Reflections on Meredith’s final Ballcourt- Death Valley, October 2025
In death’s company, nothing is taken for granted.
The traditional Mayan teachings that inspired the Ballcourt Ceremony have a lot to say about endings. They remind us: this is the way of nature; only through death can life regenerate itself.
Indeed, there are awful endings, but the cycle – birth, death, and rebirth – is ongoing. This cyclical perspective is so ancient and pre-colonized that, for me, it is nearly incomprehensible.
The idea of endless regeneration is pre-verbal, pre-binary, pre-intellectual. It gives me great comfort as well as a sense of gravitas to imagine that while my life will end, something of me – my essence, perhaps – will carry on….
The continued evolution of Practices of Living and Dying keep on to meeting the moment.
In these potent and uncertain times, how we live—and how we die—matters more than ever. In this moving video School of Lost Borders guides co-founder Meredith Little and Buddhist priest Cynthia Morrow host a powerful conversation on how the Practices of Living and Dying are evolving to meet this moment. Settle in with a cup of tea and let this moving dialogue invite reflection, resilience, and deeper connection…
Read MoreRIP Larry Hobbs
Larry Hobbs knew the story of the stones — through decades of footfalls and through years of geological study.
Larry knew the story of this great wide earth, written in melting caps, rising seas, changing currents, changing times.
He knew the human story, at least parts of it — broken and whole and breaking again.
A story of imbalance leading the way towards unthinkable horizons. A bleak story, but with room enough for healing, with faith enough for mystery, with at least a backward glance towards hope….
Earth Exchange Café: Meredith Little Foster- Dying and Living Well
Meredith Little Foster musing all about dying and how living is enhanced by turning towards, rather than away from that as a tricky and tender topic.
Read MoreAncestor Preparation: On Becoming a Good Dead Person
Note: This short piece has been submitted to Circles on the Mountain for publication. For better or worse, wilderness rites of passage programs have gained a great deal of popularity over recent years. For better, because many of us have worked hard to see meaningful rites regain their importance within modern culture. We know that…
Read MorePodcast: On Being A Mortal Animal with Dr. Scott Eberle
In this interview, we explore the practice of living and dying and what it means to be a mortal animal.
Read MorePaying Homage to the Dark
In other words, while it may be the dark that contains the unexpected, unwanted, and incomprehensible, it is also that which illuminates and grants us the ability to see what is hidden there.
Read MoreDie Before You Die
Whether you believe this tale or not, it is true that in every dying we are freed, and born anew.
Read MoreThe Ballcourt Fast
By Eve-lynn Civerolo: As you step across the threshold into the unknown wilderness, boundaries begin to dissolve and our vision begins to expand.
Read MoreHow to Prepare for Your Vision Fast Ceremony
The more time and effort you take to prepare, the more meaningful your ceremony will be. It is important to keep in mind that the vision fast ceremony is not a quick-fix deal.
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