My Beautiful Hippie Chick

On the path toward enlightenment, bliss is to be found within non-attachment, something of a kind-hearted indifference – or so I was taught. Yet, every now and again, perhaps merely once in a lifetime, the seeker encounters a young soul, vibrant and utterly alive, whose wisdom and innocence proves far more profound than any sutra, any ritual or initiation. The one on the path is then faced with a choice – to embrace or to deny herself that which is truly sacred. For me, no choice has ever been so crystal-clear.

“Silly salmon, me! I knew I should have ordered my lavender sooner. Spring just arrived a bit earlier than I had expected, but I should definitely have it early next week, ” explained the beautiful blonde hippie chick before me. “How many do you think you’ll need?

Her smile was as sincere as any I had witnessed. Her eyes sparkled as she apologized for her faux pas. With a small pad and pen poised within her tiny hand, she stood in a manner that proved, for me, utterly irresistible. Her silver belly ring glinted in the sunlight, a stunning contrast to the deep bronze of her abdomen.

Need? Enveloped within her broad smile and deep green eyes, I suddenly, momentarily, forgot my purpose.

For your yoga studio,” she offered as a means of jogging my memory.

Ah, moving day. A milestone of microcosmically epic proportions. Having rented several cramped, dusty spaces since my initial move to New Hope just over two years prior, I was ecstatic to have finally secured a quaint yet spacious storefront on the town’s Main Street.

Adjacent to my studio on the west stood a tattoo and body piercing salon, Iggy’s Ink, which just so happened to provide lots of traffic for surrounding businesses, especially during tourist season. Owned and operated by a couple of imaginative, free-thinking brothers, the salon attracted a wide spectrum of sorts when it came to clientele. Biker chicks, pseudo-swamis, artists, lovers and the occasional Baptist preacher passed through their doors from early afternoon into the wee hours of the morning.

My neighbor to the east, you ask? Maggie, owner of Maggie’s Groovy Garden and hippie chick extraordinaire.

Oh, yes, I responded in a rather clumsy attempt at regaining my composure. Well, to be honest, I haven’t given it a whole lot of thought. I’d need, what, twenty to line the walk?

At least, she agreed. “But, in the meantime, I have virtually every variety of sage you could possibly imagine to intersperse with the lavender – or stand alone, whatever – which I’m sure you’ll agree is absolutely essential to healing.

Okay, to some, Maggie “Moonflower” Miller may have appeared rather clueless at times given her light-hearted disposition and unique sense of purpose, but this girl definitely knew her herbs. She was also an incredibly savvy yet uncompromisingly ethical businesswoman. Despite the knowledge and instinct that would have turned others into monster capitalists, Maggie remained true to her intention to influence the world around her with an abundance of unconditional love and respect, not to mention her flower-child’s outlook on life.

I admit it. Maggie caught my attention the moment I first laid eyes upon her, but it was only through the day-to-day contact, the mundane made magical, that I was able to fully appreciate her for the incredibly sensual, spiritual – and seemingly flighty – young woman she was. And, in short time, I, yogini of balance and composure, couldn’t help but to find myself completely enamored.

It took Maggie only a couple of days to come up with my lavender and just slightly longer for us to become the best of friends. Indeed, I found Maggie’s presence in my life to be utterly refreshing. She was unlike any woman I had ever encountered, much less had grown to love. Though rather young in years, a mere two decades and a half, Maggie knew precisely who she was and where she was going. A graduate of Northwestern, Maggie had abandoned her degree in global economics in an effort to “heal the world via cosmic orgasm.

For Maggie, every breath, every touch, every moment was sacred. Yet, despite her philosophy and worldview – or perhaps because of them – Maggie possessed the ability to take everything life had to offer in stride. That is, until she happened to work herself into one of her rare yet always memorable frenzies. With Maggie, there was no “happy medium” as my own mother used to say – other than as a “happy medium” with a direct line to the source of cosmic consciousness.

As much as I adore sharing the practice of yoga with others, the rare moments in which I am able to focus upon the rhythm of my breath and the sensations within my own body are a treasure. See, in teaching, the rewards of the practice emerge from the sense of peace and illumination experienced by one’s students. Yet, when practicing alone in the stillness, the teacher herself is presented with the opportunity to re-connect, renewing her spirit so that she might offer her gifts with the fullness of patience and understanding.

