I was moved by a few things shared on our pilgrimage conference call. First, our Buddhist Priest fearless leader, Shodo Spring, will bring her walking staff. This staff is a symbol of the walk and will walk the entire route regardless of sections where Shodo or others may jump in the support bus. When this happens, one of the other walkers will take the staff. Second, in a discussion about who plans to walk and who plans to support “base camp,” one of our team members reminded us that this walk is a “collective prayer” and we must let go of any individual ego-driven attachments to exactly how many miles any one of us actually walks. This helps me hold my contribution as valuable even though I cannot walk the entire route. This quote from Arvol Looking Horse also gives me strength in my moments of doubt.

“Each of us is put here in this time and this place to personally decide the future of humankind. Did you think the Creator would create unnecessary people in a time of such terrible danger? Know that you yourself are essential to this World. Believe that! Understand both the blessing and the burden of that. You yourself are desperately needed to save the soul of this World. Did you think you were put here for something less?” ~ Chief Arvol Looking Horse