Pave own path to enlightenment

The Observer editor Meredith Papavasiliou

The Observer

IMAGINE walking 500km in bare feet. Now imagine doing that along the national highway, toe-to-heel, as cars, trucks and all manner of speeding vehicles pass you by.

Some people stop to offer you food and words of support.

Most just drive on by, oblivious to your cause, in awe of your dedication.

The story on Page 4 today is about such a man, on the journey of a lifetime.

For him, it is a quest. It is a means to a spiritual outcome and well worth the trouble, the stone bruises, the heat and the road noise.

Not everyone has got a journey like this in them.

For many, the path to enlightenment is well gated and might never be ventured down. But there is much to be said about self-awareness. And no, you don't have to be a monk-in-the-making, a hippie or in the throes of a midlife crisis to have a crack at it - although, heaven knows, the latter has spawned many a journey of reflection, regret and new personal world orders.

We can all take a leaf from Jinasiri's book.

His is a journey we can all learn from. We don't have to do 500km on foot, but we should all take some time - even just a little time - to work on and know who we are. We are all entitled to be true to that, to nurture our own sense of self.

Amid the chaos and pace of what's become everyday life, we owe ourselves the debt of peace, quiet and reflection. It's not mumbo-jumbo. It's not a luxury afforded to the rich or those with lots of time on their hands. If anything, it's the busiest among us who need to stop, take stock and find some balance - both within and in life in general.

It's a small but very important way to stay centred and to, as they say, keep it real. Granted, this kind of stuff is easier said than done (believe me) but it is worth the effort and the reward will outweigh the commitment in spades.