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The Blissful Hiker realizes there's no "there" to get to, learning to live in the moment, face vulnerability straight on – while at the same time, opening herself up to "the ecstatic experience."



In this episode:

1. The Blissful Hiker sorts out the myriad details before departing on the 3,000 kilometer Te Araroa. 
2. She learns she can only plan so much before needing to make peace with not knowing how the story will unfold. 
3. She also learns to be present and ‘hold her soul ajar to welcome the ecstatic experience.’
4. She shares the first words she learns in Maori, ones that mean ‘hello,’  but also, ‘be well,’ ‘be safe,’ ‘be filled with gratitude.'

kia ora: Māori greeting, literally "be well!"

MUSIC: Erik Satie, Gymnopedie No. 1; Kevin MacLeod, Apero Hour; Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 1 (used by permission)

 
The Show: John Kaag writes in his book, Hiking with Nietzsche, that the great philosopher wants us to be wanderers, but not as a traveler to a final destination, for this destination does not exist.

If you arrive at a final destination, it’s a sign that you’ve set your sights too low. On a long walk who we are is about recovering from who we think we are.  

Backpacking is about coming to grips with this projection requiring me to live in the moment, face my vulnerability straight on – while at the same time, opening myself up, like the words of Emily Dickinson, The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.

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