Taking a Holy Hike

On Saturday, December 31, I went for a hike in majestic Muir Woods with the group, Holy Hikes. The Reverend Justin R. Cannon led the hike of about 20 people. Reverend Justin offers Holy Hikes on the fourth Saturday of every month. For me, nature is one of the most spiritual of all places. The cathedral of Muir Woods is a sacred place that preserves the beauty of nature, while welcoming people from all over the world. I love to walk along the paved sections of the park and listen to the different languages spoken, Italian, German, Japanese, Russian, Hebrew... The different voices sing with our interconnectedness in this world.

When we see each other as connected, to each other, the earth, the water, all creatures, it is much harder to feel hostile towards one another. In this way, we develop compassion, find peace, and love.  Muir Woods is so welcoming that it’s easy to take cues from nature – bend don’t break, blossom, shine, feel the presence of the world inside and outside of you.

The hike was an amazing experience. The Reverend Justin handed out programs that we used on the hike.  We stopped at places along the paved path and read scripture, quietly sang under the redwoods, with the blue sky looking on, and the ethereal sunlight beaming like my spirit. I felt so much joy and peace. And I felt it for days afterward - it was a uniquely beautiful experience. I was especially moved when given the opportunity to receive a healing prayer. After being anointed with oil on my forehead, the Reverend read the following prayer: “On this New Year’s Eve, may we be given the grace for this year’s wounds to close and heal, that our souls may gladly open to the new experiences and new journeys that await us in the coming year.” I was able to release the dark moments of 2011, shifting my intentions to grace instead of grief. Imagine coming back from a hike in the woods and feeling like that!

I think nature gives us healing messages as well. It’s just a matter of us entering the space with humility and using all our senses to witness the beauty around us so we can hear the subtle music of the wind makes as it climbs though the leaves, the quiet hush of water flowing over rocks and logs, the smell of the damp earth and how it gives way with each step…

Before we went back to our lives, we shared communion. Although we were dressed in our hiking clothes, Reverend Justin put on his white stole, or what I thought was a scarf, to give us each communion. The Reverend led us through the whole expereince with gentle, loving guidence. He is a very warm and genuine person and made me feel very comfortable and welcome throughout the hike. In the end, I felt a connection to everyone, to nature, and I left with deep joy, love, and the light of grace upon us all.

It was an amazing experience, and I’m looking forward to future Holy Hikes.

Holy Hikes is a ministry serving the Diocese of California, sponsored by St. Clement's Episcopal Church in Berkeley.

Now that you’ve read my story, what are some of the natural places in the Bay Area that you find sacred? Where do you like to go in nature when you want to deepen your connection with yourself and the world around you?