Dear Friends.
What follows below are some emails that I sent to family and friends while
on my last trip in Costa Rica. A month long delicious journey with many
wonderful experiences. I´d like to share them with you for I firmly
believe that Costa Rica offers you some fascinating and incredible
opportunities, vacationing, part or full time living along with a
tremendous amount of inspiring experiences. As for me, I plan to
construct a retreat center on 8 acres of great beauty overlooking a gigantic valley
along with ocean views. And probably creating another retreat space for
seekers. Instituto Libre de Espiritualidad Universal. What fun and what
joy! So I hope you enjoy my adventure. If interested in more info, visit
www.NewAgePointofInfinity.com
and, on left side, click onto Costa Rica Retreat and Community. Also
www.CostaRicaAlternativeLiving.com,
where I am creating a DIRECTORY for the planet to review.
* * *
Howdy Folks.
After my bodywork with Carlos . .
.VERY delicious ... Fanny, the cabinas owner, threw a dinner party for all
of us because Quint was headed back to the States the next day. A REAL
feast! The next day found me on our property cutting down trees and
sprucing up all the other trees, with Javier, a local wonderful farmer
type. I learned a lot about trees, fruits, and the growing seasons here.
BUT the breeze was magnificent and it was good doing HARD work again.
Really pooped at the end of the day but managed to put in another three
hours finalizing the center's plans. Today Dennis, Lee and I went to San
Isidro for business, lunch and to meet with the engineer-architect to talk
about the rough plans for porch and house. Wonderful man! We meet next
Friday to see what he has come up with.
We also went to the lumber yard to
check out floor and inside roof wood materials and then to another roof
store to decide on the roof materials and colors. I took some phots of the
men working in the mill ...fascinating.
I also learned that the local
hospital is good but the ones in San Jose are GREAT. Folks come from the
USA for surgery. Much cheaper and good quality. Even got my eyeglasses
fixed for $4 ...$100 in the States. The good meals in restaurants cost
$4.50, tip included. I love this place. Weather still nicely warm and
cool breezes at night. I have met so many Americans who say that they do
not want to return!!!!
Talk soon. Ken
* * *
Howdy Folks. Just a few
short notes. I just spent two hours in a nursery getting the names of
fruit trees, plants, medicinal plants, ornamentals along with their
prices. What a ball!! Finally creating our little piece of paradise in
the larger paradise of Costa Rica. Javier, a local farmer, will do the
planting and water them till the rainy season, in some dates of April.
Javier and I will also walk down the other 4 acres that slope toward the
river, possibly mapping out a sendero (a snake like path) downhill. I
can’t wait to see what may emerge down there.
John Chapman, the owner of much land, including the Diamante Verde
waterfalls, who belongs to about 7 different communities, came over to
visit me last night, seeking some Gestalt work. He’s working through some
stuff so as to not impede the next phase in his vision, with mucho dinero
from some investors from Brooklyn. I get the feeling that he wants me to
be involved. We’ll see.
Tomorrow is the farmer’s market in San Isidro where many gringos meet up
and buy much local grown produce.
This Sunday I have been invited to give a lecture-demonstration to the
Science and Philosophy Club of Lagunas. I’ll meet many new neighbors
through this event and the topic: What is difference between consciousness
and mind-brain? Right up my alley. Think I’ll do a deep relaxation with
incubation process, followed by an awareness circle.
Hopefully this Friday the engineer-architect will have a copy of the first
draft of the retreat center along with the price of the construction.
Meanwhile I’m planning to go to a hot springs location not too far away to
relax and release: Expensive: $5 per day.
More to come. Hope the USA has stopped its downward spiral.
It’s so GREAT to just BE! Really enjoying the slowed down life style and
the sheer beauty of Cost Rica.
Zen
PS Check out our new website:
www.CostaRicaAlternativeLiving.com
* * *
Howdy Folks,
Well I though that that I had seen it all. But yesterday a new friend
Michael introduced me to something absolutely INCREDIBLE! He told me
about another community but it would require a long hike in the Valley de
los tombos. It seems that it is also known as Hippie valley because over
40 different hippies and at least 4 different communities are thriving
there.
Anyway, we walk quite a distance and then get picked up in an ambulance
going our way. . .these are really friendly ticos (locals). Then Michael
shows me a mountain top that looks twice the height of the walk by the
Hudson River where the boulders are. So, off we go, Thank god they put
in rough steps all the way to the top. Magnificent views all along the
way. I had to stop frequently to catch my breath and make sure my heart
could take it. But after two hours climbing up an 80% grade, 80% GRADE,
we reached the top. We arrived at Diamante Verde, Cathedral de Piedras,
(the Cathedral of Stones) un sanctuario espiritual. You MUST see the
photos. A huge very long cave craved out in the rocks where a small
community could live, with a gigantic waterfall flowing over part of the
entrance. Then a longer hike down and up to another 400 foot waterfall
where we went swimming in the nude. How delicious. Too bad all the young
women were not there.
click on the images to enlarge
Their structures were breathtaking and they have planted many fruit trees
and veggies. Another paradise within the paradise of Costa Rica. Finally
had to return and walk down that steep mountain stairway. I now realize
that I need two hip replacements, followed by two knee operations and a
new heart. Today I am recovering from that GREAT trip, getting a bodywork
session with my buddy Carlos, one of the world’s best bodyworkers.
