Sacred Communication/Journey 2018

When reading about liminality it said that as a response to it many new advancements are made. Things, such a, scientific hypotheses, political programs and art forms. If this is true and liminality does push the human race to better ways of thinking that result in progression the liminality is the most important concept for human progression. If everyone underwent liminality the human race may enter a golden age of new ideas.

In the section Escaping mimetic violence and earthly economy that the author explains how to receive from good without offering something from the earthly economy. He explains that once you realize that wanting to do good is better than receiving good you can move beyond the economy. However, if one asks for goods from God it will be very difficult to move away from this path of thinking. So, in order to receive what you want you must first not want it.

On page 63 the question of how to offer something to god that is not involved in an earthly economy. When reading this I thought of a metaphor that describes this problem. When one asks for something through prayer and offers something to God we treat God like a machine or an oven, We offer materialistic items to the machine and expect to get something of value afterwards. Once we stop treating God as a machine, undergo kenosis, and offer ourselves to God then we will receive gifts.

Whilst I was reading about pilgrimages an the significance of them I came to realize that they are different know then in the past. In the past the trails, such as, the camino de Santiago were the only trails that were available to pilgrims that wanted to get to  holy site. Now, with better infrastructure and technology that is no longer the case. A pilgrim could take a car or a bus to the holy site. I am not sure if this new found ability diminishes the trail or makes it more sacred.

I have just read an article about a nebula many light years away from earth called the eye of God. It is unique and completely different from anything I have seen in regards to space. The middle of the nebula is a deep, radiating red surrounded by a aqua blue. The contrasting colors and name command an undeniable presence. I find it to be a metaphor for God and the holy. The nebula commands an undeniable presence, such as the holy and is unique from everything else. It also is unobtainable to me and only pictures are viable to humans.

As I read Lane talk about the mask of the holy I think of a couple things. Firstly, what is the point of God not being direct and concealing himself. Secondly, I feel that the inevitability of never being able to find the mask or see what it conceals is maddening. For example, Van gogh devoted hi life to finding the mask and died never finding exclaiming on his " i must find the mask." So, if one come to the revelation that there is a mask you must never search for whats behind it. If one does search it will lead to no answers an bring only pain and more questions.

"the more common it becomes, the more holy it is" led to the question how does one learn to see the extraordinary with there eyes? Lane then explains how people see the holy in mundane acts, such as, a snails life or leaves. I do not think being able to see the holy is something one can learn, because the question "what is holy" is relative to the person asking it. You do not learn how to see the holy, the holy is something very special to you

“The unexamined life is not worth living” – Socrates. This quote is simple, yet powerful. I believe as college students, many of us live a life of simplicity and living in the moment. We are given an opportunity to obtain knowledge that 70% of the US is not able to gain access to. As college students we can be major influences and major contributes to society. We need to take advantage of the opportunity we have to learn as much as we can to be an influence to the younger generations that life has a bigger purpose. This class has shown me that life has so much more to offer in the simpler things like nature. We need to examine ourselves and the life we live and make sure the things we are participating in are relevant to bettering ourselves and others. -Trevor Lett 12/06/2018

In the book Image and Pilgrimage in the Christian Culture, the author gives a really inspirig approach to how each individual pilgrims life is affected differently. For example, "image and pilgrimage is antistructural. and it jives with the artists of present time." This can also go into the fact that every thought is different and everyone is at different points in their life.

Image and pilgrimage in christian culture, one of the contexts including considering the relationship between the entelechy of a specific pilgrimage and the major sociocultural changes in the environment. This is important becasue it brings a sense of vulnerability to the people traveling through the trails and it reveals the changes that they will go through because of the intense impact the environment has on their journey though the world.

Two years ago I went on a trail in my hometown in Stafford. It's filled with hills, waterfalls, and a lot of dirt but I was super excited. I went on it with my siblings who were both boy scouts so they knew what they were doing. It was a really good experience because I could bond with both of them and I knew that the day was really special.

Lions bridge is a beautiful example of a natural setting impacting many individuals lives. For me it was a great day to go on a hike and enjoy the weather but I didn't realize I would keep coming back. Since then I have been back many times and I always feel a connection with the environment and God.

This book includes the four things about prayer from seeing Samuel's prayer in this light. First, the priority of divine speech is here redoubled, second, we learn how prayer is the task of a lifetime, third we learn why silence is such an important part of prayer, finally we learn why scripture and prayer are so integrally intertweined, why prayer can never be separated from some form of lectio divina.

December 6, 2018 One article that I read on Pantheos.com, spoke of a religion called Pantheism. In this reading it speaks of how God is nature, at least in part, rather than nature being a vessel for God to communicate from. While I disagree with this notion, it does in a way make sense as nature often can teach those who are willing to learn many lessons about oneself and lead one to look inward to find peace. Additionally, as one looks to find the peace of God within them, they to can look to find this same peace through nature and the lessons it has to teach.

From the Phenomenology of Prayer, the author emphasizes a beautiful quote saying "prayer is the moral and spritual discipline that introduces and directs us to sacred dimension that infuses and undergirds all that is." This is accurate because the moral discipline keeps the dimensions to the sacred world and grains the world to believe in something bigger than themselves.

December 6, 2018 "There the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in the flames of fire from within a bush" (Exodus 3:2). There are many examples in the Bible of God speaking to prophets in nature, in this case from a burning bush. This draws parallels to those who take long pilgrimages on trails to find greater connection to the sacred. People continue to look to nature in hopes they will find a message from a greater power.

December 6, 2018 "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you" (Job 12:7-8). Sacred scripture, such as this passage from the Bible, often speaks of God's ability to teach and guide his people through nature. Nature is one of the Lord's many instruments he uses to pass along his message to those willing to listen. When one is in touch with nature and opens themselves up to God's message that he has left them, they can find new meaning and lessons from the wilderness God has created.

