Southwestern College Santa Fe, NM
A small passenger van’s tires slowly bite into the dusty desert road, leading into a ranch off of the main scenic road, appropriately called Ghost Ranch. We are about 65 miles northwest of Santa Fe, and the nearest community of Abiquiu is about 14 miles down the road. Cohort #3 doctoral students are happy and excited to continue on this journey that started earlier in the day on the campus of Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM. Beautiful mountain ranges come into view, slowly painted by our Mother Nature. They rise on the horizon across a span of millions of years, with sunlight shades and layers of white, ash, yellow, red, and beige. Ancient, dried-up trees by the side of the entry road welcome us: silent guardians sizing us up to grant admittance. After the driver’s brief introduction, I am aware of the rich history of these lands and spirits inhabiting the protective mountain ranges surrounding this beautiful place.
Starting earlier that day, in front of the hotel, waiting for the arrival of a shuttle to the school’s campus, I was breathing in the cool Santa Fe morning air. The skies were beautifully blue, and the horizons different from what I am used to. I paused amidst this beauty, imagining what would take place later that day and for the rest of the week and beyond. Three other souls boarded the van with me, all on the same mission of self-discovery, and we had our first chat. We shared a convivial enthusiasm, like young kids before the first day of school. Once we arrived at the college area, we were warmly received by the welcoming committee of the school and the program staff, along with more incoming students.
The Ghost Ranch residency experience included several spiritual exercises, including the meditative labyrinth walk, lots of writing explorations, a walk with the ancestors, and an entire morning of self-guided experience in the nature surrounding us.It was breathtaking at times: fauna and flora, whispers of the past, future, and present came through in my meditations in the wilderness on the morning of the nature immersion, as five hours went by quickly. Later in the day, our learning and explorations continued under the stars.
I am grateful for this onsite residency experience, allowing me to meet and work with other students. I appreciated the time back on campus in Santa Fe where we gained an introduction to the wider faculty and the potential future mentors. The ensuing discussion of the projects with the faculty members in one-on-one settings and self-designed study ideas and talks helped us expand on the dreams of our projects. I believe this residency has kickstarted my resolve and dedication to continue in my PhD program in Visionary Practice and Regenerative Leadership with SWC. I have enjoyed every second of Residency I, and it was hard to leave my new friends behind. I flow back into my life at home with the knowledge that we will continue our journey together in the virtual world of zoom classes and future residencies.
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