Kumari of the Woods

... a slice of heaven among the Vermont forest

The Opening

Most of my readers know the story of Kumari of the Woods but I am taking a moment to rewind and repeat as we sit with anticipation (finally!) of our opening on the weekend of the solstice.

In 2020 my son and I were given an opportunity to purchase these near 52 acres where we had been living since 2013.  At that time I was unsure about living in a forest, off grid, and where winter falls hard and steady here in Vermont. My lack of eagerness was tempered by my son’s enthusiasm and together we formed a plan for bringing a greater purpose to the forest and a way for others to experience the slow flow of life and an embrace of stillness.

My name Kumari was given to me from a man I loved very much. He left me but the name stayed mostly because its adoption came at a time when I needed a fresh start. I began a practice I called Kumari Yoga in a place I called Kumari Studios and I slowly realized my fuller calling in life after my divorce and the death of a partner who truly changed my way of seeing goodness and grace in life.

The man who left me always described me as saatva which means purity.  At the time I did not see how it fit me but over these many years I have grown to understand and step fully into that identity and to realize often we show up in our lives by the way we hold peacefulness, light and inner calm. And understanding how we show up in life does matter.

My book was published first in 2018 and I wrote it ten years earlier following my move to Vermont, the end of a long marriage, the single parenting of five children, and the recognition that all I do in my life is an act of art and creative practice. I saw the power of staying present in Place. The book is titled Manifestations of Self Within Place and it is an auto-ethnographic story of finding voice and vision and love in a Place.

That place for me is Vermont. I’ve traveled and lived in many places but once I discovered this state I knew I belonged here. Hence, 20 years ago, my move to Vermont began and here I sit, on sacred land, after these four long years of establishing a vision and the start of a restorative forest bathing retreat: Kumari of the Woods.

This is the beginning. Four years got us two beautiful, cozy, cottages nestled near each other in the forest and with breathtaking calm centering them. The vision for our glamping Hideaways is still taking shape.  Funny how simplicity can become extraordinarily complicated. But that is all part of the story.

The lessons I have learned are worth passing to all;

  • Work as a Team. With maturity and self-reflection comes the knowledge that I know very little. It is important to find people who know what we do not know and collaborate with them. 
  • Try not to be bossy but be the boss. Be the LEADER. A good team needs a leader. My son is an exceptional leader and he has taught me a lot.
  • Trust your team and when trust is betrayed, make changes. Do not get stuck in feeling pity or losing money or self-respect because you feel like you have no control.
  • Hold the Vision within you everyday, especially on days when your dream feels far out of reach.
  • Know when to pivot, to adapt, to PAUSE and reflect and maybe when to quit. But in general, when you have passion for your work and vision, quitting should come as a last ditch resort.
  • Always, always VISUALIZE. The only way to creating a passion project in your life is to visualize and pay attention to the Laws of Attraction
  • In that regard, you must detach from the outcome. Know your goals but detach from controlling the outcome. So many parts of Kumari of the Woods shifted over four years. Hanging onto control will only cause greater stress and anxiety because…
  • Nothing will go according to plans. Almost nothing. Adapt. Go with the flow and…
  • Laugh. Find your sense of humor. That will be essential to saving your sanity

There are other lessons that I learned as a human who cares deeply about others.  This list is shorter::

  • Be Kind
  • Embody Grace
  • Practice Selflessness
  • Be Grateful even for Stress
  • Stay Present
  • Stay Grounded
  • Smile A Lot
  • Do not apologize for your Dreams

As we open the two cottages and begin designing forest programs that bring people to our Woods, I am already deep into the design phase for my cottage. I will live closer to the action.  My son will remain not far away but I will be the one who steps closer to the soul of what we are building.

Some of it is still a mystery.

Much of it is still a dream.

And yet on the Solstice, I will look to the skies, the stars and the greater layers of wisdom outside of me, and I will open my arms and be ready for the changes that await as Ben and I “WELCOME YOU TO OUR WOODS.”

With Grace & Gratitude,

kumari patricia