by Michelle Vass.

A favourite quote of mine is St Jerome’s translation of Ps 65:1 –  “Silence is praise for you”.

Last weekend I was able to get away to Ormiston Gorge. What a place! I set up camp beside a lovely young family and shared experiences along the road so far. Then I headed off to the Ghost Gum Lookout and a walk into silence.

I was led down the track by a very cute and busy spinifex pigeon, seemingly intent that I stayed on the right path. Then further along two little whip snakes frolicked into a bush by the side of the path. I reflected on how two and a half years ago when I set out on my travels, I was much more wary of snakes. I came face to face with a large copperhead on the trail at Marlo in Victoria as I went to photograph a flower. That was the end of that walk and I returned quickly the way I had come! Now I waited, just smiled, and walked on.

I was the only person on the path. Alone, with only the crunch of my footsteps, from time to time I stopped as even that sound seemed too loud. There was so much to take in as an amazing vista began to open up in front of me. Words cannot describe the grandeur and expanse of the gorge from the vantage point of the lookout. You can’t help but draw breath and smile in the deepest contentment of being present to such beauty. And this point is not even at the top of the ridge! Further along, Sturt’s Desert Roses bounced in the breeze and then as I turned to face the gorge, the rock…grand, majestic rock walls in every direction.

As I came down onto the floor of the gorge itself, I came across a couple. We nodded a greeting and simply stood in awe together, the sheer beauty drawing us into its silence. Indeed, Silence is praise for You! A ranger then joined us, pointing out a black footed wallaby up high on a ledge. Then the scramble down the river bed over the most amazing rocks and boulders – so many hues of cream and mauve and pink- a real wonderland. The afternoon sun lit up the walls in turn, taking me deeper and deeper into the silence of wonder and praise. Every now and then I had to pause to be present to it all….Thank you most precious Creator God! My tiredness had lifted and my spirit was refreshed!

Later, on reflection, this Ghost Gum walk reminded me of my two month stay at Campfire…

beginning with a retreat and connecting with old friends
being led and taught new things
– facing concerns in a new environment
– the peace of meditation with others
– the grace of silence alone, in prayer and meditation, in the labyrinth, and out the back in the bush
– sharing with others on retreat and hosting times of reflection
– engaging with First Nation elders at Old Timers nursing home
– And finally, being thankful for the richness of the experience.

The journey home via Tyler’s Pass was no less wonderous: the view of Gosse Bluff crater, smooth and shiny coated brumbies by the side of the road, no one else on the road for ages and Tyler’s Pass Lookout all to myself, driving back with the West McDonnell Ranges on one side and the ready brown rock of the Krichauff Ranges, the James Ranges and the Katilka Range on the other. Truly the majesty of this land is something to behold.

My deepest thanks to all involved with Campfire for the opportunity to experience this place, to be part of your community for this time, and to taste a new silence on this beautiful Arrernte Land.

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Michelle Vass was our Meditator-In-Residence for the months of August-September. Interested in learning more about the role? Click here.