Clearing The Way — Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat

By Emmanuel Vermeulen - Bodhi Khaya Resident and Student. Co-Facilitator of Earth School

Winter period.

Downtime at Bodhi Khaya.

The perfect chance to work on necessary projects that are put off due to time limitations. There is always something to do - such is life on a farm and work is never complete, I have to prioritise what I put my focus on. Sometimes, I curse it but secretly, I love it. “Urgent problems are never important, important problems are never urgent”. Dr J. Roscoe Miller

Emmanuel working hard cutting pathways and working on clearing his inner challenges

From 30 minutes ranging to our longest of 1 hour, we have 5 beautiful walking trails that go through and around our diverse land and the 3-day, 26km Fynbos Hiking Trail passes through Bodhi Khaya. You are welcome to traverse up the ever-watching and patient Witkransberg mountain, which will take an estimate of 3 hours to the top and back. We have now colour coded our trails, so you don’t have to get lost - although getting lost in this floral kingdom would be an exciting adventure, knowing that you will always be able to find your way back to Bodhi Khaya.

As stunning as the surroundings are, they require constant attention. As soon as you think you might have everything under control, nature reigns supreme and gains in on us once again. The trails were in dire need of tender, loving care. Many stakes were damaged by animals - baboons love pulling them out, or the paint began to fade, I gathered them all and gave them a fresh, shiny skin and then off I went with my panga, pruning shears and a ton of motivation. Two months passed by of painting, hammering and cutting away and by the time spring arrived, my work was done. The trails are ready to welcome walkers again.

Humans and nature are but one, as are all beings. As the trails were closed and overgrown, so was I. I was going through a challenging period where I felt stuck.

“Who am I and what do I want?”

I could’t see the forest for the trees. As I started to clear the trails, I began a process of working through my own issues. With every cut, every brush stroke and every hammer I was getting closer to my true self. Releasing what I no longer needed and revealing the truth within me. Once the physical trail was ready, I felt free, open and clear- ready to walk my own path.

Today the sun is coming out again. Combined with the moisture in the ground the plants are rushing to grow and so the trails need work again. Not surprisingly I stumbled upon inner challenges once more and so life and work on the farm continues.