I promised myself upon starting a blog to never write when I didn’t feel inspired to. Upon returning from a three-day trip to Budapest and then a three-day hike high up in the Swiss mountains, inspiration has returned today in abundance.

My visit to Budapest was inspiring. Many people I met there were Zen practitioners. But they were much more than that. They were not interested in becoming special holy people. They were not focused on Japanese garb or the rules of Tea Ceremony. They cared about their fellow beings, about the taste of the tea they served, and how they could support themselves and others along the spiritual journey.

These folks were deeply interested in social themes as well. We discussed joyful aspects of Zen training as well as the very difficult ones. How does all this spiritual work affect our views of death, of social work, of intimate relationship? I am grateful to the kind folks I met in Hungary for sharing so openly and honestly. What great people!

I was tired after my trip to Budapest. Cities can be exhausting! But only a short day after returning home, I was off again; this time to the mountains. My destination lay in a less touristic region of Eastern Switzerland. Many drive through the area when traveling to Italy or on the way to a skiing holiday in St. Moritz or Davos. But not many are interested in exploring the area we chose. It was very relaxing and revitalizing not to be surrounded by masses of people on a holiday. My wife, who works in a social institution, needs distance from masses of people to regenerate.

We traveled to our destination on trains and buses. We no longer have a car because public transportation here in Switzerland is superb. At some point we were dropped off at a rather lonely bus stop at the base of a large mountain chain. There was nothing to do but eat a rösti at the local inn, drink a tea, and walk up!

I have to say thank you to my body. We managed the 1,000 meters up without great struggle. We stayed at a hut with no private rooms; only large rows of beds, but we were only seven guests. The hutkeeper cooked everyone a marvelous vegetarian stew. Apparently, vegans and vegetarians move around so much in these mountains that most huts are willing and even happy to oblige their wishes. Fellow hikers told us that evening that there are even huts in the Alps that are only vegetarian!

One difficulty with sleeping in a community room is having to get up to use the toilet. I tried to be as silent as possible, but being quiet while climbing down from the loft, opening doors, and walking up and down the staircase was not easy. My reward however was a peak out the window. I have never ever seen so many stars!

The next day was more ups and downs and ups. The body functioned well and I could revel in stunning views of mountains, lakes, clouds, and green valleys. And those who are used to walking in these altitudes know about the plentitude of groundhogs that abide there. These amusing creatures scurry around in busy communities this time of year amongst the rock formations and bushes. Sometimes they are curious about the hikers: sometimes they are annoyed. Their high-pitched calls accompanied us for much of the journey.

Another highlight in the truest sense of the word: wildflowers were blooming everywhere! The brightest yellows, blues, and purples nourished our eyes with their sensitivity and subtle strength. One must look down a lot when walking on the challenging trails at higher elevations, and it felt very important to avoid stepping on any of the marvelous beings close to our feet. One feels that they are living in their own communities, have their own intelligence, and are radiating their energy in exchange for our appreciative attitudes.

At one point, when the rhythm of walking and breathing were deeply in tune, I felt there was nowhere else on earth to be, nothing more extraordinary or magical than the present moment. Heaven and earth were not strangers. Harmony reigned.

On our final day, we walked down 1,200 meters through an incredibly picturesque (and long!) valley with waterfalls and turquoise river currents flowing next to us for hours. We were happy when we finally jumped on our bus and began the 3-hour journey home, but we want to return to that special area soon! (Please write me if you want to know the name of the area, I hesitate to share it without knowing who I am sharing with. This is not a travel blog in that sense!)

So, returning to the ‘real world’, I feel quite sensitive. Even a coffee feels like a strong jolt to my nervous system. But I also feel hope and curiosity. To say that Nature was good to me would be an understatement. And the people I met in Hungary and those I come across here in Appenzellerland have been cheerful and supportive. It feels wonderful to continue this life-journey together under one sky, upon a common ground.

But, when I look at the news, I also feel bewilderment at the unhappy predicaments we constantly put ourselves into. When we have the opportunity to live under a heaven and upon an earth that is so stunningly beautiful, when human beings can be so wise and wonderful, how can we constantly resort to blame and disrespectful thoughts towards each other? These mindsets lead to violence, pain, trauma, and the continuation of ignorance. Instead of feeling a common bond within one celestial heart, being one up on someone else becomes the meaning of our lives. Transcending the fear of inevitable sickness and death feels impossible. Is this the ‘real world’?

There is a Zen koan about where one should find enlightenment. It asks the question of who is more enlightened: the monk in the marketplace or the one who is meditating on the mountain. As I experience some of the variety of human experience, I feel confident that the virtues of generosity, kindness, and wisdom reside within us wherever we go.

But seeing with a big heart and continually realizing it and expressing it is our responsibility and no one will do it for us. I was glad to have my city journey with its social encounters and am also deeply grateful for my time in the mountains. I feel the blessings. Heaven, earth, and I are working well together today. I hope my inspiration to write encourages and emboldens your journey!