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Finitude Some things are finite. All things are finite at some point. This is the ultimate truth of the vast and varied cycles of life. Birth and Death, beginnings and endings. Transitions. Only when we willingly are tasting our big losses, can we participate consciously in the renewal and healing process that is offered to us. Finitude is a stern teacher, it creates Awe. Our mouth opens in shock, fear, and stunned Awe. A loved one’s existence vanishes into the big black hole of no return. Like my husband of 25 years. In the early hours of October 20, 2016, ten years ago. Last week, I heard myself mention a few times “his tenth death day.”  A literal translation from German: sein zehnter Todestag . People might have puzzled over that expression. Polite as Americans are, only one person asks: “What do you mean... his death-day?” When a long-time partner dies, we die as well. Then we have to wonder how, or if, we will be rebirthed. Everyone’s path is different. Some rush. For most pe...
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Certainty Evaporates insights harvested on beach visits, each ebb and flow forges new worlds waves sculpt, breathing new life into undefended dunes, glaciers collapse gates of heaven calmly burst, swollen sea belly summons rising oceans flooding us with pure possibilities, yet-invisible embryo is pressing against your diaphragm, breathing the future, a faint fragrance heart wings are wildly fluttering, inevitably unfolding seven generations giggling you and me we shapeshifting with clouds wind sand salt between teeth splendid sky shatters into drizzle, spray, grainy mist  ten thousand waves affirm transformation certainty evaporates, curious we remember to be pulsing or how to fulfill destiny morphing into electrical storms, burrowing new channels, listening for revelations patiently, undefined grace being born naked anew a new anew evolving  emerging Karina Epperlein, Berkeley, Sept/Oct 2026
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  We Are Here – I Am Here Here – Here – Here with Burning Love Devotedly HERE We affirm our existence by living consciously, not automatically. At best, we re-dedicate ourselves every day to Aliveness, Humanity, Earth. To Dignity, Beauty, Humility. Just as shells, seaweed, sand, water, and stones do. The above is a mantra for difficult and tumultuous times. I have practiced it with my students for years. We speak the words out aloud. Firmly – with intention. We commit to protecting life. Let your voice vibrate with lived truth. We need it. In these times, it is important to consciously counter the swirl of Armageddon ideas and vibes. Let your every step resonate with breath, from the core of your being, from earth. Walk with gravity, dignity, gravitas.  Every step devoted, simply alive. Your words emanating from heart and belly. I am here. I am present. This form of arriving comforts others. Do you feel your soles as your feet meet the ground? Each convincing step says HERE – ...
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Even If We Are Afraid At age nine, we know what we want. We roam in the fields, climb trees, steal a few cherries, or apricots when ripe. We love the sky. We draw houses, trees. We know that we want to be ourselves when grown, or an architect, a  dancer s or singer. We outrun the boys. We know what it is to be free. We bold – protect the weak, adore those ignored, othered, invisible… we grow winged…. Then comes life with all its struggles, storms, temptations, learning, waves, guides, wonders, good-byes, celebrations, loneliness, transformations. When old, suddenly we know we’ve lived a very full – truly wonder-full – life. Surprise. We belong to ourselves again. Awe. Together with the young girl,  still agile  we dance on tree limbs, swing high into the canopy… stretch our limbs…. Many-armed we bend the bow, sow the seeds, teach, prune, write, cook, pray, embrace. We know that our scars and wrinkles attract hummingbirds, butterflies, owls, hawks, moths. With every word a...
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Seeds for the Future   Karinaland & Bay Area Community Land Trust Gathering and Celebration on Sunday August 16, 2026   Here a kaleidoscope of our afternoon, so deeply meaningful for me. Long planned and envisioned – in collaboration. On Saturday, mild summer weather, setting up the back patio with 22 chairs in oval formation. Decorating the perimeter with colorful fabrics. Transforming the space into an open “tent” which is able to hold several worlds. Aysha and Alejandro help to put up a shade cloth, tables for food and drink, cleaning the chairs.  On Sunday, Rebecca joins us early with utensils. At 3 pm, friends start arriving, bringing delicious food to share, mingling with BALCT’s staff, guests, and board members.   We eat and converse. Then I ask people to sit in the circle, or rather oval. Welcoming everyone, I start with sharing in broad strokes Karinaland’ s history of 35 years, weaving together the threads of my life and work as artist and teacher. Vi...
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  Piercing   evening sun, fog is cooling, tempering august intensity delicate fragrance of quince seeps under skin gently… subtly… slowly… kindly just like that   a woman’s voice on the radio sharply defensive, anxious, fast, with urgency interviewer  quickly  tries to puncture her he a fervent sledge hammer just like that   we perceive perfectly polarized propaganda piercing us from all sides, I am right you are wrong, it works just like that   tempering our mood is a delicate affair, requires skill, patience – long view lowers the heat, no quelching but steadily relieving tension radical like that   really? releasing? letting go? when really, we need need need need need need all that speed might not otherwise all collapse? like that   messages of quince bring me back to earth, hands picking yellow fruit crawling into gnarly tree, imperfect shapes, beholden & beholding just as is   fingers on velvet fuzz, sensing golden goodness, in...
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  Sommerträume – Summer Dreams Out of nowhere, my brother Matthias announces that he is sending a package from Germany. Mid-year, not for my birthday. What will arrive? Mail across the ocean is not dependable anymore and postage has become very expensive. Arbitrary tolls have to be paid in Germany and here, so with the huge postage increases I had to give up sending presents to my family in Germany. What a loss. When his parcel arrives two weeks later, a colorful woven textile emerges. Marvelous. So much joy. Freude . His hands spin the wool with a spindle, the threads get dyed, then he weaves. The beautifully crafted gift brings consolation – a piece of him in my home. I drape it on the couch, admiring it daily. Times of pandemic, my own health issue, and now, for the past year and half, it is too dangerous for me to fly.  Having not seen my siblings and family for seven years, I feel most bereft  t his summer. D reaming of magic carpets. Yes, my old childhood habit of t...
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  Perpetual Promise   Sometimes people from the past appear out of the blue. Recently, a former long-time student of mine writes to ask about my current T’ai Chi classes. She is a memorable and lovely person, and a good writer.  “ I would so love to take one of your classes again — they still linger in my mind as times of great pleasure, peace and progress. ”  We catch up a bit on our lives in our e-mail exchange. I write back about possibilities for her to join. And we add to all the previous p’s: pleasure, peace and progress – possibility. This strikes me as a wonderful game. I add my own p’s as the days go by. There are word-wizards in the world, I am not one of them. But the palpable popping of the syllables is enticing. Just like the dry seed cups of my poppies ready to spread precious potential. Fleeting gentle explosions, play of lips. All the p’s pouncing…   Luscious memories of lingering on the floor with dictionaries. What is progress? I am on my belly...
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