Living is living. The mundane. What I was hoping to get from my walks is thus connection with the mundane and yet also meaning-making (to elevate what I saw and transform it beyond mere survival). I create that meaning through writing. First narrating the walk, highlighting sources that I could then interpret. And then interpreting those resources.
I also create meaning through photography. Here it is less clear. It is difficult to be intentional with the images I capture while separating fact from meaning. All my photographs moving forward that I want to share shall have meaning. Shall be meaningful. Or perhaps I should just let myself free and try to flow. But at the same time always strengthen my philosophical tendencies so that it transports into how I see things.
Philosophy → Walking → Photos + Narratives
It is always philosophy first. The thinking. The meaning-making.
- Leaving: leaving the church (on a bike, protesting by not attending the memorial)
- Reconnecting with the past: years later, I walked in Baguio remembering the many walks I did there as a preacher. And realizing I can still do this. Can still walk and remember what I did before.
- Searching: 10 years since I left the church and I still feel like I am looking for something: community, purpose, belief. That search has felt a lot like it isn’t moving. Establishing new friendships is hard. Trying out new ideas is hard. There is a feeling of always starting out from zero. When I walk, I always feel like I am moving. I am still searching but I am not doing it too hard and it always feels like I am making progress.
- Insight and rigorous intellectual exercise: I think deep when walking.
- Surprise
- Cultural, historical, and societal familiarization
- Being good
- Being healthy
- Mindfulness
Other reasons
Being in nature not only makes me feel better but also reminds me of what man is when bare of all the things he is now—of what is truly important. Perhaps I want to reflect on specific philosophical questions, but I answer them through reflection on nature, our place, our personal narratives, history, and culture.