sacred journey/pilgrimage

In class we talk much about sacred journey and pilgrimage, especially removing oneself from the marketplace society in order to long distance hike. We’ve explored the trail as inviting the hiker to learn and grow as a pilgrim on spiritual journey. As a result of these discussions, my desire to embark on a long distance hike has greatly increased!

Life on this earth as a whole, however, is also something I would consider sacred journey. I greatly enjoy all the stories Dr. Redick shares in class, however there’s one in particular that stuck with me. The subject being discussed was flow, the merging of action and awareness, and how music impairs entering into flow. In his story, Dr. Redick while on the AT decided to put in headphones and listen to music for part of his hike. Consequently, he became less aware of his surroundings and tripped, spraining his ankle badly. While listening to music is by no means inherently bad, it was somewhat of a distraction.

I think that this story easily translates into life as sacred journey. Much like the hiker’s body endures much on the trail, due to the trail’s difficulty and unpredictability, sojourners on the earth endure much. The temptation of the hiker is often to escape the pain of their body breaking down, whether by means of a distraction such as music or something more drastic such as taking a taxi or leaving the trail altogether. Here I’d like to explore the idea of music as distraction and something impairing flow. Throughout the hike, music is likely readily available, offering the sojourner escape at any moment should he choose it. Likewise, sojourners on the earth are offered many ways of escape from the pain of the journey. Many take advantage of such opportunity by excessive drinking, eating, watching television, social media or whatever it may be. By doing so, the sojourner not only becomes less aware of their surroundings, but also foregoes the beauty in process and forfeits flow.

I received this story as a kind of warning, but also an exhortation. The warning I received was a warning against distraction and escapism. The exhortation was to be present, allowing opportunity for flow. Not only being present for the sake of flow, however, but also staying present in the breaking down of the body, thus inviting process and growth. I believe that beauty is found in the process and even the pain of the sacred journey those whose feet still tread the earth beneath them are on. I hope to be one who embraces not only the process but also the pain and is refined because of it.