Kenshō is a Japanese term for enlightenment experiences, glimpses into the true nature of things. This is why I write. This is what I travel for.
Nobody travels to see things. You don’t go to Paris to see the Eiffel tower – you have seen it a thousand times in movies, magazines, tv shows. No, you go to Paris to stand in front of the Eiffel tower in person, to experience that moment of amazed enchantement. You go there for that first glimpse as you round the corner of the Trocadero; for that moment when you stand at the top of the tower and look down on all of Paris. You go for that precious moment when it hits you: “I AM REALLY HERE!”
It is moments like that one, where dreams become reality, which makes it all worthwhile. You forget the 7 hour plane ride, the $3000 + you spent to get there, the boss, the bills, and the problems waiting for you back home. For that one fleeting moment, you are fully present, immersed in the experience and feeling more alive than you have ever felt.
Travel is about self-discovery. Because in those rare moments, you also catch a glimpse of yourself, your true self, the “you” unencumbered by the responsibilities and pressures of everyday life. You see who you could be, and that quickly becomes addictive. You want to experience more of those moments and you become a travel junkie.
I fully intend to share some of those moments with you and I hope they will entertain you at the very least. But my greatest joy would be for you to come to my blog and share some or your own moments of kensho. And if you don’t have any yet, what are you waiting for. Life is for the living. Pack your bags and bring along a note pad!
Hope to hear from you soon!
Al
I agree with you, about those little moments (Kenshō) that infuse your life color. After you have felt the exhilaration of standing at the top of the Eiffel tower, walked humbly in the 2000 year old ruins of a Monastery or watched in amazement as a giant Leatherback Turtle lays her precious eggs in the sand, you will feel that spark again every time you see an image, a video or listen to your friends talk about their travels. These moments are priceless and they become a part of who you are.
After reading, I somehow realized that life is indeed so short. Now and then, i ask what meaning has my life really, i feel like i know but at other times my thinking looks like a useless mental exercise. Well, LIFE is really full of mysteries…Death is a reality we have to face in life…bones, bones, and bones yes its true death always appear terrifying, but i believe that our faith teaches us that death is necessary passage to eternal life. Im so thankful that life is so easy…life is so good…and all good things come to me now…Thanks for the wonderful person the author of this blog who was been enlightened by the Holy Spirit to spread the good news about Kensho, to share in humanity…its a priceless gift and its a daring adventure ever…more power and GodBless…