David Hahn, Interesting Research

5/1/08

-From Paul Heintzman’s The wilderness experience and spirituality: What recent research tells us

In Paul Heintzman’s article, he uses surveys for strong factual knowledge on wilderness areas affecting religion and the spiritual aspect, which that area emits. Heintzman says, “On a survey of 62 mountain bikers and 49 foot travelers in a wildland recreation setting. Almost 11 percent of the participants cited spiritual benefits (e.g., ‘feeling stronger spiritually,’ ‘gaining a sense of peace and serenity,’ and ‘experiencing a sense of oneness with nature and the cosmos’).” Heintzman uses another survey saying “Based on interviews with 100 wilderness users in Desolation Wilderness, in California's Eldorado National Forest, Trainor and Norgaard (1999) found that 69 percent of the respondents acknowledged the spiritual value of wilderness, 13 percent did not, and 18 percent were unsure. For some, the spiritual value was associated with an escape from a hectic daily life and the opportunity for reflection and solitude. Others viewed their visit to nature as a spiritual experience and found spirituality in nature itself.” Heintzman uses yet another survey saying “Quantitative studies indicate how interested wilderness users are in the spiritual dimension of their wilderness visit. Brayley and Fox (1998) found that 45.8 percent of backcountry visitors to Canada's Prince Albert National Park felt that the opportunity to reflect on spiritual values was somewhat, quite, or very important to them in their decision to visit the backcountry. They concluded that a majority of backcountry visitors do not share the desire for a spiritual benefit and for those who would consider it a benefit, the opportunity for introspection is not as important as other benefits they seek. Nevertheless, they noted that many people participate in backcountry recreation because they desire an introspective or spiritual experience.” Because of Heintzman’s spectacular research taking these surveys helps prove the point that wilderness areas greatly affect the spirit and religion on the people that venture into them.