Passengers and Cotravellers

We can liken our life to a traveling train, or a sailing ship, or ambling along a path. We are traveling in the same general direction, we are all subject to the vagaries of nature, we are sharing available resources. We are getting the same general experiences while the individual responses will vary according to our nature and expectations.

One of the choices we have is whether we want to remain mere passengers or become cotravellers! The journey is a must. The train moves, whether we want it to or not, the stations pass, food vendors come and go. We can decide to be passengers and deal with the things as they come to us. We have a passive existence. If a vendor comes along, we purchase some food, or water, if the window is open we look at the scenery, if the train stops we get down the platform to stretch our legs. If it is cold we take shelter under our quilts, if it is hot we remove our shirts and fan ourselves with the newspaper. If we are bored, we hum to ourselves. If we want to know where we are, we refer to our watches and timetables. We have our own individual existence and we remain within our auras. Our interaction with the others is limited. Our position is more that of the spectator and many times that of the jury. And along we go. Most of us live life this way.

One of the other choices is to be a cotraveller. The cotravellers are active passengers joined by an invisible bond. Their aim is to travel, and travel together. The general destination being the same the individual destinations may be different. Still traveling itself is a common passion and is one of the many things, which are common. Cotravellers all travel together. The boundaries of the groups are not closed but open and inviting. Anyone can join in and join hands. They prepare their food together, share their resources, share their experiences, learn from each other, and enjoy themselves heartily. If it is cold, they huddle together, if it is hot they fan each other. If they see the scenery from the windows, they enjoy it, and also show it to others, and also want to know how the others see the scenery. They have belongings, only to make the combined travel easier, bearable, and not for taking along, not for possession and not for being proud of. These are utilities, to be used, nurtured and then passed along, cherishing only the relationships with the fellow cotravellers. It is difficult to be a cotraveller, but once you are one, it is immensely enjoyable.

The journey will take place anyway and the final destination will be same for the passenger and cotraveller alike. But the way they have undertaken the journey will be vastly different. Let us see another example. This example is that of the pillion rider on a motorcycle. and how he can be a cotraveller if he wants to be .

The pillion rider when he opts to be a passenger, will be sitting stiff, minding his own business looking after himself and his wellbeing alone. He will look here and there and will see interesting things. Once in a while he will notice the gear changing jerks that the bike gets and may even admonish the rider for his lack of smoothness. He will have nothing to do with the turns and jerks that the bike takes, the noise it makes or anything else. His view is clear. He is to go someplace.

A pillion cotraveller will support the rider. He will notice the movement of the bike. As the bike turns, he will shift accordingly. He will notice the signals turning red or green, he will notice pedestrians crossing the road and will inform the rider accordingly. He will keep his eyes open for unusual happenings around, which the rider may not be in a position to take note of . He will be one with the rider and will share the ride with him . He provides additional antennas in way of additional eyes, ears and understandings. He will do everything to make the ride easier, for both of them . He will also look to the safety of the pedestrians and the safety of the other vehicles as he knows that his own safety depends on them . On top of all this, he is doing this not because he feels that the rider is incapable of minding the bike, but because he feels it to be the right thing to do and enjoys it . He proves to be of immense help to the rider and both of them enjoy the journey whatever be the road conditions. Riding with a cotraveller becomes a joy to behold . Traveling with a cotraveller is energizing and fulfilling .

Be a cotraveller whenever you can.

by Anand K. Ghurye