Solitude

It is interesting that most direct encounters with the Creator recorded in the Bible happened in the wilderness when the hero was alone. Jacob, Hagar, Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, and of course, Jesus. Sometimes, the person was minding their own business when they noticed a shrub on fire. Sometimes they were fleeing danger, or simply tending sheep. Sometimes they just had to get away from people and noise, where they could clear their mind and contemplate their purpose. Some of those encounters lasted 40 days. Others, maybe a long weekend and often, fasting was involved.

Let’s move to the country

I am reading about the desert fathers and mothers, who founded monasticism after they preferred seclusion to the desert. This may have been a response to Christianity becoming socially and politically legit after the conversion of Emperor Constantine. Much of their tradition was was one of sacrifice as an alternative to martyrdom since Rome was now more friendly. Although wilderness was not directly associated with evil, the desert fathers saw their mission in solitude as engaging in spiritual warfare on behalf of humanity. There are many legends where monks had interaction with animals. Ironically, others came seeking wisdom in their lifestyle and monastic communities formed. I guess communities set apart from society could qualify as solitude…

Vision Quest

Native American tribes have rites of passage for their young people. The community comes together in support of a youth in a series of ceremonies. The process culminates in the young person retreating alone to a sacred site to enter several days of fasting. During that time, prayers are offered to discover the person’s purpose, often manifested in a vision that involves animals. The elders stay behind and support the youth with chants and prayers. Upon their return, the community receives them as an adult, and their journey to fulfill their purpose begins.

Solitude and wilderness seem to be recurring themes across many different spiritual traditions.

“When I hike alone, I prefer to be by myself”

Icicles in My Beard

In a nod to a George Thorogood song, when I hike alone, I prefer to be by myself… It started in college when I was preparing for my Appalachian Trail thru hike. I had always gone backpacking with friends but I knew I was going to be self contained on the AT. That meant being prepared to go solo. There was a bit of fear to deal with, especially at night. You would hear every thump or crack, wondering if that was the bear that was going to eat you. There was one trip where I knew a snow storm was moving in and I was worried. I passed a ranger station and asked to sleep on the porch. They replied with a firm “no” but there was a shelter a few miles up the trail. I made it with ice cycles in my beard and chilled from my sweaty clothes. A warm meal, dry socks, and a good sleeping bag got me through the night into a beautiful winter morning. My thru hike involved many nights alone. I grew to not only tolerate the solitude, but I actually began to embrace it. On my summit of Mt. Katahdin on September 4, 1984, the weather was overcast and cold. I got to the top and was surprised to see that I had it to myself. There was no line of people waiting for pictures at the summit (we hadn’t invented selfies yet). No group celebrations. Just Stillness. The mountain was mine. I had a moment of contemplation, undisturbed. I was part of the mountain. Despite the lack of a view, it was a fitting conclusion to a 2,000 mile odyssey.

Simplicity in Solitude

Later, I found that coordinating a group hike was often difficult, managing schedules, travel, planning menus, and coordinating gear. It is a lot of work. Sometimes one of the team would forget the tent or not buy the food… or forget their hiking boots. Going alone was simpler. Now, I keep my day pack ready to go. It takes more time to put on my clothes than it does to pack my gear. Friends are always welcome but most of the time I’m on my own. The schedule of a college professor allows for a free weekday when the crowds are not due till the weekend.

My path to solitude began as a solution to practical matters, but the benefits revealed themselves. I see more wildlife when I’m not engaged in conversations on the trail. My mind is less distracted and I notice the wildflowers and the smells of plants and animals. My movement is not influenced by waiting for, or trying to keep up with a companion. I can nap when I want. I hear more birdsong.

“Solitude in the wilderness has become a sacred time for me. In a word, it is Sabbath.”

I cannot say I have noticed any burning bushes (thunderstorms on exposed ridges notwithstanding). But during my Sabbath hikes, I get whispers, a still small voice. Sometimes the message is clear. Sometimes, it takes some contemplation and reflection. The best conversations are in a quiet place, one on one where the conversation can go where it needs. So it is with the Creator.

Solitude has become foundational. It certainly belongs high on my list of core values. As I reflect on its place in my group of seven, I think it fits well within Stillness. This is for reasons I will detail when I dig into Stillness as a core value.

For me, the combination of wilderness and solitude is where the magic happens. There is no evil in the wilderness. There are no man made barriers between you and the Creator. Creation is the cathedral.