Journey

Getting lost and finding your way are just different sides of the same coin; you can’t have one without the other. Carlos Castañeda once said, “Anything is one of a million paths. Therefore, one must always keep in mind that a path is only a path.”

There are no such things as wrong turns, only paths we never knew we were supposed to take. Here’s a folk tale that talks about journeys and paths –

In a small village, there was an age-old monastery that served as a center of attraction for thousands of travelers from all around the world. One of the elders of the village lived in the monastery and was entrusted with its upkeep. 

One day, in the early hours of the morning, a group of tourists showed  up at the site. Wandering through the monastery’s courtyard, one member of the group came across a door and knocked on it. He was greeted by the village elder, who invited him in for a cup of tea. 

While the old man prepared the tea, the traveler cast his eyes over the very humble abode in which he found himself – a single room containing a cast iron bed, a wooden table draped in a tablecloth, two metal chairs, an oil lamp, a simple woolen floor mat, and the dresser on which a number of books were resting.

When the village elder returned with the tea, the traveler asked, “you have a very modest home, sir. There is no television set; you have hardly any furniture; there's no refrigerator, or air conditioner; you don't have a telephone. How do you live like this?”

“Where are your possessions?” asked the village elder in turn.

“I am a traveler; I am only passing through,” replied the visitor.

“We are all only passing through,” responded the old man.

Some thoughts for reflection – What are you searching for on your way – the truth or happiness? Are you following your path first or the path of others? How can you enjoy your journey even though the path is difficult? When did your journey truly begin?