bear witness. In fact, the forest's indifference to our presence felt like grace.

At the end of the walk, participants had the option of writing a few words about the experience. They are included below. Photographs are inadequate, but we offer them as a reminder of what it was like. My thanks to Thom Munterich for documenting this and all the Silent Walks. 

My sincerest thanks to Black Rock Forest, especially Brienne Cliadakis, Aaron Culotta, Susanne Vondrak, and Matt Brady. 

 

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Entering the Quiet Zone

So Calming. Love the changes in light and sound. Perfect time of day for transitions.

I love Black Rock at dusk. Great light and peaceful.

The beavers were awesome, slapping their tails. Not talking was weird but great. It was like meditation. Cool to see the stars so bright. It was great to be in the woods in the dark and not feel afraid. Loved it!

💚The fallen tree trying to follow the stream

💚The first reservoir like a crown

💚The piles of rocks a reminder of childhood play

😡annoying steaming up of glasses because of mask

Aleck Meadow Reservoir

I find I'm either listening to music, or, in times of silence, hearing music in my head. 🎶 THANK YOU for this experience!

The wind made beautifully complicated ripples on the surface of the reservoir. We saw and heard two beavers. Thanks you!

 Quiet gave space to listen to frogs, trees and birds! Loved seeing the way different trees capture light.

 

 

Light's eventide. Bonnard

 

Water rushing in streams, quite loud, then fading away.

THE BEAVERS As destructive as they are they were glorious. That splash! The deeply eroded dam like a stairway up to an ancient pyramid. The stars kept multiplying.

To walk in silence in the forest at dusk is a magical experience. For me the highlights were the glow of the sunset at my shoulder; the ripples on the water at Aleck Meadow reservoir—interrupted by the geese; the sounds of bigger, more ominous animals than encountered in the daylight lurking in the dark woods; watching beavers leap and play in the Upper Reservoir; and finally, seeing the starlit sky above.

 

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Thanks again to all the participants! The next Silent Walk is on April 26.

Registration is required. 

 Sign up now through Black Rock Forest's event page.