Have You Had an Epiphany While Camping?
Friday January 2, 2009
According to Dictionary.com, epiphany is a noun that means: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience. One of the thrills of camping is the encounters we might have with wildlife and mother nature. Have you ever had wildlife encounters or close calls with nature that changed the way you look at the world? If you would like to share a story, please leave a comment.
Comments
When I was younger, I worked at the Grand Canyon. It was my off day, and I and some co-workers were going to do some rock climbing above Horseshoe Mesa. I play dulcimer and had brought it along. I was sitting near the edge of the canyon playing my dulcimer when a large shadow moved over me. I looked up to see a large bird flying off to the east. I continued watching, and as it turned I could see that it was a bald eagle. I continued playing, and the bald eagle kept flying over the canyon in a big swooping circle. As I sat there, the eagle came back around and flew just 10 feet in front of me. As I watched and played, the eagle turned it’s head and looked directly at me as it flew by. I concluded that the bald eagle was listening to me play and had come back around to hear more of this curious sound.
Great story, I have one myself… I was alone camping in the back of my 4runner in Death Valley, just to get away from L.A. for a week of meditation and photography. Coincidentaly I had arrived during the biggest meteor shower is the last century so I just laid back watching the show listening to Miles Davis with a little herb. I actually had a religious experience and discovered a lot about myself and life in general. Camping is wonderful I can’t live without it.
THAT is why I go camping! Each time I go back to nature, it is for the spiritual renewal.
After a few days, I become as one with the environment I chose, and the wildlife accepts me as part of the landscape. I always get a thrill to have birds around me, and even coming over to perch on my knee or hand. Possums come up to me at night for a bit of communion. My mornings are filled with a glorious choir of birdsong.
If I am troubled, then the solitude heals my hurts, and gives me answers to my questions.
I always leave with reluctance, but my spirit is peaceful
I agree with Bev, above.
I flee my so thoroughly urban life to reconnect to my soul. I don’t go to church, I go to the woods… That is where god is.
I had a bad sore throat last June, went to, ER.Because I am asthmatic, an infection causes me to wheeze, the Physician’s Assistant ordered a chest x-ray. I got a call the next day (Sunday) to call for appt next day. A CAT scan was ordered! I was diagnosed with lung cancer. If not for the PA going a step beyond, My cancer wouldn’t have been found until it was too late. As it was, I had surgery to remove left lower lobe. Because it was found so early, I did not need radiation or chemo. I will have CAT scans every 6 months for several years then annually.
There is always an epiphany waiting to happen when you spend time alone in the wilderness. There isn’t much to do, especially if you are alone, except to think. Being alone with your thoughts can be a scary, but good thing!
While I can find God anywhere I am, I feel especially connected to Him in the wilderness He created.
Life is like the morning fog. When it burns away, all that will remain will be our pursuit of things eternal. I don’t know how anyone can spend time in the wilderness and still conclude that we are purely material and all this happened by chance and has no real meaning.