December 6, 2018 On the first weekend of November, I went down to North Carolina for my cousin's wedding. My extended family stayed in one large house in the middle of the woods, with unreliable Wi-Fi and no television in the house. So, I convinced my brothers to go walking through the woods with me to just see what was around us. Around three minutes in, two of my brothers got bored and went back, but my oldest brother, Nat, stayed with me. Nat and I didn't say anything to each other for roughly ten minutes, we just observed and listened to our surroundings, and sharing this moment with each other. What started as a means to save ourselves from boredom, became something more for the both of us, a connection that we hadn't shared since he had gone off to college when I entered high school. Nature brought us together in a way that the short periods of time that he would visit on breaks never could.

Sacred places for generations have made people convert their lifes into something truly beautiful. In the book Landscapes of the Sacred, the author "The sacred place, in short, takes root in that which may form the substance of our daily lives, but is transformed by the imagination to that which is awe-inspring and grand." This quote is important because it tells people to put aside the materialistic views aside and focus on the the grand beauty of the world which is awe inspiring and amazing.

From the book Landscapes of the Sacred, the author exhibits many reasons as to why the world is designed the way it is. People must accept that "being fuly open to the world, is a matter of dwelling in a place so as to unite the four essential facets of true human existence-earth, sky, gods, and men." This quote helps further my understanding that in order to understand the existence around you, you have to let your heart become open and accept the changes being made.

Another bible verse that I have found to be realy influential for my life has been Phillipians 4:16 which says "do not be anxious about anything." While I do worry a lot of the time this verse keeps my faith going and helps it grow stronger. It's really important to live a healthy life with emotions but also remember the importance of having a strong faith with God.

Madelyn Haskett 12/6/18 Recently, I have been reading in the Bible about the gospel of Jesus. In the past few months at college, I have learned a lot about the gospel, that I never fully understood before. I understand that the gospel is easy and simple, Jesus is God, Jesus died on the cross for sins, and He bodily rose from the dead. Also that He is the only way to have a relationship with God, the Father.

Madelyn Haskett 12/6/18 In the Book of Luke it says to not judge others or you will be judged. For me, that is something i struggle with daily, may it be simple or big, I find myself judging other people. Sometimes it is hard not to, but once that initial thought comes to mind it's all over with, you can't go back.

One day I was reading about famous people online and I came up to a quote from John Quincy Adams... "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." This brought me back to my roots and reminded me that I need to be an inspiration and influence others to lead a life of significance

December 6, 2018 When I was home for Thanksgiving break, my two best friends and I went for a long walk in a nearby trail to catch up. I did not expect nor seek to have any sort of experience with nature, but one found me nonetheless. As my friends had returned to the car, I realized that along the trail I had left my water bottle behind when we had stopped earlier for a break. I went back to look for it and found it on a bridge made on the path to help cross over a stream. As I turned around to go back, sitting on the railing at the other end of the bridge, was a squirrel. Normally, I would just walk past and the animal would dash away as I approached, but this time something happened that never had occurred to me before. As I looked at the squirrel, it began to look back at me, as if it were studying me the same as I was doing to it. I didn't realize it at the time, but looking back when I was having this moment no thoughts of my discussion with my friends, or school, or anythi...

December 6, 2018 My family goes to Maine every summer to spend a few weeks at our family lake house on Swan Lake. My siblings tend to enjoy boating, or swimming, or eating local seafood, but my favorite activity is much more simple. Once a week, I will kayak out towards the center of the lake at night and just sit in the middle and take in the lake and the woods around me. People in Maine tend to go to sleep earlier so I often don't find many lights on around the lake at this time. I will sit and listen to the sounds of loons calling to one another or the faint buzzing of dragonflies passing just a few feet overhead. I distinctly remember one night as I was paddling back in, as I approached the beach, I saw a bat swoop out from the trees on shore and scoop up a dragonfly in its mouth and fly off. I was dumbfounded by the shear purity of the moment, to watch nature take its course, relatively unaffected from human interaction. I began to have the feeling of being a witness to a wh...

1.       Throughout the week I often flip in my bible and land on page and read it. Two weeks ago, I found the verse from Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This verse brought so much light and understanding to my day because it just brought me back to my roots about thanking God and trusting in his ways so that I may flourish and live my life the way he wants me to live.

     Growing up I always had a passion for serving others. Whether it would be having bake sales for the military or volunteering at the soup kitchen, I loved it. Years later I went to a Christian concert that impacted my look on life. During the time where the performers are taking a break, a man came to the stage and showed the audience pictures of little children who didn’t have the funds needed to survive. My heart was moved, and I knew that even though I was in middle school I had to find the funds to take care of my future sponsor child. So, I went to the table and found a little boy named Sira. He was only one and had curable diseases that could be removed if I sponsored him. I picked up his paper and said, “he’s mine!” Four years after sponsoring him, he is healthy, handsome, and has a family to come home to. While the money from me helped him, it was the bright spirit that kept him pushing. He was just a baby and went through so much but by God’s grace of bring...

        Ever since I was a child I always dreamed of being a mother. When I saw family and they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I simply replied a mother and a teacher. It may have seemed peculiar that a little child dreamed of this but for me it was because my mother influenced my life and taught me how to love other people. But with every dream comes obstacles and challenges that many people face. For me, I became sick really fast and the doctors didn’t know what to do. My family told me to take Motrin and I would feel better, but the pain continued. It wasn’t until I had an MRI and X-ray’s to determine that I had a tumor and my health was in danger and I needed surgery as soon as possible. While all of this was happening, I kept my head up. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but I knew God had a plan. A few days later the doctor called and told me to come in for surgery. I was nervous but as a kid who’s been in the hospital many times before I kn...

