Spiritual Bushcraft?

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
Messages
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So - Tuesday night - I was moderating a discussion about 'Women in faith' There were two Muslim women (different denominations) and two Christian women (different denominations) discussion religion and the female roles.

I checked my watch near the end of the discussion and ended it a little early to give the Shiite muslim woman time to make evening Salat (prayers).

As people mulled about - a Muslim Elder came to me and said - "Which way is North?" I knew why he was asking, reached into my pocket, pulled out my match case - told him exactly where North East was and walked away.

I thought to myself - I am TOTALLY prepared! ;) And people make fun of us for our kit!

TF
 
That kit was important so you could be of assistance. Which makes me wonder if knowing which way North is and why it is important-- I wonder why he does not carry a compass--- that way he will know at all times.
 
xbxb said:
That kit was important so you could be of assistance. Which makes me wonder if knowing which way North is and why it is important-- I wonder why he does not carry a compass--- that way he will know at all times.
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I thought that myself. But hey maybe some people prefer to ask then carry the needed tool. :confused:
 
xbxb said:
That kit was important so you could be of assistance. Which makes me wonder if knowing which way North is and why it is important-- I wonder why he does not carry a compass--- that way he will know at all times.
Click to expand...

Muslims face Mecca for their prayers, that's why he wanted to know. And if a Muslim doesn't know which way, then whichever direction is okay, it's the intention that matters. I think you'll find that most Muslims can work out which way is Mecca if they can see the sun and know the time.

What's interesting in a "bushcraft" aspect is that Muslim friends of mine tell me that those who live in rural areas and are farmers etc, and the older people who didn't grow up in the city, never have any problems determining which way Mecca is unaided provided their are stars in the sky or they can see the sun. It really highlights the difference between generations and the city people, and shows that it isn't a Western phenomenon.
 
It was night - and most importantly we were inside. He was rushed - so he simply asked rather than walk outside. That and he had made himself ritually clean already and taken off his shoes (not all Muslims do this) so it was MUCH easier to simply ask me.

I didn't need to check my Compass - but I had it - so I thought I would show it to him to reassure him.

He adjusted his chair (he was older) and went to praying.

Chris,

I like your observation - I agree - he was from an city in India - and moved to Houston - he likely doesn't know celestial direction finding.

TF
 
You mean you didn't ridicule him for his beliefs and attempt to forcefeed him your own?


That's odd.... it's almost as if you respected him as an individual..... strange.



Rick
 
Well, this is the Wilderness forum, one of the more diverse and friendly places around here....

;- )

(and thumbs up on the tactical orienteering!)
 
My own:

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IMG_4752.jpg


TF
 
That's an VERY nice matchsafe Talfurche!

I used to work with a high-ranking education official who was a devout Muslim and when it was time to pray simply excused himself and used the room itself as reference (where the main door was would possibly be North I suppose). As I understand it, yes indeed if one can't determine where Mecca was facing, the intention of the prayer as well as the obligation to do it, rather than its actual direction, was more important.

Although not quite what I was expecting this thread to turn out, as I read the title, the first thing that came into my head was that the most meaningful moment of prayer I ever had was under a tall tamarind tree rather than any Church I've been in. Same goes for whenever I do get the chance to get close to nature, rather than a place of worship
 
Untamed,

There are MANY writers that say you cannot get into contact with the 'other' without being in the wilderness.

I tend to agree, I wonder if the city cuts us off from more than just nice views and smells.

TF
 
I don't know how many times I've pulled something out of my Altoids tin for oddball tasks. Just the other night I was grilling ribs and realized I had nothing handy to flip them. The little Opinel in my kit did just fine and I used a cotton ball normally reserved for spark-catching to wipe the BBQ sauce off the blade. I've also used my kit compass when I first moved into this apartment to figure out which window I should put my plants in.

TF, I'm guessing that match case is aluminum and the ferro rod doesn't throw off the compass. Wicked cool, at any rate.
 
Blais,

I used Mishmetal as opposed to Ferrocerium for this reason. Ferro rod has 25% or so of iron - Mishmetal has no iron and cerium is non ferrous.

Mishmetal is made up of: 48% cerium, 25% lanthanum, 17% neodymium, and 5% praseodymium.

I don't see any change in the compass.

TF
 
TF, that's a great looking match case -- very well thought out. If you decide to make any to sell, please let me know.
 
I have gotten the looks too. Some of my friends use to joke about Edgar and his gadgets. Then one of our friends had to evacuate New Orleans when Katrina hit. As a federal employee with USDHHS he could go back before the general public. Guess who he asked about what precautions to take and what equipment to use? I put a kit together and when with him to pick up his stuff. After we got what was salvageable we spent an afternoor distributing bottled water to the people who stayed in the city. Let's say my friends don't give me the look anymore.

And I agree that the closer I feel to God is when I'm in roaming nature. For me it is the magnificence of creation.

BTW, if you decide to put those matchcases for sale, I'm interested.
 
Tal - sorry for interrupting your thread...what's the best way to contact you about having a custom sheath made?

Thanks!

AJ
 
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