“Are you sure you are on the right track?”, asked the gas station attendant, as he filled up the tank of the off-roader.
(I wondered for a moment if it was a philosophical question).
Yeah buddy. Thanks.
“I must warn you…this track takes you straight into the rainforest. No much civilization around there, except for a small trading post at the edge of the rainforest.”
Yeah. I’ve been on this track before; but very long ago.
“The mobile phone signal is very faint there, friend. But with luck, you might get through to us, in case you need help. We got a pick-up truck handy for folks who get lost in these parts”.
I will surely call if I need help. Thanks again.
(I pulled out of the gas station and got on to the track. It was a few hours before daybreak.)
I reached the edge of the rainforest with just a sore back for company. The ride was rough, but I wasn’t surprised. One could hardly call it a road.
I parked the car at the trading post and told the family there that I will return in a few days. After a cup of hot tea at their makeshift restaurant, I got ready for the long walk ahead. I made sure I left all the electronic gadgets in the car. They would not be allowed in the place I was heading to.
I then picked up my backpack, rubbed salt all over my feet and legs (to keep the leeches away), put on the rubber shoes and started walking into the rainforest. I located the first marker fairly quickly and took that track.
Just had a feeling that I had forgotten to pack something; but didn’t know what.
Within an hour, the sunlight was cut off by the tall trees and foliage. I adjusted slowly to the green-filter view of the scenery around me. It was still the monsoon season and I found tropical rainforests take on a life of their own during the rains.
I reached the first creek by lunch time. I put the bag down and sat down at the nearest dry rock I could find. Wary of the moss-covered ones, because the creek opens up into a waterfall further down and I didn’t want to lose my footing. It’s tough doing this kind of thing when you are as clumsy as I am.
As I sat down to eat a sandwich, my thoughts went to the man I was going to meet. Who knew how old he was? Some said a 100, some a 1000. Only one thing drove him on – imparting knowledge of the ancient powers to a select lineage of students. People scoffed in the beginning when he set up his hermitage. They felt it was hard enough to prepare the mind and body to receive even one of those powers – in this day and age. ‘Eden’, they called it.
But he was a determined teacher, with a powerful vision. He taught for the sheer joy of sharing what he himself had learnt from a long lineage of masters.
Since the powers required a careful cultivation of internal energy, he had set up his camp far away from the city, away from even the vibrations of mobile phone and radio towers, so his protégés could practice in as natural an environment as possible. Natural food and water were plentiful. Using extracts from rainforest plants, he could cure even the rarest diseases on the planet. So he was self-sufficient, living and teaching there.
His students were never allowed to flaunt their powers in the world outside.
..which was probably good. Others would have probably called them X-Men, had they been spotted.
“What happens here stays here”, he used to say. “Just like life in the rainforest.”
Personally, I found him a fine teacher, though I was not his favorite student. He had kicked me out well within a year, for being too free-spirited.
..which is why I found it surprising that he had written to me, asking me to meet him, after such a long gap in time.
Anyway, I was looking forward to meeting old friends again. They were a pretty awesome bunch and saying farewell many years ago, had been very difficult for us.
(A monkey suddenly appeared out of the foliage and startled me.)
Stay focused and stop day-dreaming, I said to myself sternly.
I offered the rest of the sandwich to him, ate a few chocolate chips to keep the sugar levels going and then resumed my walk quickly.
Better not rest too long. Remember how you cramped up the last time you took a long break.
It started to rain. Correction; pour!
I then realised what I had forgotten to pack; my raincoat.
By evening, I was thoroughly drenched. But I was deep in the heart of the rainforest. The chirping of insects and birds was a melody that kept changing. Luckily, the sound of water falling on the ferns and orchids through the canopy of trees kept the rhythm well.
Every life form here was born from the life forms around it, grows amidst them, nourishes other life forms during its life, dies here to be consumed by other life forms and becomes part of a new rainforest.
No different from life anywhere else (I thought cheerfully).
People click their cameras to commit many fleeting life
forms to memory.
And miss seeing the immortality of life
I sloshed my way through the mud till I broke through the dense forest and reached the waterfall.
The clouds had gathered over the rainforest – thanks to the evaporation of rain water.
It was looking like a scene straight out of a King Kong movie.
I took a refreshing bath amidst nature before proceeding any further.
Phew. I’m almost there; just a few more minutes of walking to do.
Aagh! My muscles are starting to cramp again. Time for another drink of fresh water and a chocolate chip cookie.
Soon, I reached the clearing ; The sunlight broke through. I rested against a tree trunk.
I heard the sound of humming and chanting from beyond the clearing.
Ah! The mantra practice at Sunset; Nice. The folks are still at it.
And then, a creeper started to move; rather purposefully towards me and slowly wrapped around my shoulder.
No way! She’s still here?
Hi, Lavender! (I greeted the creeper). Still having a crush on me?
The creeper moved up and tickled my ear.
You better pay attention at class. I’ll meet you all after I see the teacher.
I untangled myself and the creeper moved away.
I broke through the clearing and saw a group of 100 students, at the courtyard of the ashram, meditating; different age groups and nationality;
I quietly walked past them and reached the main hut. I paused for a moment there, taking it all in; I then took a deep breath, exhaled and entered the hut.
He still looked the same to me, though the wrinkles on his face were more pronounced this time.
Greetings, teacher (I said and bowed in the customary manner.)
“Hello troublemaker”, he said with a wide smile
(Uh-oh!)
You sent for me. I came as fast as I could. I was traveling and saw your letter very late. Sorry.
