The Experiment in 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. It was a walk for inner truth and integrity and an opportunity to slow down and simplify my life. It was a walk to practice mindfulness, presence, gratitude, universal love and being in deep connection with all life.

To prepare for the walk, I simplified my physical possessions down to just what I could walk with, everything I owned fitting into my backpack. Each day, I shed the past that no longer served me, walking into the present moment. Before arriving in L.A., 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, opening myself up to complete transparency and honesty. I also let go of 90% of my life in the digital realm.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, I gave away every possession that I owned (yes, even my computer and my clothes) and every dollar, entering into an experiment of non-ownership. After five minutes sitting naked in Griffith Park, I was covered with a blanket and was now borrowing the first of the few items I’d need.

For the three months ahead, I lived in service to the community, practiced simple living, practiced compassionate communication, deepened my connection with Earth and our plant and animal relatives, practiced living in the present moment with mindfulness, deepened my wholeness and completeness within and shared my messages with those who find benefit and meaning in my experience and perspective.

I was accessible and available to all who visited me in Griffith Park. 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. It was an open and inviting space to meet others and grow community. I led Compassionate Communication group practice sessions, group singing and mindfulness walks, foraging walks to learn the edible and medicinal plants growing freely and abundantly in the park and gave talks. I also hosted numerous day long schools including Foraging School, Barefoot School and Simple and Sustainable Living School. I also gave talks sharing about the experiment of non-ownership.

I am aware that my experiment is quite unusual. Many people labeled me as crazy and assumed I had lost my mind. The last thing I want is to be considered normal in a society where nearly every action we take is rooted in destruction, exploitation, inequity, and injustice. A society that believes we are separate from Earth and the plants and animals we share this home with, that believes we are separate from one another. By entering into this experiment of non-ownership, I continued on my journey of 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 material possessions, insurance and a retirement account. 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 Article I have shared in-depth about the experiment including my “Why” and my plan to meet my basic needs without ownership. I invite you to explore the videos and articles I’ve shared below to join me on this journey.

California Speaking Tour: After my time in Griffith Park, I embarked on a speaking tour from San Diego to San Francisco. I continued the experiment during this time, giving all of my talks for free and accepting support from the community of food, lodging and transportation. For details, visit the tour page.

The Rich Roll Podcast: On the eighth day of the experiment, I joined Rich Roll in his studio for an in-depth exploration of the experiment and what led me to this point. For those who desire to understand me at my core, I can think of no more effective means than to watch this conversation between Rich and me. He surprised me with the depth of his approach and boldness of a few of his questions.

Talks in Griffith Park:

During my time in Griffith Park, I gave numerous talks to whomever came to gather, sharing about the experiment. The talks were recorded so that fellow humans around the world could take part in the experiment and learn from what I had alive in me. Each talk is linked below.

January 26th – Entering into The Experiment of Non-Ownership
January 28th – The Experiment of Non-Ownership in Depth (including the physical, mental and digital realms)
January 30th – My Journey of Awakening and Transformation
February 2nd – The Experiment of Non-Ownership – Week 1 Insights
February 4th – On Living Without Money
February 16th – Non-Ownership Experiment Update Week 7 & Vipassana
March 30th – Non-Ownership Experiment – Week 9 Update
April 16th – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions and Responses to Criticism This is a recorded video, not a public talk.
April 20th – Three Months in the Non-Ownership Experiment: The Final Talk in Griffith Park

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.