A Tribute to Sanctuary

In 2003 we finally found the perfect piece of land in the Mendocino hills, nestled in its private valley with large meadows and surrounded by towering oaks and Doug fir trees. Unlike many of our neighbors, we did not see it as a place to cultivate cannabis. We saw it as a sanctuary. After living in India for several years, our collection of very large statues had outgrown living in San Francisco and required a private and natural place where they could be installed and honored properly. A place where spiritual seekers could gather to meditate, worship, dance and get their hands dirty in the soil. 

Of course infrastructure was key, so we set to building housing, installing a solar power system, developing our spring, and creating a garden. But equally important was deciding where to place our one-ton black granite statues from India, along with many other smaller ones of deities from many traditions around the world. The message was to share the space with all kinds of gods and goddesses to show that if they can all get along, so can us, the humans. 

A name was needed for this sanctuary. A name that was not specific to one tradition but encompassed all. At a communal gathering we tossed around many possibilities but one clear one stuck: Turtle Creek Ranch. The Turtle is a symbol of longevity, Mother Earth, stability and protection in cultures all across the globe. Plus, turtles actually lived here, both on the land and in the creeks. It was perfect.

Our first gathering of like minded friends was shortly after we arrived. We all set up tents, altars, made food together in a simple kitchen, walked and explored the land, played music and danced until dawn. The earth under our feet shared stories about the native people who had likewise danced here, in this rare meadow in the mountains, for thousands of years. We said prayers and offered thanks to those who came before us, and apologized for their mistreatment and banishment. We welcomed their spirits to join us now. We introduced them to the new deities coming to the land to play with us all.

Over the years, a community developed as our clan came to know this special place as a true sanctuary, where they were protected and free to follow their hearts. We have since opened it up to several groups to come and dance and experience the peaceful blessing of being held in the gentle hands of Mother Nature. A small temple to our family deity, the devi Sri Mukambika from India, was built and properly inaugurated. It now also houses the ashes of some of our departed community who choose to have a part of them always remain here. 

Over the past 23 years, we have watched the trees grow, the creeks change course, new wildflowers sprout in the meadow, wild animals visit us, and our hair grow grey. It is an honor to age together with the land, and to realize we are all really timeless. 

This land will always be sacred, and it always has been sacred. We feel honored to be the current stewards, to have guided it through this time of transition, as it both maintains its natural treasures and instinctual knowledge while it greets the new millenium. As our footsteps layer upon the ancient pathways of those before us, we say Thank You every day.