'See the nature - trees, flowers, grass grow in silence. See the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence.We need silence to be able to touch souls'.
--- Mother Theresa
'Cool Breeze, Pleasant Atmosphere, Beautiful Scenery' - These are the mantra-like soft, soul soothing ripples from the gentle voice of our venerable Yogacharya entering into our ears like incessant flow of manna. The way of imparting of yoga by him is par excellence as it really requires extra ordinary stamina to be able to perform 'asanas' (physical nourishment) and deliver discourses (spiritual nourishment) simultaneously. Hence I was complacent about the supreme package of 'Yoga Plus' of this outstanding mentor in many ways.
Some time ago an institution named SAAOL (Science And Art Of Living) held a medical check up camp at Krishna Kant Park and after going through my revelation of regular Yoga practice, advised that Yoga alone would not suffice for keeping away unforeseen health problems. They said everybody should do both yoga and walking as supplementary exercises (not alternative to one another).
So recently I thought of the walking part of regular exercise advised by the SAAOL. Of course, Krishna Kant Park has a vast stretch of earthen track for walking. But quite often than not it is over crowded. More over it is rather in my opinion 'conditioned walking on conditioned path with conditioned mind' confined to given track in a stereotype manner. I contemplated about hundred percent attention of my mind on walking only. I got the solution ! To try for simulation of village side foot track. I recollected my childhood summer holidays spending in villages. I experienced walking on different terrains with rugged surfaces - some part of earth soft some other part hard, with lots of twists and turns glancing askance floral beauties and muddy pools.
Lo, I got one such place for my heart fill. In the image furnished below see how I am enjoying 'mindful walking' with fully alert and aware about the earth to step on amidst a tree with three benches in the centre of the high rise mound, with ever changing course and without beaten track and touching the small plants with affectionate daily greeting "how are you my friends?". Amusing part of the course is to visit a deer with flower stalk in her mouth. To be frank, the thrill derived from this mindful walking can be doubled by going on barefoot - an intimate direct contact with the Mother Nature Earth. 'Barefoot Walking' is preferable because, among many benefits, one is, the tiny granules of earth coming into direct contact with the foot have an 'acupressure' effect on the nerve endings at the bottom. And another, the prana essences of various minerals in earth activate our body when barefoot is in direct contact with earth !
This soulful walking is the guiding principle in my spiritual path too in day to day happenings to keep me always cool and blissful. In this connection I wish to bring before you a good piece of saying from Thich Nhat Hanh, "When we are mindful deeply in touch with the present moment, our understanding of what is going on deepens and we begin to befriend with Acceptance, Joy, Peace and Love". A condition-free mind is the condition for one's blissful nature.
On this day of Sankranti Festival, I wish to share my voice in the form of a melodious Sankeertana from Annamacharya, "Kommalu Chudare Govindudu" (O Gopikas ! Behold the Lord Krishna) !
Marking of Mindful Walk
Up and down of the mound
Up and down of the mound
......amidst plants
Up and down of the mound
A deer with flower stalk in her mouth
Veneration of Mother Earth
- Barefoot walk amidst woods !
Up and down the Mound
- Barefoot walk amidst woods !
Om Shanti!
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