The wonderful
tradition of a monthly walk followed by meditation and brunch has led to over
300 walks without any break so far. Young and old members alike walk together
in warm camaraderie. Isn’t it simply wonderful?
"People
usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think
the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to
walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't
even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious
eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
On 1st
May 2016, we gathered for a walk at the ECP. Although the group turned out to
be tiny, comprising of only three walkers, their enthusiasm was not dampened by
the warm and sultry weather.
We set off along
the clean walking path meandering along the sea. The park seemed to be buzzing
with fellow walkers, joggers, campers, cyclists. We had to be careful lest we
bumped into someone!
The warm yellow
morning sun beckoned from the blue sky. The faintly cool breeze from across the
azure sea waters nudged gently. Birds sang out from amidst the bright green
leaves of the trees. The sea waves churned into white foam and hit the shores.
This part of the
ECP was in direct line of the flight path that airplanes use for descent to
Singapore. It was fun to see the planes coming lower and lower until at one
point I felt as if I could put up my hand overhead to almost touch one.
We walked for
almost an hour before we decided to retrace our steps. Just at that moment we
gladly welcomed another walker who had braved the heat to join the walk. The
hosts too later joined the party to escort us back to their home.
It was
delightful to meet all the friends who had gathered for meditation. In the
peaceful ambience of the Patel residence. We all warmly remembered Mr. Patel
and his innumerable wonderful qualities. Cute baby Anushna Rao was introduced
to her admiring audience even as she slept blissfully. The walk ended on a note
of gratitude to The Mother and Sri Aurobindo for guiding us now and in the
future.
We express our
thanks to Archana and Upasana and their husbands for superbly managing the walk
in the absence of their parents (Mr. Ashok & Mrs. Bhakti Patel) who had to
leave for overseas due to a family emergency.
We look forward
to the next month’s walk and hope more members will join with full gusto to
fully enjoy the benefits of walking and resultant good health.
“Jack Lalanne
once said walking was the king of exercises. He is right in that walking
improves not only our mood, but our endurance and strength as well.
Walking keeps the joints lubricated and nourished, strengthening the ligaments
and tendons throughout our ankles, hips and knees. Walking works to strengthen
our heart and lungs by increases in our respiratory and heart rates.”
-
Anju
Aditya
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