The first task- Bradly

[Guest guest]

I'm inspired too to share my thoughts from the first task. Thanks for sharking

Dhyana. Please forgive my long windedness.

 

For those who haven't given the first task a go, after you complete it, Chrism

will give you further instructions.

 

Here is my experience.

 

be well, bradly

 

 

 

The Assignment

 

The assignment is fairly simple. We are to find a path to follow, to a place

where we haven’t been before. We are to find a place that is sacred and

beautiful. We should write down our thoughts taking intricate notice of our

surroundings and feelings. We should write these down as we move along the path

in different areas. And where will the path lead? And the assignment? I have no

idea, but it is time to begin.

 

I decide to go up a path on a small mountain near my house. It’s a path I’ve

gone up before, but not very far. I went there with friends once and even just a

little ways up there were some nice views and solitude. But like so many paths

in life, I haven’t gone very far along it. I think about this as I drive my

little scooter up the quiet road to the start of the path. How many paths are

there that I’ve walked a little way along, but haven’t really explored to

see where they go? Shouldn’t I take the time to explore more of them? See

where they lead? But of course that will require some effort… As I get off my

scooter, I think the assignment has already begun.

 

Before I can even start up the path, an old man walks up the road with his wife.

He has a sparkle in his eye so I say hello, even though he might not speak any

English. (I’m in Seoul, South Korea.) Surprisingly, he speaks fluent English

and stops for a chat with me. He’s very friendly and some gold teeth shine in

the back of his mouth as he speaks. He starts to talk to me about spring and how

beautiful it is. He makes a wonderful analogy. He tells me how watching spring

on the mountain is like watching a child grow up. You can watch it slowly go up

the mountain as the different flowers and trees blossom as spring progresses. As

I prepare to take my first steps along the path, I’m thankful to have met this

man. I think I’ll have to come back here in the autumn and see the opposite as

well, as this man in the autumn of his years has made me begin to think a bit.

 

As I first step up the path I take note of my surroundings. I hear birds

chirping, the wind rustling through the new leaves and the last clinging ones

from the year before, dogs barking in the distance, cars winding their way

through streets far away, and a lone rooster practicing for tomorrow morning’s

show. The rooster shouldn’t be in the middle of the city where this mountain

is following city rules, but neither should the mountain. I’m just glad to be

here and walking on this path, to be out of the house. I think about the

relationships in my life, I think about doing something like this hike with

friends.

 

I come to a small clearing on the path with blossoms all around. Spring is

really here. I remember one of the trees here from before from I hike I took

last year. There were offerings left beside it- some fruit and nuts, someone

leaving a prayer here on this path at the base of this tree. I continue on. Soon

I come to a small rock outcropping. It’s the first place where you can check

out the view that is emerging. It’s lovely. It’s still pretty chilly, but

it’s very sunny today and I can see out over most of the valley. I see homes

and trees, condos and roads, development and pavement in the distance all

nestled in this still pretty green valley for being in the middle of Seoul. I

continue on.

 

I reach the point where I haven’t gone past before now. It’s all new from

here! I see more blossoms. I’m panting now after not stopping for a bit. In

places the path goes up sharply. My heart beats louder. I feel the breeze and a

bumble bee pays me a visit. I’ve noticed a few over the last few days, such

friendly happy working insects- the beavers of the air. Distant city sounds and

birds are in the background. A spider web clings to my face as I walk past. I

come to a fork in the trail.

 

I think about how paths have choices as I’m faced with one now. I decide at

this time to follow the main path. I want to go up the other one and perhaps I

can at a later time, coming back here to see where it leads. As I continue on I

come to some lovely natural stone steps. They’re so huge. I keep climbing up

and come to a beautiful sitting rock with a great view, it’s so beautiful.

Soon after, I continue on and realize a path has joined back into the main one

I’m on. I realize that it is likely the path I chose not to follow and I think

how appropriate that is- how often many of the paths we choose lead to the same

place, though we often don’t know it at the time.

 

I continue on and come up to a ridge, though I’m not at the top quite yet. At

the top along the ridge there’s a big fence. You see, on the other side of the

mountain a National Park begins. On one side of the hill we are still allowed,

on the other side we can go there too, but only if we go through the proper

gate, and pay the proper fees. It wouldn’t be terribly convenient though for

someone who lived on the wrong side of the mountain to walk all the way around

the mountain, or drive a car around the mountain to go through the other gate.

