As it turned out, I fell in love with the desert. I kind of surprised
myself. The Salton Sea, itself, served as an oasis for bird
wildlife. I never thought of myself as a "birder," but soon I bought
a pair of binoculars plus a bird identifier book and took to this
recent interest rapidly.
Nearby there was also a park dedicated to the wildlife in this area.
I managed to visit this park a number of times during these periods
I spent in the Salton Sea area. And, actually, my stays in the desert
enriched my sense of Eco-Spirituality. I took some of the insights
I experienced and employed such in the occasional retreats I gave
back at the monastery.
However, at this point, I must make mention that all this architectural
work was necessarily spread out over many years. By the time I
had assisted in the geo-thermal project, I no longer could rightfully
say that I was a young adult. Trekking around the desert, I had moved
into my mid-years--and the usual self-reflection that oft comes during
this period of one's life.
Nearing the end of the geo-thermal project, I began to feel dead
tired. Exhaustion more readily seeped into not only my body. but
into my soul. I had to struggle to finish my part of the project.
And while struggling, I came to a life-changing decision. I decided
to resign from my architectural firm and return to the monastery
full-time. Plain and simple, I needed very much to be a monk again.
Fortunately my friend, Brother Philip, agreed with me.
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