V
08-07-2006, 10:15 AM
Was trail running this past weekend and was not mindful of the path
and stubbed my toe a few times. My eyes and mind were focused on the
trees. I started to get into tree climbing as a substitute to rock
climbing since the gasoline prices have made it very costly for me to
go to my favorite climbing spots. With a kid in college I have to be
very aware of my budget and can't just run here and there as I did when
gasoline prices where not a concern. My tree climbing ventures seek to
replicate rock climbing somewhat. Traditional tree climbers climb trees
via spikes and climbing belts and the spikes can damage the tree
sometimes. The new breed of tree climbers use ropes, harness and
ascenders to climb up and then repel down. While this new method is
fun, I prefer to use my four limbs and the branches of the tree as my
climbing platform. All trees are not conducive to this method of limb
climbing especially in my area where the tree are very congested. Due
to such tree overgrowth and congestion, few side limbs grow at lower
levels and the branches are mainly high up. So, while trail running I
used my time to scout for these "rare" trees to climb.
This experience of stubbing my toe reminded me of a Buddhist saying
"when one eye is kept on the destination it only leaves one eye left
for the journey." I did not learn my lesson immediately after this
experience though. The next day I was trail running again and kept my
eyes on the trees as I ran and stubbed the same foot a couple more
times on semi exposed rocks and tree roots. Some of us are faster
learner than others. The it sunk in I needed to mend my ways and had to
stop combining activities and pick and chose trail running or tree
scouting as the two did not mix well for me. Practicing mindfulness of
the path can sometimes save you a lot of pain. Climbing is an activity
that demands mindfulness and precision. It sort of forces you to be
mindful or you will suffer grave consequences. Am planning a walk in
the woods later today to scout for trees at a more relaxed walk and
stop pace and try to balance the walk with my scouting efforts. It is
misty outside and raining off and on so will put on some rain gear. I
do not discriminate between sunny or rainy days as good or bad. I just
dress appropriately and try to remember to be mindful of my
circumstance - or the other option will be to keep "stubbing" some part
of me. If you never go for walks in the rain try it. New smells, sights
and sounds await you while walking in the rain. I was never able to
appreciate such things in my prior life. I was too full of turmoil to
be aware of such simple pleasures. My only thoughts back then were what
to get drugged up with next?
As an offshoot to my Simple Living work, I now use the practice of
"voluntary solitude" to give me a more peaceful life. The same way I
pick and choose which complexities of living I allow in my life, I now
do the same with noise and commotion. I first learned of this concept
when reading a book by the granddaddy of backpacking Colin Fletcher. He
described the benefits of pure solitude by walking alone. It occurred
to me I was addicted to noise and commotion. I felt like my mind was
going to explode some days. Music and noise kept repeating in my brain
all night and my sleep was fitful. I had the TV blasting all day with
the stock channel or the news or whatever. It didn't matter if I
watched it or not, I just liked the noise. I had the radio or CD going
whenever I was driving. Even on the trail when hiking or biking, I had
on earphones and at the pool a radio blaring. My mind was full of noise
and I could never seem to get any escape with noise even in my sleep.
Once I started with voluntary solitude and shut off the noise, I went
though a period of noise withdrawal for a few days, but gradually could
see things were getting better. Sometimes our peace is disturbed by
other means than noise. I've seen persons going out to be alone in
nature and they bring their computer or paperwork with them. Maybe they
have removed some of the fuel for their stressed life but cannot let go
of it all and must still feed their addiction even while in nature. Be
aware of peace disrupters in your life, irrespective of whether they
make sounds or not. I now am very choosy when it comes to noise
pollution and other disruptions entering me that can be cured by using
solitude, deep quiet and renunciation. When we are quiet within we are
in an easier position to find peace. I've known some people that have a
completely quiet day once per week seeking quiet for their mouth and
speak to no one in addition to seeking quiet for their ears. Other
persons I have talked with just make an effort to lower the volume of
the noise they intake as well as lowering the volume of the noise they
output...lowering their voice.
