As explained in the previous article, the author has been traveling, continuously, for more than one year now. This means, being with limited possessions, and without a 'base' or a 'comfort zone' for more than a year. This is not necessarily fortunate, nor is it unfortunate.
Everyone and everything can be a teacher. Even the act of traveling can be a teacher. It all depends on one's willingness to learn.
Traveling highlights the fact that we are completely dependent on 'others'. It is due to the kindness of 'others' that we are able to get around. It also highlights the fact that we are not separate from 'others' or from our surroundings and environment.
Keeping this in mind, there is one topic that stood out in the last year and the author would like to share this.
One may have the wish to rest, but circumstances force one to move around and interact. Or, we may have one destination in mind, but life simply forces our journey into another direction and we have to surrender and accept.
Simply writing about surrendering and accepting is easy, but truly surrendering and accepting is something different.
See, the moment we create an aversion towards the unfolding of the Now, we simultaneously entertain the belief that we are a separate object, a 'separate self' surrounded by other 'separate selves'. We falsely believe that we are an object, stuck in time and space. Thus, we enter into ignorance.
We tense up, we try to protect this 'separate self' and we try to force a comfort zone. Nevertheless, this is fruitless.
However, as soon as we get obsessed with the fulfillment of our plans, we simultaneously create fear. See, attachment equals fear. We fear that our plans may not work out. We overthink and create crazy scenarios. We build a cage of misery and then lock ourselves into this cage, voluntarily. And, we suffer.
This is unnecessary, but we usually only learn this over time, and through repetitive suffering and reflection. But, as long as we are open to reflecting and learning, we are on the right path, regardless of the destination.
To conclude, the intention of this article is not to offer any solutions to our suffering, but it offers an opportunity to reflect. The situations highlighted above are not solely presented to us during traveling, but we can experience them in our day-to-day lives. Traveling merely highlighted these, for the author.
If life is a journey, then we can consider the words of Ram Dass, "We're all just walking each other home."
Related articles on this blog:
Thoughts and actions, 31 January 2023
A beautiful paradox - 28 December 2022
A pointer inwards - 30 November 2022
Everyone and everything can be a teacher. Even the act of traveling can be a teacher. It all depends on one's willingness to learn.
Traveling highlights the fact that we are completely dependent on 'others'. It is due to the kindness of 'others' that we are able to get around. It also highlights the fact that we are not separate from 'others' or from our surroundings and environment.
Keeping this in mind, there is one topic that stood out in the last year and the author would like to share this.
Ignorance
Traveling teaches us to let go and go with the flow. We learn that we, as a 'person' is not in control of how things may or may not turn out. We may have the wish to be alone, but without being able to control it, one is surrounded by many people.One may have the wish to rest, but circumstances force one to move around and interact. Or, we may have one destination in mind, but life simply forces our journey into another direction and we have to surrender and accept.
Simply writing about surrendering and accepting is easy, but truly surrendering and accepting is something different.
See, the moment we create an aversion towards the unfolding of the Now, we simultaneously entertain the belief that we are a separate object, a 'separate self' surrounded by other 'separate selves'. We falsely believe that we are an object, stuck in time and space. Thus, we enter into ignorance.
We tense up, we try to protect this 'separate self' and we try to force a comfort zone. Nevertheless, this is fruitless.
The right path
There is nothing wrong with making plans for the future. We buy train tickets in advance, book flights in advance and make arrangements to meet in advance. This is simply practical and convenient. Sometimes it is also smart.However, as soon as we get obsessed with the fulfillment of our plans, we simultaneously create fear. See, attachment equals fear. We fear that our plans may not work out. We overthink and create crazy scenarios. We build a cage of misery and then lock ourselves into this cage, voluntarily. And, we suffer.
This is unnecessary, but we usually only learn this over time, and through repetitive suffering and reflection. But, as long as we are open to reflecting and learning, we are on the right path, regardless of the destination.
To conclude, the intention of this article is not to offer any solutions to our suffering, but it offers an opportunity to reflect. The situations highlighted above are not solely presented to us during traveling, but we can experience them in our day-to-day lives. Traveling merely highlighted these, for the author.
If life is a journey, then we can consider the words of Ram Dass, "We're all just walking each other home."
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| The weather changes spontaneously, just as life changes spontaneously. Accepting change brings us peace. |
Related articles on this blog:
Thoughts and actions, 31 January 2023
A beautiful paradox - 28 December 2022
A pointer inwards - 30 November 2022
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