Lately I have been having  car trouble, so I have been hitch hiking a lot–yesterday, I set out to the library to use the comp in 2 F above zero weather.  Geez, you’d think this was Alaska or something.  But I digress. 

My spiritual growth is the most important thing in my life.  I spend a lot of time in prayer and meditation,  and reading uplifting stuff–everything from the Bible  and A Course in Miracles to Stephen Gaskin to  Deepak Chopra to Aldous Huxley.  This does not make me special or superior  in any way–one of my core beliefs is that no one is better or worse than everyone else.  What’s more, we are all on the road to sainthood–spiritual progress is not only essential, but also inevitable.  So what has all this to do with hitching, you may well ask.

I have been taught, and accept as true, the the end and goal of life is to achieve unitive knowledge of the Ground of being.  Chopra would call this achieving seventh level consciousness; Buddhists would call this attaining enlightenment; Christians would  call it attaining a state of grace (I think so anyway–who knows what Christians think these days?).  Furthermore, to attain this state of gnosis–since knowledge is a function of being–one must needs be poor in spirit and pure in heart.  This means, among other things, being modest, humble and grateful.

I contend that there are few things in everyday life more modest and humble than a hitch hiker, standing out there exposed to the elements and literally depending on the kindness of strangers.  Even someone driving the most hideous junker has a more elevated status.

And grateful?  Let me tell you, when it is so bloody cold your fingers and nose are numb and your breath is freezing into your beard, when you get a ride–you are deeply and sincerely grateful.

So the next time you see a hitch hiker–assuming he isn’t carrying an axe dripping blood, or otherwise giving off unattractive vibes–give him or her a ride.  It may well benefit both of you. 

Verily is it written “Do unto others as you would have it done unto you.”