“The only source of knowledge is experience.” – Albert Einstein 

It’s been four years since I’ve been home for Christmas.

Concerned with the direction my life is going in the discovery of my self (unemployed, dallying in mountains, meditating with crystal skulls, now working in a pawn shop), I think its safe to expect an earful from my conservative family. Yet despite our differences, I’ve honestly never been so excited to put my “career” on hold to see them, I am going to Sri Lanka!

Often referred to as the Pearl, Rain Drop, Tear Drop, and Shangri La of the Indian Ocean; This is a beautiful island of bright colors, lush greens, and spices. Ravaged by civil wars and natural disasters, this is also a place of sadness and hope.

Located in the Central Highlands of  the Sabaragamuwa Province, about five hours east of Colombo, also known in Sinhalese as Samanalakanda (Butterfly Mountain), lies Adam’s Peak, Sri Pada.

Visible from the ocean and shaped like a perfect pyramid, beneath the summit lies the “sacred footprint” rock formation believed by Buddhist’s to be the footprint of Buddha. With origins also linked to Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, Hindu’s believe that this is the footprint of Shiva; Muslims,the footprint of Adam when he was cast from the Garden of Eden; Christians, the footprint of Saint Thomas.

Regardless of whose footprint it is, every year thousands of Pilgrims from all religions flock to climb the treacherous trail, with the purpose of reaching the top for Sunrise. Hosting sacred powers and sublime views, Pilgrims are warned to never confess out loud the self’s “inability” to reach the summit, or else the Guardian of the Mountain will curse ones legs to ascend no further, only descend; And those who embark on this venture should be prepared to meet their maker, for whoever reaches the top, divine rewards await.

Immediately dreaming of another Peruvian experience,  I learned that this was the complete opposite. There are mass crowds of cows, donkey’s, men and women carrying entire families on their backs, people stuck to the ground because of the “curse”… One will spend an hour waiting to move one step… Together with the smells, this was a circus they would never partake in again. (Great)

However… Legend states that the more people present for the experience, the better (glad I kept reading). Considered tests of virtue; The divine journey requires tolerance, patience, and a very balanced inner core (clearly).

Factoring in the accounts of difficulty in comparison to the Inca trail, I couldn’t help but see the parallels suggesting the rewards are as spiritually divine as described. Substitute the rain, and high altitudes with mass crowds, and stinky waste… these are all tests of one’s spiritual and physical self. Through obstacles one is exhausted and weakened to recognize the divine power of one’s true self that gets one to the top, if one wills it.

Together with the inexplicable “sacred” history from the “heavens”, its shape is that of a perfect Pyramid, divine rewards await for those who reach the top, and I’m to be in the vicinity just at the close of one of life’s full circles … Sri Pada has officially begun calling out my name.

 I leave for Sri Lanka in two days.

I am climbing the Butterfly Mountain.

“Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting.”
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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