An avid hiking enthusiast
To others, trekking deep into the wilderness alone always carries a hint of irrational adventure, even a touch of reclusiveness and tragic grandeur. They ask, “Aren’t you lonely? Aren’t you afraid? Isn’t it better to share the scenery with someone?” I usually respond with a smile, unable to fully explain. Because some journeys are meant …
We inhabit a world profoundly reshaped by human civilization—surrounded by forests of steel and concrete, our ears filled with artificial sounds. We’ve grown accustomed to understanding the world through screens, our connection to nature reduced to occasional photo browsing or brief strolls in parks. Only when you truly pack your bags and step into the …
In most people’s imagination, meditation is a practice performed in a quiet room, sitting cross-legged and emptying the mind. Yet for a modern mind like mine, accustomed to constant busyness, forced “emptiness” often brings more “clutter.” That changed when I stumbled upon a flowing meditative state during a hike—when every step became meditation. This state …
On life’s journey, we often rush about, eager to hop on any express train to swiftly reach our predetermined destinations. We’re accustomed to gazing into the distance, yet we frequently overlook the path beneath our feet. Yet hiking, this most ancient and fundamental art of movement, has re-taught me in a simple yet profound way …
In our cultural context, “reaching the summit” carries profound symbolic weight: success, conquest, achievement, fulfillment. It serves as both a guiding beacon and a yardstick for measuring the value of our efforts. Hiking is no exception—that peak marked on the map naturally becomes the ultimate goal of the journey. Thus, when our steps halt just …
At five in the morning, before the alarm even rang, I was already awake. The city still slumbered, with only the occasional sound of cars outside the window. I rose quietly, checking my backpack, which had been packed and ready for days: water bladder, trail snacks, rain jacket, headlamp… Each item had been carefully considered—they …