       One year ago, I lost my best friend. It was 5 am and I received a call from my father saying, “Rachel didn’t make it.” At this time, I didn’t know that she was involved in the accident with my Uncle (who survived.) I yelled and cried out to God and asked him why he would do something like this. I was so hurt and heartbroken that my best friend and cousin was gone in an instant. It took me until the funeral to realize that Rachel lived a beautiful life and to be upset about the time we had would be selfish of me. A few minutes after the service her ashes were put into the columbarium right beside the church. In this moment God came over me and gave me the opportunity to reflect and thank Rachel for everything she had done for me. While I know the church was considered sacred before she was there, I realized that it is a truly beautiful and magnificent place because it holds a person who not only devoted her life to animals, people, and the environment but al...

December 6, 2018 My friend Michael once took me down to hike Mount Rogers near Blacksburg, Virginia. I had never been hiking before and didn't know what to expect. The hike was easy, but tiresome for an inexperienced hiker life myself. As we climbed towards the top my only thoughts were of my aching muscles, and how tired I was from the hike, but all of that changed once we reached the top. Once we reached the top all my pains and worries I had been experiencing during the trek melted away, as I looked out at the vast beauty of what I had climbed and what lied beyond. I maintain that the sight I saw from atop Mount Rogers was the most beautiful and unforgettable sight of my entire life. I felt truly as if I was far above the world looking down upon all of creation. The entire way back I did not feel the same ache in my joints, but rather still focused on the sense of awe and wonder I had come to know at the peak.

When I was fourteen years old I attend a mission camp that changed my life forever.  Growing up I was raised in a Roman Catholic church and while I have always been close and connected to God, I never had the experience of him sharing his light over me. As the week of the camp moved on my faith grew stronger. On Wednesday night, the band played the song “Forever” by Kari Jobe. During the song I felt God come over me and take away all of the pain that I was going through at the time. As I was crying from the effect he had over me I raised my hands to the sky and thanked him for all of the blessings he has given me in my life. While this camp was at a college that I wasn’t familiar with and the youth group I went to was filled with high school seniors, he found me. As an eighth grader I was scared to death to go but God had a plan and knew that this place and song would hold power and grace for my life forever. 

The following are my simple writings from walking through the trail at Lions Bridge: "I notice the water moving in one direction, but in reality it's not moving at all. Broken tree branches lay still as the calm water flows past them. Some portions of the water look calmer than others. I see different types of vegetation with each step. Smells are very strong, fresh, and distinct by each passing tree. Habitats of squirrels and other animals in holes in the trees as the season begins to change. Intelligently crafted spider webs hang from multiple trees like curtains. The tops of the trees reflects the sunlight as the sun goes down. A beautiful sight." -Trevor Lett October is when the notes were taken 12/06/2018 when the blog was written

During our visit to lions bridge, at first we analyzed the vegetation growing near the water and how it differed from what was growing further away from it. We took a moment to appreciate the statues and the founders of the Huntington Park. Personally, as we walked by the bridge and through the small trail, it made me wonder how many historic figures had crossed the same path years and years ago. It made me wonder if Lions bridge could be considered a sacred place. I believe if i visited on my own terms and came in with a similar approach i would get a more intimate result. -Trevor Lett 12/06/2018

"I have been crucified with Christ and i no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life i now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." -Galatians 2:20 This verse is very special to me, in high school when i received my helmet this verse was on my helmet, and ever since then it has been a verse i go to when i am struggling. This verse reminds me that no matter what you have done and no matter what you are going through that God lives in us. He gave his son for us and no amount of struggle we go through is anything more than what we can handle. This verse will always be held dear to me. -Trevor Lett 12/06/2018

December 6, 2018 During my freshman year of high school, one of my friends told me of a secret spot just off school grounds in the nearby woods that he had discovered. That weekend my friend took me their for the first time, as I walked through the woods I eventually reached a vast clearing with three trees forming a triangle in the middle where a few large rocks stood inside the shape created by the trees. The clearing seemed untouched by society, as no lights from the houses not a hundred yards away could be seen peaking through the trees, the only light we had was what was given off by the moon. My friend told me he had decided to call the place "Our own Narnia" because of his appreciation for the novels that this place reminded him of. Our Narnia, in a way, was our own sacred place, our very own Garden of Eden untouched by outside influence. We rarely spoke of it to others, and even fewer were taken to the location to witness its grandeur for themselves. Narnia became a...

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."-Isaiah 40:31. This verse is symbolic to me because it symbolizes how God is our backbone. Without Him, we can only get so far in life, but with him we can concur any obstacle. With any struggles that we might endure if we remain steadfast in his word and have faith he will deliver us.  -Trevor Lett 12/06/2018

December 6, 2018 Looking back on how I got through some of the tougher moments of my life, I used to think all I needed was time to myself away from distractions, in hindsight that wasn't entirely true. What really got me through some of my most awful life experiences has been when I would go to my own "special places" that I found in nearby woods, parks, and trails. One specific memory I have is after my first real girlfriend broke up with me senior year. We had been together for just under two years and to me it was the most important thing on my mind all the time. I remember skulking around the house for a week trying to deal with my emotions, but to no avail. Later though, I found myself in the woods near the fields where I used to play little league baseball. I discovered a rock large enough for me to sit on that overlooked a small pond about ten feet below. I recall just staring at the pond and trying to think how I would overcome my heartbreak. What finally got m...

December 6, 2018 [Phenomenology of Prayer] In the Phenomenology of Prayer , Benson and Wirzba express that the correct posture of prayer is kenosis, which is the intense decentering of self. Kenosis is important for prayer because it empties the mind of everything that is distracting to the consciousness and focuses full attention on God. When your mind is gravitating towards your schedules or other thoughts of the day and not directly in the moment, you further yourself from God and limit the possibility for clear communication. I tried to pray today using this method. In the beginning it was difficult to pray because I was limiting myself by believing it was foolish and childish, letting my ego get in the way. I realized this and then tried to clear my mind and not say anything instead. Once my mind was clear I felt a little more comfortable and tried again but was still distracted by some of my thoughts. Although I did not feel like I was having a genuine connection, my self ...