“You are glowing. The city has been kind on you”, he said, ignoring my excuses.
Just been practicing whatever little I picked up during my stay here.
“though it seems to have given you a few extra pounds”, he tapped my tummy
That’s just to entertain the children (I protested)
(He then reached out and gave me a warm embrace. I was taken aback. This had never been covered in the ‘Eden’ manual. After what seemed like an eternity, he moved away).
“Sit down. We must talk”
(I promptly did – on the floor.)
“I thought of you many times during the past few years; even felt the energy of your work. The signature was pronounced”
(oohh…I must have done something right.)
“Perhaps we could have done more, had you continued here”
My questions were different. So my path is different.
I am at peace with myself and my role; and so are you.
“True “(he laughed). “Yet, all paths converge some day; which is why we are both here now.”
Yes (I nodded).
“My time is approaching. I have a few months left, at most”
(I nodded).
“But there is a big burden that I carry with me now. Of the students I taught, I believed in 12 of them the most. Many of them learnt with you. They chose to leave after their training. But soon, the web of delusion took over and they weren’t strong enough to see through it.”
(I nodded. It happens.)
“They have hit a wall. What is worse, their energy is being transformed, even without their knowledge. If they are not helped, it could prove dangerous for them and a whole lot of people.
I have failed them, and in failing, I have failed my mission.
How can I be at peace?”
(He paused for a minute)
“So, troublemaker, that is why I called you. Can you help them overcome their obstacle? There is no one else I can trust to do this for them”
If that is your desire, I will do it.
“I am grateful. Here. Take these. They are the letters I exchanged with them, over many years. Read them, and you will understand what their obstacles are.
And here are their contact details. Some of them apparently live in lands faraway from yours. Is that a problem?”
No. It is not. I travel a lot anyways. (I kept the letters in my pocket and put the addresses away in my backpack).
Can you tell them you are sending me?
“I already did” (he said with a sheepish grin).
(Of course!)
But I have something to ask of you.
“Tell me”.
I will not rest till I have fulfilled your task. But there are 7 seekers who will soon embark on the final leg of the treasure hunt. So, while I am away, can my friends in Eden keep a watch to protect and guide the seekers of the treasure? It is critical that they reach the end.
“You are setting in motion a chain of events too.” (he laughed aloud)
Like you said, all paths must converge sometime.
“Consider it done. Your friends can leave the rainforest and take their place in the world when the seekers need them.”
And another thing; I left mid-way in learning a technique. Will you help me finish it?
“Which one?”
(I told him and he smiled).
“We will start tomorrow. Stay with us for a week”.
(I stepped out of the hut and walked straight into a small bunch of eager, anxious friends.
They were all there – Lavender, Snake, The Silent One, Lightning, the Fox and Blossom.)
“Welcome back, Sunbeam”, they whispered, out of earshot of the teacher.
Old friends from different worlds converged.
The laughter continued well into the night. And the rainforest joined in.
A week later, I reached the trading outpost after a long walk. I had a hot bath to refresh my aching joints and then got into the car.
I reached for the letters the teacher had exchanged with his 12 students. They came out soggy. They were completely soaked in the rain. Not a word was readable. Oh boy!
But their contact details were safe – in the backpack. (Phew!).
I switched on the phone. There was a faint signal.
There were about 25 missed calls, mostly from 7 people.
And there was a voice mail too.
“Hey duff head! Where did you vanish again? Today is the first anniversary of the blog. We have planned a surprise for you.”
(I smiled and started the engine)
The end of the treasure hunt had begun.
Hey @UM! The end begins the end of the beginnings. Where do we go from here?
hint : it dont matter where the water flows. the earth is already there ! 😊
and this post reminds me of how my insides felt when I went to Kodai the very first time
carry me caravan
take me away
great good pictures as if you are in the Garden of Eden – correct me if I am wrong …. though one is a troublemaker but that person has a talent that he can share to another bright person as in even the dull have their own stories to tell :)
Just read this post…and…WOW. Also, just noticed how i say ‘wow’ everytime i read something here! hehee.. :) This is too inspiring…thrilling…and awesome!! And the photos are also sooo good, the last one even made me cry! phew… :) Thanks for sharing! and Thank God, I feel i’m totally lucky to have stumbled upon this site.. really.
A Very Happy Journey to you and all the treasure hunters!! :)
Everytime i get a shred of doubt as to whether I should continue with this blog, a reader comes and posts how it made a difference to them. So, thanks to YOU :) for being the angel this time :) and yeah, the last photo is very mystic indeed; it is a place deep in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia…and it has a very special place in my memories too.
Gasp! perish the very last shred of any such doubt please. This blog is a basic need!! :) If need be i’d love to be the angel forever! And thanks for the lovely words… Everything is breath-takingly wonderful here :)
Hey Monk…
We are reaching the end so soon….i thought that we had many miles to go before we sleep…!! I hope the end is as exciting as in the movie “Robot” and hopefully not a tear jerker. Happy Anniversary by the way…How time flies…
Love and Cheerssss….
KK
Thanks for the wishes, KK. Everything that begins has an end :) but not a worry. the treasure itself has no beginning and end. It is ready to be found when you are ready.
Heyyy buddy boyyyy, the HUNT has began finallyyyy….Wish u and us a very happy anniversaryyyy….my mind is whhizziiinggg and hyper ventilating and and you know why….have fun and sun dry those letters, you might find something interesting :-)
Get your gear ready, Indiana Jones…we goin’ places soon :-)