Just like during any relationship, the amount of suffering we experience while walking is directly proportionate not to the particular difficulties of the path (or partnership), but rather the manner in which we choose to walk the same. Striving in any way to “get there” faster (or even “get there” at all) will always lead to trips and falls and stumbles, while allowing the path to dictate your vector and tempo will always have you ever arriving at the perfect destination exactly on time … 😉

And so it was this afternoon while I was walking down the stony-but-smoothly-sloped trail leading into the city of Bourg Argental. If I had succumbed to the temptation to traverse this challenge as quickly as possible, my hips would have loudly protested and I would have almost certainly fell. And yet I chose instead to shift into “monk mode” and slowly shuffle along during that same descent; allowing me to not only arrive without trial or trauma, but also to fully enjoy the glorious scenery while doing so … 🙂

“Your life is ever a series of spontaneously flowing changes. Avoid resisting them at all costs; for doing so always begets suffering and sorrow. Let your reality be reality instead. Let things flow naturally into your awareness, and move forward with and through them gently — in whatever ways they most desire.” ~ inspired by Lao Tzu

Filed under: Peace Pilgrimage #02: Walking HOME (2019) by Scaughdt