When we have an opportunity to escape to nature sometimes the astounding view shocks us into the thought, “Is the world I left behind really civilization?”. In this moments we get a glimpse of what it might mean to set some small or large amount of time aside to explore nature’s reflection into our innermost being and back to nature. The shamanaras, both the earlier Yogi’s of Yoga itself and Hindu’s (although historically separate religions) and then bhikshus of Buddhism retreated to the forest as a part of Eastern Indian culture and some still do to this day. Although not respected in earlier history or integrated with culture and religion as much as the Eastern Indian has respectfully done so, American Natives also have similar practices which are sometimes sanctioned beyond common law. Now we are no longer thinking the Earth is flat, we all have found each other. We need to acknowledge with reincarnation, we were all natives at some point and we may be again, which also brings about the question, what is an active native?
But we needn’t be native to renounce and take refuge in nature, though we may need to be in touch with our inner native or ask those and these (same) for help.
Wandering in nature was the path of almost every major world religion founder. What have we done in obselescing renunciation and a search for truth in nature?
Furthermore, within the US, the concept of ownership, increasing population, urban and rural human development, alongside vigilante justice — a lack of law education and adherence in enforcement — and creeping anti-social cases which don’t reflect the actual law, somewhat negate the possibility of a search for truth in wilderness retreat unless it be within government sanctioned trails and parks (be it Buddhist dhutanga, Native vision quest, or Hindu sannyasi retreat) by a restrictive set of cases and local ordinances. Cases and local ordinances not in harmony with federal law and perhaps unexamined in the evolution of US overlap of social, ecological, and legal factors.
Here are some articles and maps which might give ideas of what to escape to, help with or books about living in nature:
Indigenous Mapping & Research Project; Partnership for the National Trails System (2022, pdf)
Map of trails in this country, some spanning long distances along scenic mountain ranges and coasts.
Golden Deer Sangha 