“The sacred pours forth through openings we never imagined possible...””
A few weeks ago, I offered a few ideas to get you started on your practice of Intentional Hiking, an Intentional Hiker Start Up Kit, if you will.
Intentional Hiking is a form of moving meditation.
Something I turn to because sitting on a zafu watching my breath doesn't work for me. My body fidgets and my mind goes berserk with imaginary debates where I always have the last word. Unlike in real life.
Sitting meditation is just another meal for my ego, which is fat enough and doesn't need any more feedings.
But hiking long distances with intention is an exercise in humility, forgiveness and trust...all strangers to the ego's M.O.
The ego doesn't understand what happens on a long hike.
It doesn't get...
Living simply and carrying all your worldly goods on your back (because it has been conditioned to think more is always better);
Stepping into the unknown (because it doesn't like surprises);
Accepting that you don't have all the answers and may need to ask for help sometimes (because it's a righteous know-it-all);
Welcoming hardships in the form of physical pain, dangerous weather and bears (because it likes to be comfortable. And safe).
Allowing and opening (because it's dedicated to forcing and pushing)
A Grand Canyon's worth of space for Spirit to flow
A long distance hike shakes us out of the habit of sleepwalking through life.
A long distance hike silences the ego through the novelty of the experience and allows the quiet voice of our own wisest self to speak and be heard.
A long distance hike cracks us open, a little more each day we're on the trail and away from our usual triggers, until there is a Grand Canyon's worth of space for spirit to flow through us.
A space too wide for the ego to cross easily.
Any long distance hike will open that space for spirit if that's what you crave.
Intentional Hiking, I've found, gets me there faster. For the rest of this week, I'll be sharing more practices you can bring with you on your hikes. More tools for excavating your own personal Grand Canyon where spirit flows.
So, seat belts on. Lap bar down. We're going for a ride!