Faith

One important element of my Shikoku 88 hike is the element of planning.  Obviously, I am doing some planning.  I have planned my physical training and planned what I’m going to take.

But equally important is what I’m NOT planning.  As this is a pilgrimage route, I think it fitting that I not plan too much of the trip… and be open to what Hakim Bey calls “sacred drift”.  Sacred drift is the idea of being open to, and flowing with, whatever comes.

And so, I will not be planning where I will sleep each night.   I know that there are various kinds of accommodation along the route:  temple accommodation,  ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), hotels, and campgrounds.  There are also shelter huts for pilgrims.. and the woods and fields.   I’m taking a tarp and sleeping bag.  I’ll take things as they come.

To obtain the deeper benefits of travel, it’s important to exercise a degree of faith.   Too many people over-plan their trips.  They know exactly where they will stay every single night.  They know the bus and train schedules.  They know the exact route, the exact sites they will see.   This kind of obsessive planning is a form of fear.. fear of the unknown, fear of being out of control.  How can you learn or grow much when you are trying to rigidly control everything?

The magic of travel usually happens when plans fall apart… or are abandoned.   That’s when you discover unknown magical places.  That’s when you meet wonderful new people.   That’s when you are challenged… and rise to the challenge.

These days, I rarely bring a guidebook when traveling.   I might scan one BEFORE the trip… but don’t usually take it along.  I prefer to let things unfold… to practice sacred drift.

When you do that, you build your faith.   You begin to rely not on outside resources,… but on your own resourcefulness.  And you begin to realize that, in fact, the world generally is NOT a hostile place.  In fact, most people are nice.   Neither nature, nor animals, nor most people are out to get you.   And when you do encounter the occasional con-man or bastard… you handle it… and gain more faith in yourself.

The media is turning so many of us into fearful boring little cowards… afraid to encounter the unknown, the uncomfortable, or the uncertain.  The only cure for that is to turn off the TV…  and get out there!

“Failure of nerve is really failure to trust yourself”  –Alan Watts

Shikoku88 Equipment

I’m a strong advocate of ultra-light backpacking.   So I’m trying to keep my pack as light as possible for the 20 mile days I’ll be doing in Shikoku.

Here is my probable equipment list:

Shoes:  Mizuno Elixer4 Running Shoes  (Roomy toe box, very light, quick drying)

Golite Jam Backpack (very light)

Ultralight Backpacking Tarp

Backpacking Down Sleeping Bag

Z-Rest Camping Pad (cut to 3/4 length)

Golite ChromeDome Umbrella (very light, sun/rain protection)

Storm Rain Jacket (from Golite)

“Down” Windproof Jacket (super light but very warm)

Nylon Hiking Pants

(2) Nylon Shirts

(2) Spandex/Compression Shorts (underwear for hiking)

Thermal Underwear

(3) Sox  (nylon and/or poly/wool blends)

Nylon Cap

Capilene Top (light and warm)

Headlamp

Simple 1st Aid Kit

Journal & pens

Waterproof Stow Sacks

(1) Golite Aluminum Pole and (1) Wooden Walking Stick:  for pitching tarp

Toothbrush, small soap, small camp towel, glasses

………………

And that’s it!    In list form, it still looks like a lot.   The walking stick, of course, isn’t really necessary…. but apparently it’s a traditional part of the Shikoku 88 Temple pilgrimage…  And knowing how the Japanese love tradition, I thought I’d join in and do it right.   I’ll also be wearing white shirts, and maybe a white vest over everything… again this is a tradition of the pilgrimage.  Originally, white signified the pilgrims readiness for death… as centuries ago, this was quite a dangerous trip and many pilgrims died.   It’s pretty safe now    But the tradition continues as a symbol of dedication and pure intention.

Shikoku88 Training

I have started training for the Shikoku 88 Temples trip.  And I have also rescheduled it for October, to give myself more training time… and better weather in Japan!

