Personal Creativity
Rim Rock - Way Station 5
Creativity can be a great gateway to personal expression - leading to contentment and beyond. Often, the creation is more fulfilling than the earlier concept. The process can be enjoyable also. Starting with a concept, working toward a goal, and hopefully arriving at a finished project - all steps can enhance life's experiences.
The scope of personal creations are limited only by one's imagination. They can be solo endeavors or they can be collaborations. Often there are challenges along the way, and there may be times when thoughts of giving up enter the equation. Yet, persevering and overcoming obstacles makes achieving the goal more satisfying.
Below are listed some of the projects which are on offer at Rim Rock. Bear in mind, it's just a partial list - and your suggestions of innovative new projects are encouraged.
>>> Rock Work. One thing in abundance at Rim Rock are rocks. Limestone of all sizes. If someone would like sculpting, there are possibilities for that, though only a few tools are on hand at the time of this writing. Piling rocks into odd formations is another possibility. There's a young man in Florida who is a street performer who does nothing all day but balance rocks in public, and passers-by put money in a hat - perhaps a career change for someone coming to RR looking for a new skill. As for building with rocks, there are a number of possible projects. Cement and hand tools would be provided by Rim Rock. Some on-going rock building projects include walkways, steps, walls, and lamp posts.
>>> Hammocks. In the early 00's, we worked together with some local hill tribers and fabricated hammocks. Guests who choose this option will have to provide for materials (not expensive). The style of hammocks we usually make at RR are lightweight and not difficult to travel with.
>>> Classical type art. Painting, clay work, weaving/knitting, and more can be done. Some will need simple materials and guidance. Other projects may need more elaborate materials and tools. Check with us to see what feasible.
>>> Unique construction. There are on-going projects at RR, including building yurts, tentalos (tent/bungalo combination), walkways, stairs, signs.
>>> Gardening and Landscaping. Year-round projects with plants, including orchard work, are ongoing at Rim Rock. Dozens of ornamentals grow naturally on the property. There's always weeding of gardens and open natural spaces among the five acres. Some of the fruit and nut trees there are pink grapefruit, brazil noi, macadamia, avocado, banana, juju berry, papaya, mango, banana (wild and domestic), and some pineapple plants. Some of the succulents include several types of agave and aloe, cacti, epiphytes, and a thornless opuntia (prickly pear). There are also about 50 types of trees, 150 vine varieties, and dozens of indigenous ornamental plants. There are no toxic chemicals applied to plants at RR. All is organic.
>>> Procreation. Making babies is a type of creative process, is it not? Ok, just kidding (pun intended).
>>> Create your own project. The sky's the limit.
Rim Rock 'Way Stations'
Choose your own personal path at Rim Rock
We're at the early stages of developing what's on offer at Rim Rock, but we're gearing toward assisting visitors with one of more of the following options. Each of the categories mentioned below are inter-related, so picking one to focus upon doesn't preclude the others.
The items mentioned below are more like 'way-stations' along the life's path, rather than required check points. And like a buffet, you can pick as many or as few as you like, and tarry as long or as briefly as you like at each 'way station' - though it's recommended you follow the sequence, if you choose to focus on more than one item.
Some people need to detox from years of indulgence. Others need to simply continue their on-going process of cleansing their body and glands. Regardless of whether or not you've been living a clean life, chances are you can benefit from additional cleansing. Each person who chooses to focus on this option is dealt with on an individual basis - in order to gauge which type of fasting regimen is recommended for that individual. The emphasis at Rim Rock, is on cleansing at safe and comfortable levels, so as not to release too much stuff - too quick for the body to comfortably deal with.
2. Lessen or Eradicate Addictions
We often hear, in news reports, about drug addictions, but there are many other addictions which affect people from all walks of life. Addictions are basically things or concepts which, if a person is deprived of them, they cause that person serious anxiety or withdrawals. One addiction which is growing by leaps and bounds is, not surprisingly, addiction to computers and internet. At Rim Rock, we use a gentle combination of methods to assist those who choose to lessen their addictive habits.
Not only is lessening attachments a basic premise of Buddhism, it's also a great tool for improving one's life, whether one gives a hoot about Buddhism or not. All people have attachments to things, whether they be physical attachments, like tangible possessions or conceptual attachments, like needing to be admired. The number of common attachments is as limitless, as their eradication is satisfying.
Pretty much everyone has stress and anxiety to some degree. There are tangible things that each individual can to lessen such things. Not surprisingly, they relate to the topics mentioned above. So, even if you come to experience Rim Rock without partaking in any particular program, we can almost guarantee that just by being here, will alleviate some measure of stress and anxiety. You've got to see it to believe it.
5. Developing Personal Creativity
Think back to your most enjoyable moments. Chances are, some of those experiences were probably when you were younger, and doing creative things. Arts and crafts can obviously be creative, but there's a wealth of other ways to express one's creativity. At Rim Rock, the sky's the limit, with music, hiking, music, dance, meditation being just some of the ways to express one's creativity. Kirtan is a Sanskrit word for 'walking single file with others while singing or chanting' - and kirtans are yet another way to squeeze some more enjoyment out of being.
6. Towards Spiritual Enlightenment
At Rim Rock, we have a sort of 'patron saint' though we try not to get dogmatic about it (don't want to have our karma run over our dogma). His name is Milarepa, and he can be described as; 'a Tibetan singer of spiritual poems who roamed the Himalayas 900 years ago.' Some, who are familiar with his story, consider him a living Buddha. Among other things, Milarepa was a supreme master of meditation, who walled himself in to mountain caves and fasted for years on end. We won't go that far at Rim Rock, but we can look to Milarepa for inspiration.
7. Giving Back
It's all well and good to improve one's physical and mental condition, yet there should be some degree of balance involved. A sort of 'giving back' or 'sharing' the insight gained from one's journey of self-improvement. The old saying; 'tis better to give than to receive' rings as true today as when it was first spoken.
Rates for lodging and seminars offered at Rim Rock
Free E-book for filling out our brief survey
Just a few questions, to gauge what interests you - in regards to your personal spiritual growth. Click here
For taking the brief survey, you get the choice of one of three ebooks written by Ken the proprietor of Rim Rock Retreat:
1. Fasting For Health and Highness
2. Life Story of Milarepa
3. Farmsteading in Thailand
For a full list of Ken's books, go to http://www.adventure1.com
Related sites:
Boomerang Rock Climbing and Adventure Park
http://thailandrocks.com
Books written by Ken Albertsen
http://www.adventure1.com
Work Exchange and Home Stay
http://www.wonderfull.com
Ancient kilns found at the Boomerang site
http://www.thailandrocks.com/kilns.htm
Yoga & Meditation Retreat
http://chiangraiyoga.com