For such renewal to take place, the moment of stillness is essential.

Oh, thank Goddess, you’re not teaching!” Maggie cried, flying into the studio as I studied my Tittibhasana, firefly pose, in the mirror.

Not until three-thirty, I replied, directing my response toward her reflection. I’m just working on my postures and asanas. Why?

Oh, Cass, it’s Shiva! He’s hurt!

Okay, Maggie, slow down. Tell me what happened.

Maggie made a sincere yet futile attempt at catching her breath.

I was conducting a smudging and

You sage smudge your snails?

Of course. We all need to purify our energies, Maggie explained matter-of-factly. He had seemed rather lethargic. It was obvious that his Kundalini wasn’t flowing properly. Anyway, I have to get him to Kaleo immediately.

Indeed, Kaleo was known far and wide for his capacity to heal all beings by tapping into the essence of their true nature and renewing their spirit through the power of breath and touch. Once an accomplished artist in Japan, Kaleo had turned his focus upon the art of healing upon reaching the States. He was one of the few of whom I was never skeptical. Kaleo was as genuine and luminous as the sunrise.

I’d lock up,” she continued, but I’m expecting a delivery – and a busload of senior spirits from Sacred Heart Assisted Living. Would you mind watching the shop ‘til I get back? I hate to be a burden but I don’t know what else to do.

This was serious. Shiva meant the world to Maggie. Whereas most gardeners maintain a less than amiable relationship with land snails, Maggie loved them all with an unceasing and utterly unconditional love. Always certain to care for their every need, Maggie invested more in her snails’ happiness than most would invest in their biological offspring. Now, Shiva, her first and most beloved snail child, was hurt.

You’re not a burden at all, I assured her. Come on, let’s go.

I grabbed my keys and followed Maggie next door to her shop.

I can’t thank you enough, she said as she held Shiva protectively to her breast. Maggie’s voice cracked. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

Hey, Mags, he’ll be all right. I promise.

Thanks, Cass, she whispered before bestowing a hesitant yet tender kiss upon my cheek.

Hours passed with no sign of Maggie or Shiva – and I began to worry. I still had a class to teach, but in the short time since they had entered my life, Maggie and Shiva had become of utmost importance to me.

A few minutes before class was to begin, I ran out to post a note on the studio window.
Today’s class will be held next door in the gardens. Namaste.

To my delight, my students enjoyed practicing in Maggie’s gardens even more than I had expected. The warmth of the sun soothed their muscles, allowing them to experience their bodies with greater depth throughout the postures while the fresh air offered a clarity that can only be obtained within the natural world. As the session drew to a close, they were all eager to learn when class would again be held in Maggie’s space.

The sun had set more than an hour prior and with nightfall, I closed up shop. I found myself restless with concern and decided to keep busy with a bit of housekeeping. Granted, there isn’t a whole lot to dust or polish within an organic garden; yet, I trusted that my intentions would lead me to my task.

Enveloped within the rhythm of my breath as I worked in my otherwise silent surroundings, I was quickly brought back to the moment with Maggie’s arrival. The usual melodic tinkle of the chimes grew to a feverish pitch as Maggie swung open the front door.

Shiva’s going to be okay! Maggie announced. Better than ever, in fact!

I told you he would be fine, but I’m relieved to hear the good news, I replied. “What did Kaleo say?

Apparently, Shiva’s release with the smudging was so powerful that it manifested with great enough intensity for a temporary shut-down. He lost consciousness.

Has he been out all this time? It’s nearly ten.

No, thank the Universe. He came to about an hour after I brought him to Kaleo. We’ve been meditating over him since.

It never occurred to me that I could possibly be miffed by the length of time Maggie had been away; yet, she seemed eager to ensure that I knew my efforts were appreciated.

Please, Cass, let me take you to dinner. I owe you. It could have been so much worse. Because of you, Shiva is going to be okay, able to live more fully than ever before.

I tell you what,” I countered. You must be starving. After all you’ve been through, you deserve a relaxing dinner yourself. My treat.

Okay, I accept, she said with a wide smile. “Just give me a minute to run upstairs and get Shiva settled.

Once Maggie re-emerged, we made our way together through the night, strolling down Ney Alley to Muse Avenue, where we crossed the canal via footbridge and entered La Luna.