Quite likely they might just want to take the path that had been there for

hundreds of years, perhaps even longer. The area I’m in is very old, and

people have lived there for a long time. The path I’m on has been here for

some time.

 

I think about these things as I walk along the path that runs along the fence.

And then the fence suddenly ends. Someone or someones it seems didn’t want to

walk around the mountain. They cut a big hole in the fence and tossed the hole

aside. I think about this a bit. It seems some want to tell others what to do,

and sometimes others don’t want to listen. Sometimes some wish to put up

fences, and others wish to take them down (or just put holes in them ). On

the other side of the hole, one branch of the path continues. It goes off into

the park and heads towards even bigger mountains. I want to follow it someday,

but for today I want to go to the top of the mountain I’m on.

 

Nearby is another nice view. In the distance on top of a ridge on another

mountain is a rock that looks like a bunny. I call it ‘Bunny Rock’. I can

see a temple below it. The wind is sounding beautiful and I enjoy the view, only

marginally marred by a cell phone tower in the midst of some trees on the other

side of the valley. I continue on and a man walks past me quickly, I think he

wants to get away from the area where the hole is in the fence. Perhaps holes

make people uncomfortable.

 

I stop along the path and take a small pinecone from a tree. It makes me think

of the pineal gland and I want something to remember the hike. I take a picture

of the valley with my cell phone and feel inspired to send it to a friend in a

message. But I stop when I remember how I feel about cell phone towers on the

mountain. I feel a bit guilty. Was I honoring the sacredness? Now am I judging

myself? I manage to shake it off and continue up the path.

 

And finally I reach the top. I feel good and again there is a great breeze up

here. For some reason I think about the volunteer work I’ll go help with

tonight. I need to go buy some Kimbap, rice rolls covered with seaweed with all

kinds of vegetables inside. I also should get some soya milk, for the homeless

people my volunteer group will go help. Hundreds of them sleep around Seoul

Station in underpasses and in small parks nearby.

 

I think about if I am doing the task right. Is this the way it’s supposed to

work? Am I just to be mindful and notice all these things and thoughts? Should

they lead to insights? I think about how with more mindfulness, that perhaps

every task we do will give us these insights. Like when I do the dishes… What

can I learn? Likely a lot if I’m mindful enough. I soon head down the

mountain, and find myself lost.

 

Even though I’m lost, I know the general direction I’m heading in- down. I

keep wandering and remember that most paths can often lead back to one I’ve

been on before. I find one going down that does just that. And I realize there

were other ways up I missed. Maybe next time.

 

As I’m coming down I check out the views again. They are so beautiful and I

want to come back very soon. I look at people’s homes in the distance and see

the fences. The properties and the ownership seem pretty insignificant up here.

I see a valley, and many things that are part of the valley. Right now I’m

part of that valley and the ownership and dollar values we put on some things

are illusions to me right now. We are trying to divide up something that by its

very nature can’t be divided. Bugs are dancing in the sunlight in front of me.

It’s time to go. I keep going down, I breathe deeply some sighs of

contentment, I feel peace.

 

As I near the bottom of the mountain I can see my scooter waiting patiently for

me, ready to zip me off wherever I wish to go. I take the last step off the cool

earth onto the hard pavement. An old couple walk past just at that time,

bookending my walk. It was a lovely hike, but now I need to go shower before I

volunteer. I think I should write this story out sometime soon. But will I get

around to it? I hop on my scooter for my short ride home. Is the assignment

finished now? Perhaps not I think if I remain mindful. Perhaps this assignment

is just leading to another.

[Guest guest]

Namastedear BradlyWoW!. . .This was a experience to just read. . .Thank you. . . .so many sound insights. . .Such blessing and thanks for sharing you experience. . .i read it twice. . .not at all long winded, but rather a sweet cool breeze leaving freshness. . . .many blessings Bradlyordinary sparrow , "curball2002" <curball2002 wrote:>> I'm inspired too to share my thoughts from the first task. Thanks for sharking Dhyana. Please forgive my long windedness.> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you brad- this is gonna be so nice to read of places all over the world -

your description is so very real that I felt I was there - no worries I am sure

you did the task just the way you were to do it - there is no one way - in the

task or in life yes??

 

And it is nice that others find the path refreshing- makes me think that we are

all walking on the same path at different times- in different manners, with

different needs and desires yet we are all walking toward the same end -

oneness-

 

Thank you for sharing ...

e

[Guest guest]

Lovely, Bradly, thank you! It was fun

to take another trip along the path

through your eyes.

