Musings of a Dharma bum #1

It is a beautiful morning, so much to appreciate. As I watch the sparrows scrabble for their breakfast, see the chickens moving deftly thru the grass scratching up the bugs underneath, hear the goat's call from the neighboring paddock, listen to the leaves rustle gently in the morning breeze I am reminded of a morning, many years ago now, when I experienced such beauty, up close and personal, for the first time. A tent, an old tye dye bean bag turned knapsack, a meandering river, and nothing to awaken me but the sounds of nature and the rhythmic pulse of my own breathing.

How had I found myself in this moment? It was no camping trip, that I can assure you. When I turned 18 I made the decision to drop out of high school, pack my personal items that I felt I couldn't do without and leave home. I walked a mile outside of town, into the woods, set up a campsite and vowed to live off the land. I was young and dumb and had no real understanding of what such life entailed but what better way is there to learn than to simply do?

As I awoke that first morning and rolled out of my two man tent I was greeted by a rabbit, staring one eyed at me no more than 10 feet away. In that moment I understood my first lesson. Life doesn't care about you. The deepest beauty of life is in it's autonomy and the purest way to live is simply to be a part of that autonomy. To be seamlessly woven into the fabric of nature around you. In that moment I was at peace, still and tranquil, and because of this my presence did not disturb the rabbit unduly. After a few moments pause it continued on it's way likely in search of breakfast.

I spent that morning bathing in the river. I recall there was a moment of shock as I felt something nibble at my foot in the midst of scrubbing my hair. I thrashed in surprise only to realize that it was a fish. Then I waited and after a bit the fish came back and not alone. There were things on my legs which he found tasty and he'd made sure to tell his pals that breakfast was served. This time I did not fight. I allowed their cleaning and perhaps even began to enjoy it.

In that morning I was free. Free from the rigors of life, the expectancy of others and of self, free to pursue each moment as I saw fit. As I experienced the world unfiltered I realized what has become, for me, the deepest truth. That I am meant just to be, not to strive against the ebbs and flows of the current of existence, instead to flow and ebb with them. Conflict is inevitable yet there need be no conflict between myself and life. I need only be in wu wei (action thru non-action) and all will be with me.

Namaste
RH