Pranaam yatri,
I just heard that Mount Kailash will now be accessible from India.
No need to go to Nepal or China anymore. A 6.5km road built by Border Roads Organisation through the Lipulekh pass will make this happen.
You and I can visit Shiva’s abode more conveniently.
But not all sacred mountains are convenient.
India, for one, has a tradition of building shaktipeeths – metaphysically powerful temples – on mountaintops.
Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, Palitana in Gujarat, and Taung Kalat in Burma are some examples.
Shastriji was going up one such mountain. The Vardhgiri.
An old monk, he had left his householder life many decades ago. He traveled around the country, visiting such temples, meeting scholars, and elevating his spiritual life.
Vardhgiri had an old Vishnu temple and ashram on the top.
Tying all his belongings on his back, Shastriji started his ascent early in the morning.
While walking up the rocky slope, he spotted a young girl.
Not a day more than 10 years, she, too, was going up the mountain. On coming closer, he saw she had tied a toddler on her back – perhaps her brother.
The weight was obviously tiring her faster.
When he caught up to her, he smiled, “This is really commendable. You’re going up the mountain in the rising heat. And that too with so much extra weight.”
“What the hell are you talking about!?” she replied angrily. “The baggage you’re carrying is extra weight. I’m carrying my brother.”
Without saying one more word, she stormed upwards.
Beautiful learning, isn’t it?
If you make it yours, the extra weight doesn’t bother you. And if you continue looking at it as baggage, it will drag and slow you down.
Our personal ethics, values, and principles are a prime example.
Observe your emotions the next time you’re in a conflicting situation.
These rules will feel like baggage if you’ve not truly made it yours. But if you’ve achieved oneness with them, implementing them feels natural.
We all want to be honest and live with integrity.
But come recession, what will win: integrity or paying full taxes?
We all want to be loyal to our partners.
But when we get a flirty gaze from an unknown person, does turning our head away feel natural or forceful?
How much are these values a part of you?
Ask yourself and let the experiences tell you.
