Forging Character

The more one gets to know people in this time and age, more dismayed the heart grows. People have become superficial to the point of being thin as paper – spreading conveniently in social discourses. Inter-personal techniques have replaced the age old values and character-ethics. Truth has become a matter of convenience. Deceptiveness, deceit and lying are sugar coated with diplomacy. City life has become a symbol of hoarding material possessions and filling up the lockers. People are unwilling to share, fearing that giving might replete their supplies.

One serves himself well by going in and around the mountains. Survival in such places is based on mutual reliance and inter-dependence. Characters are forged there, which can withstand the rugged terrains. There are lessons there for those who attend to their soul.

In the wilderness of Bhit, Khirtar Range Mountains, there is a treasure buried deep in to the ground – natural Oil and Gas reserves. Nature has its way with things. It seems that in Bhit land has folded on itself, in order to give a cushion against those vicissitudes of life, which man finds unbearable. In the base of the mountains all find comfort, holy one’s as well as thieves.

Brazen ground, stones and rocks, all have stories to tell. Veiled from external world, people of all sorts find solace here. Now a natural oil field site, it used to be a hideout for outlaws. Isolation is such a paradoxical thing – some raise awareness while other loose it. Phenomenon of life move vividly here, thoughts become clearer as one do away with distraction of modern day living.

These mountains seem to have a majestic presence, circling all around. Wind causes the sand to blow, decreasing the visibility. A mystical haze seems to surround these mammoth mountains. There, you come to realize that sight is so much dependent on things external to the self – out of sight, however does not mean out of mind here. Mountain terrace speaks of God’s presence. Within them they house treasures – spiritual and physical alike. One sees these mountains as a vantage point for any one who wants to test him-self against its vicissitudes.  There are many landmarks, slopes and ridges to give one an identity point.

Plants here seem to have developed reverence for the surroundings. One could see herbs and shrubs, scattered all around. Most of them seem to be dormant, ready to bloom in rainy season. A distinct shade of purple, pale stems gives the whole background an iconic appeal. Though they were small in size, no one could complain of their utility. Few of them are known to produce substances which have anti-venom properties. This place, being a breeding ground for viper snake, seems to carry a panacea of its own – a God’s way of keeping a balance. There were few trees, standing high, resolutely, against the backdrop of wall like mountains. These trees seem to tell a tale of their own, repeating the history season by season and event by event. Their woods is also known to produce finest of the timber.  

Mountains in Bhit and Khadanwari are place where only the rugged and tough ones could survive. Fierce winds seem to move the sand here and there. One could find stones of all shapes and sizes, lying all around, leisurely. Heavy stones seem to be the predominant ones. Same is the case with men, only resolute ones seem to be living there. People with conflicting motives may come here, each serving different reason; from cattle rearing to financial freedom, all have their own motives. Question to ask is: what is your motive in life? 

Just as one shadowy mountain stands beyond another mountain ridge, so does one challenge after another stands in front of human spirit – inciting it towards itself – in order to forge character. The more a person travels towards the mountains, which lie ahead, things seem to go in background. Same is the case with life. As man’s eyes remain ever focused on challenges that lie ahead, he seems to loose sight of old worries and grudges.  

Just as mountains gives way to precious items within itself, so does human mind gives way to wisdom and awareness. One reinvigorates himself, spiritually and physically, by going in mountains like Bhit. All those who suffer from the malaise of meaninglessness of their life, are well advised to seek enlightenment in such places.