The Yoga of Distance Running - Verse 2:2

The whole world becomes a slave

to its own activity, Arjuna;

if you want to be truly free,

perform all action as worship.

                   (Bhagavad Gita 3:9)

~

We run - our stride lengthened in

devotion. And every step

we give as prayer.

We tread on holy ground...and breathe a sacred air.

* There is a holy communion between Self and stride - a whispered urging to let the earth be holy and our feet a given prayer. Our thoughts turn distance to a test of will. The ground is fought for every mile. We become adversaries of the path and our stride a weapon of self destruction. Our bodies are imprisoned by this frame of mind - the Self kept hidden by the ego's cry for more. Freedom is found in the quiet devotion offered to the path. Yes, we tread on holy ground and breathe a sacred air. Our stride is an act of worship - the Self laid down as prayerful steps. This is Creation and our steps partake in the making of the world. We have found a gift - given from heaven and our joyful response is offered in return. When our run is performed as an act of worship - we run free of earthly bonds.

Peace,

Eric

*Verse 3:9 translated by Stephen Mitchell