The Tao of Distance Running -#8

One who lives in accordance with nature

 does not go against the way of things.

He moves in harmony with the present moment,

always knowing the truth of just what to do.

*

~

In distance each mile anchors us more to present moment

awareness and the vital time of now is

sharply focused .

Breath and the fall of steps account to a

rhythm of their own.

There is music of the earth only the

quiet mind knows.

We run to find this song, to hush all but the holy

voice of earth and soul.

In distance...we learn to listen.

And farther still

we dance.

• Running returns to us to nature and more so it reveals to us our own nature. As miles add up and distance pulls us farther inwards we find a harmony between our surroundings and our inner world. This is the sweet spot of effortless performance - we move in fluid lines against the trail and the sky is met against us as long embrace of light. There is a knowing that this - this is what we were made to do - and we give ourselves fully to this art of motion. It takes a suspension of the belief that we are separate from nature, that we are visitors in a temporary battle of speed and time. Running is our return. It brings us home. 

Peace,

Eric

* Verse 8 of Tao Te Ching translated By Wayne Dyer