Congratulations on "surviving" your wilderness experience. It's always a wonderful challenge to confront nature and ourselves in an isolated paradise. Unfortunately the tough part is coming back down to reality. Just like an LSD trip in which you become one with everything, discover the truth about yourself and the world, only to return to the pettiness of human society.

Under these circumstances I like to remember that we are here for a purpose, and discovering that purpose is often extremely difficult. Sometimes it's more of a challenge than surviving a solo wilderness adventure. I believe that learning our purpose is a process that involves all those other people we have to deal with day to day, with all their faults and frailties. As we come to understand why we are here, we find ourselves filling a needed role for these people. If you keep in mind that the highest role we can play is one of service, and we bring into that role the self-awareness that we have gained from our inner-search, then we can become a beneficial presence on the planet.

Through our conscious acts we can raise the awareness of others so that they may find a purpose for themselves. Then, rather than being a burden to others, they too can contribute a meaningful life in service to humanity. If everyone could adopt this attitude and unconditionally share their energy and love with those around them, we would have a drastically different society. A society without competition, greed, envy, intolerance and violence. In a world where everyone is looking out only for themselves, taking, consuming, polluting without thought to the impact upon others, this becomes the primary mode of human existence, since there are no visible alternatives or role models.

By living our lives with full awareness and acceptance of responsibility for our actions, we can become examples of an alternative lifestyle and even a role model for others. Even if we don't succeed in changing the world, we have at least done the best we could, and we've been true to our heart.

When times get tough, and it seems that everything around you is preventing you from being true to yourself, remember that life on this planet is just a movie. We all have our roles and those of us who are conscious can also rewrite our scripts so our part better represents who we truly are, not how others would like us to be. At a certain point in personal evolution, it's also possible to realize you are also the director of the movie, and can not only rewrite, but can cast the movie and direct others in their roles. Then you are truly living up to your potential as a co-creator of your reality.

So being a part of society is a difficult challenge that presents many opportunities for personal growth. Seize these and make the most of them. When Moses came down from the mountain, he brought a message with him. When he saw the his people engaged in sinful activities, he thought them undeserving of the message. Nevertheless, he knew it was his role to share such an important revelation with his community. And the rest is history.

Peace,
The Old Hippy