USA

Now that I am at the end of the ride I want to share what I consider to be the most important outcome for me on a personal level. I want to share my philosophy with you. In a nutshell, good living requires thinking beings. Decisions must flow down, be distilled from out of the psychic noise, and basically this comes from reflection on concious beleifs and assumptions, clarification and removal of unconcious beliefs and assumptions, and challenging of habits that fundamentally do not integrate with the conscious beliefs and assumptions. Reflection on one's conscious beliefs and assumptions therefore guide the process of deciphering one's vital needs, and the prioritization of those vital needs, as well as to help one to decipher the vital needs of others. Reflection turns to action. Action becomes realization. The following beleifs and assumptions provide the framework for the Praxis. 1. All people are of one mind-heart-body, though diverse, essentially connected. Individuals do not have separate selves, look and see if you can find any real boundaries, there are none. Identification with separation must be eliminated. True individuation comes only after this step is taken. 2. All people are essentially good, though it does not always appear so on the surface, though layers of dust may cover the true form, dust can be wiped away through effort, there always remains some degree of kindness or generosity, etc. 3. All species (including but not limited to trees, plants, fish, fowl, mammals, mountains, forests, ecosystems) inherit the right to exist independent of human consumption and needs, this right must be respected. Respect for nature is ultimately the only real self respect, as we are part of nature and so the whole must be respected if ourselves are to be respected. This is true humility. 4. A sustainable economic business future is viable and must be realized taking into consideration all beliefs and assumptions found herein. 5. The saying "Simple Means, Rich Ends" by Arne Naess is fundamental to good living. 6. Telling the truth, sharing beleifs and concious assumptions, challenging people is a positive activity. 7. Change and cycles are the most common features of natural and man made systems. 8. A flowing mind, receptive, still, flexible, changing with the circumstances helps to make life much easier. 9. Rest, Sleep, meditation, and relaxation are essential for a stable and calm mind. 10. Cleaning up the mess that humans made who came before us is not a choice, this is our common back yard, we must do whatever is neccesary, at all costs, to care for our soil, air, water, and ecosystems. People must change. Minds must change.

When last I wrote, Allen and I had completed an amazing journey across Spain on the Camino Santiago, a journey which not only challenged us physically, but which changed us spiritually. When I departed for the Camino the last time I was in the middle of a transition in my life. The Public Defender's in Placer Co. had gone under and I had been hired on at the Public Defender's in Santa Barbara which was both exciting and completely unknown. Five Hundred miles across Spain later I found myself sitting in a Motel 6 in Carpinteria California at 2:30 a.m., all my worldly possessions in my car and five hours away from starting a new job!

I lived in that Motel 6 for three weeks before I found a home in Santa Barbara and it was the feeling I carried home from the Camino that helped me keep the faith that this new adventure would work out. Two years and seven months later life is good. As Allen and I prepare to step back on the physical camino, I find myself in love with a beautiful woman who supports me in everything I do including leaving the country for two months to do this trip. I also find myself still in Santa Barbara having found a wonderful home in the Public Defender's Office with a truly amazing and dedicated group of people.

The Camino that awaits us this time follows a relatively uncharted, or at least largely undocumented course and will present a whole new arrray of physical and mental challenges. Our trusty bicycles Rocinante and La Mujer de la Plata will accompany us once again this time through both the Alps and the Pyranees. The plan is +/- 1600 miles along the Italian and French Riviera, down through the Pyranees to Barcelona and back to the wine fountain in Irache Spain where we will rejoin the Camino Frances until we hit Santiago de Compostela. As we chart our course we will do our best to document our experience here, please follow along with us as we tilt at a whole new set of windmills.