WA 44.1 -- Granite Mtn, thoughts along a Cascade Classic

    A break in the fall rains finds me on the trail like an old friend. Weaving through the lower Western Hemlock forest, pushing myself past the masses in their weekend hike to common destinations like Pratt and Ollalie Lakes. Myself, the mountain is what draws me, elevation to gain and a view into the inner recesses of the Alpine Lake Wilderness. But really it is the act of hiking that really has me keeping pace this morning. A spiritual block has been building lately as I work through my sobriety and program. Moments of question and doubt if I am on the right path. That old sense of restlessness and irritability as ego wants to take hold and defend against what I perceive as other people's judgement and options. Yet I know deep inside that these are only illusions, constructs of my own mind trying to take hold of my path. It is here, on the trail, that my footfalls bring me back to reality and connection. It has always been this way, and dare I say the on consistent part of my spiritual practice. In times of doubt, find a steep trail and begin to ascend. 

    I break off the main Pratt Trail and the trail gets real, here others join me and I keep pushing myself to keep pace. It seems that I will not be the only one making the pilgramage on a rare sunny day to the top of Granite-shan. I always liked that the suffix to denote a mountain either in Japanese or Chinese is that of a person. Long ago I felt like there are certain Mountains that are like old sages, they have a lesson to teach one if you are willing to listen and do the work. Each has a different temperament based on the topography and ecology. Here the hemlock forest eventually give way to the open alpine zone that then is topped with a scree of granite boulders. It seems that what ever struggle that was working it's way on a repeated loop is spent by the time I make it to the boulder field. At that point it is just my breath, unconscious movement through the field and the skies above. I become in union with the mountain and movement across its flanks. This is when I feel in union with the spirit/tao/gaia... Some reasons the line, "I am Gaios to your Gaia... You are Gaia to my Gaios..." repeats in my mind to the rhythm of my breath and movements. It is confirmation that I am in the center of my spiritual practices when I am hiking a mountain, river or canyon.

    There are others on the trail. I am grateful to see them there, truly. It is that same feeling of common worship and fellowship that comes when one walks into a great cathedral or a music hall. I do not know each individual, but we are all in pursuit of the same thing, "To the Top, to the Mountain..." Each person has a different take on the scene that surrounds. Many are chatting away with partners, catching up on their lives and thoughts from near Puget Sound. Yet all are drawn to nature and this practice, something that gives me connection and hope. I tend to shy away from wilderness elitism, the idea that we are escaping to nature to be alone, and the masses block connection. I am reminded that 20 steps off any trail, and one can find those connected moments, where the sound of the wind takes up a new tone. If one truly wishes to find those moments, pick any rainy or stormy day, and Nature caring not of the whim and pursuits of man will give your solitude..

    Arising to the top, there is that familiar feeling... Gazing out at the view of ridgeline after ridgeline running north and south. Of great white watchtowers of the Cascade Volcanic Peaks... Klashan, Da'Kooba, Tahoma and Klicktat.. These are the great teachers and for my practice, the temple mounts. Like Jewish and Muslims drawn to Jerusalem to a specific place which holds that spiritual center of though. These mountains have the same draw to me. 

    Lately, I have been following the story of a Henro (pilgram) walking the 88 Temples on Shikoku Island in Japan. Walking 750 miles from temple to temple, chanting the same Sutra at each and following a observed set of rituals at each. Slowly a transformation occurs in him in this practice. The Heart Sutra become a rhythmic cadence in his meditation and walking. Though many days of hardship and euphoria, a middle way begins to emerge with greater clarity. This is the act of practice, similar with mountain hiking and long thru-hikes. His story and my experience today reminds me of faith and dedication in practice. How sometimes in doubt or trouble times, all you need is a trail or a walk and a sutra to center yourself upon, even if it is as simple as ".. I am humble and grateful for this day." That is the core of a spiritual life, not some high ideals or impressive memorization of text. We are all Henro (pilgrams) on this world, catching moments of beauty along the way... 

    Descending from the peak top, I see many others on the same path today. I reflect about where I have been lately, my disconnection and now with connection revived what I can do to reach out to others who have been affected by my restlessness and irritability. I feel spiritually recharged and ready to do the work of the day back down in the Valley I call home and the Emerald City by the Sound. The day was exactly what I needed to be...