That was in Spring, and the devotees decided that we wanted to enjoy the good weather by going to climb a mountain in a nearby city...some luxury for the city dwellers where you hardly even see a hill.
So we set out early in the morning, each taking some prasadam on the train to share with each other. After about one hour, we reached the foot of the mountain and started our "adventure". Some devotees were already scared by looking at its height and wanted to sneak away, but I decided that I would reach the top at any expense. One local mother in her fifties started the "journey" with me and we went fast.
In the beginning, there were still some strong devotees ahead us, and then they started to wait for others and we went to the front. We climbed ahead and soon no devotees were to be seen behind. Then we waited, and waited, and waited, still no sign of anyone coming. So I called the other devotees, and was told that they were already sitting in a flat area having breakfast together..."Oh! Sense enjoyers!" I started to remember the story of Arjuna seeing only the eye of the wooden bird on the top of the tree, and wanted to reach the top soon without distraction. So with the companion beside me, I climbed on, and on, and on...fewer and fewer people were seen now. And eventually we reached the top!
I sat down, and took out beads and chanted. Suddenly I heard some Mrdanga playing...one couple had arrived and they were starting to sing Hare Krishna...another two, another three, finally even the chubby girl had managed to come on the top alone. And we started to have kirtan, dancing, prasadam, further walking and story telling...wanted to do boat riding but the boats were unavailable!
Now, as time went on, as we walked on, my shoes started to hurt my feet...I had walked so much that my feet were growing bigger!! But the shoes didn't grow with them. And we walked on, and had to go down the mountain, and walked on around the lake...and my feet kept hurting so much so that I had to slow down!
In the evening, another devotee, who reached the top much later than I did, was very happy, and said that, the more he walked, the more energetic he had become!
OMG! I walked fast in the beginning, but wasn't walking/climbing in the right shoes! And I suffered later! I started to look at that devotee who was slower first, but became more and more light as he walked on...
Anyone, any suggestions? Did I do alright? And how to prepare myself better next time?
Comments
Technically speaking
I used to do a lot of mountain climbing and trekking, so I know a bit about these things.
Generally, shoes are one of the most important factors of one's equipment. It is hard to overestimate this. The most persuasive insight probably comes from climbing a mountain in a pair of "tolerable shoes", and then climbing that same mountain in roundabout the same weather etc. conditions in good trekking shoes.
"Tolerable shoes", although they fit the foot and seem good enough for the purpose, can give one a headache, cause additional tiredness and strain to the whole body and feet in particular, and of course blisters.
A good trekking shoe does none of these things, but can make even hard climbs a walk in the park.
There are other factors that can contribute to pains in the feet when walking.
Having flat feet or a high arch can be painful in the long run.
One's physical condition also plays an important part, obviously.
Also, as vegetarians, we may have somewhat less stamina than meat-eaters, so this is something to keep in mind when comparing oneself to others in terms of physical condition.
Many people who are not in a good physical condition or don't have much experience tend to begin a trek or walk fast, but become slower and slower in the course of it.
Generally, it is good to begin at a comfortably slow pace, especially if one doesn't know how long the trek or walk will be. Then perhaps build up on that.
If one knows that one will probably be walking the whole day, it's important to keep this in mind and not walk too fast.
A rule of thumb is that "comfortably slow" is when one can still have a conversation without the breathing being compromised. The body really starts to work when one is moving at a pace where one cannot talk comfortably anymore.
There is sometimes a psychological factor at work when climbing mountains, and that is "to prove oneself", "to be the first one at the top". This outlook, however, is not good for endurance.
You asked about how to prepare yourself better for the next time.
I am presuming you had some kind of trekking shoes or shoes that seem feasible for lighter climbs? I wouldn't ditch the shoes yet. Perhaps you need to break them in a bit or get used to them. Wear them a couple of times during the week, for walks, whenever you can. Experiment with how many and what kind of socks you need to wear in them.
If you have flat feet, a high arch or not so good physical condition, nordic walking poles (or something like that) can be a good help for you to unburden the feet a bit.
Use a backpack, not a shoulder bag. Drink enough water. Take breaks.
:)
Perfect!!
Thank you so much, dear Tekisui, for the wonderful sharing. This came in a little unexpected way, but Krishna knows...this is exactly answer I needed! :)
Now with your sharing and my thoughts combined, here I would like to conclude the following:
Isn't the path of devotional service like climbing a mountain...a journey that we only see the goal, but not sure how much it will take us to walk, and we can't expect what exactly is going to happen along the way. Being inexperienced, it is therefore best to always consult experienced ones who have always been through the way, someone as experienced as the mountain climber Tekisui!:)--Gurus, senior devotees can give us perfect guidance on how to climb the mountain of devotional service!
