Social climbing and skiing would’ve come to mind for Aspen in the 90′s, but as this town has chilled out over the decades (breast implants and Dior still fixtures) and it’s summertime, mountain climbing comes to mind now.

Lately, when I do a physical activity, I’ve been taking advantage of it as an opportunity to not only be healthier, but to combine positive affirmations along with the movement. One of my teachers, Gabrielle Bernstein, planted this seed for me on a deep level this summer; and she likes to use hiking or rock climbing as a way to climb to higher thoughts. So I took my positive thoughts and affirmations with me for the hike and left my old thinking and my old ways of being at the bottom of the mountain.Voila! I could instantly feel the release of things I wanted to let go of by the time we got to the top.

Aspen, with its copious amounts of outdoor activities is the perfect place for a short (or long) healthy getaway. Here, a couple of my favorite hikes, not to miss next time you’re heading West.

A huffing and puffing hike with a big treat at the top (other than the crazy mountain top views) would be none other than the Ute Trail, a switchback hike straight up Ajax mountain, the ski bum favorite during season. Along with sweeping views of valleys and mountain tops, you’ll also weave through pines, crumbly rocks, and fields of wild flowers. Apres hike, bring your hard-earned appetite to the Sun Deck and chow down on a hearty veggie burger topped with quinoa (or even grass-fed beef chili with all the fixings. Confession: I had both plus an over-sized chocolate chip cookie). The serious perk to this hike is the gondola ride down the mountain back to downtown Aspen.

Another favorite, and much less grueling, is the beautiful and quaint, Maroon Bells. Majestic beauty is with you every step of this hike. The glacial valley is surrounded by 14,000 ft peaks with a lake surrounded by wild flowers. Walk up through tall white Aspen trees into a shady nook for a picnic.

Originally published in Elephant Journal.

Last night was the first screening of My Reincarnation in this country, which fittingly took place at the Rubin Art Museum in Chelsea, a museum dedicated to Himalayan art. This rare documentary, directed by award-winning Jennifer Fox, is a 20-year journey following the esteemed Tibetan Buddhist master, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, and his son, Yeshi, around the world—from Italy to Venezuela, from Russia to Tibet and back again. We share intimate moments with the family, the teachings or times alone, while sitting on Tibetan hilltops or the kitchen table. We witness the passing of spiritual knowledge from a Tibetan Master to his Western-born who must reconcile two parts of himself (eastern and western identities) and find his true path. The other story we witness, is a father-son relationship—one in which has the heartbreaking, common, modern challenges around emotional connection and communication.  Yeshi takes us in and allows us to see his father as an ordinary person, while going on his own journey to spiritual awakening.

Rather than capturing a few esoteric scenes and making this a story about a ‘different’ or ‘other’ culture, Fox does the opposite. She creates relatedness and oneness. A raw, honest and ordinary experience taking place in a setting we normally would never have this type of access to (and never will again)–and between an enlightened teacher and his son leaves one awe-struck and could be the foundation of what makes this movie so special, (besides the expansive 20-year period Fox was able to film.) Fox carries us through the film in the most delicate, contemplative and natural fashion, enrapturing us in this father-son relationship and spiritual journey. We sit quietly at Rinpoche’s home listening to him speak to his family, on the cushions in the shrine room to the groups, or swim with him. When we hear Yeshi say now that he’s accepted the teachings, he will surrender his view of Rinpoche as his father, but instead now, as his teacher. This simple statement reveals the root of this Western-born son’s struggle to accept this path—it’s not a spiritual one—he simply wants a father–one he never felt he really had emotional access to.

Rinpoche means ‘precious’ in English—and that’s the word that best describes this film. The extensive filming period, contemplative style that brings us to a meditative state as we watch, and rare access in a time when the last of the reincarnate teachers remain alive makes this film a gift, wrapped with love.

If you would like to participate or donate to get this film worldwide distribution, support the Kickstarter campaign here.

We drove through Provence for two weeks this spring. It was the best adventure I’d been on. Nestled in the middle of the all the lavender fields and wine vineyards is the coolest city: Aix-en-Provence. Home of Paul Cézanne University (this was the painter’s dwelling), a gorgeous modern dance studio, fountains and cafés on every corner, this chic city is nothing short of the perfect place to live or at least visit (we started plotting how we could move there for three months and study–anything). It even has a huge local outdoor market. On our way to petit déjeuner one morning, we stumbled upon it, and dove right in. The square of fresh Provencal fare was a delicious dream–stacks and rows of artichokes and asparagus (Provence’s spring vegetables), and of course fresh olives and cheese everywhere. This small city, with only a half-hour drive to the Mediterranean coast or the canyon, is a must-see next time you’re treating yourself to a special trip!