A friend and I were recently talking about church and hiking—which in my book are one in the same. Some of our more devout friends don't exercise on Sundays or the Sabbath because those are meant to be days of rest. Meant only for worship and spiritual restoration.
But I realized today, as I climbed the hills near the Hollywood sign, that hiking (and any exercise outdoors) is my form of worship. It not only enables me to honor the beauty and wonder of the natural world, it allows me to honor the strength and capability of my body.
What better way to say thank you to the Universe and heavens than push your ability and bask in the glory of your physical capabilities? All the while, marveling at the bright blue sky and scent of sagebrush and sight of horseback riders. It makes you appreciate the world around you. And the world inside of you. It taps a well of gratitude like no other.
And there's a meditative quality about hiking—the rhythmic crunch of your steps balanced with the whoosh of your breath. Like a tribal beat. It clears the mind and refills empty vessels in the soul.
I really think there's nothing like it. And there's no other place I'd rather spend a Sunday morning than on the side of the mountain, celebrating all that exists inside and outside of me.
5 comments:
Couldn't agree more.
So, you were over by the sign? Huh. I was looping up to Mt. Hollywood, and down past the Observatory. I was thinking that at some point I might do a hike from Fern Dell up to visit the Observatory itself early one morning at some point, if you're ever interested...
There are so many reasons that this is true. In addition to those you already mentioned, I also love it because...all the fanatics are crammed into their stuffy buildings and aren't out bugging me in the canyons!
We had "church" yesterday in the Escalante Grand Staircase NM, Capital Reef NP and Kodachrome Basing SP. Our communion was granola bars and micro-brew. Pure heaven.
Wow, I grew up Catholic, but I feel nothing but Catholic guilt when I'm lazy and do nothing on Sundays!
I soooooo agree with this. Just being outside in Colorado is sometimes so spiritual. Well for me anyway! LOL
Now I feel like hiking.
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