Day 38j: When the mind gets in The Way … (05/22/2019)
The last stretch of the walk to the town of Chanaz was along a dry, barren path alongside a similarly “dry” and barren canal. The memory of that afternoon’s heat and glare remain with me to this day, a most unpleasant multi-hour trek that was softened only by the kindness of Heike (the woman next to me in the image below), one of four pilgrims from Germany with whom I had interacted several times during this day’s walk — the first time to tell them my story when they asked about the same, the second time to flow smoothly by as they ate their lunch on the only bench I saw the entire day, and the third time as we all arrived in Chanaz together. It was here that Heike’s three compatriots admitted that they hadn’t believed me (and possibly still didn’t) when I has originally told them that I had Walked for Peace all the way from Stuttgart without carrying or using any money whatsoever*, it was here that Heike — a nurse — gave me a large handful of her own Ibuprofen pills (that would prove to be extremely helpful in the days to come), and it was here that we all said our fond farewells. For three of the group it is possible that meeting me proved to be nothing more than another unusual story to tell their friends back home, and yet for Heike, it felt like a deeper connection was made — a connection that just might encourage her to live a life of greater Peace & deeper Joy. I certainly hope this is indeed the case … 🙂
“To seek truth requires one to ask the right questions. Those devoid of truth never ask about anything of any real import or consequence because their fears &/or their arrogance prevent them from doing so. As such, they will ever remain blind to the greater reality in which they are alive. Those on the Path to Truth, on the other hand, are extremely heart-driven and almost childlike in their quest for Meaning — always asking questions, and always open to listening to the varied answers given to the same. These are the ones who are not afraid to admit they don’t know, and as such these are the ones who end up with a greater understanding. They learn earlier than many that whenever the mind is in the way, the Heart can’t See anything.” ~ inspired by Suzy Kassem
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