December 6, 2018 In Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture, there is mention that as time has gone on pilgrimage has involved an addition of new features to the old traditions of the past. This evolvement was not forced however, but is rather a cause of the progression of time and how values and the causes for pilgrimage have evolved. Many people now travel on these long pilgrimages not for religious reasons, but for more internal spiritual purposes, looking to find their own meaning within the pilgrimage through nature.

December 6, 2018 Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture speaks of pilgrimage as possessing a liminal, meaning transitional, aspect that helps give each pilgrimage significance and meaning to the pilgrim. Also speaking of how the liminality of pilgrimage also possess a sense of what "may be" as opposed to what is "going to be." The liminality of pilgrimage adding to the wide-spread possibilities of what may be received spiritually from one's pilgrimage seems reflective of how the vast number of people who will take pilgrimages. One such example is the popularity of traveling the Camino de Compostela, which attracts thousands of different people to it every year who each travel the path for different reasons and seeking different results.

December 6, 2018 In the section of Landscapes of the Sacred entitled, "The Mountain that was God," it is discussed how Mount Rainer in Washington state was once called "Tahoma" by the Native Americans. Tahoma, which means "the mountain that was God," can give those who hike its trails a feeling of pilgrimage and connection to the sacred, as the mountain can feel to come alive for those who fully immerse themselves in each and every moment on the mountain. This made me think about how mountains have always had a connection to the sacred, going as far back as the Old Testament, where Moses received the Ten Commandments and contact with the Lord atop mount Sinai. Mountains have always had a distinct connection with the sacred and for Native American cultures to also feel this, without connection to the Christian faith that had made the connection more widely known, shows the truly awe inspiring connection mountains and nature can instill between a person ...

December 6, 2018 To be completely honest, perhaps this does not truly count as using the book for my reflection. As I opened the book to search for a passage that I felt I could connect to, I came across a quote in the section entitled "Reflections on a Hermeneutics of Landscape" which is located even before the table of contents. The quote is "Tell me the landscape in which you live and I will tell you who you are", which is credited to "Ortega y Gasset." When I came across this quote, I stopped dead in my tracks, this was a page I had opened by accident and found myself surprised to be so dumbfounded by this quote. The power behind it truly spoke to me as I then pondered how each person's surroundings impact the person an individual will grow to become. I then thought back to my time growing up, feeling lucky that near where I lived was a good amount of forests and natural places where I could escape to when I needed a break from my troubles. It re...

December 6, 2018 According to The Phenomenology of Prayer, for those who wish to encounter God on Earth, they only may do so at an appropriate level. As God exists in this world "by virtue of having emptied himself," we must also empty ourselves if we are to truly come in to contact with God within ourselves. This idea coincides with a philosophy (for lack of a better word) that I was taught growing up in church, that for us to accept God and his love within ourselves, we first must empty ourselves spiritually to give God room inside of us free of the intervention of secular distractions.

December 6, 2018 People often pray in different ways, some pray daily while others only pray when they need something, some pray for wisdom or guidance while others search for material rewards from God. In one excerpt from The Phenomenology of Prayer   a question is introduced pondering if public prayer is inevitably not authentic but rather a means of gaining attention. The excerpt, however goes on to mention how in The Bible it is said that "where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them" which shows the connection God has to those who do him homage in numbers rather than alone. This displays the power that comes from sharing one's sacred beliefs with others who are like minded and how doing so can help enrich the experience for all of those involved, both in church or other sacred places such as nature, which in of itself shares a deep connection to the sublime.

In pages 206 and 207 in "The Landscapes of the Sacred" it talks about the Eucharist. What it is and the impacts of it? In the Sacrament of the Altar, bread and wine undergoes transubstantiation to become the physical and mystical Body and Blood of Christ. I remember growing up and not really understanding this concept and up until now I still don't have full grasp of it. On that Altar is Jesus. He is there present. The book brings up a cool point to where  when the Body and Blood is distributed and consumed they become sacred vessels and carry out this sacred space to all the places where Christ suffering has touched.

In page 6 of "The Landscapes of the Sacred" the topic of geopiety is brought up. This is when humans begin to attach strong feelings to a certain place on earth. It stems from the fact that we were brought up in a certain ambiance of the place and begin to form a kind of reverence toward it. Thic can be related to the song we listened to in class at the beginning of the year where the woman was speaking of her house almost as a person and how much she will miss it. Another example is in many professional athletic facilities and fields it is seen as "hallowed ground" to the home team. They're created such an affinity to the team that the home base reaches an almost sacred title to them.

In page 204 of "Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture" it touches on the protestant vs Catholic viewpoints on communicating with the faithful departed and deceased saints. It is very normal for Catholics to communicate with deceased Saints. There is a difference between Big-S-Saints and Small-s-saints. We have feast days for the Big-S-Saints and we ask for their intercession (ie St. Peter, Paul, Martin of Tours). We are called to be small s saints at birth. These saints are "good dead". They communicate through apparitions and miracles. Protestants do not believe in the intercession of the saints as strictly as Catholics do. They might see them as role models and give an idea of how to live a good godly life but do not believe in their "next level" status as a Big S Saint.

On page 7 of "Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture" it talks about how pilgrimages can be seen by some as a form as penance as well. Penance being what is done to repentance of doing something wrong. This can be true because at times these pilgrimages can be very dangerous. (ie. slippery and deep slopes, overflowing rivers, overall body fatigue) Some see that the more hardship you have on the pilgrimage is what you deserve. I remember in the old George Lopez show he was made by his grandma to walk on his knees on a cobblestone road as penance for his misbehaviour.

