The Experiment in Non-Ownership – Robin Greenfield in Los Angeles

Robin Greenfield sits cross-legged on a grassy field with only a palm frond to cover him.

 

A Message of Love and Support to the Los Angeles Community.

Please read this for updates on my plans and how I intend to be of support.

Los Angeles Arrival

January 26th – Griffith Park
This was the official completion of my walk from Canada to Los Angeles. I gave away everything I owned at this gathering, entering into the experiment of non-ownership.

Entering into Non-Ownership

In July of 2024, I set out walking on a 1,600 mile journey along the Pacific Coast from the Canada/US border to Los Angeles. This has been a walk for inner truth and integrity. An opportunity to slow down and simplify my life. To practice mindfulness, presence, gratitude, universal love and being in connection with all life.

To prepare for the walk, I simplified my physical possessions down to just what I could walk with, every possession fitting into my backpack. Each day I walked, I shed the past that no longer served me, walking into the present moment. Before arriving in LA, I am releasing everything from my mind that I’ve been guarding or hiding, every secret that I’ve held in. I will arrive having emptied my mind – making my mind Creative Commons – and opening myself up to complete transparency and honesty.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, I will give away every possession that I own and enter into an experiment of complete non-ownership (yes, even my computer and my clothes). During this time, I will live in service to the community, practice simple living, practice compassionate communication, deepen my connection with Earth and our plant and animal relatives, practice living in the present moment with mindfulness, deepen my wholeness and completeness within and share my messages with those who find benefit and meaning in my experience and perspective.

A message on the current situation in Los Angeles: My arrival in Los Angeles is coming at a very unique time. I have heard from many members of the community that they feel confident that my presence including this unique experiment will be of benefit to the community at this time. I understand that some community members think otherwise. I will be present as a servant to the community, with the utmost of compassion for all who I interact with. I am fully confident that I will give far more to the community than I receive, as that has always been the deep roots of this experiment. Food, shelter and material resources are pressing needs for many community members. I will not take away from these resources. Just as poignant for many right now are the needs for deep presence, compassion and empathy, to be seen and heard and to be understood. These are needs that I will help to meet with my practice and my presence. Six days per week I will be hosting community space in Griffith Park. This will be a space of community healing, self-care, compassionate communication, healing and deep connection. Connection to Earth, connection to self and connection with community. I would love to collaborate with community members who have healing gifts to offer. There are also many in this time looking for a new forward to meet their needs for stability, purpose and meaning in life. I will be here to support with this. Read the full message here.

I am aware that my experiment is quite unusual. I certainly can’t explain my plan in a way that everyone will understand. We are a society that has lost so much of our connection with Earth and our connection with community. Our lives have become so dictated by consumer goods and the financial system. By entering into this experiment of non-ownership, I am taking substantial steps in showing myself that the Earth can provide me with all of my basic needs. And that relationships with Earth, my fellow humanity and the plants and animals we share this home with are far more valuable and secure than a bank account and life savings. This is a journey I have been on for over a decade and this experiment in non-ownership is just the next step.

In The Experiment in Non-Ownership I have shared in-depth about the experiment including my “Why” and my plan to meet my basic needs without ownership.

I will be accessible and available to all who visit me in Griffith Park. I will be a servant, serving as a guide to help others on this journey of deepening our connection to Earth, to community and to the plants and animals we share this home with; of breaking free from what no longer serves us and living in alignment with our beliefs.

Griffith Park

I will be available in Griffith Park through the spring, sharing with the community both as a teacher and as a student.

I will be in the grassy, open lawn just beyond The Greek Theatre on N. Vermont Canyon Rd.

This map shows the exact location.

I will share and facilitate:

