Each morning those who rose early enough in response to the “drum” would be given the opportunity to wander into the forest to find a “sit spot.” There were specific suggestions about how to find, and recognize you found, your sit spot. There were specific suggestions about how to use your time at your sit spot.

Saturday morning I was surprised to experience recognizing my sit spot. I had wandered up a hill into the forest with a cup of hot tea. I followed my impulse to pour a little tea on the ground as sort of an offering; it felt a little silly.

Then I had the dilemma of what to do with the empty cup. I did not want to see anything manmade, so I put the cup behind me. Then I wondered if putting an empty cup in my sit spot was somehow bad form or insulting.

As soon as the question formed in my mind, I had the strong sense of getting an answer in the form of an inaudible but definite chuckle – something or someone was amused. Did I think because the tea was gone that the cup was empty? Did I think I controlled things so much that I created a place where there was nothing? No, the cup was as full of what is with and without tea.

Then I noticed a patch of small mushrooms. I have been learning that mushrooms are like the flowers of a much larger underground plant body that links all the mushrooms. I understood a suggestion to consider whether people, including me, were like mushrooms in that regard – all linked by something unseen.

When asked, I shared this with the group Saturday morning.

Sunday morning I found myself going to a different spot, again poured out a little tea and waited. I did not expect anything. I was just enjoying the cool, quiet morning. I was again drawn to look at all the mushrooms, I know they are part of the re-cycle squad cleaning up the dead plant material and helping turn it into soil so new life can grow.

I was very tired after long days on Friday and Saturday. I had been given a lot to think about in the various course activities. My life had been challenging of late. I write all this to delay and maybe explain somewhat.

Again I was surprised by two very strong, clear, and absolutely confident thoughts that did not seem to be mine. The first was, “Death is okay.” The second was, “Sitting any longer would be greedy.”

A bit shaken, and questioning my mental health, I got up, retrieved my cup, and went down to join everyone at the morning fire.

When asked Sunday morning, I chose to not share my second day's sit spot experience with the group.

I share this now in the interests of being honest about my experience, despite my concern that this all is strange, unbelievable, and calls my mind into question. All I can say is that it happened.

Be kind with your thoughts, or not!