The Experiment in Non-Ownership - Robin Greenfield in LA

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.

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. It was 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 released everything from my mind that I’d been guarding or hiding, every secret that I’d held in. I arrived having emptied my mind – making my mind Creative Commons – and opening myself up to complete transparency and honesty.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, I gave away every possession that I owned and entered into an experiment of non-ownership (yes, even my computer and my clothes). During this time, I am living in service to the community, practicing simple living, practicing compassionate communication, deepening my connection with Earth and our plant and animal relatives, practicing living in the present moment with mindfulness, deepening my wholeness and completeness within and sharing my messages with those who find benefit and meaning in my experience and perspective.

I am aware that my experiment is quite unusual. I certainly can’t explain my life 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.

Find Me in Griffith Park

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

Find me in the large, grassy lawn on N. Vermont Canyon Rd. just beyond The Greek Theatre and Parking Lot F. (There is a public bathroom there and picnic tables next to the road.) **This map shows the exact location.**

Schedule March 16th to April 20th:

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

Sunday 4/20
Join Robin for the final gathering in Griffith Park before he leaves Los Angeles!
4:00 NVC Group Practice
5:00 Community Gathering and Potluck
6:00 Robin will give a talk sharing his experience in the Experiment of Non-Ownership

California Speaking Tour (April 22nd to May 18th)

Robin will be on a month speaking tour when he completes his experiment in the park. His experiment will continue during the speaking tour. For details, visit our events schedule.

Classes at Griffith Park Information:

NVC/Compassionate Communication Group Practice Sessions: We will practice Compassionate Communication together. This is open for all, even if you’ve never heard of this practice. 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.
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.
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.
Sunday Sangha: On Sundays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m I will take part in Los Angeles Compassionate Heart Sangha “An eclectic group of all ages and ethnicities practicing Zen Buddhism in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.” All are welcome to join.

Day Schools

Foraging School | Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 12:00 – 4:30 PM

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.

At 4:30 Robin will serve wild rice (manoomin) harvested from his homeland. This is the most sacred food relationship he holds and he is joyous to introduce you to this plant friend. Donations will be accepted to support the Rights of Manoomin movement.

Simple and Sustainable Living School | Saturday, April 19, 2025 | 12:00 – 4:30 PM

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.

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
Sun 3/30 – Non-Ownership Experiment – Week 9 Update

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 team by contacting us here.
Media: To schedule an interview, 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