Finding your Sijilmasa
Sijilmasa- A trade town founded on the banks of Ziz River which originates from the High Atlas mountains of Morocco. Sijilmasa, situated near the northern tip of Sahara desert, held an important trade center status till the medieval times.
A herd chief along with his men takes up a long journey from the High Atlas mountains through the snow covered peaks and meandering Ziz river across the narrow valley. He plans to reach Sijilmasa since he is too old and wish to take the last breathe in Sijilmasa. The fortified city holds an important role since it was the last civilized centre on the trade route through Sahara and was a transition to a new world - a world of freedom. The chief prepares to reach 'his' Sijilmasa - A destination of peace. The route though tough, he makes all efforts but the soul departs way before the destination is arrived. His men- true to their chief takes the harsh journey ahead to atleast bury him there. I am not sure if the the chief attained peace or not but what holds close is the idea of 'Sijilmasa'. When I see things with a larger view, I realise we all are on the similar note; making efforts to reach to places to seek our own Sijilmasa. We run to mountains or jump in lakes, immerse in meditation or shift to cities- try finding that fortified safe heaven that offers us peace - a sense of freedom.
A friend of mine recently seeking her own Sijilmasa, was lost in the old childhood memories of her growing in the pol city - an old part of Ahmedabad. She was transitioning to a new country and probably before she left to the vast Sahara she wanted to spend a day roaming across these lanes, watching the old rusty colored houses and look through the windows. She wanted to witness the calm hustle bustle and we landed up there. I felt peace on her face - like that cold autumn chill; stays down your skin for a while piercing through the bones sometime. A depth in her eyes that drowns the falling fish and elevates the rising soul. A stillness of the fallen leaves.
Was this the last stop to her journey further? She probably would tell better.