Node Smith

Node

Node Smith

Node Smith is a medical student at the National College of Natural Medicine, and also the Naturopathic Pilgrim, currently on a 365 day digital detoxification bicycle tour around the United States - a journey to cultivate a deeper sense of the natural laws which govern health, all without the personal use of a digital interface. Unplugging from the chaos of digital technology, Node is setting the intention of shedding light to the psychoemotional changes which occur when we step away from digital screens for a time. All blog posts are transcribed by fellow medical students at NCNM from letters sent during the year-long journey. Node is a visionary who believes in the experience of life as the foundation of health, and invites all readers to consider their relationship with food, rest, movement, and their community. Please visit the Association for Naturopathic ReVitalization's webpage @ naturopathicrevitalization.org to see what other projects Node is a part of (and, if you're a naturopathic physician or medical student, sign up for the ReVitalization Retreat😊 Thank you for your support.

No Random Occurrences

North America » United States » Utah » Bryce Canyon June 17th 2015

Node, Steve and Diane

Node

From a letter written approximately June 9th I just hit the two month mark last week, probably longer by the time this gets posted. The last week has been a series of miraculous events, kind people, and fantastic views. I've been weaving my way up Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, the "Arizona strip" as it is called. I've meandered through the Grand Canyon and the Canyonlands, hitting Bryce Canyon and Escalante and am about to go through Capitol Reef. Bryce Canyon with its mysterious pink and orange hoodoo ampitheater was certainly my favorite. Looking down into the canyon among the bulbous spires and columns I encountered many sinister faces staring back, faces and characters made of stone, animated in the late rays of sunshine. Later I learned that the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon are evil people ... read more

Be the change you wish to see in the world

North America » United States » California » San Diego June 12th 2015

My favorite cup

Node

From a letter written June 1st It's been about a week since I left San Diego, where I culminated the end of my Pacific coast portion by visiting two good friends, Ryan and Barbara, and their dog Moonshine. Ryan is a fellow student who I met through an experiential retreat hosted by the students of Bastyr of San Diego--the "Restore the Vis" retreat. It's similar to the Revitalization retreat. * I was very exited to make the stop and we had so much fun and further solidified a life-long friendship. I got to sit in on a homeopathy class one day and we went surfing with the dolphins another day! Ryan and Barbara are amazing, and our numerous dinner conversations proved very thought provoking and a nice break from road silence hour after hour, day after ... read more

Six weeks on the road

North America » United States » California » Santa Barbara May 27th 2015

Ventura, California

Node

Transcribed from a letter written May 20, 2015 I think this post will mark six weeks on the road unplugged and the first direct and focused commentary on digital technology. It's interesting I haven't written much about it because from day one I have been living the intention of no digital technology and telling everyone I meet about it. Obviously, I have no cell phone or computer but no debit card, either. Cash or check only (which has been the only annoyance. I've run out of cash on a Friday night, twice!!) People are interested in knowing if I'm experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I have to admit, there have been zero withdrawal symptoms. From day one, I have felt a freedom such as I have not felt since childhood - a complete liberation. It's not merely being ... read more

Heal Yourself by doing NOTHING

North America » United States » California » Santa Rosa May 12th 2015

Klamath, CA

Node

I After a month of riding, and a previous week of viscous California coast with its intensely graded stretches, I arrived in Santa Rosa. I was to be a visitor at the TrueNorth Health Center. I had emailed the coordinator for visitors a month before and told her my situation, and she had informed me that Mondays were the best day to come as the Director, Dr. Goldhamer, would be giving a lecture. So, on Sunday night, I rolled into Santa Rosa, after getting slightly lost on the bike path between Sebastapol and Santa Rosa. I ended up sleeping in a community park Sunday night, but I was on time Monday morning. This was my first professional stop on the trip and I was extremely eager to see what they were doing at TrueNorth. We live ... read more

The Oregon Coast Continued - In Search of Kindness

North America » United States » Oregon » Bandon April 25th 2015

Node

Transcribed from a letter written April 25th, 2015. The last 3 or 4 days have been a wonderful lesson in how the World, or maybe a better way to say it, how our relationships and interactions with others, with our environment and with ourselves, operate through simple acts of kindness. It has been amazing... The World is a good place, filled with genuinely good people. Our culture and social structure, overlays our goodness, or people’s genuine intentions, and in some ways makes them difficult to see. However, when goodness or kindness is solicited or requested, it resonates at such a high frequency that most people are almost instantly and intuitively driven to act in a kind manner. I started thinking about this when I was sitting at the Green Salmon Coffee Shop in Yachats, Oregon, when ... read more

Fist Days on The Road - The Beauty Of The Olympic Peninsula And The Washington Coast On The Way To Cannon Beach, Or

North America » United States » Oregon » Cannon Beach April 11th 2015

Node

Transcribed from a letter written April 11th, 2015. Wow! After 8 days of riding I’ve made it around the Olympic Peninsula, down the Washington coast, and crossed the Astoria-Megler bridge into Oregon. This letter is being written as I take a few days to relax and heal up from the first week of riding in Cannon Beach, Oregon. The weather has been miraculous, the first 6 days on the Peninsula almost seeming like summertime. The last two days into Oregon were a bit wet and windy, but who can complain at 25%? After a week without checking my email, text messaging, or hearing the ringtone of my phone, I am beginning to settle into a steady state of calm. Being inches from semi-trucks loaded down with timber, passing by at 80 mph may be a little ... read more

Cord Cutting and Final Farewell

North America » United States » Washington » Blaine April 3rd 2015

Node

In 3 hours I will close my computer monitor and turn off my iphone for the next 365 days. I will begin an exploration of myself and my relationship to technology, community and to chaos. The removal of all digital technology in this way is not intended to demonize the utility of technology, but rather to shed some light onto how we use it, and the dependency we've developed. There is a shared intention in this journey, with many of you, and I feel that strongly. We all may not be in a position to take a year long break from technology, but this is okay. If one of us does, we will all share in the insight and freedom discovered. Last night I said a final farewell to my family and closest friends at a ... read more

Digital Detoxification - What? Why? and How?

North America » United States » Washington » Everett March 30th 2015

Cultivating Serenity

Node

Hello friends, colleagues and supporters, What would it be like if I didn't have to answer any emails? What if for a certain period of time I didn't have to hear my text alert, my ringtone, or an alarm waking me up 30 minutes early so I could check my email before rushing off to class? What changes would occur inside if I could spend some uninterrupted time in the outdoors, looking up into the sky, feeling the cool breeze on my face, and smelling the sea air in the early morning, smiling? What would it be like to Reset the rhythm of my life to be more in alignment with my belief system, my values, and my idea of health? These are things I want to give away in the name of health. These are ... read more

Joined	March 21st 2015	Trips	1
Last Login	June 17th 2015	Followers	0
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Node Smith

Node

Node Smith

Naturopathic Pilgramage