Wednesday, October 28th, 2015
Williamsburg, Pennsylvania
For Mukunda
Today’s
walk is dedicated to a monk who I adore very much. Mukunda Goswami is
his name. He is currently in intensive care in the hospital in
Australia struggling for his life. I believe he is 73.
To
tackle this day, which I held in honour of this great soul, I
approached it (and the heavy rain) as a kind of sacrifice. Along with
Tre’von and our new team player Mandala, we took out our best
water-resistant attire. I even surrendered to wearing trousers and a
plastic rain shell for practicality. It wasn’t easy move through the
unstoppable waters coming from the sky. The liquid fell from above and
didn’t let up until the last hour of my walking when I was alone.
Frankly, I felt that the three of us were like men at sea.
When
my two companions pulled off the road to put a warm meal together
(compliments to Paul for offering the use of his kitchen in his Bed
& Breakfast), I ventured through the Lower Trail along the Juniata
River. Not a soul could be seen. The rain seems to intimidate many
creatures, except for some happy plants that I could see along the way. The
river’s waters rushed forward in a way that was inspiring but I just
couldn’t keep to the pace of the flowing H2O. Despite all efforts to
stay dry, wetness still came through. What to do? You just have to
accept it as an austerity. And again, I’m doing this for Mukunda.
While water was very much the main feature of the day, the mantra emanating
from the lips penetrated through all the predominating fluids.
Motorists somehow seemed to figure out that my walking had something to
do with Russ O’Reilly’s article in the ‘Altoona Mirror’ as well as a
broadcast on a local radio station. The message was, “If you see a monk
and believe in honouring our teachers, then give a honk.” And that
they did.
May the Source be with you!
19 miles \ 31 km
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