The Spirit of the Appalachian Trail: Community, Environment, and Belief

Appendix IV. Written Comments by Religious Background

AppendiX iV WriTTen coMMenTS BY religiouS BAckground Table IV.1 Selected descriptions of spiritual or religious experiences on the AT from hikers without a religious identity or affiliation Gender and age Description of spiritual or religious and spiritual experience on trail Male 24 Spending extensive time in nature provides much time to question the meaning of existence. It has made me think about spirituality and religion and what they mean to me. Female 30 You have a lot of time for reflection. Also any ‘issue’ you have in real life will present itself while on the trail, but without the distractions of modern life to interfere with your need to just “deal” with them. You’re more likely to consider these things from a deeper spiritual level than just a self-help pop psy[chology] sort of way. Also spending more time in the woods you begin to feel the “imprint” that everyone & everything has left behind. You begin to contemplate the mark you leave behind— both on nature and the people you encounter. You begin to value both a lot more as well. Male 25 Spiritually, this trail has provided me with time to perfect on my own philosophies and beliefs. Male 23 Just extend time alone really allows me to do a lot of me-time thinking, which has extended into just allowing myself to calm myself in a way I haven’t before. Male 46 I’ve had time to contemplate some questions and work out some answers for me regarding spiritual questions. Male 49 Spiritually more at ease. Female 25 Being in the wilderness is a religious/spiritual experience, being in God’s creation, no? Male 47 Thankful for the spirit that made the beautiful earth and giving me the ability to experience it. Female 26 Seeing so many beautiful things in the natural world & experiencing very kind people—all adds to the feeling that there is some kind of spiritual force that touches all of us. Female 30 It’s difficult to define a spiritual experience but I have had moments of peace, awe, and wonder not associated with the everyday and inspired by the vastness of the mountains and the kindness of others. Appendix iV 226 Male 47 I feel being alone & out in close contact with nature is a chance to become more “in tune” with one’s self as well as getting a much broader view of society. In a sense being close to nature is being close to God. Female 26 “Spiritual” to me is a vague term. Being on the trail has made me feel connected to nature that I feel a part of something larger than humanity . I now see nature from a human perspective like a child learning the people around him are his family. Nature has brought me a certain peace that is its own fulfillment. Female 23 I’ve had a chance to read a bit about Zen Buddhism, and I make a point of praying for other people. Written comments by religious Background 227 Table IV.2 Selected descriptions of spiritual or religious experiences on the AT from hikers who self-identify as Christians but attend services only a few times a year or less. Gender and age Description of spiritual or religious and spiritual experience on trail Male 26 I see God every day in the mountains and the forests and the rivers and the sunsets and the people I’ve met and I marvel at the fact that God let me live long enough to see all this. Male 24 Not really sure about specific experiences but hiking has made me think much more about my beliefs or lack thereof. Male 25 I have learned a lot about my role in a group of people, how people interact with each other & with nature. Male 41 Not to worry. God takes care of the sparrow, why should I worry. Female 26 This trip has made me more reflective on my spiritual beliefs—I would like to find a church to join when I return home. Female 32 God is so evident in the outdoors. People are praying for me and it works. So much Christian ministry along the trail is inspiring. Male 54 Contemplation on Creation. God vs. science, etc. The evils that men do in the name of God. Male 59 Mystical experiences are impossible to put into words. Male 63 The act...