can't sleep...

In the night, while meandering around on the internet, checking out blogs with a buddhist flavor, I came upon this quote-

"There are no paths.  Paths are made by walking."  --Antonio Machado

I have worried many times over the years that I was not following my true path. Recognizing then that my life's path is made by the walking, I courageously ventured off into side paths- some glorious, others rather decadent and one day, to my eye,  the whole journey seemed more like a classic tragedy.  I kept walking. 

Suddenly there was no path at all!  Terror ensued, followed by despair. Finally I saw, with some amusement, that my path had only apparently disappeared.  I was still walking.

There is no path except the one that is made by walking.  Some small comfort comes with that recognition.  If I think I am following the path of Buddha, Christ, a living teacher, or even some friend of mine, in the end I must create the path that is my life by walking it- alone.  Which makes it my path- the right path- the only path I can authentically follow.

Sad to say, these sorts of random musings tend to arise when I am awake for too long in the wee hours of the morning.  Must be time to meditate.