Rob van Sprang: the miracle of germination
Rob van Sprang was co-coordinator of the Walk of Wisdom for almost 3 years. He took his leave in early March to prepare for a long writing retreat. As a farewell, he walked the Walk of Wisdom and wrote a story about “germination”. Germination is the theme of the second chapter of our new Book of Hours Toward Wisdom.
Spring fever
It is March, we are approaching spring. The miracle of germination hangs in the air and descends at my feet. With each pass I touch her. My feet intuitively want to go deeper into the earth, they find inspiration or rather inspiration there. That’s where it happens! That is where “life” is breathed in; we humans merely breathe with it. Everything is connected.
As I walk in a forest over ancient roots, the branches bend toward me. They protect my head, it seems. Do they come to me because I am only now “really” seeing them? I hesitate for a moment and breathe deeply. I, too, am connected.
One step back! Will you join us?
Even before I philosophized about germination while walking, I was co-coordinator of the Walk of Wisdom. Shortly before the start of my contract, I walked the Walk of Wisdom and wrote about it. To the surprise of my colleague Manja, I did so in the third person: “The Diary of a Stranger.”
A stranger, I am no longer. And thankfully, I’m also just writing in the I form now. I have been pruned and plowed over the past three years until I became fertile, vulnerable too. That rooting, I realized, is just not my thing: with every bump of headwind (work, relationship) I find myself wobbling. I just have to move, not be in one place for too long, only then that germination descends and I feel inspiration.
“Without route, map or plan.”
Rigorously, I decided to set aside time to start writing my own story. My first act: I bought an RV, 1981 Ford Transit, a (writing) house on wheels. What doesn’t fit in there, I give away. Nice sweater, someone said, to which I took it off with a “then-it’s-your-own-now.” Lovely!
The biggest question of my life now is: What do I “really” need? I don’t have a ‘real’ answer to this question, “But once as a child I left. Without route, map, or plan.” (from the beautiful song “Onderweg” by Willem Vermandere).
Wandering, getting lost, as a condition for “real” germination. Back to the primal force that once started my life. Once I was a mustard seed! How the seed germinates cannot be written ahead. This promise saves the seed for the road.
“It will be there as soon as I get there.”
Who or what I thought I was – husband, colleague, … – it no longer matters. What I am on the road? Gypsy, vagabond, nomad, pilgrim? I was going to write, “that doesn’t matter anymore either.” And yet it is not! At the word pilgrim, I get the feeling that my 1981 Ford Transit is equally balanced; well loaded. The proportions are right again. I feel confidence. What I “really” need comes along the way as it has always come to me. It will be there as soon as I get there.
As I write this, my thoughts come to a halt, I experience peace, and from my inner chamber I hear again the words, “Go pilgrim go, your first step is a dream, and a deed….”
We are moving forward again! Will you join us?
It is March, we are approaching spring. The miracle of germination hangs in the air and descends at my feet. With each pass I touch her. My feet intuitively want to go deeper into the earth, they find inspiration or rather inspiration there. That’s where it happens! That is where “life” is breathed in; we humans merely breathe with it. Everything is connected.
As I walk in a forest over ancient roots, the branches bend toward me. They protect my head, it seems. Do they come to me because I am only now “really” seeing them? I hesitate for a moment and breathe deeply. I, too, am connected.
All the best, In friendship, Rob
More about Rob van Sprang
Check out Rob van Sprang’s facebook profile: link. Or his linkedin: link .