I remember having a really bad day senior year of highschool because I was denied entry into my first choice college. I decided to take a drive around town to clear my head. I had initially planned to drive to a big cathedral in a nearby town but I ended flying right past it and I kept going. Long story short but I had lost track of time and place and ended up at Virginia Beach. I remember sitting there in the sand asking God for a sign that it was all going to be alright. I was wanting a very explicit sign like it would be written in the sand or something but no. I just felt an overwhelming sense of peace. My heartbeat seemed to sync with the crash of the wave and my breathing with the swell of the waves. I felt at peace. With all my burdens I dropped them to the Lord and accepted his message through nature that even though my own goals might die out, the waves never will. 

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." This has always been a powerful bible verse for me. It calls people who want to follow Him but tells them they have to take up their cross and put all their personal will's aside. God's will is the only will that will be done. This ties into the praying with a decentered self. Denying himself means that even though they may think they know what they want or need, in reality only God knows that. God wants their hearts to be open to His teaching. This verse also notes that there is always an effort to be made when choosing to follow God. 

In "The Phenomenology of Prayer" the idea of kenosis is brought up and explained. The idea of kenosis deals with the decentering of yourself in prayer. Praying with a decentered self allows one to complete lay down all of their burdens to God. Decentering yourself allows you to go from asking God for favors for you but give you a new perspective and seeing how everything around us has a purpose. Instead of "God please give me this" you forget about yourself and you focus of God and God only.

While reading, I found myself flipping back to look at the images of the cathedrals.  The visual representations allowed the text to come to life and show the passion people have for religion.  Travelers were on their knees worshipping to a higher being and surrendering themselves to God. The images also showed many shrines that are found throughout Spain and Mexico.  Each shrine specializes in a particular motive, but all are commonly praised and appreciated. Each image and shrine shows a different location, highlighting the different ways of travel, but symbolizing the commonality of all shrines.  I appreciate the wide spread of shrines and monuments because it allows people to worship in their individual way. The gifts left behind help contribute to how each individual connects to their religion.  The cultural affiliation provides a richness in religion and helps differences to be broken and connections to be formed. Each person connects to their reli...

Whilst reading the excerpts from the phenomenology of prayer a constant thing keeps popping up that I do not understand. Many people constantly say that they feel God and they feel the holiness of a sacred place. I have no idea what this feeling is and no idea what these people are talking about. This may be caused by me not being religious and not believing in God. If the equation not believing=not being able to understand, I will never understand. I need proof of something to believe in it and I refuse to blindly follow something without proof of existence.

My older brother loves hiking. I remember waking up super early on saturday mornings so we could catch the sunrise on Sharp Top mountain. I wish I had taken this class earlier in life so I could cherish those hikes more as a child. I would spend the hike on my phone blasting music in my ear in hopes of maybe it will make the hike not seem as long. I know now of the spiritual connection I had missed with my God and nature. Even worse I missed that personal connection with my brother. After this class I will never look at hiking the same ever again.

Whilst I was walking the first thing I noticed was the smell of everything around me. It wasn't one single thing attributing to the smell it was everything in nature and it can only be described as such, only as nature. As I peeled off from the group I came across a bridge and among the bridge you could see a good portion of the water. Among the water you can see the erosion that the water can cause. For example, At one point it was noticeable that the water level was higher, however it was lower now. As a result, the water eroded the bank back so far that the trees roots could be seen. This was telling of the power of nature and it was saying that it is greater than I am. After this I noticed that great process of auto tropism( trees will grow towards the direction of light). This made me realise that everything has an ultimate goal that they are working towards an for trees it was light and growth. In contrast to this, there was an a gated area containing little trees and one of ...

"Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he said "I will never forsake you nor abandon you" On my research for my paper I stumbled upon some statistics on how much money people spend in gear for the AT and how much people spend while on the trail and I was surprised at the amount. Majority of hikers recorded spending between 1-2 thousand dollars on gear for the hike and between 5-6 thousand on gear and food during. So in addition to those costs there is the cost of not working for that period of time. This shows a total removal of monetary attachment with the hiker. They fully know and are comfortable in the palm of His hand

The following is a trail journal i found and underneath is my thoughts about the journal: "Well, What do you know. I think I am figuring out how to begin a trail journal online. Pretty good for such a non-techie person as myself. I am a retired pastor who has hiked and camped all of my life in one form or another. I began camping with my family when I was very small. We camped because that was the cheap way to get from one place to another. In the 1940s and 1950s I thought that only rich people stayed in motels for we surely never did. We camped. When I was old enough I became a Girl Scout in Colorado and shortly thereafter discovered summer camp at Flying G Girl Scout Camp. And my hiking life began in earnest. I literally lived all year with only the goal of getting to Scout Camp, saving every weekly allowance in its entirety so that I could go to camp and hike. Over the years there have been many hikes in many places and also quite a number of short backpacks. But m...

In the book called "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge there is a quote that touches on how guys have a deep rooted affinity to be wild.  “Adventure, with all its requisite danger and wildness, is a deeply spiritual longing written into the soul of man.” I really love how it notes that its written into the soul of a man. Writing means there was purpose and intention to the words. Like it is meant to be there. A 7 year old child pretends to have adventures as a hard as steel cowboy in the old wild west just as a 75 year old man where a simple walking in the park can be a whole adventure in of itself. Being in the wild brings out the little boy out and turns him into a man. 

