Before I knew it, I had walked 24 miles. The act of climbing brings to mind visions of Moses and Bashō gazing upon the eternal. Moses got a front-row viewing of God’s glory. Bashō too had eyes to see, leaving behind a plethora of haikus that ruminate on the divine. Both have served as respites for an endless thread of wanders. In other miles, I tested the Lord, my God, absent-mindedly trekking through the terrain, nearly stumbling down the mountainside.... Read more
Making time for the Lord and finding our own Mt. Olivet for prayer is crucial. I have a new job that requires me to commute and stay overnight. Luckily, I still have my old Mystery Machine from my hippie days. My camper van serves as a monastic cell on wheels, equipped with only the bare essentials: a bed, bible, liturgical book, and miniature lamp. This simple setup allows me to focus on my spiritual practice without many distractions. (Not to... Read more
A pilgrim tends to take the side streets and back roads, resisting the temptation to hurry. They prefer to walk instead of relying on modes of transportation like Uber or the subway. This approach enables the traveler to observe, reflect, and fully experience their surroundings. Read more
As I reflect on the countless highways that span this vast country, there is one that stands out as the ruler of my heart – Highway One. This particular stretch of pavement played a pivotal role in my spiritual journey, serving as the starting point for the cross-country trip that would ultimately lead to Emmaus. (An encounter with Jesus.) While some road trips had specific destinations in mind, such as a cozy cabin in Pescadero or a visit to... Read more
After rushing through matins, the monk fiddled with his prayer rope before urging me to start the car. For the past twenty years, he had devoted his life to prayer and contemplation, living according to the monastic rule, and assumed he would remain an ascetic until his final breath. However, the abbot had recently assigned him a new responsibility – to take over the duties of an elderly priest. I offered to go with him to make the transition smoother.... Read more
For a long time, I had felt disconnected from my inner self because I was constantly distracted by hypnotic screens, social media, the party scene, and a constant need for stimuli. Reacquaintance occurred through multiple cross-country trips, getting lost on the backroads until I pulled into Nazareth. The real journey was from the head to the heart. Discovering Jesus on the road seems fitting, given his love for traveling on foot and his remarkable ability to connect with people exactly... Read more
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