Retreat and Ordination – April 22, 2022

I was ordained as a Daoist priestess on Earth Day, 2022. This was one of a number of coincidences, or perhaps ‘synchronizations of the Dao’. 

Traveling up to the incredible Black Mountain Retreat Center in Cazadero, California, were six of us Daoists from various home states. The drive became rainy, dark, and nerve-wracking as the road narrowed and curved continually back and forth up the mountain. Even with the white-knuckled journey, one could not deny the absolute beauty of this place. 

The redwood forests alone were breathtaking. In the very back of a minivan, feeling almost as if on a roller coaster, I conceived this haiku:

Rainy mountain drive
Daoists shaken liberally
Please not today, crane.

We reached our destination in the rain. But what a marvelous spot! The center was rich with green beauty: walking trails, lovely gardens, mountain views. This, the first of five days, was a very raw (and fun) introduction to the annual retreat! 

I cannot explain in full the various activities we attended, but the core practices were in abundance: Meditation, silence, scripture recitation, Qigong, and deep discussions about the Dao. We also had a fantastic poetry reading event, a ‘chi-cake’, and of course, an ordination of ADGL priest/esses. 

This community felt like family after only a couple of hours had passed. I was astounded and inspired to meet so many remarkable, loving, and wise people. My heart felt a connection to each of them, and every time we’d gather together, I was like a puppy, jumping up and down happily just to see them! It was difficult to leave at the end of the retreat; I’ve never been skilled at goodbyes. 

The ordination experience still gets me misty-eyed. I was so humbled and excited to be ordained with two other ‘Siblings in the Dao’. On a Friday afternoon – Earth Day, no less – we three joined the other colorfully-robed priests in attendance, were given gifts of tools, and our Daoist priest/ess names. The support of the community filled my cup until I was overflowing. And speaking of cups, one portion of the ordination was the tea ceremony with our Shifu/Abbott. With my new robe spilling out of the chair, I remember the sun touching the steam of the water as we sat, accepting these splendid vessels of tea. 

My heart absolutely ached. The ceremony felt like a perfect ‘coming home to the start’. It was not an ending of these three decades of spiritual seeking and study, but a wonderful celebration of them… with the clear goal of sowing new seeds for continued development. The pathwalk continues, but now, I have many additional elements and blessings that I believe will only deepen and sweeten the journey. 

So, to answer a question I’ve already heard a couple of times: “What’s next?”

First, I have to finish my 1000 day priest training. I have around 250 days left! But if my last few years have been studying how to live as a Daoist, and learning how, I now turn to see how I can do more of that… and spread that understanding and inspiration to others. I may not be a healer, but I hope to do good work as a cheerful wayfinder – a spiritual guide who can hold out a lantern and help others walking their own paths. I may only be able to offer a joke, or something else to bring joy and ease, but I am honored to try.

In the near future, I want to get this web page chock-full of book recommendations, resources, and bits of writing that may assist other people. I encourage folks to contact me with any suggestions or feedback!