Chapter two talks a lot about the origin of pilgrimages and the element of Mexican connection to the journey.  I direct quote states, “Pilgrimage lives in Mexico.” Mexico is embedded with an immense amount of shrines, monuments, and statues that only deepen the religious affiliation to the Mexican culture.  The significance of pilgrimages are so prominent in Mexico it was directly stated that “Pilgrimages in Mexico have both Old and New World antecedents.” The connections between this culture and pilgrimages are genetically rooted and linked to Spanish religious culture.  Many people also had encounters with holy images that were very significant during this time. It was said that holy images are “found in the ground by knocking a dirt clod aside, in caves while fetching lost sheep, in ponds, in streams, on islands, and in trees.”  I found it interesting to know the different places these holy images were found. So many were uncovered in caves and in hidden ...

The third generation of the Pontiac Firebird includes the model years of 1982 through 1992.  Unlike the first 2 generations, the third gen was made to be fun to drive and economical.  The third gen Firebird was the first Pontiac to be tested in a wind tunnel for aerodynamics.  Third gens also didn't come with massive big block motors like the 2nd gens (1970-1981).  For example, you could get a 2nd gen Firebird with a 7.4 litre carbureted V8 that would make well under 10 MPG.  The most powerful third gen motor was a 5.7 litre V8, which made nearly 20 MPG.  With the right modifications, a 5.7L TPI could make well over 20 MPG.  That being said, there was also an option to have a 2.5 litre inline 4 "Iron Duke" engine, which makes over 30 MPG.  The Iron Duke engine is the same engine that is found in Northrop-Grumman mail vans.

In my opinion, Pontiac is one of the greatest automotive manufacturers of all time.  Pontiac made reliable, high quality cars at great prices.  Personally, I drive a 1992 Pontiac Firebird with a 3.1 litre V6 LHO engine and a 700R4 automatic transmission.  Brand new, my car was being sold for $10,000, which is equal to around $17,000 nowadays.  That being said, the third gen Firebird is an absolutely brilliant machine.  Personally, I have only broken down twice in about a year and a half.  However, these breakdowns were very minor; the water pump broke, and about a year later, the belt tensioner pulley broke.  In both instances, the car was still driveable, though without the water pump, it would overheat very quickly.  Since GM knows how to make great cars, these are the biggest problems I have had.   

I am in the process of reading a book called "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge and I came across a quote that really struck me.  “There is something else I am after, out here in the wild. I am searching for an even more elusive prey . . . something that can only be found through the help of wilderness. I am looking for my heart.” The masculine heart can only be found through the help of wilderness. Being born and raised in a small town surrounded by ponds, lakes, wildlife and being in nature so much this statement really resounded with me. It is almost primal to think about it. How raw of an emotion it is for me when i'm in the woods and in nature. Hiking especially where your only goal and action is walking through the woods opposed to hunting or fishing, really forces one to connect with the surroundings. 

In the summer between Sophomore and Junior year I went to Europe with my best bud who was French. My main goal was to go visit a family friend in Germany and spend the majority of the time there. My buddy invited me to stay with his family in Paris for a week after going to Germany and I gladly agreed. Paris was beautiful. On the third day we were walking and I turned to ask him where we were going and he was nowhere in sight. I began to panic a little. I was stuck in a foreign land with no cell service and no knowledge of the french language to help me. I evolved into full panic mode and I plopped myself down on a set of stairs and all I could think about is how much I missed home. My Appalachian mountains, rolling hills, wooded wilderness. But all I had was concrete masses and the occasional tree on the corner of a busy Parisian street. I aimlessly (and dumbly) walked around and I found myself in this wooded park of some sort next to the Seine. I began to feel calm around the "w...

Ever since I got my drivers license I fell in love with driving. I would volunteer to drive anywhere. I was the go to guy to drive everyone for long distance vacations. 3 hrs? No problem. 6 hours? Easy. 8 hours? I'm loving life. During the semester having this class I began to wonder why I loved driving so much. Is it the speed? Is it the getting from point A to B? I came to the conclusion that when I drive my mind is free. When I drive I am so focused on driving and keeping myself and my passengers safe that I forget about all my stresses and all my burdens are off my shoulders. It's the perfect balance of being focused and being free and relaxed. Driving is actually very dangerous. We don't think about it now because driving is such a daily thing but easily in one second your life can be gone. This sense of danger in a way keeps me close to God. I feel His presence when I drive. I also enjoy the journey. The beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, the winding mountain road of I-81....

On page 157 in The Phenomenology of Prayer it states "public prayer is rewarded by elevation in the eyes of men, while private prayer is rewarded by elevation in the eyes of God". This bring up a very important topic of discussion especially in these modern days of religion. Many times Christian services are very flamboyant and flashes, which is good in moderation and purpose. It is when the effects of prayer get overpowered or phased out by emotion in reaction to the high energy and excitement these services entail that the line between prayer and feeling just emotions becomes blurred. There is no wrong way to pray but the intentionality must be there. Are you praying to God  or praying to people.

"Here am I, for you called me. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" This excerpt of 1 Samuel noted in the book invited me to ponder more one what is meant by "Here am I". To me this is so much more than Samuel telling God he was there present in that moment. Saying "Here am I" Samuel was there and ready to give his whole self and being to listening and surrendering to God and his will. He knew that God was not just calling upon him to be there in that moment but to invite Samuel into a greater journey.

Madelyn Haskett 12/6/18 In the book of Acts, Peter heals a lame beggar who sits outside the temple everyday begging for money. So Peter tells the beggar he does not have money, but what he does have he will give, then Peter told the lame beggar to get up and walk. This story is truly amazing in many ways, but what amazes me the most is how much faith Peter had in God to come through on the lame beggar. This beggar was lame since birth, and for Peter to say get up and walk, I'm sure he was nervous that it wouldn't work, at least I would be.

Madelyn Haskett 12/6/18 Two ways I can apply the gospel in my life, is through evangelism and my own daily life. There could be an opportunity everyday to share the gospel with a random person, so knowing the gospel well, I would feel comfortable doing so. Also, in my everyday life, I could have an instance that makes me feel less than what I am, but knowing the gospel and what Jesus did for me is so much more than a bad day.