  • Truth Talks
    • The Sunday Truth Talk will be a sharing of the experiment of non-ownership including new insights from the experience. The Thursday talks will address different topics.  Each talk will be followed by a Q&A. See below for topics.
  • Compassionate Communication Group Practice Sessions
    • We will practice Compassionate Communication together. I will facilitate the space and would love for others experienced in this realm to help guide the group experience. I encourage you to get the Nonviolent Communication book and bring this along.
    • Empathy Sessions. Some of our practice groups will be specifically focused on helping to meet each other’s need for empathy, to be truly seen and heard.
  • Group Singing and Mindfulness Walks
    • Sing songs of gratitude and connection together as a community and then take part in a short mindfulness walking meditation. I welcome anyone to bring songs they’d like to share and to share freely. We will walk as if our feet are kissing the Earth (as taught by Thich Nhat Hanh) – an opportunity to walk barefoot in the grass and connect to Earth.
  • Foraging Walks
    • I will lead a short walk teaching about edible and medicinal plants and sharing the basics on how to establish relationships of reciprocity with the plants to live closer to Earth. I welcome fellow foragers to share as well.
  • Sunday Sangha
  • Barefoot School
    • Through this school you will return home with the skills, knowledge, motivation and confidence to go barefoot in your life as you desire and to live in deeper harmony with Earth. Learn the why and how to be barefoot; observe, connect to and learn to love your feet; have the opportunity to ask questions; and meet like-minded people and build your community.
  • Foraging School
    • Foraging School is an opportunity to learn how to identify, harvest and enjoy this abundance of food and medicine that is growing in our communities! Topics will include: foraging walks and plant identification; tips to become a successful forager from me, an experienced forager; sustainability and ethics of foraging; how and where to safely forage; deepening your connection with Earth and our plant relatives and living in reciprocity.
  • Simple and Sustainable Living School
    • Come learn how to live simply and sustainably! I will share helpful tips to break free from the rat race and live more simply and sustainably. Meet others and grow your community of people on this journey. Topics will include: living zero waste, composting, foraging, natural personal hygiene, living with less money, and overcoming restrictive societal norms. Together we will deepen our connection with Earth and the plants and animals we share this home with.
  • Grow Your Own Toilet Paper Workshop
    • Learn how to grow your own toilet paper and break free from the store-bought TP! Every attendee will receive cuttings of The Toilet Paper Plant. I will give an introduction to composting and how to turn poop into black gold through the process of humanure. Details below.

Schedule

March 16th to April 20th:

I will be present in Griffith Park for five weeks, available Thursday – Sunday from 3:30 PM until sunset.

March 16th – Robin’s Return to L.A. 5:00 PM Talk + Community Potluck

Thursday 3/20
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Truth Talk

Friday 3/21
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Simple and Sustainable Living How-To

Saturday 3/22
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Foraging Walk

Sun 3/23
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Truth Talk

Thur 3/27
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Truth Talk

Fri 3/28
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Simple and Sustainable Living How-To

Sat 3/29
12-4:30: Barefoot School
5:30-7: Foraging Walk

Sun 3/30
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Truth Talk

Thursday 4/3
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Truth Talk

Friday 4/4
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Simple and Sustainable Living How-To

Saturday 4/5
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Foraging Walk

Sunday 4/6
3-5: Grow Your Own Toilet Paper
5:30-7: Truth Talk

Thursday 4/10
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Truth Talk

Friday 4/11
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Simple and Sustainable Living How-To

Saturday 4/12
12-4:30: Foraging School
5:30-7: Foraging Walk

Sunday 4/13
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Truth Talk

Thursday 4/17
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Truth Talk

Friday 4/18
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Simple and Sustainable Living How-To

Saturday 4/19
12-4:30: Simple and Sustainable Living School
5:30-7: Foraging Walk

Sunday 4/20
3:30-4:30: Singing/Mindfulness Walk
4:30-5:30: NVC Practice
5:30-7: Truth Talk

I will be in the grassy, open lawn just beyond The Greek Theatre on N. Vermont Canyon Rd.

This map shows the exact location.

Grow Your Own Toilet Paper Workshop

Learn how to grow your own toilet paper and break free from the store-bought TP! Every attendee will receive cuttings of The Toilet Paper Plant to take home, to start growing their own. I will give an introduction to composting and how to turn poop into black gold through the process of humanure. For all those seeking harmony with Earth, this will be an insightful conversation around one of the most taboo subjects that exists, dealing with our own poop and pee.

Pooping is a family affair! All are welcome. Even babies. Expect light-hearted poop jokes as well as a deep exploration of our relationship to the Earth through our basic daily actions.

Sunday, April 6th, 2025
3-3:30 PM – Community Meet & Greet
3:30-4:15 PM – The Poop Talk
4:15-5 PM – Receive your cutting of the toilet paper plant

To receive the cutting, you are highly encouraged to attend the class so you’ll know how to grow this special plant.
If you have small 3” pots or soil that you’d like to share with the community, please bring them.

