Sacred Journey (Landscapes of the Sacred)

A sacred journey contains three actions: 1) being fully present, 2) being authentic, and 3) distancing ourselves from the marketplace.

A quiet stroll through Sandy Bottom Nature Park is a journey I would like to embark-without music. I want to be fully present as I escape the busyness school brings. My mind must focus on nature, not music. Though I can absorb myself in the music my iPod offers or immerse myself in my inner thoughts, the natural environment exist to encounter. I want to listen to the leaves rustle, the birds chirp, smell the fresh air, hear the wind blow, and soak up the sun in my face. I can't do that with music blasting in my ears.  

Warm days invite me to stroll the CNU campus to admire its architecture and scenery, but school assignments divert my time and attention to consciously notice. As a commuter student, I don't live in the residence halls with other college students, which lead me to join clubs and organizations, and attend campus events to immerse myself in the CNU community. Thus, a sacred journey, for me, would reconnect me to home, away from home.

My path to graduating from CNU is like the Santiago de Camino pilgrimage-it's a long journey before I reach the end. Like the Santiago de Camino, my educational journey requires diligence and mental exertion (physical, if you consider eating to fuel my brain for studying and traversing from each lecture hall).  My presence in each of my classes entails my full attention and engagement in class discussions.   

Authenticity applies to my education for I must maintain my values and beliefs. For example, cheating on a test, quiz, or exam means I'm not acting authentically for I sacrificed my values for an "A".  Authenticity means not only upholding one's true values and beliefs, but being honest in one's work.

Distancing myself from the marketplace involves not succumbing to the buying and selling mentality. This relates to me for I feel subjected to buying the food the dining halls offer, though my house stores food.  The temptation to dine on campus lures me in as their food summons me. I despair to find I have insufficient Captain's Cash for lunch or dinner.