Jenna Wynes- Redefining Spiritual Beliefs through Flow

 The concept of “flow”, is often described as the reflection of a harmonious state of life, where an individual’s psyche and deeds are aligned, propelling and providing one with the energy and capacity to journey onward. In Chapter 6 of "American Camino: Walking as Spiritual Practice on the Appalachian Trail," titled "Spiritual Rambling," the author explores this fascinating state of being. By delving into the nature of flow, the text provides the potential for exegeting and rescripting one’s personal lives and perspectives. This reflection can provide a link to spiritual beliefs that were previously closed off due to preconceived stigmas. With these viewpoints, devotional contemplative practices can seem drastic, however, the natural connection to human belief can reshape one’s understanding of spirituality and guide one toward a more mindful and meaningful existence. In my life, flow has allowed me to reflect upon my actions and find internal peace with my mistakes and inevitable failures, the moments of contemplation bring me great pride as they show my hard work in becoming an individual. 

Flow is hard to define and even harder to achieve. It involves a connection between all aspects of one’s mind and body, allowing for simultaneous reflection and digestion of the layered world around them. From an individual’s inner thoughts and intentions to the sights and sounds of each brush and step they take, the seamless flow of information and thoughts takes tremendous intrinsic energy and devotion to exegete one’s experiences. 

My husky Aspen does this outside as she soaks in the sunlight on the porch. Aspen’s wild spirit and natural inclination to explore embody the essence of flow. Her time outdoors is not simply a physical activity but a meditative experience, free from distractions and fully immersed in the present moment watching the world move around her and occasionally killing a squirrel or two. She is named after a species of tree commonly found in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Aspen trees are extraordinary in how they evolved to survive, they grow through complex root systems creating 100-130 ft wide colonies. They link underground and spread their reach across the mountainside. I learned this fact during a family trip through the mountains to visit family. During hours of travel without internet or other means of entertainment. I turned to the contemplation of the connection fostered within those very colonies. By growing in this way, their entire livelihood is entirely dependent upon the parent tree, if one tree is diseased then the whole community will be affected. This was one of the first times I felt a connection to any spiritual feelings and I often find myself in quiet contemplation like this while passing through the peaks of Colorado’s mountain ranges. By naming my dog after this experience, she has demonstrated her chaotic devotion to living a fulfilled life and taught me to find enjoyment in the complexities and companionship that life provides me. 

As described in “The American Camino,” many hikers journey through the Appalachian Trail, believing that there is more to life than what they’ve experienced, and they have no understanding of religious themes or ideals. They head to the forests for the unique scenery and find spiritual connection within the release from societal standards. On the trail, one is separated from assumptions and can break down their beliefs and find meaning within the simple nature of hiking. One can discover flow as one wanders on the trail with no additional motivation other than exploratory and reflecting stimulation.  I struggle with the distinction between my ideals often. In my life, the continuum of spiritual and religious beliefs is a stressful and shadowed topic of discussion due to negative past experiences and limited knowledge of the subject. 

The main reason for these doubts spread from monasticism where one renounces worldly pursuits to devote oneself fully to spiritual activities. I could not fathom being completely devoted to a metaphorical spiritual leader. I had been living a life of physical and provable knowledge, only believing the things that could be supported through research and fact. My beliefs were changed many years ago when I lost a family friend to suicide. To me, it seemed that there was no other choice but to believe in a spiritual afterlife since the boy we lost deserved the world. I remember praying for him and his afterlife, talking to my ceiling for hours about how I wished him a peaceful end. During his celebration of life, his family and friends turned to god as their outlet. This experience opened my mind to the ideas of faith and while I still didn’t know what I believed, I could feel the pull of spiritual awakening.

Recently I have been reawakened to these ideals through contemplation and connection to trusting individuals. It began with changing the definition of religion. Redick’s working definition says, “Religion gives humans a system of values, ideas, and practices which provide culture with a cosmos, an ordered reality”(Redick, p.251). This illustrates the abstract spiritual reality of religion. In the past, I believed religion was a controlling scheme for authoritative individuals to manipulate the beliefs and actions of the people. Upon reflection and study of religious history, I know now that it is simply the nature of humans to seek out social harmony and support for their values and practices. This shift develops a lightened perspective of having spiritual beliefs and gives me the confidence to explore my sentiments with a purely educational and positive attitude.

Cultivating flow into daily life isn’t as straightforward as one would think. It is important to remember that flow is not something you can force. It is a state of being that cannot be accomplished if reaching “flow” is your goal. One can move toward the path of spiritual reflection, exegeting, and rescripting one’s life by being mindful and practicing meditation; but reaching true flow takes devotion and trains the mind to stay present and attentive. It is important to maintain focus and find a repetitive, simple outlet like spending time in nature to allow for peaceful reflection where one is not pressured by achievement. By incorporating these strategies, individuals can increase their chances of experiencing flow and reaping its numerous benefits, leading to a more mindful and meaningful existence. Some obstacles that can prevent individuals from reaching a state of flow and self-reflection are distractions and complex challenges. The reason why hiking in the mountains is so transformative is due to its simplicity. One must simply follow the path and reach the end, which creates a simple motivation for the traveler to follow and clears one’s mind of doubts, struggles, and complexities. As individuals seek out this enlightenment, they should maintain peace and patience. The journey ahead is not linear and the trail will curve and split, but with confidence and devotion to improvement, spiritual connection can be achieved.

The journey through the Appalachian Trail, as described in “The American Camino,” highlights how hikers find a deeper connection to life in the release of societal norms, becoming the true version of themselves. The simple act of hiking creates a space where the repetitive, natural sounds and feelings of nature stimulate mindfulness and meditation, transforming the human psyche and heightening one’s connection to the spiritual energies of the Earth. Flow and spirituality are intertwined, offering a path to a harmonious, fulfilled life. By pushing past stereotypes and challenging preassumed beliefs, one can find spiritual enlightenment and meaning in past and future experiences.