The Spirit of Going Barefoot
by Jon The Barefoot
Pilgrim.
E-mail: wotnoshoes@bigfoot.com
I’d just like to
share with you some of my thoughts about the spirit of barefooting. I own
a book called Barefoot Dreaming by Adele Coombs which is a collection
of creative prose and photography inspired by the natural landscape of
Australia. She begins her introduction with Going barefoot is
the gentlest way
of walking and can symbolise a way of living – being authentic, vulnerable,
sensitive to our surroundings. Its the feeling of enjoying warm sand beneath
our toes, or carefully making our way over sharp rocks in the darkness.
It’s a way of living that has the lightest impact, removing the barrier
between us and nature.
 How
true this all is for me. Walking unshod is thoroughly enjoyable as a physical
sensation in its own right; and yet it also seems to induce equivalent
psychological and spiritual states of mind which going barefoot symbolises.
I know in the shod
state of mind I often feel paranoid, bitter, resentful and vengeful. The
world seems like a dog eat dog kind of a place. By going barefoot the most
profound change takes place. I find it impossible to hold the aforementioned
negative emotions and instead become friendly, generous, humble, part of
things – at peace with myself and generally glad to be who I am. I start
to express myself instead of hiding away. I’ve certainly gained in confidence
through being barefoot in public which I was pretty shy about.
The spirit of barefooting
is a state of mind ( a little bit similar to the prose Desiderata.) It
produces a beautiful personal philosphy which we each weave for ourselves.
It includes free spiritedness and yet at the same time not hurting others.
It engenders gentleness, kindness and trust, yet also enables us to speak
out confidently and firmly when necessary.
When barefoot I
enjoy meeting strangers. In the past when shod I would do anything rather
than initiate a conversation with a stranger! The spirit of barefooting
is certainly barefoot spirituality. Although it cannot have any written
scripture or creed it simply manifests into our beings. It is wholeheartedly
compatible with the finest Christian ideals such as of the fellowship of
human beings living in harmony; and the finest pagan ideals like our kinship
with Mother Earth and Her creatures. In fact it is compatible with the
essence of any positive religion.
Us barefooters can
experience wonderful things as we meander along; it’s great therapy! Has
going barefoot altered your state of mind for the better? Have you been
bitten by spirit of Barefooting and found yourself living out a new positive,
personal philosophy because of it? It would be great to hear
what you think.
Lots of peaceful
barefootin’ everyone! |