Take a Pilgrimage

Today we are going to the ocean! It's been over a year since I've seen the ocean, and I need to take a pilgrimage to this holy place.

A pilgrim is a traveler, going to a place that is of special significance to a particular belief system. My belief is in the sacredness of all Nature, and I take rare pilgrimages to the oceans, the woods, and other holy places.

A pilgrimage is a journey of transformation; it's not something you do every weekend to "get away" - I don't believe it's good for Nature for everyone to recreate in it too often; the weekend camping trip is often just another way we belittle and damage Nature. No matter how careful you are to pack out what you pack in, you are still driving a vehicle on a road, tromping on fragile earth, and distressing the wildlife.

We take a great deal of comfort from being in nature, but what do we give in return? My Nature-Culture belief system causes me to shy away from USING Nature for personal transformation unless it's a transformation that favors Nature. My focus is on being mindful of Nature and listening for how I can better heal her, and our relationship. It's more like couples therapy, with the Earth as your better half.

So, when going to nature, I take it seriously. I plan to be reverent and pay attention- "listen" to nature with all my senses and seek to understand my next steps to help.

Agenda:

1. Read "Step Into Nature"

2. Review my pilgrimage plan

3. Documentation

1. Read "Step into Nature":

I've just started this book by Patrice Vecchione (2015), subtitled Nurturing Imagination and Spirit in Everyday Life. My goal with this book is to soften the bluntness of my Nature-Culture ideas and add some wonder.

"To learn how to best care for the earth and how to find the will to do so, we need to ask previously unasked questions, be more wholly aware, engage our senses and our spirits, honor our emotions, and put stock in the earth's wisdom."

She advocates for walking in nature to deepen my love for the earth, inspire my art-making, and balance my emotions. "If we want to care about the earth, don't we need to know her?"

Chapter 1 is The Allure of the Earth. "Nature is transformative. ... My curiosity is awakened; there's more that I don't know or understand about the woods..." She talks about experiencing the act of attention as a privilege. "When I can absorb the world around me, I don't only notice the essence of where I am; I experience all life more intensely, often in alliance with Spirit."

2. Review my pilgrimage plan:

1. Keep it simple - pack a pilgrimage kit with a sitting pad, a notebook and pen.
2. Leave work behind - don't take any responsibilities with me except to Nature.
3. Take time to be alone in Nature, and in silence - get away from distractions and be present.
4. Slow down my body and my mind - listen with all my senses.
5. Take notes and photos - especially of any insights Nature gives me, or changing perspectives.

3. Documentation:

The ocean still has the power. When we made it to the beach I went straight to her, walked into the breakers and jumped the waves like I did as a kid.

The sunset from our motel was spectacular.