It has been some time since I have posted. I have been spending a lot of time contemplating my journey. Questions like; am I on the right path; am I doing this for the correct reasons; The answer is always yes and no. I have found myself in the midst of a very real question, one that man has been asking himself whether he knows it or not for all eternity. "Is it the path of inner exploration that truly defines our understanding of the outside world, or is it the exploration of the outside world that truly defines our understanding of the inside world?".
I have been spending hours in meditation and asana practice and have been truly listening to my body. I am still here in Massachusetts after almost three weeks. I was supposed to be in Canada five days after I arrived here, which brings me to the question of why I am still here. I arrived here with the utmost intention on leaving and yet am still here.
When I left Colorado to begin this journey I left with a bum foot and a very cheap poorly made backpack. I had grand plans of how I would live off only what the forest provided. I would fully remove myself from a system that in most ways is built of sweat and debt. Instead I found myself living off of others charity, this was not the plan and a partial reason for my decision to leave home. I am now around 6000 miles in to my journey and it brings me back to the Berkshires.
A little history of the Berkshires, it was the spiritual practicing grounds for the Mohican Indians, then after steeling there land it became the spiritual practicing grounds for the Jesuit monks, then after a fire and to big of a debt for the Jesuits to pay it was bought by Amrit Dasai one of the spiritual leaders of the 20th century. The point I am trying to make is that this land has been the conduit of spiritual practice since man lived on it. There are lightning storms here that you would think only exist on a movie set, and a energy that runs through it that can't be explained. I am now here again and finding my spiritual practice, the thing I hold most important over any travel destination or any person. So yet again I repeat the question "Is it the path of inner exploration that truly defines our understanding of the outside world, or is it the exploration of the outside world that truly defines our understanding of the inside world?"
I have chosen to spend some time here rooting into the ground and reentering myself. This is not a choice that I came to easily. I had to look at the signs that are constantly being put in my path. I have a foot that I can barely walk on and as a result am having touble in my lower back from over compinsation. I am barely able to support my backpack and am being offered many oppurtunities here to grow my practice and to teach others what I have learned so far. I feel that this is truly the best choice for me at the current time. I leave the question that I have said twice already to each of you who read this and would love to hear your responses through comment.
"Is it the path of inner exploration that truly defines our understanding of the outside world, or is it the exploration of the outside world that truly defines our understanding of the inside world?"
I ask this question with open ears to anything anyone has to say. I will write more soon as my journey progresses.
"Though I may not have traveled as far and wide as some, my journey has been my own"
My son, I so enjoy how very profound you can be. Your reflections and observations are wise and your search is deep and shows a beautiful soul and much spititual growth.
ReplyDeleteI would say that in answer to your question the answer for me is "both", constantly shifting and based on each separate moments experiences. We as human will always be influenced by the outside and the material, but we as spirit must listen to the music in our soul and the wisdom of our growth and that divine light within us!
That is a fascinating question. My first thought was that you must look inside yourself and learn what is important to you. Your priorities are what cause you to decide what focus your journey will take. What do define beauty to be? What are you in awe of? To then take those priorities with you in your exploration of the outside world means to be looking at the world you wish to see. I'd enjoy seeing what others have to say. And what conclusions you reach as well
ReplyDeleteIt brings up the question that Mark Twain brought up...is your personality a consequence of circumstance or temperament? Are people actually BORN with a temperament? Or are you made by the circumstances surrounding you? I think, as always, that it will be a mixture of both. Some more temperament than circumstance, and vice versa. You know that saying: "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade" ? Not everyone listens to that very wise saying...
ReplyDeleteExternal happenings will always occur as long as you are breathing oxygen. Not everyone has the ability to look at themselves from the inside--but nobody can stop what the outside world brings. Of course, you choose. Your choices create certain circumstances. Exploring your inner self is not something everyone does or CAN do--but if you can mix the two together in peaceful BALANCE (everything is balance), you will be a strong specimen. ;)
Beautiful! Thanks Everyone.
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