Humans are a creature of habits! I have the addictive habit of walking by the river in the evening trying to catch the sunset atmosphere of the day. Some people would not understand how the evening walk was so important to me. Perhaps I should be bored with the same old river and the same path along the river. However, the experience and feeling of walking along the river is never the same as those of yesterday’s.
My mind and state of being while walking there could never be identical with the past either. So, each evening walk seems a new experience to me and my perception as I wouldn’t know how I would feel until I am actually experiencing the walk and interact with surrounding nature. That’s probably why I become addicted to this walking ritual. It’s like looking forwards to new encounter with what the river and nature and see how the synergy of our beings would turn out each time.
I was reminded of the renewing state or dynamics of nature by the phrase I read in a book long time ago. “One couldn’t step into the same river twice!” I was quite impressed as this reflects Buddhist teaching that things are not static, changes lead to uncertainty or impermanence. But we expect things to stay as they are forever so we suffer from disappointment and unhappiness when things are not as they should be. The river is always changing, the flows of water and surrounding nature are not staying still. So, I always approach the river with the sense of not-knowing how things would turn out or whether the sunset would be colourful or not. Each evening walk is a new experience which I would gladly learn something new from Mother Nature each time.
So, I learn to observe subtle changes along the river: new houses on the opposite bank of the river, new gardens and fruit orchard on my neighbours’ land, the departure of migratory birds to China and Russia. New joggers appeared along the riverfront and more cyclists from town came to survey this area. Some villagers came to enjoy the sunset and to do their exercises. But they couldn’t get in touch with the spirit of surrounding nature and they couldn’t communicate with nature. It’s quite difficult for me to find kindred spirit who has the same weird capacity or inclination to get in touch with Mother Nature. So, my solitary walk is often supervised by spirits of nature. They would guide me during my walk and give me some healing energy for my body and spirit. Life would have been very different without walks along the river. So, I would continue to count my blessings when days became dull and gray.
Wishing you peace, good health and prosperity.
Stay strong and cheerful.