Take Care,
V (Male)
For free access to my earlier posts on voluntary simplicity, compulsive
spending, debting, compulsive overeating and clutter write:
vfr44@aol.com. Any opinion expressed here is that of my own and is not
the opinion, recommendation or belief of any group or organization.
and stubbed my toe a few times. My eyes and mind were focused on the
trees. I started to get into tree climbing as a substitute to rock
climbing since the gasoline prices have made it very costly for me to
go to my favorite climbing spots. With a kid in college I have to be
very aware of my budget and can't just run here and there as I did when
gasoline prices where not a concern. My tree climbing ventures seek to
replicate rock climbing somewhat. Traditional tree climbers climb trees
via spikes and climbing belts and the spikes can damage the tree
sometimes. The new breed of tree climbers use ropes, harness and
ascenders to climb up and then repel down. While this new method is
fun, I prefer to use my four limbs and the branches of the tree as my
climbing platform. All trees are not conducive to this method of limb
climbing especially in my area where the tree are very congested. Due
to such tree overgrowth and congestion, few side limbs grow at lower
levels and the branches are mainly high up. So, while trail running I
used my time to scout for these "rare" trees to climb.
This experience of stubbing my toe reminded me of a Buddhist saying
"when one eye is kept on the destination it only leaves one eye left
for the journey." I did not learn my lesson immediately after this
experience though. The next day I was trail running again and kept my
eyes on the trees as I ran and stubbed the same foot a couple more
times on semi exposed rocks and tree roots. Some of us are faster
learner than others. The it sunk in I needed to mend my ways and had to
stop combining activities and pick and chose trail running or tree
scouting as the two did not mix well for me. Practicing mindfulness of
the path can sometimes save you a lot of pain. Climbing is an activity
that demands mindfulness and precision. It sort of forces you to be
mindful or you will suffer grave consequences. Am planning a walk in
the woods later today to scout for trees at a more relaxed walk and
stop pace and try to balance the walk with my scouting efforts. It is
misty outside and raining off and on so will put on some rain gear. I
do not discriminate between sunny or rainy days as good or bad. I just
dress appropriately and try to remember to be mindful of my
circumstance - or the other option will be to keep "stubbing" some part
of me. If you never go for walks in the rain try it. New smells, sights
and sounds await you while walking in the rain. I was never able to
appreciate such things in my prior life. I was too full of turmoil to
be aware of such simple pleasures. My only thoughts back then were what
to get drugged up with next?
As an offshoot to my Simple Living work, I now use the practice of
"voluntary solitude" to give me a more peaceful life. The same way I
pick and choose which complexities of living I allow in my life, I now
do the same with noise and commotion. I first learned of this concept
when reading a book by the granddaddy of backpacking Colin Fletcher. He
described the benefits of pure solitude by walking alone. It occurred
to me I was addicted to noise and commotion. I felt like my mind was
going to explode some days. Music and noise kept repeating in my brain
all night and my sleep was fitful. I had the TV blasting all day with
the stock channel or the news or whatever. It didn't matter if I
watched it or not, I just liked the noise. I had the radio or CD going
whenever I was driving. Even on the trail when hiking or biking, I had
on earphones and at the pool a radio blaring. My mind was full of noise
and I could never seem to get any escape with noise even in my sleep.
Once I started with voluntary solitude and shut off the noise, I went
though a period of noise withdrawal for a few days, but gradually could
see things were getting better. Sometimes our peace is disturbed by
other means than noise. I've seen persons going out to be alone in
nature and they bring their computer or paperwork with them. Maybe they
have removed some of the fuel for their stressed life but cannot let go
of it all and must still feed their addiction even while in nature. Be
aware of peace disrupters in your life, irrespective of whether they
make sounds or not. I now am very choosy when it comes to noise
pollution and other disruptions entering me that can be cured by using
solitude, deep quiet and renunciation. When we are quiet within we are
in an easier position to find peace. I've known some people that have a
completely quiet day once per week seeking quiet for their mouth and
speak to no one in addition to seeking quiet for their ears. Other
persons I have talked with just make an effort to lower the volume of
the noise they intake as well as lowering the volume of the noise they
output...lowering their voice.
Take Care,
V (Male)
For free access to my earlier posts on voluntary simplicity, compulsive
spending, debting, compulsive overeating and clutter write:
vfr44@aol.com. Any opinion expressed here is that of my own and is not
the opinion, recommendation or belief of any group or organization.