4. Just Walking

Mangfal Canal. (Tomasito photo)

4.

Just Walking

Pilgrimage renews its subtle conditioning from almost my first step away from my friend’s door as my consciousness begins to relax its constant demand for sensation and direction: “Oh, we’re just walking again”––a mood of tranquil acceptance settles on me because pilgrimage walking for me is not a stimulating or mentally engaging activity—it is just steady, rhythmic physical movement, which induces a sort of pleasure without content at some deep psychological level.

I have experienced literally years of this kind of movement––traveling by foot or riding an old bicycle—so I am not at all surprised to find my body and mind slipping easily into this familiar, comfortable state.

Tomasito, 2009


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