🌸 Noire Henro-san: Practice

When

When I awake I am grateful for this new day. With each step I embrace impermanence. When overcome with judgment I cultivate compassion for myself and others. When a choice must be made I walk the path of wisdom. I remember I am at peace with myself.

Practice

One belief that ohenro-san (pilgrims) hold dear is that Kōbō Daishi walks with us on the path to nirvana. Nevertheless, on this path I may feel afraid and alone. Yes, I would consider stopping right now and going home. It could be too much. I am not afraid to admit that.

I will keep going. but I need a different strategy than what I had in Spain. There I kept walking with blisters, a sore hip flexor, the heat – to get to Galacia and Santiago de Compostela no matter what. Yes, I made it. And I was a bit worse for wear.

Same walk, same practice.

As I did in Spain, I am determined to finish this pilgrimage. Who knows? Was I naive to begin this trek so soon after the last? Maybe not. But I know this: my experience gained from the camino will be an important source of strength and solace.

And there it is again.

The thought occurred to me on the camino that self actualization just may be a form of appearing as my true self. In my reality of the moment, I did not always feel like myself. Maybe I thought I knew myself but there is always more to discover. I get to create that reality by experiencing life. Everyday. I learned this: it is possible to achieve enlightenment. It may materialize in the wake of accomplishing something else I may have been seeking.

I did not know what I did – or what I found – until it was done. Isn’t that always the case?

Like the artist, scientist, writer, thinker, – and again the pilgrim – each day I am confronted by more and new ideas, information, and experiences. I like that.

And I am still a work in progress. 

A Peak Experience

What is it?

•It involves a heightened sense of wonder, awe, or ecstasy over an experience. It is 
a highly valued occurrence which is characterized by such intensity of perception, depth of feeling, or sense of profound significance as to cause it to stand out in the subject’s mind.

•The event is more or less a permanent contrast to the experiences that surround it in time and space.

•There is a sense of fulfillment, significance of the moment, a feeling of a turning point in life, and a spiritual sense of being unaware of time.

Initially, I denied it, but I believe I had one of these as a result of my pilgrimage in Spain.

Will it happen this time in Japan?

Time will tell.

•

Baadaye and Mata Ne

Shirley J ♥️