The Running Traveler

Fellow Traveler: "I thought we came to see the sights here at the Grand Canyon. But if you're running through everything how are you gonna see any thing."

Running Traveler: "Did you see that couple kissing under that funny-looking tree at the last stop? And what about the small cave there with all the wall paintings before that? It was quite magnificent and beautiful"

Fellow Traveler: "No, where was this cave with paintings?"

Running Traveler: "it was back there at the turnoff. They had a big sign saying "Traditional Native American Cave Paintings." Here—I took a few pictures before moving on from that spot."

Not even a few hundred years ago the mode of transportation for many people was on foot. To cover great distances quickly, if you where not on horseback, you where forced to run. Mail, Groceries, and orders from fellow merchants were—at times—delivered by this means. However, many have forgotten this.

In few parts of the world today, there are groups of people for whom running is not only their main mode of transportation but it is so ingrained in their culture, it is given some form of religious meaning. Not that it is a religion. It is only that without their ability to run, in current circumstances, they may be left behind to wallow in the dust. The three main groups of people where this is seen today and they are almost house hold names: the Kenyans of Africa, the Tarahumara Indians of the Copper Canyon in Mexico and the Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei, Japan. These great runners have been running as part of who they are for hundreds, if not thousands of years. In Kenya, many have said they run because it brings hope to their people. In the Copper Canyon, some say, "Well, how do you get around on terrain such as this? Running is the only way," or "Tradition, community and family."

The Marathon Monks are one of only a handfull of known groups that run purely for the sole purpose of bringing them closer to enlightenment or what some call God. I, personally, with all there is to know about them, in comparison to some who have spent actual time with them in their tradition of Buddhism know very little about them, with the exception of what I have read and others have told me. I still find them fascinating and would love to learn more about them. 

Now, back to the small snippet I opened with. I myself do run to travel. Some may say I travel to run. The thing I am getting at with this is that some people have come to me and said "Hey! Slow down and smell the roses! Take your time to appreciate what's around you and don't run through it." When I hear this, I think to myself that many don't understand, when they spend many hours sitting at work, then sitting in their car and sitting in front of the T.V. in order to smell the roses. The only time they get out is to sightsee, and they can only go at a pace that suites their sedentary lifestyle which, in many cases, means paying attention to one thing at a time, this being caused by the type of fast pace they may be use to does not include being completely aware of all that's around them.

When they then see someone such as my self running through something as beautiful as the outdoors they may not understand where I am coming from or don't wish to. It's just that when I run through a "Tour" I'm not doing it to get it over with, I do it because it's part of my life's experience of all that's around me and is some what of my enjoyment. I also do it because in most cases for myself I notice more on a run then I do walking because I must stay fully aware in order to run properly.

Slowing down to smell the roses is taking time out of the ordinary and do something extraordinary.