Truth Talks

Sun 1/26 – Entering into The Experiment of Non-Ownership
Tue 1/28 – The Experiment of Non-Ownership in Depth (including the physical, mental and digital realms)
Thur 1/30 – My Journey of Awakening and Transformation
Sun 2/2 – The Experiment of Non-Ownership – Week 1 Insights
Tue 2/4 – On Living Without Money
Sun 3/16 – Non-Ownership Experiment Update Week 7 & Vipassana
Thur 3/20 – Ask Me Anything

Past Schedules

January 26th to February 4th:

Sun 1/26 –    3-5: This is the official completion of my walk. I will give away everything I own at this gathering, entering into the experiment of non-ownership.
Mon 1/27 ————————————
Tue 1/28 –   2-3: Open Hours  –           3-4: Silence Walk  –  4-5:30: Truth Talk
Wed 1/29 –  2-3: Community Care  –  3-4: Vipassana  –       4-5:30: NVC Practice
Thur 1/30 – 2-3: Open Hours  –           3-4: Silence Walk  –  4-5:30: Truth Talk
Fri 1/31 –     2-3: Community Care  –   3-4: Singing  –            4-5:30: NVC Practice
Sat 2/1 –       2-3: Community Care  –   3-4: NVC Practice  – 4-5:30: Foraging Walk
Sun 2/2 –     2-3: Open Hours  –            3-4: Silence Walk  –  4-5:30: Truth Talk
Mon 2/3 ————————————
Tue 2/4 –     2-3: Open Hours  –            3-4: Silence Walk  –  4-5:30: Truth Talk

February 5th to March 15th:

I will be in Vipassana silent meditation at the Southern California Vipassana Center.

How to Get Involved

  • Come to any of my gatherings.
  • Looking to work closely with me? Fill out this volunteer form.
  • Use the resources below to become the change you wish to see in the world!
  • Get in touch with my teammate Melissa by contacting us here.
  • I will be available from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday – Sunday for interviews, at the Griffith Park location. To schedule otherwise, contact us here.

Exploration of the Experiment

Why I Walked from Canada to L.A. and the Impact on My Life
The Experiment in Non-Ownership – An in-depth explanation of my “Why” behind this experiment and how I’ll meet my basic needs.
Non-Ownership in the Physical, Digital and Mental Realms – An in-depth exploration of my attempt at non-ownership beyond the physical realm, into the digital and mental realms of ownership.
The Timeline of My Journey of Complete Non-Ownership – From aspiring millionaire, to having not a penny to my name or a possession of my own, this the timeline of my journey to complete non-ownership.
My Commitment to Truth and Transparency – An exploration of my experiment of existing in complete transparency. For four years I will not tell a lie. I will only tell the truth. There is nothing that I will hide or guard. I will have nothing in my mind that is not accessible.
A Message of Love and Support to the Los Angeles Community

Resources

My Experience with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) / Compassionate Communication
My Ten Days of Silence – Vipassana Meditation
My Vows to Humanity
I am on Stolen Indigenous Land – Land Acknowledgement by Robin Greenfield
My Life Design and Mission Statement
FAQ About My Life
Start-Here Guide to My Website

Recent Relevant Writings
On Understanding and Acknowledging My Privilege
On Independence Versus Interdependence
If Everybody Lived Like Me … Then What?
A Year Without Sex or Romance

Positive Changes You Can Make
100+ Positive Changes to Live More Sustainably, Healthy and Happy
My Top Substantial Life Changes to Live Sustainably
Resources to Be the Change You Wish to See
The Beginner’s Guide to Downsize Your Life
Foraging Guide for Beginner Foragers
How to Go Barefoot More Often – Tips for Beginners
My Recommended Books List
Los Angeles Organizations to get involved with
Los Angeles Compassionate Heart Sangha (Sunday’s 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) “An eclectic group of all ages and ethnicities practicing Zen Buddhism in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.” Deer Park Monastery

My Walk from Canada to Los Angeles:

Learn about my walk from Canada to Los Angeles here. This was a walk for inner truth and integrity.

Truth and Transparency Series:

I am coming into a place of full transparency and deep truth. I welcome you to watch the Truth and Transparency series via this playlist and learn more through this article.

The Experiment in Non-Ownership Playlist:

You can watch all of the Non-Ownership Experiment videos via this playlist.