My training is very simple:  this week I am walking 2 hours a day, 5-6 days a week.   Each week, I will increase the walks by .5 hours….  working my way up to 7 hour a day walks in mid-September.   I’ll then do a 2 week “taper”… where I drastically cut the mileage prior to the actual trip.   I’m training with the mindset of doing an average of 20 miles a day during the actual pilgrimage hike.

So far, it’s going very well.    On Saturday I walked for 3.5 hours around San Francisco.  Yesterday (Sunday) I walked 2.5 hours.  And today I walked 2 hours.   The great news… my legs got a bit tired at the end of the walk on Saturday… but otherwise I’ve felt fine.  In fact, I’ve felt mentally and physically invigorated.  I’m reminded what a cure-all outdoor activity is for me.   The worst possible thing for me, mentally and physically, is to be stuck inside for hours and hours every day… sitting on my butt.

In addition to the above, I’m also doing a “300″ workout 2-3 times a week.  This consists of Turkish Get-ups,  Floor Wipers,  Push ups,  Modified Pull-ups,  Jump Squats, and Dumbbell Clean & Presses.   This helps to strengthen my core and major muscles.

However, the walks are obviously the main part of the training.  And I’m already experiencing the benefits of this “slow burn” activity.   “Slow Burn” is a term used by Stu Mittleman to describe the highly energizing effects of slow aerobic activity… which activates the body’s fat burning systems and produces incredible levels of sustained energy and endurance.    A key benefit of this kind of activity is that rather than tiring you, it tends to energize you.

And I’m definitely feeling energized.  Because I’m only operating in my body’s “slow burn” fat-burning range, my body is not becoming acidic… thus no sore muscles and no exhaustion.   [Fast/Intense exercise burns sugar.. which creates acid... and thus soreness and fatigue].  Check out Stu’s book “Slow Burn” to learn more about this.

Now that I’ve got my training plan in place, my next focus is on equipment.  I’ll be going as light as possible…..

The Essentials

As I prepare for my backpacking trip to Japan, I am reminded that backpacking is an absolutely incredible activity for training yourself to simplify, simplify, simplify….

The beauty of backpacking is that you must CARRY your material possessions.   This imposes a wonderful and natural discipline.   When you have to carry everything, suddenly you evaluate your possessions (your “gear”) in a much different way.   Unnecessary items are ruthlessly discarded.

When you do a lot of long, multi-day backpacking trips, you find that this mindset begins to creep into your everyday thinking.   You see gadgets and “doodads” in a very different light.  Many “essentials” of modern life become unessential.

I suppose this is similar to the mindset that Thoreau adopted when he went into the woods to live simply in a small hut of his own making.   He found that he could live very well with much less than he had ever imagined possible.   He found what the essentials of life were (for him) and what was extraneous.

And he found something even more important.  He found that by focusing on the essentials only, his life became more free.   His mind was no longer cluttered with a thousand and one trivialities… and he didn’t spend his hours doing boring work to pay for trivial and unessential possessions.   Freed of the need to work so much, he had plenty of time to think deeply about his own life, and life in general.

Thoreau believed that all men and women could live like this… and spend the bulk of their hours developing their intellectual, physical and philosophical life.  He understood that simplicity was an elegant and powerful solution to the many ills that modern life produces.

And while mentally it’s more difficult to do this today,… practically and physically it’s much much easier.   It is quite possible, in fact, to live comfortably and happily out of a 15 pound backpack.  (You could take this even further by learning to grow or gather/hunt your own food).

When you engage in this kind of activity….  you soon find that many of the worries and desires that seemed so important quickly slip away.   As Thoreau described… life becomes a “past-time” to enjoy, not work.   Everything becomes easier.  A great weight lifts.

And so, I highly recommend (lightweight) backpacking as both an excellent recreation of it’s own… and as a wonderful means of life training.

Shikoku 88

Next Adventure:  Hiking the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Shikoku, Japan.

This is a 1000+ year old pilgrimage route…   a circuit of 88 temples around the (huge) island of Shikoku.   The hike takes 40 – 50 days on foot.

