“I wonder, How to describe that old Man…….Tanned body, Bushy hair……Long beard & Torn clothes………He sometimes used to seem, to be talking to himself (mostly silent)…………But never with anybody else……..People thought he is mad………He used to sleep at the local bus stop during the nights……..Right from my childhood, he used to visit our home once in a while……Used to sit silently on the ground saying nothing……….Used to eat whatever he was served and then go away……..!”

“Later, I left home for my studies & never had a glimpse of him……….To my surprise & joy, one day……….Almost after a decade………….I witnessed that old man again………………He was still the same, nothing had changed……..The Same piece of cloth, Same beard (little more grey though)…………Didn’t know why it happened………Tears started flowing from my eyes for no reason……..For the very first time in my life……..I could observe and experience the meditative presence which he was exuding……..His eyes were deep filled with compassion, every movement was vulnerable yet balanced…….The face was carrying the ever-abiding calmness……..I went ahead and embraced him in my arms……He embraced me back tightly…………….And for a moment my being surrendered to the presence of that old man……….Felt like lifetimes of debt got paid……….!”

“I offered him food, he ate it peacefully……Then he put his hands on his tattered jute bag & gave me a very old penny (Probably in his experience, that was the most valuable thing he had)…………Murmured something by raising his hands………..Took his stick & silently walked away smiling……..I kept staring at him until he was out of sight, waving my hands to say Goodbye! even though he was not looking at me………….Wow! What just happened in those few moments was incredible in terms of experience………Nature gave me the best gift of my life…………..!”

Peace and Love!