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Stumbling into Paradise: The Sacred Space

April 6, 2016

Stumbling Into Paradise A Personal History Short By Pam Pacelli Cooper President, Verissima Productions  I don’t love freeways. And we were tired after a month of exacting work. So I asked Rob, my husband and partner, if we could exit the California 101 and travel on a smaller, “blue” highway near Summerland.  We pulled off and drove for a few miles before we saw what looked like the lot for an old gas station or shack, but instead of an entrance to a 711 we saw two gorgeous Indian statues. We had a mission and almost kept driving, but Rob said, “Did you see what I saw back there? Let’s go back and look.”  I had seen it, but had been too schedule-bound to suggest we stop.  Thanks to him, we stumbled into Paradise.  The lovely entryway was only the beginning of our journey into a world of calm and healing just off the highway. The Sacred Space is deceptively small from the outside, but, once you enter, you come upon a warren of rooms, all tastefully furnished with artifacts from the East—jewelry, Buddhas, books, cards, and a dazzling array of minerals. The staff immediately offers water or tea. There is no pressure to buy and no overt religious message other than the message to relax and enjoy.  We meandered through the many rooms, admiring the beauty and thinking we were done. Then, we looked through a doorway and found the gardens. Completely hidden from the road are two separate sets of gardens, with private and elegant places to sit and relax tucked away at several different levels, a pond, a small stream, miniature bridges and more statues. It is as if you were transported to a forest refuge in Thailand or India.  After two hours we left, refreshed and grateful.  I know, I know, some people have said, “Oh, it’s so California,” meaning that comment not entirely kindly. But…it is more than that. It was a journey into other lands and another mindset, and all because we decided to stop and look inside.  Question:  What special places have you discovered that have brought you into another, expanded sense of your world?  Tip: If you’re anything like me, and love the side roads, you owe it to yourself to read William Least Heat Moon’s Blue Highways a classic of slow travel.   See more about the Sacred Space including the story behind it: http://www.thesacredspace.com **Interested in reading Blue Highways? CLICK HERE to get a copy.

Tags: Blue Highways, oasis, paradise, personal history, storytelling, Summerland, The Sacred Space, travel log Categories: Travel, Verissima on the Road

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