So the Daegan is over, we've been back in Seoul for a week now. Enough time to rest up and review that whole experience. It definitely rates as one of the top 3 hardest things I've done. Just for the sheer doggedness needed to keep getting up each day and walking, through all weather, through injury, through doubts and most of all through the steep, green, never-ending ridges and peaks of the Korean mountains. The Baekdudaegan is unrelenting in nature, and pushed me right through to the last day.
At times it felt like a 10-day Vipasanna meditation course, as we confronted each day, knowing that another would follow in similar fashion. At times wanting to escape, at times euphoric, at times blaming, at times accepting. A lot of the time was spent alone in contemplation, there were a few niggles for sure - but at the end of the day we helped each other through our various mood swings, always falling back to the camaraderie and humour brought about through shared challenge.
Above all else I learned three big lessons from this trail.
Patience - Man did this trek teach me patience. It's okay to slow down sometimes, in fact sometimes I need to just chill out. It's natural to want something immediately, life ain't that easy! Long term goals take energy, commitment and awareness. Rarely does anything go as planned, but if you're determined enough you'll eventually succeed.
Persistence - no matter how bad it got, physically or mentally - the simple act of taking the next step was all that needed to be done. At times I felt like giving up, but after to committing to finish this trek no matter what, I'm very happy I persisted. It was a huge lesson in completion. The last few years it seems like I've been jumping from one thing to the next, always starting, never finishing. When setting a challenging goal and then completing it through to the end you will no doubt have some big ups and big downs, but time will roll forward and each step you take will ultimately lead you to the finish!
Jeong - we've mentioned multiple times the genuine hospitality of Korean people. Whether it be candy hastily given, a prompt invitation to lunch, an ice-cream bought on a hot day or being welcomed into a family home, Koreans really know how to give! They give immediately and without second thought/calculation of return. It is enlightening to experience and has left a permanent etch on my consciousness. To be able to give freely like this must surely be the greatest gift of all.
Lastly, a big thank-you to my able companions - the Squire, Kathleen and Ki-Jun for sharing the experience, couldn't have done it without you.
I'm happy that it's over and happy that I did it, will definitely not repeat!
Mountain climbers search for the eternal world.
Until they reach their destination,
They get over their adversity with passion and cooperation.
Their is never despair or abandonment.
Mountain climbers must assimilate with Mother Nature
And be without deception and decoration.
There is only a march to the true world of freedom, peace and love.
(a poem found on one of the steles along the trail)
Thanks for reading and supporting,
Raby Johsnon
(rob.bruce.nz@gmail.com)
At times it felt like a 10-day Vipasanna meditation course, as we confronted each day, knowing that another would follow in similar fashion. At times wanting to escape, at times euphoric, at times blaming, at times accepting. A lot of the time was spent alone in contemplation, there were a few niggles for sure - but at the end of the day we helped each other through our various mood swings, always falling back to the camaraderie and humour brought about through shared challenge.
Above all else I learned three big lessons from this trail.
Patience - Man did this trek teach me patience. It's okay to slow down sometimes, in fact sometimes I need to just chill out. It's natural to want something immediately, life ain't that easy! Long term goals take energy, commitment and awareness. Rarely does anything go as planned, but if you're determined enough you'll eventually succeed.
Persistence - no matter how bad it got, physically or mentally - the simple act of taking the next step was all that needed to be done. At times I felt like giving up, but after to committing to finish this trek no matter what, I'm very happy I persisted. It was a huge lesson in completion. The last few years it seems like I've been jumping from one thing to the next, always starting, never finishing. When setting a challenging goal and then completing it through to the end you will no doubt have some big ups and big downs, but time will roll forward and each step you take will ultimately lead you to the finish!
Jeong - we've mentioned multiple times the genuine hospitality of Korean people. Whether it be candy hastily given, a prompt invitation to lunch, an ice-cream bought on a hot day or being welcomed into a family home, Koreans really know how to give! They give immediately and without second thought/calculation of return. It is enlightening to experience and has left a permanent etch on my consciousness. To be able to give freely like this must surely be the greatest gift of all.
Lastly, a big thank-you to my able companions - the Squire, Kathleen and Ki-Jun for sharing the experience, couldn't have done it without you.
I'm happy that it's over and happy that I did it, will definitely not repeat!
Mountain climbers search for the eternal world.
Until they reach their destination,
They get over their adversity with passion and cooperation.
Their is never despair or abandonment.
Mountain climbers must assimilate with Mother Nature
And be without deception and decoration.
There is only a march to the true world of freedom, peace and love.
(a poem found on one of the steles along the trail)
Thanks for reading and supporting,
Raby Johsnon
(rob.bruce.nz@gmail.com)
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