I do think that it's nearly impossible to pass by a river or waterfall (or even a road construction site)
in Vermont without spotting these -
I found these little stone structures last weekend while exploring South Londonderry.
For some reason, in my mind, I've always pictured yogi meditating near them -
which I never quite understood.
My curiosity finally got the better of me,
and after looking it up - I learned that the meditation is in the act of stacking the rocks -
- which I still really didn't get, because, you know -
this actually looked kind of easy to me.
Soooo, I quickly gave it a try.
Mine toppled within seconds - okay, so I guess maybe not so easy.
Then -
last night Greg stumbled upon a blog post called "A Monument to Love" about a young man who has devoted the last few month building these "cairns" in memory of his beloved dog.
When I took this photo last month (this is a different location from the photos above) -
I wondered if there was a story to go with it.
The updated photo is amazing!
Then -
last night Greg stumbled upon a blog post called "A Monument to Love" about a young man who has devoted the last few month building these "cairns" in memory of his beloved dog.
When I took this photo last month (this is a different location from the photos above) -
I wondered if there was a story to go with it.
The updated photo is amazing!
Someday, I think I'm going to give this a real try.
I have a feeling the meditation would do me a world of good.
How about you - do you have an activity that you find meditative?
I am joining 52 Photos Project - the topic this week is "Layered or Stacked"
How about you - do you have an activity that you find meditative?
I am joining 52 Photos Project - the topic this week is "Layered or Stacked"
When hiking at the Red River Gorge back in January, I saw similar structures. I had wonderred what they were!
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness what a story that was, Grant and General!!!! Cairns are all over the woods and by some rivers here as well but nothing as SPECTACULAR as Grant's site. We find a lot of them after a solstice-lovely photo.
ReplyDeleteI have never stacked rocks for meditation, but perhaps I should give it a try. We have added rocks to cairns on top of rock outcrops though.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by my blog this week.
I have never heard of these before but what a wonderful idea. I can't wait to go to the mountains and try this on our stream....I do like to play making borders with rocks but never thought of stacking them.....Great post....
ReplyDeleteoh now you've got me crying...those are amazing
ReplyDeleteso very sweet.
ReplyDelete(i thought for sure the dog would have been a cairn terrier.) bad, but i did actually wonder until i read the story.
WoW, what great pictures!! i love the places you visit!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you shared the story behind the rock cairns. Looks like a fun thing to do, but I suspect it is a lot harder than it looks.
ReplyDeleteSee now those look like the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Maybe I will have to give one a try when we pass through there on Friday and Saturday. Or at least some point in our trip. I do yoga and I do find it relaxing. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see how building these stone cairns would be meditative. They're beautiful—and thanks for the link to that touching story.
ReplyDeleteWoah, that is so cool! I love your photos. I've never tried stacking stones before, but I bet it is harder than one might think!
ReplyDeleteIt's even peaceful just looking at them!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post. I did click on the photo link you provided - wow!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, counted cross stitch was very relaxing to me.
Hello! I believe you stopped by my blog recently. Thanks for leaving a comment. I came by to visit that day and have been visiting whenever I can. I love Vermont! So I will most likely enjoy visiting your blog. Great photography! I have added you to my blog list.
ReplyDeleteI think it would take terrific concentration- something I don't seem to have a lot of. I've not heard of this- thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteEvery year when we return to Aruba, we go to the beach where we leave our rock formations! Most of the time, they are still there...something called RESPECT!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteFor the Inuit, these were called inukshuks. I always thought they wee used as markers for various things. Meditation? I'll buy that.
ReplyDeleteThose are great cairns! I can see why it would take concentration to build them. I guess I could say I meditate when I am gardening. So peaceful. Hope your week is going well and you are staying cool. xo
ReplyDeleteI have never seen stacks like these, but they're beautiful! I love the idea behind them, and I think it would be very meditative to stack the rocks because you'd have to concentrate and focus. I practice mindful meditation, where I focus usually on the sounds around me. I also find that drawing and coloring mandalas is very meditative for me.
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazing how the stones balance, withstand to wind or any other hindrance. The link let to more such marvels... I too think it’s not an easy task but yet bring peace of mind. Thanks for these fabulous photos :)
ReplyDeleteI would think this would be a very relaxing experience. It would put me in my "happy place" for sure:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! And what a perfect choice for the theme. I love seeing these cairns along the river (and sometimes in the middle of the river, when the sandbar is exposed). They're beautiful and calming...
ReplyDeleteWow, how many rocks! made by balance of the stones. amazing work.
ReplyDeleteStacking stones would be difficult where we live as there are not so many compared to other areas. I can see where the folks who stacked these would find it meditative in having to decide on the stacking order. My relaxation is watching birds and butterflies, usually with a camera nearby, but sometimes not.
ReplyDeleteWe saw many of these in Maine while hiking. I was told they are there to help mark the way through the wilderness. I will have to try this one day too!
ReplyDeleteThese stacked river stones could be a good source for a conspiracy theory. I haven't seen them in my part of the world but you have inspired me to start exploring the locale rivers.
ReplyDeletehmmm, stacking stones would probably not be a meditative venture for me, more of a frustration venture, but I do admire those that do...and their results are quite stunning. Happy stacking!!
ReplyDeleteI love all your photographs! There is actually a Bible reference to stacking of rocks by the Jordan River as a memorial which can be found in Joshua 4. If go to the following page in biblegateway.com you can read it:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+4&version=NIV
Blessings!
Fabulous captures and I love the story behind these rock stacks. I have recently started a meditation practice called Centering Prayer. I plan to blog a little more about it in the next week or so but it has been a pretty powerful practice to engage. I'm still really, really new but I look forward to seeing what comes of my intention with meditation. Thanks for sharing these gorgeous pics. Like someone else has said, your pictures truly are amazing.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful story of connectivity; human mind with nature. A stronger base is all we need for our mental and emotional stability, and meditation really helps in achieving that.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story and what an amazing tribute to quiet and meditation. Will have to try this out on the river by my cabin. I can imagine that this would be very relaxing
ReplyDelete