Madelyn Haskett 12/6/18 When a tragedy happens in a small town, isn't it crazy how everyone becomes actually caring and nice to one another. It seems that every time something bad happens everyone jumps up and wants to help in any way they can. This isn't a bad thing, but why can't we be the caring all the time, not just in the worst times.

Madelyn Haskett 12/6/18 On page 14, the author describes the difference between pilgrimage and ritual. Pilgrimage is something that changes an individual as a whole, but ritual is more of a ceremony where the believers do actions in a specific order. Pilgrimage is much more deep I feel like. It renders a person as a whole, and can be very difficult.

Madelyn Haskett 12/6/18 On page 10, the author describes by the end of the pilgrimage, the individual will feel "a new-found freedom." I think this is true because after going on a pilgrimage, the individual should be closer to, for example, God. And when you're closer to God, you have a relationship with him, therefore feel freedom in God, knowing the protection God has over you. It's a freeing feeling.

When reading The Actor in You  for my theatre class, I became dumbfounded of how the lessons I have learned in this class go hand in hand with the lessons one needs to know to be a good performer. Like going on the trail, to be a good actor, one must go through a process of kenosis and empty themself of all stress from the world around them. Then like a pilgrim, the actor focuses solely on the moment, creating a flow experience without even being on the trail. Be applying the concepts of this class to my acting class, I was able to destress and become a better actor. Instead of being nervous and focusing on a hundred different things at once, I cleared my brain of all thought and acted naturally within the moment. I was then able to become comfortable and enjoy a class that I went into being terrified of.

When discussing the story in the bible we went over in class regarding moses wanting to see gods full glory, I became intrigued. When I got back to my dorm after class I immediately looked up the verse and things started making sense. As humans we are unable to comprehend the full glory of god and that is why no one has actually seen god. However, we see god as he works within other people through the use of the holy spirit. We can also see the divine in the beauty of the wilderness. Somethings in nature are so beautiful that when I look at them I can not help but to be awe struck. Little glimpses of something other help us better understand our world around us.

When researching for my paper in this class I came across an article buy someone trying to discredit the Camino. The whole basis of his argument was the Camino ran parallel to a road which made it annoying and overrated as a trail. I thought to myself "This guy's a moron. How on earth is the Camino overrated and not a sacred trail when Dr. Redick takes his classes on the trail every year?" Then I realized the guy was arguing the Camino not to be a true hike through the wilderness. I guess that has some merit to it, however the Camino is definitely sacred place. Because of the millions of people who have a relationship with the Camino, a large tight knit community of people has been made. Sacred place is ordinary place, ritually made extraordinary, and because of the fellowship and community encompassing the Camino, it is certainly considered to be sacred. 

I have pondered the action of Kenosis or "emptying oneself" on numerous occasions in large part because of this class. I have learned for true spiritual growth to take place, one must first let go of all their preconceived notions. When looking at things innocently and asking what that specific thing has to offer, a deeper knowledge of that thing is able to be understood. Objects of the wilderness often have their own stories, however, they are often overlooked because as humans we look at things with bias and not at face value. By understanding the lessons of the world around us and not putting forth our own preconceived notions, we will be able to further comprehend our world. 

The identification of a sacred place is ultimately related to the state of consciousness of a person. This being said, in Phenomenology of Prayer , it talks about how certain locations can be exposed multiple times by many people and only recognized as a holy ground by few. This is relevant to many hiking trails as large quantities of people visit the trail while few view it as a sacred place.

When reading The Phenomenology of Prayer by Bruce Benson and Norman Wirzba I began to think about how I normally pray. When I do pray, which I should say is not very often, I normally ask god for things and never really think from god's perspective. I am always asking for things and never praying in what I would say to be is a normal conversation. Because of this book, I have realized this is the wrong way to pray. God seeks a relationship with us and when the only form of communication I have with god is just me asking for things, then a true relationship is not taking place. Essentially I am just putting God in a box on a shelf and only talking to him when I deem necessary. I understand this is not an effective way of prayer. Relationships consist of true back and forth conversations and the only way I am going to begin to have a meaningful relationship with god is if I start having actual conversations when I pray. 

In many religious experiences, the need for a community plays an essential role in the creation of an enlightened experience. An example of this concept mentioned in Phenomenology of Prayer, is the idea of a trail group. For example, an Appalachian trail group might define themselves as being apart of a communitas because even though they might come from various communities, they find solace in the AT, making them an unstructured community.

I came across the quote "the pilgrim is on an adventure, a quest" and I became intrigued. I related the quote to epic heros in english class and the parallels were astonishing. Pilgrims and heros both deal with conflict. Pilgrims come into conflict all the time when pilgriming whether it be physical and/or mental. Also, many people see themselves in pilgrims, yet they may reluctant to actually go out and seek the divine, just as many people may not think of themselves as heros. Both heroes and pilgrims learn something when going on their quest, gaining deeper knowledge of oneself. Pilgrims and heroes are more alike than I otherwise thought.

When reading Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture by Victor and Edith Turner, I came across the quote "There is undoubtedly an initiatory quality in pilgrimage" and I began to ponder the quote. A pilgrim does not become a pilgrim until they leave their home and seek out the divine. No one makes them do this as they chose to embark on a pilgrimage under their own free will. Pilgrimage is selfish in that pilgrims do pilgrimages solely out of their own free will. The pilgrim chooses to seek out god and god is not going to make them do anything they do not want to do. Pilgrims must first seek out god and then hope he reveals himself.

Distanciation is theorized in Image and Pilgrimage . This concept of "shake off the village, lose ourselves from the marketplace is an idea that if you remove yourself, both physically and mentally, in order to encounter the journey fully without distractions.

