By all accounts, it would be better if our first meet, and first date, didn’t involve breaking a Buddhist vow of non-sexual energy or a stranger’s silent tears, but that’s just how our story begins.
Both of us signed up for a meditation and backpacking retreat in Mount Shasta, California that, in adherence to Buddhist principles, forbid talking and sexual energy after the tents were set up. I was instantly drawn to Joanna; as soon as I found out we would be sharing a tent it was all over. We spent the afternoon together, taking a long romantic hike, sharing and intense energy as we pumped and purified water, and staying up well past the rest of the group staring at the stars.
I felt that I couldn’t let this one go, so I slinked into our group tent and arranged my sleeping bag so I was spooning Jo. Assured by the loud snores of the third in our tent, we chucked our retreat vows out the door with abandon.
The next morning, our tent mate woke us with raging tears, as we had burst her sacred retreat bubble with our hanky panky; we were in the dog house. During that evening’s fire circle we were forced to confess in front of the group that we had essentially voided the point of the silent meditation retreat. Oops.
I was able to remedy situation by inviting the whole group (sans the upset tentmate) back to my house. Though I’m kind of embarrassed, I have to admit I pulled the rest of my tricks on Jo: a soak in the hot tub, a massage, dinner.
Two and half years later, its clear it worked. Our love continues to be one wild adventure.