This concept I am playing with – living in place – is not unlike the concept of living in the moment. It is being aware of the forces playing out around us, only we follow those forces from moment to moment. Living in the moment seems to imply that we are merely observers and not actors. To live in place requires us to act – or rather interact. We react to place as it reacts to us.

My place supports me and I support it. We are a team – the sun, wind, rain, rock, plants, creatures and me – that makes our place unique. I know that I can enhance it and I do what I can. I know that I can diminish it and I try not to do that. I know that I am not in control – the best I have is influence – the place will be what it will.

When I read descriptions of enlightenment – realizing oneness and releasing desire – I sometimes think it must be like living in place - to fit fully and completely within the forces playing out around and through us. But those descriptions seem to make the enlightened solely observers – living in the moment. Compared to living in place, it is a abdication of responsibility to interact – to create place as you are created by it.