Poet Hanshan and author Henry David Thoreau, while living in completely different eras of time and on opposite ends of the Earth, both had a very existential connection with the natural world around them. Hanshan's message from Cold Mountain and Thoreau's experiment on Walden Pond, as accounted in Walden show the almost disgusting excess that surrounds us.
In short, while Hanshan and Thoreau had some differences, they both took a critical approach on society and humanity and discussed the shortcomings of both. They both believed (Thoreau being the least extreme) that basic necessities can be accomplished with only meager possessions. After reading both pieces, it inspired me to go on a little excursion for myself (one that was a little less extreme) just to see how I would fare when away from people and technology for a short period of time.
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Unfortunately, in order to completely attain what Thoreau experienced, I would have had to emancipate myself from society, which would not have been possible. So with a pen and paper, watch, water bottle and the clothes on my back, I ventured out. Even when experiencing nature alone and a little distance away from the nearest dorm, I could instantly see the allure that both men felt in their time. Very often, I have felt disconnected and almost above nature, as food, warmth, clothing and shelter were all provided, and so I never really had to give those necessities a second thought. Being in nature however, I did not have those comforts of unrestricted access to food, clothing and shelter, and so my overall perception changed to one of appreciation of the things surrounding me.
Thoreau believed that everyone should be self-sufficient, and that self-sufficiency would build a better community. However, paradoxical as that may be, he attempted that while in the woods for about two years. He built an eight by ten wooden house and a tool shed, grew plants, and borrowed tools when necessary. While he was not completely disconnected from society like Hanshan, he was able to realize the flaws of the society that he was living in.
While excess is a theme that occurs regularly in his writings, he finds that stress that stems from the responsibilities that are held within society also are a root cause of many of the problems Thoreau believes as shortcomings with people. While the mind is a single, yet complex entity completely able to function on its own, it is connected with other people, deadlines, bodily needs, and a plethora of other things that can cause stress in the body.
While I was not able to completely experience what Thoreau and Hanshan did, it was still a meaningful experience to leave my phone and computer behind, and just take the bare necessities into the woods, even for a short period of time. It is very easy to lose track of the world that we live in, because our world consist of deadlines, reports, essays, tests and quizzes and not the sun, earth, plants and animals. As a college student, it is very easy to get caught into a web of stress that can quickly hunker down an individual. I have found that it is cleansing to leave a phone, computer, tablet, and other people behind just to be with oneself (even if it is for a short period of time).
