Day 10. The Longest Journey (June 27, Utpal)
He is a sweet enigma. Ananda-Lahari, in this his 13 straight appearance at the Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race has spent more time, covered more distance, and smiled more soulfully than any of the other runners he now shares the course with.
When we think of races we usually think of placing, of crossing of finishing line, and the hopes for some, of being able to declare victory. Ananda-Lahari, though he is built of all the same moving parts as the rest of humanity is simply designed and constructed within to view this race in a much different way. Certainly some part of him wants always to complete the distance. Something that has eluded him 7 of 12 times he has come. Instead he is drawn to do this impossible act in a way that appears to be detached from the obvious results.
He runs as fast he can go, he rarely takes breaks, and stays on the course as late as any of the other runners. In his absolute devotion to what he does, in his pure and uncomplicated dedication he is satisfied. Because I believe he sees his spiritual journey as one that is not bound by the sidewalks he circles tirelessly each day. But instead by the unseen progress he is making within towards a higher goal. One that has no trophy, no finish line, only his own perfect perfection.
When I ask if he thinks of the loops around the course as repetitive, he says, “It doesn’t look like you are repeating the same thing. It is like a journey.” He also feels that the days for him feel longer when he is not running the race.
