Find Yourself: Meditating on the Taos Rio Grande Gorge

A pause to meditate brings peace and a deep encounter with nature on the rim of the Rio Grande Gorge.

“I PARK IN THE REST AREA by the Río Grande Gorge Bridge and stride along the West Rim Trail through sagebrush fragrant with morning dew. If ever there were an invitation to go west and find whatever we deeply seek in our hearts, that impossibly long view across the mesa is it.”   Read the article for New Mexico Magazine, June 2020

Photo of Rio Grande Gorge from NM magazine

 

At the End of the Rainbow: The Dwan Light Sanctuary

Every Shade of Peace for Santa Fe New Mexican publication
Meditation at Dwan Light Sanctuary

When you enter the Dwan Light Sanctuary, it’s instinctive to fall silent, just as in any sacred space. There is a sense of hush, a sense of stepping out of the busy everyday material world and into a realm of peace and inner space that is so much more expansive than the physical walls that enclose us.
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The sensation is similar to entering a church, a cathedral, a temple, a mosque or a kiva, but the Sanctuary is none of these. Or, if you wish it to be, it could be all of these.

It was designed as a quiet space for reflection for people of all faiths, and when it opened in 1996 the blessings and ceremonies included the abbot from Christ in the Desert Monastery, a Tibetan monk, representatives from Judaism and Hinduism and a Muslim artist. A Navajo medicine man made cornmeal offerings, petals were strewn, and Judy Collins sang. Then they all went away, leaving their echoes behind in this large white space filled literally with rainbows.

Dwan Light Edge of Heaven By Catherine Carter Media

The Dwan Light Sanctuary rests on the edge of the Pecos Wilderness on the 200-acre United World College USA campus in Montezuma, NM. This little spot of heaven was the vision of Virginia Dwan, an art gallery owner, patron of the arts and philanthropist, who offered both the concept and the funds to build it. Solar spectrum artist Charles Ross and architect Laban Wingert brought her vision to reality, crafting a space that is flooded with light rays filtered through 24 large prisms in the apse windows and the roof to create bands of color. The building is aligned to the sun, moon, and stars, so it captures New Mexico’s brilliant sunlight throughout the day, creating rainbows of color that dance slowly across the floor and walls as our planet turns from sunrise to sunset.

On full moon nights, the lunar light through the prisms also creates a soft spectrum of color. One of the apse windows is aligned to frame the North Star at night.

The circular building is 36 feet in diameter, towering an airy 23 feet in height, and the floor is divided into twelve segments radiating from a central axis. The geometry and proportions have many layers of symbolic meaning. Virginia Dwan wanted to emphasize the “spiritual and temporal universality” of the number 12; for example, the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 stars in the Virgin’s halo or crown.

But visitors seeking peace and respite from the world don’t need to understand the significance behind every detail to appreciate the space. Whether you go to pray, to meditate, or just to sit and reflect far away from the constant triggers of social media, texts and emails, the Sanctuary feels like exactly that, a sanctuary from the barrage of information, the visual and auditory noise of the modern world. Surrounded by trees and stroked by the sun, the visitor finds a serene harbor amidst the storm. Watching the swathes of colored light glide slowly across the round walls and floor as time ticks by is a pure and simple reminder of our connection to nature, our place upon this spinning planet, the magnificence of our universe.  There is nothing else to do but to slow down, breathe in, breathe out and be.

The play of light in itself inspires an uplifting sense of light-heartedness. Linda Seebantz, United World College USA director of marketing and communications, describes the typical responses she’s seen to the sanctuary as, “A lot of wows, a lot of chasing rainbows, a lot of playing beneath the rainbow, having the rainbow shine on your head while you are in meditation. It’s so subtle the effect that it has… It’s a heart space.”

United World College USA is a fitting home for the Sanctuary, with its progressive mission including an emphasis on sustainability and diversity. The current student population, aged 16-19, represents 94 different countries. More than 80 percent of the students attend on scholarship, allowing the college to select applicants based on merit and promise rather than financial means. Students and staff turn to the sanctuary during times of trouble, and it’s easy to imagine how a young person would find comfort in the universal appeal of the Sanctuary, no matter their cultural and religious background. The space also hosts music and dance concerts, meditation and yoga classes, and public weddings and funerals.

The Montezuma Hot Springs on the campus property offers the opportunity for a soak before or after a visit to the Dwan Light Sanctuary. The springs lie along the river, and in keeping with the ethos of simplicity and appreciation of nature, the pools are not landscaped, but kept in a natural state and surrounded by long grass. Think of it as a ceremonial baptism, or just a few moments of relaxation and communion with water, earth and sky.

BOX: If You Go

The Dwan Light Sanctuary is located on the grounds of UWC-USA in Montezuma, N.M., six miles from Las Vegas, N.M. The Sanctuary is open to the public from 6 am to 8 pm on weekdays, and 6 am to 5:30 pm on weekends. Visitors should stop at the welcome center as they arrive, and they will be given directions. Reach the Montezuma Hot Springs via State Road 65 where you will see the pull offs for parking. Hot spring hours are 6 am till 10 pm. Alcohol and nude soaking are not permitted – take a swimsuit! www.uwc-usa.org

Article for Santa Fe New Mexican publication Feliz Navidad.

The Dish: Pico de Gallo For New Mexico AAA Magazine

Summer in a bowl! That’s Pico de Gallo, a spicy Mexican condiment that’s won the taste buds of New Mexicans too.
Column for New Mexico Journey AAA Magazine column The Dish: Pico de Gallo

The Dish
Pico de Gallo
Tania Casselle

ORIGINS:  A spicy Mexican condiment that’s won the taste buds of New Mexicans too, pico de gallo combines chopped fresh tomatoes, chile peppers, onions, and cilantro. The name means rooster’s beak, perhaps because the texture of this finely diced salad-like dish appears pecked by a bird’s beak, or perhaps because people used to peck at it with their fingers. Or maybe the name is inspired by the vivid colors or the sharp ‘bite.’

