Taking A Trip Inside; Outside.
- Dan Thomas
- Jan 4, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 3, 2021
What’s most interesting about tripping is that it is indeed aptly named, for a multitude of things happen within the space of its duration. Every time I do one, I am greeted by a plethora of sensations that are familiar; like seeing old friends. And each time, some new lesson or realization to which I’m not yet sure of it’s form, will make itself known by the end of the trip. These can range from minor to major, but always serve some greater good and benefit in my life and others. Ultimately, I believe it simply opens the doors of truth, and it’s up to the individual how much you absorb of it. (I feel one of the sneaky epiphanies being that all things have value, therefore there are no ”bad things”, there are only lessons of ever-prevalent truths.) I feel the summation and culmination of what a lifetime of lessons reveals, is almost compacted into a mini sample-sized day version that can highlight some of these wisdom cookies. Right off the bat, one can see not only the value of such spiritual journey, but maybe even the nagging feeling in your gut that the key to a good life and enlightenment may dwell heavily in these experiences, and therefore every person should seek them out intentionally. Being a person who has gone down the rabbit hole multiple times, I would consider myself experienced, and yet each time, realizations still await me; what a beautiful and rewarding universe. Being in nature certainly adds an element to it. You are literally on a trip or journey walking the trails or paths, while a mental and internal journey is also occurring; they sync up with/compliment each other well. I found myself returning to my strongest traits: joy, sarcasm, intellect, and laughter. I fell my truest self without build-up, bravado, or the other aspects the ego creates in order to make us feel better. I realize I have grown a lot; more patient, kind, compassionate. I feel I "get it" a little more; the over-all "why?" of the universe. That big sense of connectivity isn't about forcing this connection between people, coming together in a mutual goal necessarily, but rather learning your personal flaws and beauties, and appreciating them in others, knowing that every action or feeling has a source or cause; some initial cause and it's cause before that. Hate and fear come from lack of understanding and the unknown, and I feel these trips help bridge that gap, allowing you to have a sense of compassion for each person's struggle. We project our own flaws or issues on others, trying to dish off our self-dislikes onto others. and we often like and relate to those who make us look or feel better. In the end, none of us are without flaw, genius, strength, weakness, etc, and often times right and wrong are all about perspective, rather than "the absolute truth" we often think it to be. I have noticed loving someone is considerably deeper, easier, and more fulfilling, when I think ego second and put patience and understanding first. Rather than thinking of all the wrongs, try looking at all the reasons someone might have chosen their words, actions, etc, and by putting yourself in their shoes first, you'd be surprised how much commonality is to be found. we often want the end results; shortcutting the journey, but it's always the journey that makes any result or "state of being" worth it. and Often we can be given the information or knowledge, but without the experience of the journey, it can't become wisdom. there is no shortcut to living. So go out and trip in nature, or at least go out in nature. watch it in silence, in motion and standing still. Think about it, then don't think, but feel about it; taking in the entirety, observe it's stillness at times, it's chaotic moments, it's unity and separation. see, think, and feel how it keeps going on, regardless of conditions. and even a single blade of grass interacts with a tree miles away, if you pay close enough attention. and you and I are a part of that too. Forever being and then non-being, again and again. We are one, yet we are also the many; individual, yet interlocked together. The truths all lie within, and we simply live in the reality that we have manifested on the outside; what a marvelous existence.
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