A personal account by Katherine Dalton-Brown
The world of appearances is created by the coming together of an infinite number of ever-changing causes and conditions. Like a rainbow that forms when the sun shines across a curtain of rain and then vanishes when any factor contributing to its formation disappears, phenomena exist in an essentially interdependent mode and have no autonomous and enduring existence. Everything is relation; nothing exists in and of itself, immune to the forces of cause and effect. Once this essential concept is understood and internalized, the erroneous perception of the world gives way to a correct understanding of the nature of things and beings: this is insight. Insight is not a mere philosophical construct; it emerges from a basic approach that allows us gradually to shed our mental blindness and the disturbing emotions it produces and hence the principal causes of our suffering.
- excerpt from ‘Happiness’ by Matthieu Ricard.
"We have to learn to love people even if they are not giving you what you want - and then not take it personally. If you feel hurt, you have to recognize that they are not hurting you because you are you, but because they are them. You have to try not to be so hard on yourself.”
- Krishna Das
Every aspect of my being was stretched. I was reminded that nothing happens unless it is meant to. I can try as hard as possible but I am on a Journey. It is imperative to do my best and this is exactly why I feel so confident to leave behind my old unhappy existence and move forward now to explore new frontiers.
Trekking through the Andes mountains for four days starting in brilliant sunshine, summiting Dead Woman’s Pass at 4215m in clouds, snowy patches, wearing about 5 layers under my massive poncho which functioned as a carapace protecting me from the natural, harsher climatic elements and then descending nearly 1000m in one fell swoop over rocks, steps carved into rock, rickety tree branched bridges, dirt paths meant an intensity of being in the NOW to the exclusion of whatever turmoils we left behind.
Looking down valleys and peering over the clouds I imagined that connection to the Gods which so many Ancient Peoples sought. It became a trekking meditation with our guide at times just in front of me but mostly I was walking unaccompanied by fellow travellers but accompanied by some great many souls who have sought a similar path, who have connected with me on my Journey. At times though it was a matter of keeping the momentum while taking in the splendor without slipping off down a precipice or collapsing due to lack of oxygen, so remembering to breathe slowly and deeply no matter how arduous the trail became my biggest lesson. All thoughts were on the practicality of mechanics. There were times when I was surprised by the physical perils of this trek but I soon realised that as I worked out how to get my body, carapace and all through the trail, my mind was conquering my mental and emotional challenges.
Interspersed between the trials of the trail were encounters with many Inca ruins which I explored room by room, leaning against the walls at times imagining who lived there, how the room was used, embracing the wonder and magnificence of the architecture and splendor of being in the Andes mountains.
My body and soul traversed many facets of existence, wandering often so lost in my inner place of peace that the trail was now a four day meditation. Approaching the Sun Gate just as the sun began to rise over Machu Picchu was a moment of Absolute elation. Leo our guide embraced us as we shared with him and others a magical experience. The rising SUN exposed Machu Picchu with incredible equanimity putting us into a trance as we continued our trek on the final approach to Machu Picchu. The Sun Gate revealed a hidden civilization which was hidden for so many years and although many of its treasures were lost in its discovery I do feel honored to have made the trek to Machu Picchu just as the Ancient People did so many years ago and in some essence share with all those souls who have travelled these trails, the sense of ecstasy as you pull through the Sun Gate and descend into the marvelous wonder of Machu Picchu.
The world of appearances is created by the coming together of an infinite number of ever-changing causes and conditions. Like a rainbow that forms when the sun shines across a curtain of rain and then vanishes when any factor contributing to its formation disappears, phenomena exist in an essentially interdependent mode and have no autonomous and enduring existence. Everything is relation; nothing exists in and of itself, immune to the forces of cause and effect. Once this essential concept is understood and internalized, the erroneous perception of the world gives way to a correct understanding of the nature of things and beings: this is insight. Insight is not a mere philosophical construct; it emerges from a basic approach that allows us gradually to shed our mental blindness and the disturbing emotions it produces and hence the principal causes of our suffering.
- excerpt from ‘Happiness’ by Matthieu Ricard.
"We have to learn to love people even if they are not giving you what you want - and then not take it personally. If you feel hurt, you have to recognize that they are not hurting you because you are you, but because they are them. You have to try not to be so hard on yourself.”
- Krishna Das
Every aspect of my being was stretched. I was reminded that nothing happens unless it is meant to. I can try as hard as possible but I am on a Journey. It is imperative to do my best and this is exactly why I feel so confident to leave behind my old unhappy existence and move forward now to explore new frontiers.
Trekking through the Andes mountains for four days starting in brilliant sunshine, summiting Dead Woman’s Pass at 4215m in clouds, snowy patches, wearing about 5 layers under my massive poncho which functioned as a carapace protecting me from the natural, harsher climatic elements and then descending nearly 1000m in one fell swoop over rocks, steps carved into rock, rickety tree branched bridges, dirt paths meant an intensity of being in the NOW to the exclusion of whatever turmoils we left behind.
Looking down valleys and peering over the clouds I imagined that connection to the Gods which so many Ancient Peoples sought. It became a trekking meditation with our guide at times just in front of me but mostly I was walking unaccompanied by fellow travellers but accompanied by some great many souls who have sought a similar path, who have connected with me on my Journey. At times though it was a matter of keeping the momentum while taking in the splendor without slipping off down a precipice or collapsing due to lack of oxygen, so remembering to breathe slowly and deeply no matter how arduous the trail became my biggest lesson. All thoughts were on the practicality of mechanics. There were times when I was surprised by the physical perils of this trek but I soon realised that as I worked out how to get my body, carapace and all through the trail, my mind was conquering my mental and emotional challenges.
Interspersed between the trials of the trail were encounters with many Inca ruins which I explored room by room, leaning against the walls at times imagining who lived there, how the room was used, embracing the wonder and magnificence of the architecture and splendor of being in the Andes mountains.
My body and soul traversed many facets of existence, wandering often so lost in my inner place of peace that the trail was now a four day meditation. Approaching the Sun Gate just as the sun began to rise over Machu Picchu was a moment of Absolute elation. Leo our guide embraced us as we shared with him and others a magical experience. The rising SUN exposed Machu Picchu with incredible equanimity putting us into a trance as we continued our trek on the final approach to Machu Picchu. The Sun Gate revealed a hidden civilization which was hidden for so many years and although many of its treasures were lost in its discovery I do feel honored to have made the trek to Machu Picchu just as the Ancient People did so many years ago and in some essence share with all those souls who have travelled these trails, the sense of ecstasy as you pull through the Sun Gate and descend into the marvelous wonder of Machu Picchu.
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