The morning sun gives the young leaves of the Himalayan Cherry tree a tender glow as if they were lighted from inside by a mystery light. I walk on the pavement alive with the moving shadows of the pines. A water hen makes a harsh sound and plunges into the reeds bordering the lake. The far hills look scared by tasteless concrete structures squatting among the eucalyptus trees. The lazy dogs on the pavement look at me with bright drooping eyes. Far away a Malabar whistling Thrush sings a long melancholic note.
I walk around the Kodaikanal lake whenever I get time, mostly on Saturdays and Sundays. I have no particular goal in my mind, but to walk and take in whatever that morning presents to my senses. I walk slowly, and never hesitate to stop, look and listen. I am not interested in reducing my weight, strengthening my calf muscles, or burning calories. I walk to be in an open space and to feel the world.
These are times when attention is vital. To be focused on a single task and sustain attention is a challenge these days. I think attention is a luxury given the various distractions we encounter on a day-to-day basis – mobile phones, social media, and a million apps. I remember, growing up in a small village near the peninsular tip of India in the early 80s, and I read staying on the bed for hours without my hands stretching and seeking, which is almost an unconscious urge these days given that my phone is almost always near me.
I believe, my walks around the lake are an exercise in attention. When I pay attention walking becomes a meditation. The mind becomes still and observes every movement – the wind on the leaves, the fleeing ripples on the lake, the violent dive of a Kingfisher, the stray petals of Cherry blossoms drifting in the cold air, the old women begging near the park, and the noisy boys on the bicycles. This attention brings a deep sense of peace and you feel a strange oneness with everything.
Some days, I take a detour and walk from the lake towards a Shola forest. The vegetation in this forest is a mix of endemic Shola trees and invasive species. Tar roads snake around this patch of forest as if they have been saved at the last moment from being destroyed by the greedy. I observe the trees with garlands of vines hanging from their branches, and an occasional Malabar giant squirrel munching away leaves and nuts, as its maroon coat glows in the slant of morning light. There is a deep silence in this forest untouched by the bird songs and the deep echoing calls of the Malabar giant squirrels. Walking through the thick shadows of the Shola trees the mind in attention rests in the moment, there is no looking back or forward, and you feel the forest in your breath and bones.
Our lives are set in routines, and sometimes this can become tedious and burdensome. For me, these walks are important because they help me to step back a little and look at my life from a wider perspective. A single man with all his joys and worries against the vast canvas of nature. These are moments I don’t feel small, but I feel like I am part of the wonderful vastness of life. Taking time to take these walks enriches my life and paying attention calms my mind. In our busy lives, we may fall into the trap of living our lives without a moment of reflection, especially in a rush to make money, buy things, and entertain ourselves. Taking a walk, or going to a forest retreat will slow us down and touch parts of our hearts, which we often neglect. I am lucky to live in Kodaikanal, and those who live in cities with green spaces should take the time and effort to cherish those spaces. If we don’t bring awareness, attention, and reflection into our lives, we may have to live with regrets in our twilight years.
About Prem
I am a high school Biology teacher at Kodaikanal International School. I am an avid reader, a poet, and an armchair philosopher. I also love photography and I am reasonably good at it. Above all, I am a teacher at my heart and my soul who deeply cares about his students. I want to inspire students to be responsible and caring human beings and also make them fall in love with the subject I teach. I always encourage my students to pay attention to both the inner and the outer world.