Last Trip to Prashanti Nilayam
I registered to participate in the Guru Purnima festival in Prashanti Nilayam, organized by Paradise Tours, from July 13th to 20th, 2008. However, since suffering a spinal cord injury in August 1989, I have experienced motor function disorders and have fallen countless times. Each fall causes damage to the site of the spinal cord injury, leading to a decrease in motor function and muscle strength, worsening my overall body movement, slowing my walking speed, and presenting other impediments. The numbness and pain had been intensifying, and sitting for extended periods in airplanes and cars had become an excruciating ordeal, prompting me to decide that this trip to Prashanti Nilayam would be my last.
When I shared this with Dr. Yoichi Oshiro, whom I met during the Guru Purnima in July 1995 and have been associating with ever since, and who runs an internal medicine clinic in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, he said, “In that case, let me accompany you. ” I was worried about how his patients would manage during the travel period, but the doctor assured me, “It’s alright, ” and it was settled that we would go together.
In the departure lobby of Narita Airport, while the doctor and I were waiting for someone from Paradise Tours and other participants, no one appeared. When we asked the Indian Airlines staff, we found out that we were the only two participants. There used to be at least 20-30 people participating in Guru Purnima whenever I participated before, but only Dr. Oshiro and I were departing from Narita Airport this time.
Arrangements for the airplane and car to Prashanti Nilayam were made by Paradise Tours, and Dr. Oshiro took care of all the procedures, so we were able to enter Prashanti Nilayam smoothly without any trouble. However, during the transit by car and plane, my body was almost constantly afflicted with numbness, pain, and spasms, enduring it was tough.
After completing the procedures for our stay, my last sojourn in Prashanti Nilayam began. Just like during previous visits, I attended Darshan twice a day and spent the rest of the days in quiet contemplation. Prashanti Nilayam is the ideal place to introspect away from daily life. Knowing this was my last visit, I took a good look around the ashram, yet my heart was peacefully detached.
Dr. Oshiro was captivated by the sight of the ashram evolving, as four-story accommodation buildings had been constructed where the single-story buildings, referred to as “sheds, ” had been situated, especially since it was his first visit in 13 years. Throughout our non-daily life there, he seemed to enjoy the passage of time, spending each day in a content manner.
My final visit to Prashanti Nilayam was very fulfilling because it wasn’t a group participation, so there were no collective activities. I could spend all the time in this holy land, Prashanti Nilayam, for myself.
When the stay came to an end and we embarked on our journey back home, our return trip, just the two of us, concluded without issues, arriving back at Narita Airport. I am truly grateful to Dr. Oshiro for taking care of everything from our departure, throughout our stay, until our return.
When I first visited Prashanti Nilayam in July 1995, we chartered an entire jumbo jet due to the large number of people. However, this last trip to Prashanti Nilayam became a truly clear-cut journey with just Dr. Oshiro and myself. When I decided to participate in this Guru Purnima festival, I had told Baba, “This will be my last time. “
Photo: Dr. Oshiro at Rest
translator：Makoto Ishii