Much more to relate but Carlos expects me more to come. PURA VITA. Love
to all, Zen
* * *
Howdy Folks. I cannot
remember what I last wrote or when. So here goes. Been very busy doing
many chores, business, pleasure, and more.
So starting with Saturday. Two friends and I headed over to our property
at Lagunas del Baru. Javier, a local farmer, lead us on a tour of the 5
acres below our level area where we will build. FOR THREE HOURS WE WALKED
DOWN SOME WILD PATHS and into primary forest!! I thought I would fall
down into some deep ravines inside our boundaries. A wild, wild walk.
This area was far beyond my greatest expectations. At one moment, after a
clear opening onto the valley floor, I once again had a ten minute burst
of crying for such a gift from ? for all my prior work in the awaking
process. I asked Javier if he and some young guys could make a
snake-like sendero--path--up from the bottom to the top, about 1,000
feet! Steps could be put in and possibly some interesting structures.
What a discovery! What joy! Plenty of work and projects to make life
interesting in January and February from here onward.
Then we cleaned up the banana trees and pineapple plants and studied all
the types of fruit and other trees on the property. THE SUN WAS BRIGHT
AND HOT BUT THE BREEZES WERE VERY COOLING. Back to home base at Fannys and
a good long nap. Then prepared my talk the next day.
Sunday. I went to Dennis and Lee’s house where five other couples met and
from 10-3 we had a ball. I led everyone in a deep relaxation --incubation
process--and then presented some thoughts on the difference between ego
and consciousness. An in-depth discussion followed, with some good
debates. A grand time was had by all. These will all be my neighbors in
the future. After this I headed to Dominical, the beach town, in order to
inspect about 6 hotels, beach places, and restaurants for future visits
by my wonderful wife, family and friends or other guests.
Monday Headed over to the property again to tour ALL of Dennis’s 75 acre
farm, especially his 10 lots. Lot 10 would be a great Center lot--but
we’ll see. Met up with Peter and Ananda, the folks who sold us our
parcel, to see what progress they made on their property. And MUCH
progress did I see. How good that they love their parcel and are making
it look spectacular.
We then went to the beach to swim and eat out. The local food is really
tasty and inexpensive--a $25 meal for $11. I just had lunch--a big
one--for $2.50.
Tuesday. Over to San Isidro for some bank business, internet, and to
visit with Carol who has a healing center. She has literally created a
garden of Eden for herself and rents out a room or two for $50 per night.
Tomorrow: we are going up the Rivas valley to the hot springs and then
climb some distance into Chirripo (the tallest mountain in CR). More of
that later.
Later in the week Bill and I will visit Steve Corwin (vida natural) to
discuss building with bamboo. Maybe a rancho or gazebo. Bill wants to
learn bamboo construction in order to start a bamboo construction
company. We’ll see. Much more to share--with photos when I return--but
must run now. I am liking this slowed down life more and more every day.
And the weather is absolutely perfect.
Be well, all. And come to Costa Rica for a visit. Zen
* * *
Howdy Folks
Since I last sent an email more wonderful events have occurred. At the
moment I am at the Buena Vista Hotel in Alajuela, one of my favorite spots.
I leave today at 12 20 pm headed back to Newark. My good friend John will
pick me up and I can’t wait to see him.
A quick review of the last three days. Sunday found me totally relaxing
at Fannys, reading more of Osho and writing another poem titled
“Techniques” which I will post soon and send you a copy. I realized that
day that I want to write more while in CR.
What a great place to meditate and write!! Nothing like the energy of CR
to inspire one.
Monday and Tuesday found me doing much business in San Isidro, still
trying to open a bank account, personal and corporate, going over the
house plans again while modifying them with the architect engineer,
meeting up with Dennis, my builder and good friend about contracts, costs,
future developments, especially bamboo construction. Bamboo construction
is the wave of the future down here and I´d like to buy up a few thousand
acres and start up a bamboo growing company. It takes about 3 to 4 years
for them to mature. Anyway check out
www.bambooliving.com
and
www.guaduabamboocostarica.com.
This gradual bamboo is the best type for building purposes. fascinating
photos and descriptions of furniture and houses.
Wednesday, my last day in San Isidro. More time with the architect, bank
and then to the nursery where I bought 24, Yes 24 different fruit trees
for only $125. Javier will plant and water them until the rains start up
again. So by next year we will have a garden of delight. While there I
also checked out the incredible number of flowers and plants for next year
once the construction is finished. What joy doing all this, creating a
veritable garden of paradise.
 
Then onto the bus for a three hour ride to San Jose. Then a taxi to Buena
Vista Hotel and a 45 minute deep talk with the taxicab driver. After
vintage universal mystical flow he said he had never heard such things and
was so OPEN that he promised that he and his wife will meditate every day,
the REAL deal. Then I had dinner with a so called born again missionary.
Poor guy. After two hours of vintage Zen he could hardly talk! Too bad
people are so closed in their own system.
Anyway, once back I’d like to summarize my feelings about the entire trip
and see what lessons, insights can be drawn.
Needless to say right now that it was a GREAT and Blessed trip and I met
many, many wonderful people and had some extraordinary experiences. Please
see the updates on my CR website,
www.CostaRicaAlternativeLiving.com
I hope to add much, much more for
ALL of Cr in the future.
Can´t wait to see you all, especially my wonderful and much missed wife,
Maureen.
Don’t forget to meditate. Love, Zen
Read the New York
Times article that celebrates another way of life:
Costa Rica Any Way You Want It
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