 

Love, dhyana

 

, " curball2002 "

<curball2002 wrote:

>

> I'm inspired too to share my thoughts from the first task.

[Guest guest]

Very nice Bradly,

Yes this is the first task and you have done well with it.

There are other tasks that connect to this first one like the paths going up and

down your mountain. Ready to proceed? I know of some excellent views! Lets have

a look....

[Guest guest]

How do I email directly to report my first task? Thank you.

Carla

 

2009/4/26 chrism <>:

>

>

> Very nice Bradly,

> Yes this is the first task and you have done well with it. There are other

> tasks that connect to this first one like the paths going up and down your

> mountain. Ready to proceed? I know of some excellent views! Lets have a

> look....

>

>

[Guest guest]

Bradly,

Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience. It seems that I was really there with you up and down that mountain.

Be Well,

Ernie

 

-

curball2002

Saturday, April 25, 2009 1:12 PM

The first task- Bradly

 

 

I'm inspired too to share my thoughts from the first task. Thanks for sharking Dhyana. Please forgive my long windedness.For those who haven't given the first task a go, after you complete it, will give you further instructions. Here is my experience.be well, bradlyThe AssignmentThe assignment is fairly simple. We are to find a path to follow, to a place where we havenâ?Tt been before. We are to find a place that is sacred and beautiful. We should write down our thoughts taking intricate notice of our surroundings and feelings. We should write these down as we move along the path in different areas. And where will the path lead? And the assignment? I have no idea, but it is time to begin.I decide to go up a path on a small mountain near my house. Itâ?Ts a path Iâ?Tve gone up before, but not very far. I went there with friends once and even just a little ways up there were some nice views and solitude. But like so many paths in life, I havenâ?Tt gone very far along it. I think about this as I drive my little scooter up the quiet road to the start of the path. How many paths are there that Iâ?Tve walked a little way along, but havenâ?Tt really explored to see where they go? Shouldnâ?Tt I take the time to explore more of them? See where they lead? But of course that will require some effortâ?¦ As I get off my scooter, I think the assignment has already begun.Before I can even start up the path, an old man walks up the road with his wife. He has a sparkle in his eye so I say hello, even though he might not speak any English. (Iâ?Tm in Seoul, South Korea.) Surprisingly, he speaks fluent English and stops for a chat with me. Heâ?Ts very friendly and some gold teeth shine in the back of his mouth as he speaks. He starts to talk to me about spring and how beautiful it is. He makes a wonderful analogy. He tells me how watching spring on the mountain is like watching a child grow up. You can watch it slowly go up the mountain as the different flowers and trees blossom as spring progresses. As I prepare to take my first steps along the path, Iâ?Tm thankful to have met this man. I think Iâ?Tll have to come back here in the autumn and see the opposite as well, as this man in the autumn of his years has made me begin to think a bit.As I first step up the path I take note of my surroundings. I hear birds chirping, the wind rustling through the new leaves and the last clinging ones from the year before, dogs barking in the distance, cars winding their way through streets far away, and a lone rooster practicing for tomorrow morningâ?Ts show. The rooster shouldnâ?Tt be in the middle of the city where this mountain is following city rules, but neither should the mountain. Iâ?Tm just glad to be here and walking on this path, to be out of the house. I think about the relationships in my life, I think about doing something like this hike with friends.I come to a small clearing on the path with blossoms all around. Spring is really here. I remember one of the trees here from before from I hike I took last year. There were offerings left beside it- some fruit and nuts, someone leaving a prayer here on this path at the base of this tree. I continue on. Soon I come to a small rock outcropping. Itâ?Ts the first place where you can check out the view that is emerging. Itâ?Ts lovely. Itâ?Ts still pretty chilly, but itâ?Ts very sunny today and I can see out over most of the valley. I see homes and trees, condos and roads, development and pavement in the distance all nestled in this still pretty green valley for being in the middle of Seoul. I continue on.I reach the point where I havenâ?Tt gone past before now. Itâ?Ts all new from here! I see more blossoms. Iâ?Tm panting now after not stopping for a bit. In places the path goes up sharply. My heart beats louder. I feel the breeze and a bumble bee pays me a visit. Iâ?Tve noticed a few over the last few days, such friendly happy working insects- the beavers of the air. Distant city sounds and birds are in the background. A spider web clings to my face as I walk past. I come to a fork in the trail.I think about how paths have choices as Iâ?Tm faced with one now. I decide at this time to follow the main path. I want to go up the other one and perhaps I can at a later