TASTES LIKE: Summer in a bowl! In this peak tomato season, the succulently sweet burst of New Mexico’s tomatoes blends with the heat of the jalapeno for a thirst-quenching, tongue-tingling treat to serve as a side with anything!    

BEST I EVER HAD: You can taste the freshness in the sparky pico de gallo at Sandiago’s Mexican Grill in Albuquerque, made in-house daily and served to guests on arrival with crunchy fresh tostada chips and regular salsa. (Some regulars say “hold the salsa” in favor of a larger bowl of pico!) The tangy taste sensation competes with amazing views from the base of the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway.  40 Tramway Road, Albuquerque. 505-856-6692. http://www.sandiapeakrestaurants.com

ONLINE RECIPE:

Pico de Gallo recipe courtesy of Sandiago’s Mexican Grill at the Tram in Albuquerque, http://www.sandiapeakrestaurants.com. Sandiago’s prepares a fresh five gallons of pico de gallo each day for their customers. This recipe is slightly modified so it is easy to make at home, but it still makes about 3 pounds of pico de gallo for your festive New Mexican party.

2 lbs Roma tomatoes finely diced
1 small red onion finely diced
3 Jalapeño chile peppers finely diced
4 Serrano peppers finely diced
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small chopped green onion
Add salt and pepper and chopped cilantro to taste.

Sustainable House in Taos, NM

You are almost upon Peter and Maria Selzer’s house before you notice it, tucked down into the rocky landscape on the edge of a river canyon at the southwest end of Taos. The building so harmonizes with the environment that coyote tracks speckle the patio the snowy day I visit. A bobcat frequently visits, too, and Peter recently spotted a bighorn ram outside the floor-to-ceiling great-room windows.

Not only is the Selzer house set within a beautiful landscape, but it features innovative and sustainable design choices, along with a welcoming, cozy atmosphere. Read my article Settled in Taos for New Mexico Magazine and get a full glimpse into this gorgeous Taos home.

Taos House Tania Casselle photo

Video Calls for Writers (Or Anyone Who Is Not a Supermodel)

ASJA LogoWriters can feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, and it’s pretty much impossible to look perfect on Skype or Zoom. But after reading these six easy tips on looking your best on video chat, you’ll be camera-ready in no time!

Read my full article Video Calls for Writers (Or Anyone Who Is Not a Supermodel) at ASJA Confidential News and Views  to get ready for your next video call, published by the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

 

New Simplified Home Office Tax Deduction: Writers, Do the Math!

Any freelance writer who spends hours calculating business use of home expenses for their tax return might shout a fervent “hurrah!” when they hear about the new simplified home office tax deduction option. But writer beware – the easy option could cost you dollars.

Read my full article explaining and comparing the two home office deduction methods at The Word, published by the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

25 Reasons to Love Taos (for New Mexico Magazine)

My first visit to Taos was during a road trip around the Old West, a world away from my home in bustling London. On my final day, I drove alone to the Río Grande Gorge Bridge, walked out to the very center, gazed into the river far below, and vowed out loud that I would return to Taos one day. “One day” turned out to be a couple of months later…

Read 25 Reasons to Love Taos in full, online at New Mexico Magazine, March 2013.

Get Involved for MSN.com

My series of articles for MSN.com Re:Discover included a Get Involved feature on giving back to the community.

Duke City citizens who come across a wounded baby mule deer in their backyard know exactly where to take it for first aid: Wildlife Rescue Inc. of New Mexico. Since desert, mountain and forest wilderness surround Albuquerque on all sides, wild animals often make their way into the metro area, to their own surprise, as well as the locals who find them…

→ Full Clip: Rescuing the Wild

See all articles for MSN.com by Tania Casselle as part of this series on Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Profiles for MSN.com

My series of articles for MSN.com Re:Discover included these character profiles as part of the Albuquerque travel guide.

→ Full Clip: Following a Passion, Preserving a Legacy. When tinsmith Jason Younis y Delgado goes to work, he brings Albuquerque history alive.

→ Full Clip: Discovering the Call of the Wild. Albuquerque Wolf Whisperer Stephanie Kaylan left her L.A. life as a professional jazz pianist and studio musician to settle in the mountains. (“And I ain’t moving!”)

→ Full Clip: Inspired by Albuquerque’s Hidden Treasures. Performance poet Carlos Contreras secured his place in Albuquerque history as a member of the city’s winning 2005 National Poetry Slam team.

→ Full Clip: Historical Hospitality at The Spy House. Kara and Steve Grant run the bed-and-breakfast where an American sold atomic bomb secrets to the Soviets in one of New Mexico’s most notorious espionage cases.

Ruidoso Travel Feature (New Mexico Magazine)

Ramblin’ Round Ruidoso
15 Discoveries in New Mexico’s Year-Round Retreat
by Tania Casselle for New Mexico Magazine

First-time visitors to the friendly mountain resort of Ruidoso are often stunned by the dramatic beauty of the landscape surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest, with 12,000-foot Sierra Blanca, southern New Mexico’s highest peak, dominating the skyline.

That’s partly because Ruidoso flies under a lot of people’s radar, even though regular vacationers are intensely loyal—and probably don’t want too many people to know about it. Well, apologies to Ruidoso fans, but this charming town just has too much going for it to keep the secret.

→ Full Clip: Ruidoso travel feature online at New Mexico Magazine, June 2012