February 2023.
I walk silently with a small group of men along the river Narmada. It is a fundamental day of the journey we are sharing. Nobody is talking but the nature around us. I do my best to bring that silence within. To quiet my spinning mind, I pay attention to the nature around me, particularly to the river. It is so beautiful in its slow flowing towards the ocean. All of a sudden, a few words appear in my mind.
One day, I'll find my river.
They emerge like this, out of the blue. A step ago, they were not there, and now they are.
What do they mean? Is it a promise? An invitation to a quest?
I'm not sure, but I can feel their power.
I write them down and keep reflecting on them for the rest of the journey.
By the end of the journey, I know it's at the same time an invitation to continue my exploration of myself and a promise that my quest won't be in vain.
October 2023
I am walking silently again.
Same place, same river, a different group of men.
Again, I observe the nature around me to bring silence within.
The river Narmada is as beautiful as ever.
And then, it happens again.
A few words appear in my mind.
Without any hint or warning, they are there.
I'm blown away and must stop for a minute to regain my ground.
I almost forgot the promise I received the last time I was here, "one day, I'll find my river."
Yet, these new words are now here.
Narmada has kept her promise.
I open my notepad, and I write them down.
I am the river.