Toronto, Ontario
A Road Knower
It’s rare to meet someone like Michael. We share a lot in common. How so?
Well, Michael Oesch, who helps people overcoming
addiction issues, decided one day to walk across Canada. It was a response to a buildup of challenges
in life, which included a divorce, and then something happened to determine the
long trek. It was 2001 when 9/11
occurred, and looking at how the world was going more screwy than swanky, he
took to the road on foot.
We hit it off real well.
He told me more of his story as we sat in the corner of our ashram temple, “In 2002 I walked from my
home in Toronto out to Labrador and back.
In 2005 I walked from Toronto to Vancouver. I battled with addiction. The last addiction is the addiction to self,
and once free from the inner voice of chaos, suffering can end. “
He listed amongst his heroes, Gandhi, Saint Francis and
the Buddha. He also told me of great
moments to do with the challenges on the road.
It was hard to address the crusty, sweaty clothes from the days wearing
on, and the moist shoes to step in because it rained the previous day, and also
overnight while in the tent, to begin a fresh day of trekking.
He shares a story of how near French River, he spotted a
turkey vulture on the side of the road.
One wing was injured being struck by a vehicle. The bird responded well to Michael, and
managed to perch on his shoulder. A motorist
stopped and took Michael and the vulture to the local animal clinic. Other redeeming moments of recall were when
these gorgeous dragonflies warded off pesky black flies. He also admitted to losing toenails, and to
regularly popping blisters on his feet.
Moreover, Michael did his two walks solo, and was pitching his tent
where he could in the wilderness.
What was significant for him on the journeys was gaining
strength from where strength was sourced.
He left me a prayer which was an excerpt from his journaling:
Dear Lord
Grant my feet the
strength to carry the burden I haul
Give me the courage
to walk further down the unknown road
Through forest,
swamp, field and mountain
I will follow my
dreams and walk in the light
I will bring with
me a smile to grace the day
And share it with
all I meet
Until the day when
I come to Your great ocean
And I shall walk no
more
I will wade in the
water
And let the salt
heal my wounds
And be at one with
this journey through life
Knowing you have
guided me every step of the way
-
Michael Oesch
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
No comments:
Post a Comment