I suddenly got the inspiration for this trip a week ago.  I was sitting in a coffee shop, bemoaning the fact that I have been spending so many hours sitting on my ass in front of a computer (or in a coffee shop).   And then I started to remember all the big, challenging, outdoor adventures I had dreamed of… such as:

through-hiking the Appalachian Trail

recreating Che’s Motorcycle Diaries trip in South America

hiking in the Himalayas

and.. the Shikoku 88 Temple trip.

I decided to do the Shikoku trip first, because it’s much easier to train for than the Appalachian Trail.   Because of this, I can do it soon.  Tentatively, I’m planning to do it in August.  I’m already working out…. and have just started doing long walks every other day in San Francisco.   I’ll build up to doing ~20 miles per walk.

I’m also re-reading Ray Jardine’s book “Trail Life”… which is sort of the bible of lightweight backpacking.  It’s also got great information that would benefit people who are living in cars… or anyone who wants to drastically simplify.

I’ll post more updates on my preparations.. and the aftermath of the hike here on Hobopoet.

Time for Gandhi Economics

To my mind, Fascism (what we have in the US now), Socialism and Communism are “all the same”.

When I make such statements, some over-educated tight-ass always wants to debate the intricate economic fine points of each system and why they are totally different.

But these systems are more similar than different and they all have the same aim:  the concentration of power and control in the hands of a few.  They are all about hierarchy and authority and control.  They are all designed to turn most people into wage-slave worker bees… to the benefit of the few owners/bosses (governmental, corporate, and/or both).

The choice between “Free Market Capitalism”  (actually Fascism) and “Socialism” is a false choice…  as false as the “Conservative” vs. “Liberal” propaganda the media constantly presents.

Luckily, there are much better economic models of freedom, and one of them was presented by Mahatma Gandhi.   Gandhi was no fan of socialism and disliked the socialist direction the independent Indian government took.  He also despised Corporate Capitalism (Fascism) and fought it tooth and nail.

Gandhi believed that the key to economic self-reliance for Indians (and all world citizens) was an economy of “cottage industries”.   In other words, Gandhi promoted a system based on millions of independent (and interdependent) micro-entrepreneurs.   Each household a business and an industry….  free from bosses, independent but connected… dignified and prosperous.

No big corporate bosses.  No time-clocks.

I find Gandhi’s economic vision to be one of the most dignified, humane and uplifting I’ve encountered.   And it’s a vision that is possible… especially with the many opportunities now available on the internet.   Already there are thousands (millions?) of people doing this kind of “work”–  people who run a small business out of their home, who are the bosses of their own lives, who are free and flexible.   These are people who don’t bow down to a boss, who don’t obey a boss’ schedule, who don’t need to beg for a vacation, who don’t need to ask for “permission” to rest when they feel tired or ill.

On an individual level, Thoreau practiced exactly the same kind of economics.  He lived extremely simply… grew his own food… and did simple freelance “work” (surveying, writing…).

The sad truth is that most people talk a lot about “freedom” but very very few pause to think about what it means.  Most who claim to be free are not even close.

Here’s a few clues that you are not, in fact, free:

* You must ask permission (like a child) to rest for a day or two.

* You must ask permission (like a child) to take a vacation for a month.

* You must ask permission to start working late, or finish early.

* You must come to an office or building for a certain number of hours every day/week… whether or not you actually have work to do.

* You feel must follow rules and procedures to placate your boss, at the expense of your own principles.

* Your “work” drains you of passion, energy and life.

* A boss decides what you are paid, and whether or not you can make more.

* Your “work” is monotonous, boring and mindless… yet you “must” do it anyway.

* You fear being “downsized”, “laid off” or fired… and this fear keeps you obedient to your bosses.

* You work for a company that pollutes the environment, exploits people, works with oppressive government or otherwise harms people, animals and the planet.

Can you really claim to be “free” when 40+ hours of your week are spent in service to the above?

Do you really want to live your entire life as a child….  obeying pseudo parents?  (bosses, the government, etc..)?

Isn’t it time to break free?   Isn’t it time to stop pretending?

The only way to create a dignified economics is through a system in which people are self-reliant and free.

