God is very considerate, he responds, have no doubts about it
Walking is great, for it brings immense benefits. I am an avid walker. I try to reach my target of 60 minutes each day. At my age, this is very nice. The only concession I make is to regulate the speed according to my state at any particular time, because walking is important and not the speed.
The most obvious benefit of walking is that it strengths body muscles and bones. Blood begins to flow well in the veins, besides lowering blood pressure, while also increasing metabolism, which in turn helps in conversion of food to energy. Increased metabolism also does wonders for our brains. They are not the only vital organs, which benefits greatly but our hearts become stronger; cardiovascular issues are reduced. Our immunity goes up, which leads to prevention of diseases. There are less sick days for those who walk regularly. Weight control becomes easier, and obesity is prevented.
The regular walkers have better mental health. They suffer less from anxiety and depression. One can even experience a boost in creativity, because better ideas pop-up during walks. God wants to encourage us to walk. That is why He has made walking such a beneficial activity.
Having promoted walking so strongly, I hate to point out its limitations, because walking is only one aspect of our lives, though a very important one. I am referring to the verse # 6.17 of the Bhagavad-Geeta in which Lord Krishna states, “One whose eating and recreation are appropriate; of one who strives appropriately in activities, of one who sleeps and stays awake as required reduces his sufferings.”
Not only walking regularly is essential but lots of other activities are as well, as mentioned in the quoted verse. Because we have been created in this fashion only. This is one challenge but the bigger challenge is what we have brought from our earlier lives. All major events like success in a big way are destined, as are painful ones like major illnesses. This is not all. Even our natures are programmed based on what all we did in our past lives.
I am sorry to point out that odds are stacked against us, about which we can hardly do anything unless we seek help from God. He and He alone has the power to make substantial changes in our destiny. We must take shelter from God. We have been given the right to act but what the result will be is determined by divine authorities only, who work under the superintendence of God. (9.10) Therefore, God has kept the decision making with Himself.
Fortunately for all of us, God is very merciful. He has asked us to take His shelter seriously. (18.62) In addition to this, God has given us lots of instructions about how to behave well, which will prevent bad results from coming. For example, God wishes that we should do all our duties well according to dharma. Then, we don’t have to worry about violent backlashes in future, which includes future lives. In short, we have to please God, who is everything for all intents and purposes. (7.19)
God is very considerate; he responds and we will know that. Minor miracles begin happening in our lives. God even shows our future in order to assure us. That of course comes later.
What more can we ask for? We must realise that we cannot walk out of our troubles on our own, but we can surely come out of them in one piece with generous help from God. That is very reassuring.
(The author is a spiritual teacher)