I have been roaming in the hills and forest since 1980 when I was 22, I still roam today, I am 67.

I started by climbing the hill forts with a few friends. Soon became passionate about rock climbing and ventured practically every sunday to the Mumbra hills and Kanheri caves with a 120 foot climbing rope and a 200 feet rapelling rope purchased from Todi and company. Did a couple of dare devil climbs, but soon realized, that a fall could mean getting seriously injured or could even mean death. So, after a few years gave up on serious rock climbing.

I changed focus to observing and roaming in nature. The Borivali National park, a forest in a city, the expanse of which is unknown to many who live in this city, became my weekend nasha. While most go to a club or a restaurant to chill on a weekend, I chilled in greenery on the hills. We used to carry packed lunch and water and eat anywhere sitting on the forest floor, immersed in the sanctity of the forest. Before 2000 there was practically no restriction to movement in the park, we used to roam the length and breath of the park. We often walked from Borivali to Thane over the hills, reaching the highest point of the park on the way, at 1369 feet above sea level. Anyone who has been to this point will always want to go back for more. In the south, just below you, one sees a vast expanse of greenery, dotted by three lakes Tulsi, Vihar and Powai. If lucky, depending on clarity, the TV tower in Worli and much much more. In the west you see the buildings of Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali and Borivali in the foreground and the Arabian sea in the background, on a clear day one can see the Malad creek coming in at Versova and the Manori creek coming in at Marve. In the east one could see the BARC hill, Vashi creek and Mumbra hills.

Over the last 5 years I have stopped trekking, but have been spending n number of days in Matheran, studying it’s flora and drinking in the beauty of the forest. Through all this — I have been unravelling the mystery of BEING. Watching and wondering what made me the way I am. To really BE, I have to dissolve all the false accumulations and identifications — which pop up from nowhere else but my MEMORY. All the FEAR, GUILT, ANGER, DESIRE, EXPECTATION. Only when I deal with these can I be present to the NOW.