Carry a Big Stick

 

Hiking Peninsula Trail, Prince Albert National Park, SK. March 2021

Hiking a secluded trail in the pines and snow, the steep, sometimes icy slopes made the walking sticka necessity! Monks in training are known to take the same 30 minute walk on the same path at least once each day. They keep their eyes open for something unique -- something they've never seen. The idea is to do the familiar with awareness, being mindful of freshness in routine. Seeing is not the same as noticing. Noticing keeps our brains from shifting to autopilot. I appreciate their saying, “To walk down the same old path and find a new stone is to open your mind.”

Time spent in the trees will connect you with nature and its natural biorhythms. The Japanese call it "forest bathing*". On this incredible wilderness hike, I noticed something I'd never seen before... a large, perhaps wolf paw-print in the snow! So I decided to follow the zen wisdom of ... "when you find yourself in the middle of a forest, keep walking." (and carry a big stick!)

*Shinrin Yoku - Forest Bathing in Canada!

Comments

  1. AileenMarch 14, 2021 at 8:27 AM

    It’s refreshing to read what the monks had to say about keeping a sense of awareness while walking a familiar path, especially this year.

    ReplyDelete

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