One of the greatest clichés in nature writing is the individual who has discovered spirituality at the top of a mountain peak.
He (or she, let's be fair here) stands above an endless bank of billowy clouds, has struggled beyond sweat, blood, tears?all those damn corporal ties that bind us to the earth?and has passed, finally, into the magical realm of the sublime. Light streams from a point just beyond the horizon. Thunder calls in the distance. Our weary wayfarer has reached the point of no return and has realized that he (or she) will never be able to describe this to anyone.
The Outing Club may appear a rugged, gear-obsessed, trail-happy group. Many of us are, and there's nothing wrong with that. But we've all got our spiritual sides. We don't just climb mountains because they are there, we like to stop and smell the fungus along the way, too.
In response to growing spiritual needs on campus, the BOC has begun to target the seed of the sublime in every individual. Forget ride the pony; we want you to blossom?in the cosmic sense of course. In addition to the yoga classes in full swing at "The Schwartz," this winter the BOC will be introducing classes in meditation while kayaking, the tao of tele-skiing, chanting while hiking, and how to follow your inner child up snowshoe trails.
Well, maybe we're kidding about some of those classes, but there's something to be said about the power of wilderness to heal and inspire. John Muir, father of the Sierra Club (among other things) once wrote, "The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness," a sentiment with which anyone who has spent any time outdoors would agree.
Although it is getting colder and classes are picking up, there are still plenty of opportunities to get outside and find your inner wild-thing (and make your heart sing...). You don't have to summit Everest (or even Katahdin) to experience the rush of wilderness travel, a few hours away from the bustle of campus life will set your chakras free....
The second annual Maine Telemark Film Festival will be held on Friday, November 12 in Kresge at 7 p.m. There will also be a weekend trip to the BOC cabin and a day hike on Sunday. Sign up at the Schwartz.