I happened to see this pic the other day, taken from a hike I took up Whiteface earlier this year. I am so grateful to have my health back and to have been able to make the trip. You don’t realize how much living a sedimentary lifestyle affects your physical and mental health until you start making trips like this. Getting out in nature and experiencing the beauty in the world invigorates the soul. I hope to make this a regular practice. It does absolute wonders for the mind, body, and spirit. I don’t ever see myself going back to the way it was before.
Most people are not familiar with the sedimentary practice. My girlfriend, an anthropologist, introduced me to it several years ago. It involves a ritual originally performed by a small, remote tribe in a mountainous region of central Africa. I don’t recall their name, something like Shakooua. There is not a lot known or written about them. From time to time I will Google them but haven’t found a thing; they are that remote.
Their ritual involves being buried in the ground for an extended time in an effort to become one with the earth, melting into the ancient past through the compressed layers of time. Each period defined by the unique colors, textures, density, and intensities of the grains of compressed soil. It is a form of meditation that is supposed to create a stronger connection with the timelessness of the universe. The Shakooua people believe the ritual has been performed as long as the tribe has existed, possibly thousands of years.
My girlfriend encouraged me to perform the ritual. At the time we had been arguing quite a bit, and she felt this would help us cleanse the negative energy from ourselves and our relationship. On weekends we would go deep into the woods where I would dig a ditch, lie down in it, and she would cover me in dirt. The ritual dictates that it is always the male in the ground and the female performing the burial duties. It is a symbolism I don’t fully understand.
As more time passed and the stronger the bond to earth was supposed to become, I was meant to begin losing myself. But after a couple of years, I failed to reach this bond. Being encouraged to be buried for longer and longer periods of time did not help. I became more and more claustrophobic. It felt like it became a hindrance to enlightenment, despite the increased frequency of these trips. If anything, I started losing energy and became more fog-brained. Maybe we were too aggressive. Maybe it was the lack of oxygen. Maybe the weight and darkness of it. Maybe it just wasn’t for me.
Instead of continuing with the practice, I started focusing on being active: running, hiking, going to the gym, and taking long walks. Shannon seemed disappointed with my decision to stop performing the ritual. At first she almost seemed mad, though I don’t know why. Perhaps she was getting benefits from it.
Over time, she adjusted and found a new hobby to focus on, as I had done with exercise. Soup! She loves making homemade natural soups. She still goes out into the woods to collect various mushrooms and herbs. It allows her to continue visiting the woods and spending time in nature in a way that we had come to embrace.
It fills my heart knowing she has found a new passion. She always comes back from her trips in a great mood and with a smile on her face. She is always returning with new kinds of plants, mushrooms, and herbs. I think the exploration and discovery of new species excites her.
I’ve noticed she watches me intensely while I slurp up her nature soups. I always make a big deal over them. But to be honest, they are kind of bitter and a little too earthy. I would never tell this to her, but sometimes I feel a little nauseous after eating the soup. A couple of times I was a little feverish and sweaty. Still, I would never let on in front of her. If it makes her happy, I’m happy, as they say.
I prefer walking and exploring nature above ground. It was a good experience living the sedimentary lifestyle of the Shakooua people, but in the end it wasn’t for me. Hiking and soups are now my passion, and I am happier for it.
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