Hiking is gaining popularity within the African-American community. We're beginning to spend more time in nature in an effort to connect deeply with the spirit within. The alertness that is required to observe the natural beauty around us is calming, energizing and edifying. Noticing the colors on the trees, listening to the sounds of the birds, and overlooking scenic landscapes or wonderful bodies of water can heal the soul very profoundly.
Hiking Alone
To be alone with my private thoughts in the space of my own company is euphoric. Moving at my own pace and experiencing the freedom to take any path that looks interesting or simply stop to relax or read is very liberating. Sometimes I listen to inspirational music, messages of personal growth or a guided meditation on my portable CD player. Other times I just listen to the sound of our beautiful natural world. I always stop to journal when hiking. The insights I get while hiking are rarely achieved during the hustle and bustle of work and family life.
Hiking with a Partner
If you feel uncomfortable hiking alone a partner is a great alternative. You can still get that special time with your own thoughts and feelings by hiking together to a destination, then separating enough to get some private space where you can be alone with your thoughts or listen to some media of your choosing. Agree upon an amount of time for this (a half-hour to an hour is usually good) then re-commune and hike back to the car. Try to keep the conversation as positive as possible. Use this valuable time for spiritual reflection and healing. Give encouragement, love and support to each other every step of the way and hiking with a partner can be powerfully rejuvenating and healing.
Practical Items for Hiking:
Always bring water. And, if you're hiking for more than a couple of miles it's a good idea to bring some food, i.e. sandwiches, trail-mix and/or fruit.
You don't have to invest a lot of money, but a good pair of hiking shoes will make your experience more pleasurable. They absorb the rocks and irregularities of the paths you'll be walking on.
Dress in layers that are easily adjustable for body temperature. Wear a breathable shirt next to your skin, and a jacket with a good zipper for temperature variability.
If you bring a backpack, it should contain the following items:
Water and Food
First-aid pack
Pocket knife
A camera ? I always see something I wish to capture on film
A flashlight - with fresh batteries.
An extra shirt
Something to sit on such as a sheet, blanket of other pad.
I also pack my journal and a pen
The most important thing about hiking is your personal space. View it as a mini-retreat.
Delano Garner writes for "Shades and Reflections," a resource site for African-American Spiritual Health. http://www.shadesandreflections.com Contact Delano Garner at http://www.shadesandreflections.com
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareCarl Jung, 20th century psycho analyst and dream researcher, said:... Read More
I am deeply drawn to the above Irish Blessing.This blessing... Read More
I'm weary of saying No to my children. Not just... Read More
An interesting question that frequently comes up is "Which Gods... Read More
There are many energy beings available to assist us in... Read More
Several months ago, I read an... Read More
If you were Satan and your goal is to destroy... Read More
Burn out, it can happen to anyone. Some of the... Read More
Ever wonder what happened to the family dinner hour? Or... Read More
It was in the middle of the night and the... Read More
Fanny J. Crosby's famous hymn, "Tell Me the Story of... Read More
1. Life is a precious gift given to us by... Read More
Natural laws exist that serve to maintain order in the... Read More
Did we just overlook the amount of love that God... Read More
A spiritual event is what happens in every moment of... Read More
Love is mentioned well over 350 times in the Bible.... Read More
What better example than Jesus' life to explain about having... Read More
It doesn't matter what magazine or newspaper you pick up... Read More
There are many different and interchangeable terms that are used... Read More
Mormons like to give testimonies. Unlike Mormon testimonies, I will... Read More
Today is the day that I'm getting back into exercise.... Read More
Can God really heal your pain? Does every trial come... Read More
I have, in my opinion, the world's perfect job. Just... Read More
Part Two ContinuedIn addition to numerous philosophical problems relating to... Read More
A new chapter in my life begins today, the anniversary... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..At first glance it does seem that law and grace... Read More
Charity isn't the easiest virtue to master. And with St.... Read More
"Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as... Read More
AN ARISTOCRATIC UPBRINGING:There are many people who write about sex... Read More
Do you have a dream, but are waiting for "just... Read More
We have a proclivity to think of individuals and nations... Read More
Until recently, miracles were usually credited to a supernatural power.... Read More
Forget what you have read or seen about vampires. The... Read More
The term spirituality is a confusing term. Usually, when one... Read More
If you would like to learn to read tarot cards,... Read More
Journal ExpressionsIf you haven't already done so, please start keeping... Read More
First, there is the field of complete consciousness.This then expresses... Read More
You're looking at one star in the middle of a... Read More
If you have a longing to connect with something higher,... Read More
In a recent article entitled "Some Evidence of How We... Read More
The expression "Spiritual Enlightenment" has been used often in reference... Read More
The possibility of almost 400 Old Testament prophesies coming to... Read More
In a recent case study which I also summarized in... Read More
THE GNOSTICS, ESSENES AND THE 'OCCULT':Throughout this book I have... Read More
Am I dreaming? The sign outside the skyscraper reads: "Spiritual... Read More
Last Saturday, the children were down at their grandparent's house... Read More
Many people are awakening today to the idea that the... Read More
Good morning Roy, good morning Joseth. (Channelled)From time to time... Read More
We are the beneficiaries of the promise God made to... Read More
We, a group of ordinary people who believe in Jesus... Read More
Spirituality |