Recently my best friend from high school, my roommate Tyler, and I have decided to dedicate every sunday to spend time together and catch up, chatting about whatever we want to talk about. Anthony, my best friend from high school goes to ODU and we do not get to talk frequently throughout the week, because we are both very busy. I love how we both have a set day to just destress and not worry about the responsibilities we have going on in the real world. By going out and grabbing lunch it allows us to furtherly continue or relationship. Also when we are out chatting about nothing, yet also everything, we are able to establish a kind of flow experience where we are no longer fixated with what is going on around us and instead just live in the moment. 

In Image and Pilgrimage, the discussion of flow is explored with action and awareness. Majority of the time, people are aware of one's actions but are not fully aware of the concept of awareness. This makes people find enlightenment in random places due to the lack of awareness.

Because of certain rituals that are done in an undistinguished location, it becomes remarkable. This being said, the location is very important in discovering enlightenment as their sublime makes the location a memorable location.

Lane describes in Landscape of the Sacred  the idea of the search for enlightenment. When he stopped searching for enlightenment, he was able to encounter it in the woods. This is an essential aspect to encountering a sacred place, which becomes revealed after abandoning the search for axis mundi.

Outside factors can lead to an inability to become enlightened, also known as the flow experience. On religious experiences, it is imperative that travelers attempt to stay in silence, without talking to others or listening to music. If able to do so, the chance of enlightenment is much higher.

The idea of a singular religious experience and its significance plays a large role in Enlightenment. For many people, it is detrimental for the religious experience to experience it more than once. This is ultimately due to the idea that humans get stuck in a loop in the real world, like in situations such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This is due to the fact that if you do the same thing over and over, it is difficult to go through a transformation and find symbolic meaning. 

The concept of "I" and "Other" plays a significant role in a religious and a relational sense. This is due to the fact that in order to move from being just an 'it' to an 'other', relationships need to be created. This brings a more personal sense to religion as certain relics begin to become more important as a personal attachment is made to it.

In regards to Axis Mundi, there is a very personal aspect of finding this moment of clarity and meaningfulness. In many cases, you have to fully immerse yourself, without having technological tethers, in order to fully feel at peace. While I have not experienced this before, I know if I let the world lead me, without me directing myself, I will encounter a truly enlightening experience.

A large number of people endure the strenuous activity of hiking the long journey through the Appalachian Trail. I read an article that surfaced in 2013 about the desires of many of these hikers. Many of them sought the removal of technology and outside stressors, like work or school. I found it interesting how many hikers had similar goals of clarity and received it while on their expeditions.

While on Thanksgiving break, I came across an article about the increased number of college students deciding to take a gap year and travel across the world. These students seek a sense of enlightenment that only taking a break from the busy part of society can bring. It is moments like these where moments of solace allows you to clearly think and learn more about your life.

I read an article about the benefits of hiking trails like the Appalachian and El Camino. Many of the people's accounts mentioned the feeling of satisfaction that one gets from hiking and completing these types of excursions. This makes me curious as to if trips like the one previously mention would have adverse effects on people suffering from mental illnesses.

A class I have really enjoyed taking this semester is Practical Acting with Professor Insley. Before heading into the class, I was nervous because I have never really thought of myself as being an artsy and performing kind of person. I instead would always stick to myself staying away from trying a lot of attention to myself. I never thought I would have the ability to perform in front of a large group of people. However, as the class progressed I became more confident in myself realizing I was darn good at performing. Perhaps this is because most of that class consists of members of my hall, yet that does not take away from the fact of how comfortable we were able to become with one another. I can honestly say as the semester concludes because of that class I have become more confident with my ability to perform than I ever thought to be possible. 

December 5, 2018 [Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture] In Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture, Victor and Edith Turner discuss liminality, which is the feeling of ambiguity or disorientation that is the result of rites. The state of liminality occurs in the middle stages of a religious rite, where the person is no longer in the pre-ritual stage, but has not yet completed the ritual and has not reached the transition stage of when the ritual is complete. In class we spoke of liminality and it's presence during long distance hiking, where long distance hiking is considered a religious ceremony or practice. This state of disorientation is the result of a pre-flow experience, where the person is standing at the threshold of religious encounter without yet entering the place. This middle state is the product of ascension from the traditional walking experience of a visitor of the wilderness, who has not yet been welcomed by the place and is not fully submerged in the ...

I went on a hike on the Noland Trail and there was a beautiful clearing amongst a plethora of trees. It acted as a change of scenery and a place of solace for not only the animals but the people hiking it. While on the trail, I noticed a group of people seeking reflection from the pond, as a couple of ducks peacefully swim in the clearing.

Lately some friends of mine have came together to watch Anime and surprisingly I see myself looking forward to these encounters. Before my friend Andrew mentioned Anime as something we could do to pass time, I never pictured myself as someone who likes Anime, however now I see myself engaging with my friends discussing whatever happened in the last episode and genuinely having a fun time. As my friends and I come together to watch the silly show, I see us growing closer and solidifying our relationship even further. Through a unique catalyst we have strengthened our friendship and form new memories. Setting apart a distinct time for us to come together and destress allows us to focus on the moment and not worry about the challenges in front of us. 

The other day I became overwhelmed with all the stress of the world around me, and instead of continuing to do my work, I decided it was time for me to take a break and cool down. I decided to go play basketball. By playing basketball, I was able to break free of the thoughts of stress and instead subconsciously focus on the simple things; the bouncing of the ball up and down, the angle I would need to put my arm at to make the shot go in, and going over to where I would next shoot the ball from. Similarly to a hiker on the Camino or the AT, I was able to encounter the flow experience as played the sport I love. I was not in the wilderness, however, I was able to break free from the stress of life and instead focus on the moment.