This Mantra kept me going…
On a two day barefoot hike across the Devil’s Path in the Catskills, I didn’t think I’d make it. This mantra kept me going…
I can handle myself quite well in barefoot hiking. But what I didn’t account for was the weight of my pack and how that changed the pressures on my feet. Plus— I underestimated the effect a recent slight injury in my knee would have.
Near the end of the first day, I was hobbling down the mountain, anticipating pain in every step and feeling exhausted.
My mind made contingency plans of what to do if I couldn’t walk the next day… Luckily, the campsite was close to a road, and it would be possible to bail on the trail if I could either find a kind enough stranger to give me a ride or connect my phone via satellite well enough to call a cab.
However, my campsite was serene —overlooking a lake, I ate well, and slept deeply in my lightly swaying hammock. The next morning, to my surprise, I felt good enough to keep going… The knee was still sore, muscles still tired, and feet a little tender… but despite all that, I could envision finishing the path.
So, I started hiking.
The path was steep and I immediately felt it— the worry arising and saying “Uh oh, can I do this?”
But then I remembered a mantra from a recent book I read about walking written by the Buddhist Monk, Thich Nhat Hanh:
“I have arrived… I am home.”
I started to repeat it. Mentally. With every step: “I have arrived.” Next step. “I am home.”
My body relaxed. The tension decreased. The worry dissolved.
Soon I found myself at the top of the mountain. Energized. Happy. Encouraged.
Sure, I still felt physically tired. But somehow this mindset shift changed something - so that now, the energy kept coming.
It reminded me of a technique that mountain climbers use called “the rest step” where there’s a pause and a moment to keep your next step unloaded for a second — just enough — to give all the muscles a break.
This mantra did that for me both mentally and physically.
I returned to that mental reminder over and over again until I successfully arrived at the end of the trail.
There are so many things that go into success in a difficult endeavor: some are training and preparation - like developing the strength and flexibility in my feet. Some are circumstantial - like weather (which was great that day) , or the unfortunate inflammation in my knee (not so great). But a large determining factor is always mindset…
What does a mantra do?
The word mantra essentially means a tool to guide the mind.
The Mantra “I have arrived… I am home” brings us to the present moment, keeps us from anxiously worrying about the future, and relaxes the body like you would when arriving home from a long day. You only need as much energy as it takes to complete the next, single, small step. With each step, there’s a reward, like a celebration at arriving home — knowing you can rest. And then you take the next step: open and at peace enough to observe your surroundings and enjoy the nature where you are.
The mantra also pairs nicely with the concept of tiny habits or “turtle steps” we so often talk about in coaching. We know a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. But the key to completing that journey and getting anywhere you wish to go in life, is to remain present and contented within the step you are currently taking. This mantra helps us actually take those steps.
Where in your life could you use that mantra?
“I have arrived. I am home.”
Keep walking!
Patrick