Vedic Community Forum

Jai Maa,

I was reading a news article about a Sumatran orangutan that was filmed crossing over a road via a canopy bridge. The wildlife conservationists who built the bridge had been waiting for this crossing for nearly two years. The natural habitat of these Sumatran orangutans had been fragmented due to road construction.

As I watched this orangutan crossing the bridge, perhaps to reunite with the rest of its group, I found myself reflecting on my

own fragmented reality in this life. I felt a quiet sympathy for this brave animal that chose to cross the bridge after such a long time. What made it decide to take that step, we do not know. Yet it is often a leap of faith that allows us to overcome fear and make such a bold move.

I watched the orangutan cross the bridge several times. Its courage to take the first step into a long-forgotten territory was remarkable. It had been separated from the part of the jungle that was once its home. Yet it moved forward with courage.

As I watched, I also imagined myself crossing a bridge, moving toward the part of my being that has long been forgotten. And I felt a deep gratitude for our teacher, who keeps reassuring us with wisdom that we can actually cross that bridge.