The Uncertainty of Travel
This morning I couldn’t focus, knowing I had a long train journey ahead. Part of me wasn’t even sure if I’d get on — the train system felt unclear, and I was caught in the tension between preparing fully and leaving space for uncertainty. The man I rent my motorbike from called, asking for the money, and we met at the bus station. With food and essentials packed, I stepped into the unknown.
Ten Hours of Movement
The journey stretched to ten hours. The first couple of hours were standing — my head leaning out the open train door, wind rushing by, the landscape moving endlessly. Somehow I just kept going. At one point, sleep caught me. At others, vendors walked the aisles with food, and life unfolded in small human gestures.
Two women sat ahead of me, one nursing her baby. I offered to buy them food and drinks. A small act, but it felt like alignment — giving without expectation, presence in action.
Arrival and Serendipity
I arrived in Anuradhapura at last. The hotel itself didn’t impress me at first, but the young couple running it shifted the energy entirely. Both studying in England — one from Sri Lanka, one from Dubai — their kindness made the place glow. Then, in a moment of intimate trust, he shared with me that he would propose to his girlfriend that day. He even asked if I could film it. Whether or not the timing works out, being part of their unfolding story feels like a gift.
Meditation and Memory
On the train, I meditated. Old thoughts surfaced — echoes of comparison, even judgment. A fleeting image of my past life in luxury: the Maldives, the Waldorf Astoria. For a moment, I nearly judged myself for being here, in a modest hotel room. But then the reminder came: I am where I am supposed to be.
The New Earth isn’t about external polish — it’s about presence, connection, and the unseen alignments that carry us forward.
Blog Title
Trains, Serendipity, and Letting Go of Comparison on the New Earth Path
Meta Description
August 20th reflections: a 10-hour train ride to Anuradhapura, acts of kindness, unexpected proposals, and the reminder that the New Earth is built in presence, not comparison.