Given that it was still early in the season, we found ourselves to be the only couple seated on the patio overlooking the canal and the last to enjoy dinner before the kitchen closed for the night. Brimming with animation, Maggie continued to fill me in on the day’s drama. And, once the conversation began to drift, we fell into an enchanted silence as we watched the moonlight dance and shimmer upon the water below.

You want to come up for a bit? she asked as we returned to the shop, above which she maintained a small studio apartment. I know Shiva would love to see you.

I looked into her eyes and found her vibrant statement subdued by an almost vulnerable tenderness.

It would be an honor, I replied.

Climbing the stairs to her apartment, I was taken by the way in which she had created a space so utterly her own, so inviting and warm. As I reached the landing, I slipped off my sandals and made myself comfortable on the futon.

Settling into my usual bound lotus, I observed Maggie as she retrieved Shiva from his ultra-luxurious, custom-built snail home. Turning toward me with Shiva resting in her palm, she smiled as she joined me upon the futon and set Shiva between us. He did, in fact, appear happy and quite alert as he extended his tentacles and slowly made his way toward me, eager to climb atop my big toe and along the arch of my bare foot.

I’ll be right back, Maggie said with a soft laugh as she traversed the few feet to her kitchen area. You two look like your having a moment.

She soon returned with a slice of cucumber and a juicy wedge of peach, which she handed to me as an offering to Shiva.

Thank you for everything, Cass, she began. “You can’t imagine how much your help today means to me.

It was nothing. You know you can always count on me to be there for you, Mags. You never need to worry about that.

I know. It’s just that… Well, you I mean I Cass, please stay with me tonight.

Without a word, I leaned forward and gently eased her back upon the futon. A glow of innocence emanated from every pore of her smooth, flawless skin. Her lips, soft and full, quivered slightly in anticipation though she did not avert her gaze.

Our caresses intensified, our bodies began to undulate and Shiva, in all of his great wisdom, made his way to the corner of the mattress to safely enjoy his evening snack.

With her head nestled at my breast, Maggie drifted into a deep and restful slumber. I remained awake, observing the slight flicker of her lashes as she slept. Gently lulled by the softness of her breath, I couldn’t help but to ponder the moment of our final, seemingly eternal climax.

For, within the split-second’s time of release, I found myself overcome by a crystal-clear vision of the most perfect gold-blue lotus, moistened by dewdrop tears. There sat the goddess Arya Tara, youthful and exquisitely beautiful, with her left leg drawn up and her right leg slightly extended. Her face, reflecting that of Maggie’s in all of its purity and passion, glowed as the light of a thousand constellations dazzled with brilliance in the heavens. Only then, amidst the stillness and serenity, a blaze of lightening cracked with fierce intensity, illuminating the vast celestial sea embraced within my vision. I gasped. My breath stolen. Yet, as desperately as I yearned to cling to the magnificence of the image before me, it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

I lay quietly within the hush of the night as a single tear balanced upon my lashes. Then, it hit me and I began to laugh softly to myself. So, this is what she meant by her intention to heal the world via Cosmic orgasm, she whispered as she placed her palm lightly over my heart and once again drew herself in close.

© 2002 Cassandra Snow

press release
For Immediate Release
Contact: rubyworld@hotmail.com
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The SWITCHBLADE KITTENS, a straight-edge power pop/punk girl band from Los Angeles, is geering up to go on next year's WARPED Tour. In the meanwhile, they have recently released their remix of "ODE TO HARRY POTTER" available at: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/165/switchblade_kittens.html The band is also having a special promotion for those who buy their debut CD before they head out on the worldwide tour. You can find more information at: http://www.girlmedia.com/sk.shtml. If you would like to do a special promotion with the Switchblade Kittens, just give me a email. http://www.switchbladekittens.com

THE BEST GIRL BAND CONTEST (on GirlMedia) has recently announced it's 10 finalists: Tuuli,Danielle LoPresti & The Masses,Sisters of Sharon,1/2 Mad Poet,Triple Creme,The Lollies,Luster, The Color Guard,Barbee Killed Kenn,The Hail Marys. Voting ends December 31st and the winners will receive prizes from Daisy Rock Guitars, ROCKRGRL and The Indie Bible. If you could please make mention, or cast a vote!, that would be great. The voting/info page is: http://www.girlmedia.com/best-girl-band.shtml. You can also read to see who won the Best Girl Web Site Award and who the original 55 nominated bands were.

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Thanks!

Ruby World

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