(no subject)
May 9th: I'm going to get up at 6 am and drive 14 hours into the desert. I will fast for 24 hours in the remote Aravaipa Wilderness of southeastern Arizona. Then I will drink peyote tea. I will bring with me: the Book of Mormon, a straw cowboy hat, my sleepin' bag, a pen and a notebook, my flashlight, a long-sleeved thermal shirt, matches, a water bottle or canteen, and a grapefruit plus a small meal. Possibly a foam pad and a tent.
Also, I believe in abstaining from things like alcohol and tobacco (inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good...And tobacco is not for the body") and meat (except "in times of winter, or of cold, or famine") as well as coffee ("..And again hot drinks are not for the body or belly”).
Honestly it ain't that big of deal, but I do feel so excited in preparing for this ceremony that I want to do my best. So I will abstain from alcohol, tobacco, meat and coffee. As well as sugar and other drugs.
At the moment, it seems like it's just become a game -- with me studying the labels of food products to see whether "sugar" or "high fructose corn syrup" is listed in the ingredients. Just another complication. I guess it's only a problem if I don't enjoy it, and I can't say I don't. It's kept me from eating desserts in general, which is good. It's also kept me from eating anything but the shittiest (because it lacks sugar but contains corn syrup instead) bagels, maple syrup, and soda pop. So maybe not so good. In truth I have no obligation to follow any of this. But I did commit, yes I did indeed, to avoid these things. I can change my commitment of course, but somehow I don't want to. I thought long and hard and I feel that I came to a conclusion that I can savor for some time. If, however, my consumption of corn syrup continues at the rate it did today ... well, I may be forced to reconsider. Or, to simply stop eating corn syrup. Oh, heavens!
Also, I believe in abstaining from things like alcohol and tobacco (inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good...And tobacco is not for the body") and meat (except "in times of winter, or of cold, or famine") as well as coffee ("..And again hot drinks are not for the body or belly”).
Honestly it ain't that big of deal, but I do feel so excited in preparing for this ceremony that I want to do my best. So I will abstain from alcohol, tobacco, meat and coffee. As well as sugar and other drugs.
At the moment, it seems like it's just become a game -- with me studying the labels of food products to see whether "sugar" or "high fructose corn syrup" is listed in the ingredients. Just another complication. I guess it's only a problem if I don't enjoy it, and I can't say I don't. It's kept me from eating desserts in general, which is good. It's also kept me from eating anything but the shittiest (because it lacks sugar but contains corn syrup instead) bagels, maple syrup, and soda pop. So maybe not so good. In truth I have no obligation to follow any of this. But I did commit, yes I did indeed, to avoid these things. I can change my commitment of course, but somehow I don't want to. I thought long and hard and I feel that I came to a conclusion that I can savor for some time. If, however, my consumption of corn syrup continues at the rate it did today ... well, I may be forced to reconsider. Or, to simply stop eating corn syrup. Oh, heavens!