About the shoes, and the weather to climb the mountain. Yes, the shoes play such an important role in climbing the mountain and we very much depend on them to make the climbing a successful or more smooth one; So on the path of devotional service, we need to be careful in selecting whom to associate with closely, and in sharing the climbing process with. Not high-heeled shoes that make even walking difficult, but at least tolerable shoes so they don't create too much problem in the climbing. And yet "good trekking shoes can make even hard climbs a walk in the park"; Many times on live help, devotees come and ask me what to do when their husband or wife are strongly against their practice, or not against, but keep dragging them into another consciousness of material pursuits, things that have nothing to do with Krishna. They are torn between Krishna and material energy not knowing where to turn to; and yet, "good trekking shoes", partners that consistantly take your hands, help you up when you fall, and walk with you on the way, and even confirm with you when you are doing right and well can be so favorable that, they make the hard climing like walking in the park! :)
Physical condition--that could be like where we are now at the stage of devotional service. We might still have lots of material coverings, conditionings, struggles, attachments that still hold us strongly back from surrendering more to the process. Therefore we need to choose good weather (put ourselves in favorable devotional environment) and take help from good shoes (serious devotees who share close relationship with us and can help us along the way); and also, don't try to run too fast (of course, not too slow as well) in the beginning. We choose a speed that is steady and suitable for our condition to make sure that even if we may not be the first to reach the top, we still climb along steadily, 4 rounds, 8 rounds, 12 rounds and then 16, not 16 rounds today and 0 tomorrow. It's a long walk! Oh and yeah, here being a vegetarian definitely gives more stamina. It puts you in the mode of goodness so you can chant and serve in a much better consciousness!:)
Comfortably slow would mean positively fast as well! :) Walking too fast might mean you may run out of breath, and walking too slow may allow you too much room to get distracted, allured by things that may take you away from your goal, the mountain top, and even get lost. Bhurijana Prabhu used to say something that sums it up really well: If you run to fast, you run the risk of "bloop"; and if you go to slow, trying to keep the balance, you may waste your whole life trying to keep the balance and are still going nowhere at the time of death. But being asked, he said fast is better than slow because whatever service you do is never lost! :)
Don't ditch the old shoes too easily unless you are sure you can find better ones, and try them on a few times before the climbing! Perfect! Don't give up too easily if there is still hope for your partners. But try a few times before you make a decision, see if it serves your goal in the long run!
Thank you for giving me the nordic walking poles and backpack so that I can walk with less burden and baggages! On the way to Krishna, let's gradually get ride of what is unnecessary or even obstacles! With a light heart and consciousness, we run to Krishna! With our hands empty, we can fully embrace Krishna and grasp Him more tightly! :)
But I heard, there is no break or holidays in Krishna Consciousness! :) Drinking enough water is fine...lots of prasadam and chanting of the holy name! :)
Metaphors ...
Call it pride, but I wouldn't want that those who consider me a friend or a relative would compare me to a shoe. Not even to a good trekking shoe, or pair of them.
As for breaks or holidays in Krishna Consciousness - it was you who chose to compare Krishna consciousness to climbing a mountain.
As if there existed a suitable material metaphor for the transcendental.
:p & :p
lol thank you thank you!
lol, I am sorry if I end up hurting you a bit. That is far from my intention!! I have only deep gratitude towards your great advice! And oh yeah, maybe I am that shoe...and I will try hard to be a good one! How nice it is to serve the devotees lotus feet that way! :)
And if I would climb a mountain again, I know you would be a fantastic company and guide! :)
Pure poetry
How poetic of you, to compare yourself to a shoe in order to serve the lotus feet of the devotees!
I can't top that. ;)
And your appreciation is much appreciated.
Story of the Shoe
The reason why I used "shoe" as an example, and also since you mentioned the importance of the shoes, is that, I used to read a story of this. It says how the shoes look beautiful in everyway when they are still new. But as we try them on, they start to hurt the feet. Some of the shoes are completely unfit and so we need to change, but at the same time, we also need to be patient enough to be willing to go through the stage of difficulties of getting along with each other moving towards the destination. So this is like our relationships with others...I guess, this applies to husband and wife, to the devotees, and also, applies to our individual relationship with the path of Krishna Consciousness! We just need to be patient and consistent and miracles will come later once we manage to overcome all the difficulties!
Great advice
except that vegetarians generally have more stamina than meat eaters.
http://www.veganathlete.com/vegan_vegetarian_athletes.php
: )
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