Gandhi was on the right track….   build your own “cottage industry”.  Build your own small business or micro-vocation.

Stop looking to bosses and the government to take care of you.

It is time for us all to grow up

The “Underground Railroad” To Freedom

I have considered nicknaming our Freedom Mastermind group “The Underground Railroad”.   The underground railroad was a system that developed before the American Civil War…  it was run by anti-slavery activists– to help slaves in the South escape to freedom (well, relative freedom) in the North.   (The only reason I decided not to use the nickname is out of respect for this very noble piece of American history).

Today we no longer have “slavery” in the US or “modern” world.. but we certainly have “wage slavery” or near-indentured servitude.    Nearly everyone on the planet is a part-time slave to some job.

Having escaped wage slavery, I now find a deep satisfaction from helping others do the same.   I enjoy mentoring friends and acquaintances–  helping them create their own small businesses and leave the world of work.    This year, we had another success–  my very good friend Joe quit his job at the end of December and became a full-time “webeneur”.   His girlfriend Kristin has been free since this time last year!

And today, I just got an email from another good friend (an Athenian living in SE Asia) saying that he is now interested in developing his own small business (as a consultant/speaker…).   I’m looking forward to sharing ideas with him and hope that within a year, he (and his wife) will make their way to freedom.

I find it very encouraging to know so many people who are taking full responsibility for their lives and leaving the dependent, child-like servitude of employment.  I also find it inspiring to witness the transformations that happen when these people stop thinking like servant/slaves (“give me my job/paycheck pleeeaaasssseee”) and become the bosses of their own lives.

Perhaps this is why I used to be a social worker…   I have always been repulsed by the degradation of other beings (human or animal)…  and have always been incredibly inspired to see anyone uplifted to greater strength, self-reliance, energy and passion.

I hope that as the wage-slave economy continues to unwind, that many will turn to the freedom and dignity of a new “cottage industry” economy… rather than pine away for the false security of employment.

Believe me,…. losing your job can be the very best thing that ever happened to you!

Retire Abroad

A lot of “retirees” are getting hit hard by the economic crisis.  Many were hit hard by the market crash (401ks) (and by the way, get your money out of the damn market now cause another crash is coming).   Many are struggling… in America or Europe.

But here’s some great news…   with that same retirement income that you are struggling on in the US, you could be living very well here in Thailand, or in several other wonderful countries around the world.   Better still, Thailand actually has a “retirement” visa for people 55 years and older (I believe that’s the age).

So many people are caged by their nationality.. with the ingrained belief that their country is “the best” and “the only place I could live”  (and everyone in nearly every country believes it’s their country which is “the best”).  But these beliefs are just brainwashed conditioning and fear of the unknown.

The truth is that life, for example, in Thailand is in many ways much much better than life in the US or Europe.  Like Florida, the weather is always hot…  never a cold day!   The food is fantastic.  There are beautiful beaches and gorgeous hills/mountains.

And at this point, there are already plenty of US/Euro expats and retirees living here.  You can get by quite well with English.

With the same fixed income, you can live very well here.   A very nice one room apartment in Chiang Mai, for example, can be gotten for $250 a month!

Why toil and suffer in the USA when you can live well elsewhere?   (Other possibilities include:  Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, India, Mexico (not as cheap)……)

I’ve said many times and will continue to say it–  a great new life is possible– just get out of the United States!

Car Living 2010

With the unfolding (and rigged) economic disaster… and worse likely to come, I believe that car/van living is a solution that many can and will turn to to survive and thrive.

I, in fact, prefer the second word– “thrive”.   We’ve been so conditioned by TV and movies to believe that we “need” a house or modern apartment.  Yet most of the world lives well in far less.  Thoreau was right, we can live happily in a box, if we are thoughtful and wise about it.

Living in a car is actually quite pleasant if you take the right steps and have the right attitude.   The “right steps” include modifying the interior of the car for living–  removing the back seats and the passenger seat, installing the darkest tinting possible on windows, using a black car window-shade on the front window at night when sleeping,  using storage bins in an organized way….

