The Wild Unknown Wilderness of the Mind: Buck, Robby

 The Wild Unknown Wilderness of the Mind

In Dr. Redick's book, American Camino, on page 157, there is a passage about how we journey toward the holy land of our minds, a land filled with light that can open our hearts and awaken something greater than individuality. This experience is akin to what the ancients were attuned to; a harmony with the natural world. It fosters a deep appreciation and understanding that we are a part of nature, not above it. We function as a system that maintains order in the universe rather than disrupt the present systems inextricably linked to the world.

On page 159, Redick writes, "Delirium is a divine release of the soul from the yoke of custom and convention." Our potential to transcend our daily lives is what makes us human. It liberates us from the confines of civilization and allows us to grasp the higher order of the universe. It frees us from the challenges of everyday life and enables us to move into the future with prosperity and love for the wildness surrounding us.

You may wonder how one can discover the wilderness of the archaic mind on a trail filled with modern distractions. It begins with a few simple steps; take a deep breath in and out to relax your mind, followed by paying attention to senses other than vision. Through this experience, you can reach a state of bliss that you might not otherwise encounter on the same trail. This is the wilderness of the mind, being in tune with the world around you is the first step. Before you can truly feel the sensations the wild evokes in your soul, you must connect with nature.

Nature allows us to experience the art of the universe. It is something physical that mathematics can describe, as well as science, but that is only one facet of this experience. There are aspects of the wild that border on religious enlightenment, similar to what Buddha experienced when he transcended the mundane to achieve spiritual awakening. 

What this teaches us is the importance of releasing our inhibitions tied to the modern world and embracing the natural world and the experiences that come with it. That is the lesson I learned from this chapter.



Reference:

Kip Redick. American Camino: Walking as Spiritual Practice on the Appalachian Trail. (New York: Lexington Books, 2023)

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