Journeys of a Pregnant Virgin

I'm back. From the beautiful south of France, but also from a period of time that stretched me in many ways. As always, what happened in the weeklong course must stay contained (which is to say confidential) but suffice it to say that it was a difficult week. It was also a profound and moving week. The Body Soul Writing participants worked at a deep level and some of the writing that emerged was achingly honest and quite beautiful. Ursula and I both gave all we could of ourselves - body, soul, and love - in our teaching, and Yvonne and Gill did the same with meals and accommodation. And that is all I will say at this time.

Back in Zurich after the overnight train from Toulouse where I lay claustrophobically close in a couchette compartment for six women and slept fitfully through the night as the highspeed train sped and rocked its way back to Geneva. There must be a better way! I'd forgotten how cramped those little spaces are.

After sorting, packing, and cleaning my way through the afternoon, I hope to have some time tomorrow to relax and perhaps visit Spruengli for a final coffee in the afternoon. My friend Gabi from London is in town tonight but I knew I was too spent to catch up on all that has happened in both our lives and will save that for when she and Mustafa are in Vancouver in September. Emerging out of a relentlessly busy and extroverted time over the past three or four weeks and heading into a solid month of teaching Intensives, I need the time to find my way back to center, and to reflect on all that has happened. When I am involved only in outer work I lose myself and that is not a wise or comfortable place to teach from. I begin to feel frantic and desperate for solitude, so tomorrow will be my day to reflect on this three month sojourn in Zurich, and to contemplate on what it has brought me.

I think this entry is a little quiet and maybe even a little sad. But there is no question that I am looking forward to returning to Vancouver, the arms of my beloved, the blue and green curves of Kits beach, and sunny weeks of writing Intensives at UBC. One thing I have come to realize is that three months is too long to be away. If I do continue with this training program (and I do plan to) I will find ways to limit my time away to six or eight weeks at a time, no longer. My main life, it is clear, is in Vancouver.

I won't start singing "Leaving On a Jet Plane" just yet because I may decide to write a final "Goodbye to Zurich" entry tomorrow. But that's all for now.