We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.
– Anais Nin

Wow we are in 2013, the world hasn’t ended…….yet, and we are back from our travels. This new year was special as we were halfway across the world in Sri Lanka, climbing Adam’s peak on New Year’s day. Adam’s peak is a sacred pilgrimage spot for persons of all faiths in Sri Lanka. It is a conical mountain at an elevation of 2243 meters.  It is common belief that Lord Buddha during his third visit to Sri Lanka left his footprint on this sacred mountain. The Muslims and Christians believe it is the foot print of Adam after he was expelled from the Garden of Eden, and landed on top of the mountain. Some believe it is the footprint of St Thomas and Hindus regard the footprint as the footprint of Lord Shiva.

The 6 hour hike up is surrounded by breathtaking views, and long opportunities for introspection. As we hiked we came across people of all  faiths. Each person carried with him a different belief but the same zest and zeal. Each person starts his/her journey with a different conviction, a different set of beliefs, but ends it by converging at the same point. The tip of the peak doesn’t change, it stays the same, even though down below it’s interpretations differ.

The adventure by far was the most physically strenuous thing I have ever done, but definitely worth every aching muscle. During the hike we came across children, elderly and even physically disabled people, amazed by their will, wondering each step of the way how they would complete their journey. But may be it is their faith, the belief in something higher, something bigger, that gives people the strength to continue forward and hence each faith has formed their own connection with the peak. But it is not the peak that needs the connection, it is the traveler’s need.

The more we travel the desire to seek other states, other lives and other souls continues to grow. The boundaries start to vanish, the differences begin to disappear and you realize no matter how different one appears on the surface, our soul’s journey is the same. We are all eventually converging towards the same eternal truth. Our class, mode of transport, belongings might be different, but our destination is the same.