Letter from the President November 2019

“A Trip to the Frio River”

Human Spirituality embraces many things, including a deep connection with our environment.

Years ago, I lead ten retreats to Laity Lodge in West Texas. It was always exciting to arrive at H.E. Butt’s beautiful facility because upon entering you had to drive across the shallow Frio River.

There was much to experience and see at Laity lodge... Trail walks were a must. My favorite was a two-mile walk to the Blue Hole, a gorgeous spot along the river where there was deep blue water. We would sit on the bank and ask everyone to be quiet. It is interesting living in a big city, where we are not used to silence. I loved it, although it always seemed someone or something broke the silence.

One year we had a monk address the group, speaking on nature. What a perfect place for such a lecture. At the end of his talk he suggested we all go out and find a tree to hug. Everyone laughed, but he was serious and encouraged us to open our hearts and find the tree that was waiting for us.

Doubtful, I found an oak tree that seemed to have been waiting on me. Feeling a bit strange, I hugged the tree and could almost hear it sigh. I instantly called it “my tree,” and during the retreat I gave my tree many hugs. Thereafter, I greeted it with a hug when I arrived at Laity Lodge.

The Frio River was a joy. The main lodge had a balcony where people stood observing the water flow and fish of every size and species. Some would bring bread from the dining table to feed the fish, and it was a joy to see them go after a morsel or two.

Then too there were birds of every description chirping their hearts out to awaken the day.

These were some of the sights and sounds of Laity Lodge, memories I carry with me always. God’s creation does that. Nature fills all our senses with sights and sounds like nowhere else. We can find our true self there. Like the Psalmist says, it can restore our souls.

John K. Graham, MD, DMin President & CEO
Institute for Spirituality and Health