Charity jump advice

[bedehazlet 0]

There's definitely something about freefall, obelixtim, that gives you a different perspective on your relationship with the world and the mystery from which it emerged.

[bedehazlet 0]

Talking to DZs seems like a good idea, wolfriverjoe. Thank you.

And thanks again to everyone who has replied so far to my initial post. I really appreciate your taking the time to do so - and your patience with a thread that I realize is probably veering a bit from the domain of a "General Skydiving Discussion."

The sense of community among those who jump out of perfectly good airplanes is a big part of the sport's appeal, and your attitude of welcome (and sense of humor!) really reflects that.

[RMK 3]

What about the idea of the monastery setting up a small non-profit/charity DZ. Would be quite unique & would get some great media coverage re marketing. I for one would come jump at a your DZ and buy a t-shirt.

... Welcome to Higher Calling Skydiving “you’ll be jumping with Brother Bede and Brother “Dave” will be flying video”

"Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to attend his classes"

[cocheese 0]

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I'm thinking inter-religious dialogue might be better, cocheese...

Well I guess our conversation is over.

[obelixtim 150]

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There's definitely something about freefall, obelixtim, that gives you a different perspective on your relationship with the world and the mystery from which it emerged.

You've only just touched it, it gets better.

Did a solo night jump early in my career, from 12500 feet.

Full moon, crystal clear night, stars everywhere, a view of nearly 100 miles of the southern half of the North Island of NZ, with clusters of lights around the small towns and cities, the Tasman sea off one coast, the south Pacific Ocean off the other, silver in the moonlight.

Me, alone, in freefall, feeling totally insignificant, like an ant in the universe, realising that all the people down below me under all those twinkling lights, didn't have the slightest conception of what I was experiencing......and most never ever would.

As far as a spiritual experience goes, I've never come across anything even close to it, even on subsequent night jumps.

That jump was 37 years ago, but is still as clear in my mind as it was when it happened...one of the best I ever did.

I hope you get to experience something like that. It is such a privelidge to be able to do so, yet it is within the reach of nearly everyone.

As the saying goes:

"Only skydivers know why the birds sing"......

My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

[bedehazlet 0]

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What about the idea of the monastery setting up a small non-profit/charity DZ.

That's an interesting possibility, RMK! There's a glider school nearby so we might complement each other. On the other hand, like raising sheep (which I've also considered trying to do here) this would probably require the involvement of other monks and I'm not sure how much interest there would be.

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[bedehazlet 0]

Well I guess our conversation is over.

I hope not!

[bedehazlet 0]

You've only just touched it, it gets better.

What a beautiful experience, obelixtim.