Paths are made by walking.
Nipun Mehta
He and his wife walked in India for 6 months, as their honeymoon gift to each other. One Satish Kumar walked from New Delhi to America to promote peace and now Yogesh Mathuria is walking to neighboring countries of India — to promote peace. I also got an opportunity to walk on a month-long peace pilgrimage to spread the message of peace in India.
The first question that hit me before even starting was that WTF happens by walking? Does peace come by walking? Are you crazy?
All these questions were not from strangers but from the people whom I call family and friends. Very inspiring tough, but I couldn’t answer them at that time. But, after I’ve completed the journey I can at least attempt to answer them through my perspective.
At first, it seemed an outer journey. Walking many miles every day, passing through various villages, beg for food and shelter, and spread the message of peace. But, as days went, I realized what St. Kabir said hundreds of years ago. He quoted in one of his lyrical poems:
When I began to search for the evil or wrongfulness, I couldn’t find them outside. And when I looked inside my heart, there was no one more evil and wrongful than myself.
The good, bad, wrong, and right was all inside me. It was not an outward journey but it was an inner one. It was all about letting off the ego, noticing small things, little moments, community living, no-money transaction, learning inside lives and culture, GUEST IS GOD attitude, best and worst behavior in myself and others, making new connections, trust, seeing beyond what is seen, believing in miracles, looking at the world with a different perspective, inner peace, love, and compassion, solving oneself and aligning with the universe, knowing oneself, unlearning, inner transformation and much more.
When you walk your vision is 180 degrees. One can see more, do more, and learn more.
Nipun Mehta
It was by this walking that Mahatma Gandhi connected people from the entire country to stand up for freedom. It was by this walking that Vinoba Bhave collected 4 million acres of land for poverty-ridden farmers of India. It was by this walking that Gautam Buddha became enlightened and attained मोक्ष.
Walking is a powerful tool. It looks simple but the ripples go far. It’s not only a good exercise for the body but a good one for the soul too. Don’t underestimate the potential of walking and grab an opportunity to walk if you get it in this life.
