We feel completely blessed to have this opportunity to travel in different ways, allowing to gain these different perspectives... and then to shed them with the glimpses of the truth.
*refer to the less than adequate drawn map*
Setting out from behind the monestary of Kaza with just a pack on the back already felt much lighter than with the weight of the cycle. We had intended to spend just a couple days walking around to the upper villages but once we sensed the physical and mental lightness that walking gave we continued on foot for about 10 more days into Pin Valley as well.
Each step, each day, we became lighter, the feeling of freeness set in more and more. Just the simple act of moving one foot in front of the other in no rush and no expectation made anything feel possible. The possibility to let go of these constraints we put on ourselves, these expectations that we perceive others place on us. This weight began to lift as the mind disattached from the societal constructs and found peace in the emptiness of each step.
Often while walking as well as cycling the mind would try to find things to fill the emptiness that moving simply brings... grabbing the attention to what will be around the next corner or in the next village. Often finding the mind placing expectations or hope when seeing a home or a group of people that we will be invited in for chai and get to experience a glimpse into their lives. And even though this is what tended to happen due to the incredible Spiti hosptiatily and of the Indian people in general, the slow pace of walking allowed for us to more clearly recognize this and begin to break these conditioned habits of the mind. As the days passed with much of it filled with walking and many blessful encounters the mind began to fill further with this emptiness, this reality of ever present space that we so often try to avoid or fill. A feeling sank in that there was no where else to be, nothing else to be doing. In this peace is found, in this the ability to surrender further to the universe grew stronger. As the universe presents itself to each of us in every form we encounter and experience we found it easier to simply allow the feet to flow freely with each of these expressions of the universe. Here are just some experiences that the universe presented:
* the village of 200 souls showed the strength of Spitian community as the whole village was helping in building a new home. Luckily we were able to assist in some building and cooking of some Spiti dishes.
*without even a second thought the nuns (chomo in spitian) allowed for us to spend the night in their classroom and enjoy their presence around food and the full moon. Singing 'dawa demo do' (moon is beautiful in spitian), teaching dances to one another and jumping into a the car to join the young nuns for a picnic
*cave dwelling meditation
*take a moment.... take a deep breath, expanding your lungs and belly and release the breath with the universal 'OM' letting the sound and vibrations fill the space within and around until the 'MMM' drifts off with the final release of breath. Now this time do the same thing but add 'hOMe' to the release of breath. Can you feel how the same thing is felt as we are always at home no matter where we are or whom we are with as long as we are a part of this universe.
*cooking in the rolling hill mountain plateau with low laying bush hillsides on either side and snow covered peaks meeting the blue puffy cloud sky in front we enjoy the simplicity and allow it to soak into our being. From behind we hear a slight stampede and as quickly as it had started a herd of the local blue sheep are directly across from us just a small swamp bed away. We look at them. They look at us. We watch one another for a few moments as each slowly drifts their attention to the grazing to be had, making their way over the hillside and out of sight. Harmony seeps into the silence of the mountains, the soft breeze of the wind. This oneness is felt in living simply, not harming... just being with one another.
*ecosphere is a organization based in Spiti working with the local people to better transition into the changes that come with modernization and the growing tourism. Their impact is seen in the many villages that we had visited from the traditional village of Demul to the many naturally built greenhouses. Really great initiatives and passionate people!
*We slept freely under the night sky with only our sleeping bags, cooked our meals with sticks and cow dung, tasted and learned how to cook many new foods in families homes, we helped farmers in their fields, and we consumed more bitter than we ever thought we would.
We remained open to what is and received endless warmth and hospitality..
This is not to say that you have to walk for 10 days as there are many ways to slow the pace of our daily living. Simply to wake up each day and set the intention to be aware of how you will go about your day, recognizing the simplicity that can be found in each moment.
Become aware of your breath that brings life and movement to your being. Become aware of the steps you take.
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