An Enlightening Adventure

by Imran Baloch (Pakistan)

I didn't expect to find Pakistan

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As a youth, I was in the quest for meaning, fulfillment, and purpose in my life. In other words, I had been chasing something that would transform me into a higher level of consciousness. The change I wanted in me was not taking place. The failure led me to consistent discontent and depression. I struggled hard finding answers to my questions, the more questions I asked myself the more restless I became. To quench my thirst, I read books, met new people and I was experimenting with all sorts of drugs. I promised myself to do something radically different that would change my brain chemistry. So, I decided to travel across the entire Balochistan region all alone on my bicycle, without telling anyone. I never knew that the journey I was about to take would change my life. I took a final look around my hotel room to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. Before leaving, I felt strange, yet excited to have a long journey without any purpose. When I moved several miles away from the provincial capital, Quetta, I found the whole area around me quiet and the rugged high mountains were kissing the clear blue sky. Frankly speaking, the description of the scene may seem beautiful but it meant nothing to me. I could feel my heart beating very fast, my hands shaking and body sweating excessively. To relax, I stopped near a tree alongside the road. Now thousands of different thoughts were coming to mind in a matter of seconds. Overloaded with thoughts, I became anxious, afraid and distressed. I finally knew what I was doing. I asked myself, “Is it possible to travel long distances by cycling or should I return? I motivated myself to move forward with full speed to reach my destination. I pedaled my shabby bicycle as fast as I could to move. Later, I realized that escaping from reality is of no use and decided to deal with the situation. To get rid of negative thoughts, I maintained my focus on breaths for almost an hour while pedaling my bicycle. Afterward, what happened is difficult to describe. I felt something unique that I never experienced before. I was living for the first in the eternal bliss of the present without any worries of the future and regrets of the past. I remember I became fully alert and awoke. I could see and sense the beauty of the world perfectly. The mountains, trees, and sky were more beautiful than usual. I was totally empty, and learning new things on every hill I crossed over and every area I passed by. It became an insanely awesome journey as if miracles were happening to me. The experience of traveling in the mountainous landscapes of Balochistan was as unique that it was impossible to put into words. The moment I tried to write these feelings they lose their whole significance and may sound too obvious. In hindsight, it feels as if the whole thing was set-up to happen. It doesn’t seem accidental and although it feels sudden to me, it isn’t. I explored the beauty of nature and most importantly it was a journey within. Finally, I reached the coastal area of Gwadar where I had total enlightenment on the beach. I sat there for hours looking at the sea and listening to the music of waves crashing against the shore. I understand the whole universe enabled me to find my purpose in life and revealed all the secrets. To preserve these precious moments, I took out my pen and diary and started writing about the unforgettable enlightening journey.