Travel Light

One of the most profound and beautiful aphorisms of Zen Buddhism is Buddha's sage advice: Travel light, even yesterday is luggage. Unencumbered existence enables a person to achieve his spiritual goals. The Buddha was world's first true existentialist who understood value of the present moment. Carry no pain from yesterday and no ecstasy or excitement for tomorrow. Live in the moment that's yours; it's the only existential truth.

It's the accumulation of experiences, good or bad, that weighs us down. Any kind of accumulation is an encumbrance. 'Jo mil gaya usi ko muqaddar samajh liya/ Jo kho gaya main uss ko bhulata chala gaya' - whatever I got is my destiny and whatever I lost, I kept forgetting. This attitude of the poet-lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi could be an ideal attitude. All our pains, cravings and desires thrive on our tendency to accumulate and expect. Expect nothing from anyone and you're one with Cosmos. This is the key to enlightenment.

Just think about how much luggage we all carry, as we are rooted in our past and worried about tomorrow. No attachment is the greatest achievement. Mind you, this doesn't mean utter heartlessness or extreme insensitivity. This is sagacity.


Rumi says, 'While travelling, don't look back and long for what you left. What was never yours will not accompany you on your travels. Don't even count your steps, for that's an obsession, too. Just walk mindfully unmindful.' Life is a journey, and a journey should be undertaken sans burden and presupposition. Remember, travel light, be your own guide, and you'll glide.