Blake Brantley - Wilderness as Axis Mundi

 "Wilderness, as experienced by agricultural and urban peoples, has been shown to be a place, topos, beyond human habitation, barren, deserted, and solitary" (Kip). People tend to view the wilderness as a place of danger or uncertainty because it is associated with being uninhabitable and away from civilization. When I think of the wilderness, I first think of large forests or jungles with lots of animals but no humans. If the wilderness is a place of danger and uncertainty, why do people spend time in the wilderness for either camping or working to come closer to oneself and/or God? "The symbolism of wilderness as axis mundi, the place of Yahweh’s manifestation, merges with the symbolic experience of sojourning" (Kip). The wilderness is not meant to be a place for humans to stay a long time but is used as a place to understand one self and the world around them. By coming as close to nature as possible, people will begin to experience what they can not in large cities or urban places, a sense of true peace and quiet. If the wilderness can bring out one's peace, then why don't people stay there for longer periods of time, like years for example? Other than the fact that survival would be challenging, the wilderness is meant as a temporary get away from civilization, not a permanent change. It is important that wilderness is not only looked upon as a danger but as an opportunity for growth. During my time in Boy Scouts with lots of camping, I noticed that at the end of the day around the campfire, everyone seemed to be at peace and happy. These feelings expressed are the result of using the fullness of the wilderness to one's benefit.