The Pollen Path

I've been a longtime reader of Jospeh Campbell, and there are things I've learned from his writings that are deeply embedded in my soul. On my walks this fall, I've been thinking about the pollen path, and I've been repeating the Navajo blessing to which he refers. There are many translations but for a walking mantra, the version below is suitable. 

“The Navajo have that wonderful image of what they call the pollen path. The Navajo say, ‘Oh, beauty before me, beauty behind me, beauty to the right of me, beauty to the left of me, beauty above me, beauty below me, I’m on the pollen path.’’

— Joseph Campbell

There is beauty below me, in the suburbs, even beauty in an old discarded banana peel. 

Beauty above me – the branches I have to duck under as I walk down the street. 

Beauty to the left of me – the roses growing over a trellis in someone's front yard. 

To the right of me – this lovely bed of black eyed Susans. 

There is beauty before me. 

I must be on the pollen path.