At South Building, Convention Centre
Thousands of spiritual delegates came from around the world to attend the Parliament of World Religions. I met a small percentage at the booth/exhibit areas, casually in one of the many corridors, or directly off the stage and podium from where they made a presentation. There are Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Christians, Baha’is, Indigenous Spiritualists, and everything in between and beyond. Diverse styles of dress, life and beliefs make the event a potpourri of people—a sophisticated Kumbha Mela, perhaps. There are certainly a lot of swamis around, most of whom put palms together in the pranams position upon seeing each other, myself included. One of them was most eager for me to come to his pravachan—talk.
“I have one coming up too, if you’re interested,” I said as a mutual invitation.
However, my presentation, or talk, was a brief enough one, complemented by Michael Oesch’s film, “The Walking Monk,” and a Q and A session. The room, 710, in the South Building, became occupied in no time. People seem interested in the topic, “Finding Time for Pilgrimage.”
The questions flowed, and answers too. Comments did the same. One man from New Orleans relayed that he had walked the famous Camino in Spain. It was a life-reassuring experience. In general, the audience appeared to value a walking culture, the simplicity behind it and the penetration of thought that rolls out with it. I was on Cloud Nine.
May the Source be with you!
2 km
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