..I also like a readers’ recent suggestion of having a body shop install marine vents to the roof of the car (along the sides) to provide circulation and prevent condensation… without having to open windows.   Have the vents installed and then painted the same color as the car.  Great idea!   Open windows were one of the challenges I had… they could attract attention.

Choice of vehicle is also important– you want it to be as common as possible.  If using a van, choose a “soccer mom” mini-van rather than a utility van.  The latter certainly has more room, but can attract more attention.  If you do go with a (windowless) utility van, consider having a fake logo put on the side… for a construction or plumbing company.

Upkeep of the vehicle is important.  You don’t want it to look like someone is living in it.   Avoid collecting trash or anything else on the dashboard… keep it  clean.

Finally, as I’ve noted many times, overnight parking is really THE challenge.   If possible, park in a friend’s or family member’s driveway (or rotate between several).   Don’t use their bathroom or house at all.. just park there.  I promise, you’ll quickly wear out your welcome if you actually have access to their house.

Second best is to find a car-living friendly town and rotate between several parking areas.  By “friendly”, I just mean a place where you won’t be constantly hassled.   San Francisco would probably be fine, as I’ve noticed a few areas where people are obviously living in vehicles.   By being as non-obvious as possible in such an area, you won’t get hassled much (by cops).

Finally, if you decide to live in a vehicle (for adventure or necessity), enjoy it.   The vehicle is your home, so organize it and make it comfortable inside.  Have a system for using the bathroom (shitting and pissing) in your vehicle when necessary (see my old archives for suggestions about this).  Have a comfortable sleeping arrangement.

And during the day, get out!   Go for long walks.  Enjoy the library.   If you can afford it, join a 24-hour gym (for the showers and also to get in great shape!!).   Hang out in bookstores and read (for free    Relax in parks.  Learn a language.   Start a blog…..

Living in your vehicle can be a very liberating experience!

ZOG

I have a lot of friends who have their own businesses.  Some are “micro businesses”.  Some are “small businesses” (like mine).

And, unfortunately, nearly all of my friends have made the same mistake… which has caused a lot of problems, and a lot of stress for them.

Their mistake was to increase their spending when their business started to grow.  They got intoxicated with the new income and freedom.

As their income rose, so too did their spending.  They bought a nicer car.  They got a bigger apartment.   They bought new stereos or other toys.

And most importantly, they didn’t save.

What happened next was predictable, because it ALWAYS happens:   “unexpected” problems arose, “unexpected” expenses rolled in.   Because their expenses rose to match their income, they had nothing to handle the “unexpected” expenses.   So then they borrowed money.  From credit cards.  From friends and family.

Now in the hole, they struggle just to get by.

We are trained by society to value appearances.  This training is deep and it’s everywhere.  It seems natural that if your income increases, so should your “lifestyle”.   Most people, for example, would consider it ridiculous for someone making 250,000 a year to have no car, live in a small studio apartment, and eat at inexpensive restaurants.

We are trained to consume consume consume as much as we can…. and this leads to our enslavement.  Read the business section of the newspapers… you’ll notice that when they talk about “consumers” saving more money… it’s always considered a BAD thing.  And it is bad, for them.  They want you in debt.  They want you to blow every available dollar you have.  Stay on that treadmill.

The most basic secret to freedom is to spend less than your income… preferably MUCH less than your income.   If you are lucky and your income rises– ABSOLUTELY DO NOT start spending more money.

Instead, practice ZOG– Zero Overhead Growth.    Overhead means rent, utilities, food, and any other “expected” expenses in your life.   DON’T buy a better car.  Don’t move to a more expensive apartment.  Don’t increase your lifestyle expenses at all until you are saving, saving, saving tons of money.

Always strive to INCREASE the gap between your spending and your income.   Widen that gap as much as possible.

This is the most basic form of financial literacy and self-reliance.

Do whatever it takes to achieve this (I lived in a Nissan Sentra for a summer, and a Toyota Van for a year….  and that was the start of my freedom).

Even tougher times are coming…   don’t get suckered in…  simplify your life as much as possible and save, save, save

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