Off-Grid Living? One With Nature?
Why I now watch YouTube Videos of people living off-grid and actually want to do it!
I’ll confess. No one loves the comforts of modern living more than I. I cannot imagine a world without air conditioning, hot water, electricity, washers and dryers, etc. Let’s also add Internet and Smart TVs to the list, along with a myriad of appliances; all of which make life so simple and easy! Right? Well, for what it’s worth, I recently have been binge watching YouTube channels where people document their off-grid living. And for some strange reason, I am fascinated by the idea.
Some of these people are couples. Some are men, and some are even women! But one thing they all have in common is a dog. Yes, the perfect companion with whom to share your long, chore-ridden day! You see, that’s the whole point. You spend your entire day doing what you need to do to survive. You chop wood, you add logs to your stove. You then make your breakfast on the hot stove (which also heats your cabin, too). Then you tend to other survival things, such as gathering whatever food and water you will need for the day. Then you come back, add more wood, chop more wood and start dinner.
There’s no electricity, save for a small generator some use. So no TV and no Internet. So what does one do? Well, there is not much downtime with all of your daily chores, but there is something there for you. Something infinite and interconnected with everything. Nature. And there is also something which connects you directly to nature. You. Your inner Soul.
This past Spring, I began to take walks on a Nature Trail which is located in our Meadowlands. It’s about 4 miles, total, and barely another person to be seen. What is there are panoramic views of the entire NYC skyline in the distance, tidal waters, mud flats, ducks, fish and all sorts of wildlife under fifteen pounds. It is scenic, serene and so very peaceful. What I like about it is that beside the skyline, you can see both sides of the NJ Turnpike. So you have this contrast of being able to see the hustle and bustle out there, while being in the solitude of nature.
In the beginning, I would put my earphones in and listen to music. Then I started listening to podcasts. Finally I settled on lectures from greats such as Neville Goddard. But, one day I realized something. I am missing out on the better half of all of this. Sure, I can see the beauty around me. But I am putting electronics into my ears which are distracting me from my inner self. You know, that inner voice that tells most people they are not worthy of something good in their lives (That’s not what mine says to me, but that’s what I know it says to most. More on this in a later post).
So, most people drown out that inner voice with everything and anything available to them through technology. It was then I removed the earphones and now, when I walk, it is me having that inner conversation and boy do we have a great deal to talk about. From a Spiritual perspective, if you are seeking growth, I highly recommend unplugging from all modern technology for at least an hour a day. Start by permanently turning off the news. It’s not news, anyway. It’s programming, but you have to get away from it to realize it.
It gave great meaning to me in the words of Christ, when He said, “Behold the Kingdom of Heaven is within you”. I’m paraphrasing from several translations here, but the point is still the same. You cannot grow Spiritually unless you unplug and go within. Sure, many people don’t like what they see within. But, you have to do it. You have to convince yourself that the pain-in-the-neck voice is nothing but your own belief about yourself. You have been programmed by culture, by society, by teachers, religions, etc. to believe certain things starting from birth. You see, the Jesuits of the Catholic Church (I was educated by the Jesuits, btw) have a saying, “Give me the child for its first seven years and I’ll show you the man.” The first seven years of a child’s life are called their Imprinting Years. Guess why?
Becoming Spiritual means breaking free of the programming; whether it was intended for good or ill. Most of it is ill. Your self-image and the person you believe yourself to be is what you have been taught. But more than that, it is what you accept as true. You see, Christ, when giving sight to the blind, also said that, “It shall be done to you according to your belief”. Again, paraphrasing. So, if the Kingdom is Heaven is within, and if what we believe becomes our reality, then the only thing over which we each have control is ourselves. We have control over that voice inside of us which either speaks from love or fear. We CAN reprogram that voice to say whatever we want. It is purely a reflection of what we believe to exist. You see, when you get right down to it, we are each the sum total of all of our beliefs. You can also say habits, because anything we say or do again and again becomes a habit. You can even say that we are nothing but biological programable computers.
On your journey, when unplugged, think about the life you want to live. Think about, see and feel the emotions you want to experience. And when an old, bad thought knocks on the door of your mind to return, immediately pivot your thinking to what you want. The less energy you give to your negative thinking, the less power it has, the faster it dies out, only to be replaced by a belief of your OWN choosing. This is how our minds works. Psychologists know this. So do advertisers, politicians and some really bad people. It is how they manipulate the public every day while they rob more and more people of their money and, more important, their freedoms.
So, unplug, think good thoughts and call me in 28 days. Let me know how different and better your life will be!