Sadhana is a Sanskrit word for discipline undertaken in the pursuit of a goal. Although sometimes used for describing an exertion for temporary pleasures, it generally refers to a systematic training of the mind in order to receive spiritual blessings. Studying, meditating, reciting mantras and performing rituals (puja) for the objective of love are direct practices in the bhakti path. Additionally, sadhaka or one who is aiming at evolving consciousness also connects the gaps in between which we often consider trivial – bathing, eating, earning livelihood, recreating and sleeping – to the progress.
Winter or summer, I go for a morning walk between six and seven o’clock, as a part of my daily routine. While strolling, I process what I’m currently opening up to, learning and contemplating. Usually there isn’t much to report; although I may hear a cuckoo bird, see a fox and inhale freshness, I’m fairly absorbed internally. Two days ago was an exception; the nature invoked a boon I couldn’t miss.
It drizzled. Masses of fine droplets knitted a soft shawl, enshrouding the horizon in mist. Because it looked like the directions were wrapped in cotton candy, I selected a longer route to the Baltic Sea. The distance that normally takes twenty or thirty minutes stretched to three hours. The magical display of greens stunned me. When I finally reached the shore, I couldn’t tell if I had arrived at water or sky.
Thank you.
It is beautiful!.. However, I've also experienced the downside of the fog.. Hope you are well and happy. X
ReplyDeleteThanks, A! I hope you are well too. You're right: fog does have a downside, too. When we had a car accident in Transylvania (on the way from "Broka Loka" to Timisoara) in '91, it was due to mist. Suddenly we found ourselves off the road, on the edge of a cliff!
DeleteWhat a beautiful country! I feel like I've been here once before if nothing in my dreams. I am afraid of the mist, fog, it makes me choke up and slows down my breathing but you are right, when you say it knits a wonderful shawl around everything it surrounds. I imagine almost like a mothers hug around her children's shoulders. We cannot escape what nature cooks up for us so why not enjoy it. I would have taken that 3 hour stroll myself as well. Every time I go back home to my country, Bosnia, I am surprised anew how beautiful everything about it is especially its nature and long winding paths that don't particularly go anywhere. You can get lost there in a cinch but rest assured that you will come across some local who will point you to the right direction. Greetings from a far.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
DeleteThank you sharing your wonderful walk: I was just writing about habits and stumbled upon this wonderful experience.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and all your recipes!
Beautiful podt
ReplyDeleteSo stunningly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking Lakshmi!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Lakshmi. I can feel the wet grass, the dew drops and the light cold air. I am NOT a morning person but I really love people who can wake up early in morning to absorb all the freshness.
ReplyDeleteI''m italian and in my country we have great and sunny landscape, but... How I love theese wet atmosphere!
ReplyDeleteWhat an extraordinary walk, Lakshmi! I'm so glad you had your camera with you and were able to share photos.
ReplyDeleteOn my walk the other morning, I surprised a red-tailed hawk out of the bushes, and got to watch him at close range before he flew away. What a gift!
I've also closely encountered a hawk once; what a majestic bird! There was something eerie in looking at the eyes of a raptor. Also, the hooked upper beak awakes respect.
DeleteHola desde Buenos Aires, Argentina . Por estos días la vida me trajo a vivir en pleno centro de la ciudad y en la avenida más ancha y transitada, y de no ser porque el 90% de mi única ventana está cubierta por dos altos y frondosos árboles, mi estadía sería un stress constante. Los días de niebla, aquí son densos y como decimos siempre " lo que mata es la humedad". Entonces al ver tu post, me transporté rápidamente y mi sensación vivió lo que describiste, gracias por compartir tus paisajes. Cariños.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magical morning!
ReplyDeleteYou live in a beautiful place and you're indeed blessed, Lakshmi. It will soo start raining here and I'm looking forward to the end of summer.......
ReplyDeleteYou are blessed Lakshmi. This post inspires me to take my camera during my occasional walks. Such places are an inspiration for writers.
ReplyDeleteSo much beauty around you. Who would not want to take a walk when you are surrounded with environs like these? The place you live in seems like the stuff of dreams. You are truly lucky.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, i appreciate the love and effort you put into your food. Am a regular reader of your blog. You restore the faith in me that cooking and serving good food can heal everything.
Thanks for the comment. You are right, cooking has potency to heal. It’s such an important part of relationships.
DeleteRegarding beauty, it is everywhere – we just have to see and appreciate it! Photography offers a selected focus. On this morning walk I saw also ugly garbage – some people had even left a disposable grill on the shore along with empty food packages and beer cans – but I chose to document what I found soothing to the mind, and what reflected a spark of divine splendor.
Very well said. Focus on the good. I will remember that :)
DeleteI too walk every morning and the tiny observations make each walk unique even though I follow roughly the same path. My surroundings are very different to where you live but I remember fog like this cloaking everything in a white blanket (about 2 years ago) and it was like entering a new mysterious world. The philosophical side of your walk and the sanskrit terms are new to me but have made me look at my walk in a new dimension.
ReplyDeleteThe final picture is the one that I could contemplate for a long time :)
Sally, perception is very important. We often think we have to change the situation in order to improve our experience but, in reality, we have to change the way we observe and take part. That's one of the differences between Eastern and Western thought. Similarly, you can walk the same path everyday but always find new angles to see it. Externally the circumstances may remain the same, but internally your attitude and knowledge of them may expand. That’s the best kind of transformation.
DeleteA couple of days ago, someone couldn’t believe these pictures are from where I live because she has never seen the surroundings here in such a way. The advantage of photography is that you can point out something common in an unexpected and fresh way.