I used the word "real" in a previous entry pertaining to the pilgrim's path which I have chosen to walk. Real pertaining to the change within me which walking the path has brought about. My perceptions of the path and how to walk and act upon it are new to me and also risky and dangerous. Ideas on how to approach the difficulties and pleasures arise and I try to understand the meaning and put them into practice. When not on the path I am cautious and mostly inactive when it comes to my daily interactions with people, but when walking the path I discover this method is not only inefficient but also ineffective. So I changed and decided to borrow a word from The Myth of Freedom by Chogyam Trungpa. He writes of "idiot compassion" and I transferred the idea to "idiot courtesy". People I pass on the streets, many are cold, angry, distant, fearful, and aggressive. Practicing "idiot courtesy" gets me steamrolled on the streets so I gave it up and don't mind in the least if someone perceives me as rude or cold or anything else they can think of. I make sure to not interfere with anyone's time, space or material, but if they try to interfere with mine I make sure to remain bold and firm in my space. Each interaction is unique so there is no formula to follow, I just make sure to gather as much courage as I can and to confront the danger head on. Perhaps I am passing a gang member who thrives and embraces violence and confrontation, in that case I know I am not on the same level of emotion and thought and if a confrontation occurs I will most likely get my ass kicked. So be it. One of the necessities of the path is having physical courage and also faith in the guardians of the path. I possess and wear the gifts from the protectors, the amulet which symbolizes the golden flower, and the bracelet which symbolizes the light. I think of it as putting on the armor of God and this increases confidence and courage in the face of danger.
I currently walk two distinct physical paths, one which leads west and south to St Francis Church, and the other which goes east and north and leads to the Wishing Tree. Each of these paths has its patron saint whom I sometimes pass while walking. They are not sweet and kindly, rather, they are tough and gnarly, not afraid to insult and talk wild obscenities into the wind. When I pass them I expect to be ignored or insulted, all the same they are there to inspire others who are on the path so I try to accept the harsh treatment as a teaching and assimilate it as part of the experience. In an effort to express not "idiot courtesy" but rather my own unique energy, I wai them as I pass, looking them straight in the face. Thus far I have survived the encounters.
The past days I have been walking the path in extreme cold (temps less than zero Fahrenheit). I dress in many layers. The fun part is I am one of the few people walking in the city during these cold hours and so have much space in which to relax upon the path.