time, coming back here to see where it leads. As I continue on I come to some lovely natural stone steps. Theyâ?Tre so huge. I keep climbing up and come to a beautiful sitting rock with a great view, itâ?Ts so beautiful. Soon after, I continue on and realize a path has joined back into the main one Iâ?Tm on. I realize that it is likely the path I chose not to follow and I think how appropriate that is- how often many of the paths we choose lead to the same place, though we often donâ?Tt know it at the time. I continue on and come up to a ridge, though Iâ?Tm not at the top quite yet. At the top along the ridge thereâ?Ts a big fence. You see, on the other side of the mountain a National Park begins. On one side of the hill we are still allowed, on the other side we can go there too, but only if we go through the proper gate, and pay the proper fees. It wouldnâ?Tt be terribly convenient though for someone who lived on the wrong side of the mountain to walk all the way around the mountain, or drive a car around the mountain to go through the other gate. Quite likely they might just want to take the path that had been there for hundreds of years, perhaps even longer. The area Iâ?Tm in is very old, and people have lived there for a long time. The path Iâ?Tm on has been here for some time.I think about these things as I walk along the path that runs along the fence. And then the fence suddenly ends. Someone or someones it seems didnâ?Tt want to walk around the mountain. They cut a big hole in the fence and tossed the hole aside. I think about this a bit. It seems some want to tell others what to do, and sometimes others donâ?Tt want to listen. Sometimes some wish to put up fences, and others wish to take them down (or just put holes in them ). On the other side of the hole, one branch of the path continues. It goes off into the park and heads towards even bigger mountains. I want to follow it someday, but for today I want to go to the top of the mountain Iâ?Tm on.Nearby is another nice view. In the distance on top of a ridge on another mountain is a rock that looks like a bunny. I call it â?~Bunny Rockâ?T. I can see a temple below it. The wind is sounding beautiful and I enjoy the view, only marginally marred by a cell phone tower in the midst of some trees on the other side of the valley. I continue on and a man walks past me quickly, I think he wants to get away from the area where the hole is in the fence. Perhaps holes make people uncomfortable.I stop along the path and take a small pinecone from a tree. It makes me think of the pineal gland and I want something to remember the hike. I take a picture of the valley with my cell phone and feel inspired to send it to a friend in a message. But I stop when I remember how I feel about cell phone towers on the mountain. I feel a bit guilty. Was I honoring the sacredness? Now am I judging myself? I manage to shake it off and continue up the path.And finally I reach the top. I feel good and again there is a great breeze up here. For some reason I think about the volunteer work Iâ?Tll go help with tonight. I need to go buy some Kimbap, rice rolls covered with seaweed with all kinds of vegetables inside. I also should get some soya milk, for the homeless people my volunteer group will go help. Hundreds of them sleep around Seoul Station in underpasses and in small parks nearby. I think about if I am doing the task right. Is this the way itâ?Ts supposed to work? Am I just to be mindful and notice all these things and thoughts? Should they lead to insights? I think about how with more mindfulness, that perhaps every task we do will give us these insights. Like when I do the dishesâ?¦ What can I learn? Likely a lot if Iâ?Tm mindful enough. I soon head down the mountain, and find myself lost.Even though Iâ?Tm lost, I know the general direction Iâ?Tm heading in- down. I keep wandering and remember that most paths can often lead back to one Iâ?Tve been on before. I find one going down that does just that. And I realize there were other ways up I missed. Maybe next time.As Iâ?Tm coming down I check out the views again. They are so beautiful and I want to come back very soon. I look at peopleâ?Ts homes in the distance and see the fences. The properties and the ownership seem pretty insignificant up here. I see a valley, and many things that are part of the valley. Right now Iâ?Tm part of that valley and the ownership and dollar values we put on some things are illusions to me right now. We are trying to divide up something that by its very nature canâ?Tt be divided. Bugs are dancing in the sunlight in front of me. Itâ?Ts time to go. I keep going down, I breathe deeply some sighs of contentment, I feel peace.As I near the bottom of the mountain I can see my scooter waiting patiently for me, ready to zip me off wherever I wish to go. I take the last step off the cool earth onto the hard pavement. An old couple walk past just at that time, bookending my walk. It was a lovely hike, but now I need to go shower before I volunteer. I think I should write this story out sometime soon. But will I get around to it? I hop on my scooter for my short ride home. Is the assignment finished now? Perhaps not I think if I remain mindful. Perhaps this assignment is just leading to another.