January 27, 2009
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Hitch hiking as a spiritual exercise
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.”
Comments (8)
Darlin’, I have really enjoyed your travelogues lately, especially noting that some of the same people are recognizing you and picking you up more than once.
You could have shared more detail here, such as the dog in your lap, the driver’s cell phone conversation, etc. Everyone would enjoy it as much as I do, I think.
Wonderful! Its a hitchhikers guide to enlightenment. .
hmm… interesting. My dad has always picked up hitch-hickers ignoring all warnings to the contrary. We had some great people and some strange ones. We have even had ones who stayed at our house for a week or so. One young couple back in the late 70′s camped next to our pond for over a month, I believe it was most of a summer. I’ve never really thought of it as humbling, but obviously that makes sense since you are hanging yourself out there for anyone to judge whether your ‘worthy’ for a pickup. I don’t know if that makes me personally any braver about picking people up…(my hubby always wants to do it) but its food for thought.
I used to hitchhike when I was younger, until I got picked up by someone who passed the street where I asked to get out and ended up jumping out of the car at the next light (which wasn’t far, since we were on the outskirts of a small city) I later saw a drawing of a man who looked just like him on the TV news as a child serial killer. I was only 19 at the time, and decided to never hitchhike again.
I usually pick up people I see. I actually look for people in poor weather, especcially if they have small children. I don’t assume they are carrying an axe, but I do trust my instincts when they say run. But I have only done that one time in about 20 cases.
I hitchhiked once when I was about 14, some little old lady picked me up and lectured me the whole way. Never did it again. I’ve picked a few up here and there, but not lately. Thanks for the reminder, not every stranger on the streets is a killer. Might just be somebody’s brother, needing the kindness of strangers.
Love ya, bro!
interesting food for thought – unfortunately for the hitchhikers I see, I am not a “trusting soul”…some think that is not good – but I wonder if I was stranded if I would even trust the soul driving…paranoia is setting in, nail biting…hmmm…have a great sunday…Sassy
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