Why W.A.L.K?
W – Walk.
Walking accords us a 180 degree field of vision, where we become fully aware of our surroundings. We notice the sun rise every day, the undulating fields of sunflowers, the corn, the buckwheat; the whistling dessert wind, the rolling mountains, the meandering rivers.
At a slower pace, it offers us an opportunity to commune, to bear witness to the villagers’ way of life. Where their philosophy of life is different, where material desire is replaced by the basic fulfilment of human needs.
When there is no longer a pre-occupation with asking for more and more stuff, but to take what is given and to give what is taken – life is so simple: where we cannot make the clouds rain more nor make the sun shine less – it’s nature’s gift – take it or leave it.
Thus, the shepherd tends to his herd with the compassion of a father; an old villager waiting hours for a delayed bus without a trace of anger; a child spends joyful hours chasing and trying to catch the flying locusts.
A – Accept.
We must be ready to accept and face the realities of the universe head-on. Walking through the freezing cold, the merciless temperature of the desert, and the tortuous climbs up the mountains. Sometimes hungry, exhausted and the body ache for just a few more moments in the shade, an extra drink of cool water or just a little spark of human kindness.
Many times, we did receive that extra bit and the heart would overflow with gratitude like the unforgettable “open inviting arms of Mr. & Mrs. Wang”. But sometimes, we were abruptly refused and had to cultivate the capacity to accept the gifts hidden – the calmness, the serenity in accepting whatever life tosses in our laps – even in the most challenging of moments.
L – Love.
The more we learn from nature and its resilience to external circumstances, the more we fall into the natural state which is to be loving – it’s the kind of love that only knows one thing – to give with no string attached – pure, selfless, unconditional love.
Most of us believe that to give, we first must have something to give. Nowadays, people know the price of everything but the value of nothing. We have forgotten how to value things without a price tag. Hence when we get our most abundant gifts – compassion, attention, insight – we confuse their worth, because they are priceless.
In urban area, people we encountered begin with unspoken weariness – “Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?”
In the countryside, villagers almost always meet us with open-hearted curiosity, launching straight in with “Hey, laowai (“老外,你为什么在这?”), why are you here?”
In villages, your worth isn’t assessed by your business card, professional network or your salary. They would gladly share whatever little food and shelter they have without a hint for a payment. Everyone is overjoyed to give directions when asked even when they weren’t fully sure.
These people knew how to give, not because they have a lot but because they know how to love life. When you come alive this way, you will realise that true generosity doesn’t start when you have something to give, but rather when there’s nothing in you that’s trying to take.
K – know thyself.
Wise men have long informed us that when we serve unconditionally, we shift from the “me” to the “we”, and connect more deeply with the other.
That matrix of inter-connections allows for a profound quality of mental calmness. Like a still lake undisturbed by waves or ripples, we are then able to see clearly into who we are and how we can live in deep harmony with the environment around us.
I walk for hours alone in silence, reflecting on what I have witnessed, accepted, grew to love – when I gave the water bottle to a patched farmer, was I serving him or serving myself?
We must grow through life – make it a point to acknowledge mysteries and welcome rich questions – that nudge us towards a greater understanding of our world and our special place in it.
Extract from the 2012 University of Pennsylvania commencement speech by Nipun Mehta (Servicespace.org) - with personal modifications.