Sleeping rough...

[TaoPath]

I want to experience new things and this is one of them. I want to beg on the streets and sleep rough for a night/weekend to see how it feels. No wallet, ipod or phone (but maybe a book). The money I make will go to a charity and/or a real homeless person after food and water

The reason being is that I feel very privileged in my life and have a lot. I have never experienced that much difficulty and now that I control my emotions and thoughts I want to test myself on some level. I want do this in my own city where someone might see me (embarrassment test).

The girl i'm with thinks it's dangerous and stupid and I should wait for summer.

Good idea or bad one?

x

[mikej]

There's a big difference between choosing to sleep rough for a night or two and actually being homeless. I don't see the point to be honest.

[TaoPath]

- Make me more humble

- REALLY understand how lucky I am

- Understand their perspective more...meaning I'll give more in future

When I said I wanted to do this to a friend he said that both Jesus and Buddha (in their own way) said to really understand poverty, struggle etc spend a day/night begging. This somewhat validated me doing it on some level. If I give all my money that I make to a real homeless person after my expereince its win-win no?

x

[mikej]

I think that's fine if you want to do it but I'm not convinced you'd get much of an insight into what it's really like to be homeless/poor. A lot of homeless people have mental health problems, for instance.

Good luck anyway if you decide to do it.

[Andrew Gubb]

I did a month long homeless trial once. It wasn't really necessary as such but I did find it convenient for some reasons; my life situation wasn't too stable and I needed to be free.

I did it because I wanted to experience the "worst case scenario" and not feel bound by the fear of it. I also thought it would be an interesting experience from which I could learn a lot.

Tao, if you feel drawn to it, I say go for it. You never regret learning experiences, even if they are rough.

Love & good luck

Andrew

[Ketty]

Originally Posted by TaoPath

I want to experience new things and this is one of them. I want to beg on the streets and sleep rough for a night/weekend to see how it feels. No wallet, ipod or phone (but maybe a book). The money I make will go to a charity and/or a real homeless person after food and water

The reason being is that I feel very privileged in my life and have a lot. I have never experienced that much difficulty and now that I control my emotions and thoughts I want to test myself on some level. I want do this in my own city where someone might see me (embarrassment test).

The girl i'm with thinks it's dangerous and stupid and I should wait for summer.

Good idea or bad one?

x

I think your girl is right to say it's dangerous and stupid. I don't think you'll make much money from being homeless unless you dig in dumpsters for soda cans for a month like some homeless people do. I think it'd be more humbling if you just go up and talk to homeless people and bring them a packed lunch. I've always wanted to do that but I live in the suburbs and I rarely see homeless people around.

[SatvikBeri]

It won't be the same as actually being homeless-by a long stretch-but it probably will be a learning experience. And the fact that you want to try is reason enough.

Depending on where you live though, it could definitely put you in danger. I personally wouldn't risk that level of physical danger for that kind of learning experience, but it might be worth it to you.

[NewSimon]

Not having had any experience of this myself, I would say be very cautious. If you suddenly turn-up somewhere appearing homeless and begging you may attract unwanted attention from other homeless people. They won't neccessarily be supportive and certainly not if you tell them it's to experience being homeless. When people have nothing, it's dog eat dog. Homeless people aren't always grateful for hand-outs either.

My thought is, why do you need to experience this situation to fully understand and appreciate it? And why do you need this? To feel better about yourself or less guilty? Does being homeless for a few nights entitle you to state that you know what it's like? Do you want to tell other people that you know what it's like? Do you feel you would have more respect for yourself and an insight into the lives of the homeless? I think there's a difference between sleeping rough for life experience and sleeping rough to try and emulate homelessness. People are driven to being homeless and this isn't what you are going to get - the background to it.

I think a better insight would gained by regular volunteering and experiencing their lives that way.

[faithsdaddy]

If you do it, then I would suggest taking a friend. You'd also have to be really careful not to get into a 'situation'.

It's a great idea though. I hope you go through with it.

[TaoPath]

Thanks for all your responses guys.

I think I am drawn to it. I'll let my friends and family know I'm doing it and bring a phone (although switch off). With any experience preparation is key. In the meantime i'll do what was suggested, talk to them in the streets and learn their stories, give them hot food etc.

Thanks for all the advice and i'll keep you updated (prob doing it in mid feb)

x