Take a step along the path
There are times when you feel like leaving, just for a moment, to clear your head and create space for something else. With his pack on his back, his walking shoes on, leaning on his stick, the pilgrim moves quickly forward. He scans the horizon, moving forward to the rhythm of his steps, cadenced by the regular clacking of his stick: ‘Ta-ta-tataa’. As he walks, his thoughts fade, leaving his head empty. Nature abhors a vacuum. Soon, that emptiness is filled with feelings captured by all the senses: the colours of the fields, the scent of the flowers, the chirping of the birds and the whisper of the breeze in the trees. Peace settles in. A sense of well-being fills the body, accentuating the desire to move forward.
Walking for several days, whether on the path of introspection or pilgrimage, happens every day. As I lift my feet, leaning on my stick, I let my five senses take in all the beauty. I breathe deeply of the morning air, waiting impatiently for the cuckoo to emit its characteristic melody, just as it has done every day up to now. The sun's rays pierce the curtain of tree branches and reflect off the puddles on the path. Nature and I, duality melting into unity.
To take a break, I stop and take off my shoes. I place my feet on the ground and savour the feel of the soft, fresh grass. I take a few steps towards a stream bed. I sink into the wet sand and stop when the water runs over my ankles. The cold sensation makes me forget the miles I've covered since the morning. I revel in these peaceful moments..