The Path of Life

Many cultures believe that life is a path that starts in one place, ends in another, and has its sights to see, its difficulties, and places to stop and rest. But what of the before and after? What waits at the end of the path, and where did we start? What are you supposed to do once you've reached the end?

The Kawasi people believe that life is a path that winds from the bottom of a mountain to the top. There is nothing at the top of the mountain. There is nothing at the bottom. There is only the path which is built as they climb, and once a person has made their way to the top, the turn around and travel to the bottom, back and forth. The path never changes, but they are free to travel it as they please, and dwell as long as they wish at any part.

But, they say, one must remember to build the path wisely. A portion built in anger will always be filled with anger, and though we may wish to dwell for the rest of eternity in this moment or that, we must still pass through all the moments inbetween to get there. It is wisdom, then, to build a path as peaceful and beautiful as possible on the first climb to the top, so that as one spends the rest of eternity traveling the old road, one finds happiness and beauty wherever one goes, and needs not fear to revisit any dark places.


Originally mailed to J. Stillman of New York City, New York