The Swami of it All

The surf. The sand. The sun. Quintessential Southern California Beach days. The briny smell of the sea, the calls of the seagulls in the distance -- the rhythmic sound of the water lapping at the sides of the surfboards and at the shoreline as the white foamed edge of the spent waves caress the pebbles that will eventually turn to sand.

It has been picture perfect weather here for the past few days. Royal Sonshine had a late start at school today, and I needed a break from the grunt work here in Museville - so he threw his board on the rack and I grabbed my water and book and just a bit down the 101 we cruised.

Destination: Swamis --

...that's what the locals call it, at any rate. The perfect surf spot is on the south side and originally it was known as Noonan's Point, for James Noonan, who bought the property in 1887 for $1,000. In 1937 a hermitage was built for Paramahansa Yogananda, followed by the construction of a Golden Lotus Temple, and finally, the Self-Realization Fellowship pictured above.

This is where Royal Sonshine and I part ways for a bit - he heads down the steps on the south side to try and catch some of the non-existent surf of late, and I head around the corner to the North side -

There, I head through the gate and up the stairs, into the public meditation gardens.

Immediately, your cares begin to wash away as you venture further into the gardens.

Dappled sunlight dances at your feet - the faint sound of the ocean - the heartbeat of the world - beats in front of you -

Meandering stone paths lead to meditation benches, which are scattered throughout the grounds -- tucked away little alcoves -- surrounded by the stunning beauty of nature.

Birds chirp, brooks babble, and the ocean breeze whispers a siren's song through the garden's perfectly kept plethora of blooms and graceful foliage.

Koi fish lazily swim in the clear waters while fountains bubble among the lilies.

The perfect place to unwind,

contemplate...

inhale the angel's trumpets perfume ...

be grateful ...

It's hard to capture the true beauty in a photo.

Nature has its own agenda and doesn't sway off course for anyone. The temple that once stood here here lost the battle for this site to erosion.

Benches remain, and are the perfect spot for me and my book. The view is endless and I can also watch boywonder and the surfing below -- or lack thereof. Surf has been less than good for quite some time now and the natives are getting restless.

The surf may be stingy, but the the flowers are ever so generous -- the hills are exploding in a riot of color - if I could bottle this up and send it to those of you in the throes of chilly winter, I would.

The local surf shop swears that the tides are changing in regards to the surf, and that the swells ARE coming - and they have hung big signs up testifying to that.

...but for now... it seems to be wishful thinking.

Not a wave in sight.

...good thing I brought a book.