3. Humility and a realization that any control we think we have over nature is an illusion. 4. Becoming more pleasant and affable with fellow trekkers. 5. A connection with nature and a sense of comfort in her surroundings. 6. A sense of renewal and vitality, feeling less cluttered, more mindful and focused. 7. An appreciation of solitude on the solo. This experience was often described as the most powerful aspect of the trek. 8. Major lifestyle shifts on returning such as changing occupations or selling a home. These may be attempts to align the outer self or persona with our inner needs. Intimate contact with wilderness can bring us closer to an appreciation of what is really true for us. 9. Release from bad habits or addictions. These could be past patterns of behavior that are undesirable, such as watching too much television, or something more drastic such as chemical dependency. 10. Many participants experience a sense of loss or depression when they return home. Paradoxically this depression occurs in the face of a demonstrable restorative effect that is measurable by various parameters. This phenomenon of “reentry depression,” may be a consequence of Wilderness Rapture. Reentry depression seems to be a manifestation of how potent the inner effect of the journey has been. The more powerful the journey, the more profound the reentry depression. The depression may be a result of having been in an altered state of consciousness and upon the return there is a rude awakening as we are propelled back into a normal state of awareness.
Wisdom from Ancient Traditions Before we venture into the wild outdoors, a sense of duality is often apparent. We may feel that we are “here” and wilderness is out “there.” Elaborate preparations to leave are made, and finally we wonder what all the fuss was about as we enter and imperceptibly become part of the wilderness. The basis of indigeneous people’s rites of passage
in nature is that when we are in nature for a sufficient time, and with the appropriate intention, we fuse or become one with nature. It is then that a special dream, vision, sign, metaphor, archetype, or animal may appear as a sacred message to that individual to guide him or her in life’s purpose. This “fusion” between seeker and sign occurs in an altered state of consciousness. Seeing a bald eagle in a Chicago zoo is unlikely to have the same impact. The characteristics of Wilderness Rapture suggest that it is a spiritual phenomenon catalyzed by the multifaceted splendor of the wild. If we are to understand this feeling better we need to explore some of the wisdom of ancient traditions and spiritual giants who have preceded us. “Transcendental” has been defined as beyond ordinary limits, beyond the bounds of human experience, connecting with the supernatural. This mystical event often promotes feelings of awe, oneness, harmony, and inner peace. Maslow called it the peak experience. A similar phenomenon has been described
San mother and child connecting with Earth Mother for sustenance. Photo by David Cumes.
Comfort, paradoxically, may get in the way of a deeper connection between nature and our innermost being. in Eastern traditions as “samadhi” or “nirvana.” The difference between Maslow’s peak experience and these more esoteric versions seems to be one of intensity and the ability of the mystic to induce the event at will and remain in that state as long as desired. The peak experience on the other hand is usually a transient, unpredictable occurrence, and when we try to maintain or duplicate the sheer pleasure of the event, it eludes us. According to Maslow, a peak experience occurs when we encounter transcendent ecstasy. “Ecstasy” is Greek for standing outside oneself. It is a change in consciousness implying transcendence or at least partial transcendence of the ego and is associated with bliss. Maslow states that there are many precipitating factors such as music, dance, sexual orgasm, childbirth, and even pain for those who
need a more intense catalyst to tune into their inner being. Mathematics, science, art, and nature can also induce peak experiences as well as any circumstance promoting pure joy, pure justice, pure excellence, pure truth, and pure goodness. In the word “pure,” Maslow may have meant that there was no goal or ulterior motive, and the activity was done purely for its own sake and not to bolster ego. In Yoga tradition, “samadhi” means ecstasy and is the final limb of the devotee’s path. It is accompanied by complete sensory inhibition and sensory withdrawal with the merging of subject and object into a single experience. It has therefore been described as that phenomenon where the observer, the observed, and the process of observation are fused into one. This might occur in wilderness when one sees an animal or a vista, and
THE IN TERNA TI ONAL J OU RNAL OF WILDERNESS Volume 4, Number 1
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