A Casual Hike

Here we find a very short story that points to a common predicament created by thought. All thoughts and corresponding states arise in the mind. What we are allows for and observes all states yet when established in knowing our true nature, we remain utterly detached and unaffected by appearances.

Click the play button to hear Walter read 'A Casual Hike'

A casual hike among the trees,
led by a breeze urging me deeper,
pushing me on
into a copse so thick I lose my way,
the day waning and light failing,
my flailing about
coupled with doubt
causes a thin shout
"I am stuck!"

My heavy rucksack caught,
the straps taut,
entangled,
held fast by thorny brambles,
mind now a shambles,
terrified, wide-eyed,
imagining the worst
and cursed scenario,
I suffer.

Like a fly in a spider's web
my strength ebbs,
exhausted I hang helpless,
and suddenly returns the breeze
that whispers "you are free,
see the ties that bind are only mind,
cut the straps leave your heavy pack,
do not look back,
find that nothing of value is left behind"

I awaken within the dream,
the solution seen
by fresh eyes,
I shrug off my pack,
the path now known
to be of no distance
and no resistance,
I arrive home,
light and carefree.