"Physical culture is the process of infusing
consciousness into the cells of the body. One may or may not know it, but it is
a fact. When we concentrate to make our muscles move according to our will,
when we endeavor to make our limbs suppler, to give them an agility, or a
force, or a resistance, or a plasticity which they do not naturally possess, we
infuse into the cells of the body a consciousness which was not there before,
thus turning it into an increasingly homogeneous and receptive instrument, which
progresses in and by its activities. This is the primary importance of physical
culture."
-
The Mother.
It is with this aspiration that the Singapore Society
has been holding monthly walks from its inception. In some ways, especially in
the wired contemporary world, where devices and media absorb most people’s
attention, it is quite a wonderful respite to walk in a beautiful natural
setting.
On August 6, 2017, 12 members came together at
McRitchie Reservoir carpark to start yet another walk. This was the three
hundred and eighty fifth monthly walk, in an unbroken tradition. Anuvrat and
baby Anushna came to flag off the event, and we started with stretches for
around ten minutes to gently condition muscles for the walk. Stiffness
dissolved in the sun, and soon we were ready to quickly walk by the water
towards the wooded section of the reservoir. August is the month when Singapore
celebrates its National Day. Singapore is truly blessed to have so many natural
settings, beautifully maintained for a modern city, where land and water is a
coveted resource. As we stretched our limbs, the groups of different citizens
gathered around us to undertake different kinds of physical activities formed a
celebratory environment.
After the initial exercises, we made our way by
colorful canoes on the water towards the forest, where there are walking trails
through rubber trees, and other plantation era relic vegetation. McRitchie
Reservoir carries history even as its expansiveness offers a timelessness,
where time seems to stand still, and birdsong is heard, away from the hustle
bustle of the city. It is the oldest reservoir on the island, built in the 19th
century. The walking trail had an incline, and slowly we fell into a kind of
line, with Mr. Ramanathan leading the train with a brisk pace, as some of us
made our way slowly and deliberately, sometimes pausing to catch a breath on
the incline. Even though the sun was bright on that day, the shade of the trees
offered a cool path, on which we made our way. It is always amazing to see how
trees aspire towards the light and sun, their leaves making their way softly
and strongly to find light where they can. The forest is always a reminder of
that aspiration towards the light, even in human beings, even in the shade,
even where we least expect it.
As we trudged along, slowly and briskly, slices of
conversations about pilgrimages, and meditation practices, hung in the humid
air. There is a delight in undertaking activities and sharing aspirations with
fellow sadhaks and a walk offers a unique opportunity. After walking for about
an hour, and almost 4 miles, we made our way back to where we started, and
divided into groups to go to Mr. and Mrs. K V Rao’s place.
A wonderful
welcome awaited us there with cool water and drinks even before we entered the
home. The place was set up for prayers and meditations, and beautiful flowers
adorned the altar. Mr. Rao had cooked a meal for about 60 guests on his
mother’s anniversary. After meditation and readings from the Mother’s writings,
the guests were invited to the table, where a real spread was laid out. The
food was amazing, and we felt the love that had gone into cooking it. After the
meal, there was a little get together to discuss the youth program led by
Jared. A feeling of thankfulness at the beautiful morning flooded most hearts,
as we experienced both a filling up of the spirit, as well as hungry stomachs.
It was a day to remember both the birthday of Sri Aurobindo, and the birthday
of the land we live in, and hence was a reminder of the presence of divine
grace in our lives, which manifests in many ways. All we have to do is open our
hearts and eyes.
Sumita Ambasta
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