In July 2022, at the grand age of 77, I joined a team of 13 people climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for literacy in Africa. At 5,895 metres (19,341 feet) above sea level, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain. It rises from farmland, through dense tropical forest, scrubby plateau and alpine desert, to an arctic zone of glaciers, boulders and freezing temperatures.

It was the toughest thing I’ve ever done, a gruelling slog along steep trails strewn with rocks and boulders. I approached the climb as an extended walking meditation: Inhale, lift foot, lean forward, exhale, step up. Left foot, right foot, again and again for the six to eight hours a day we climbed. I will share my experience in my talk, “Mindful Kilimanjaro,” on Saturday, December 10 from 10 to 10:30am.

Join us on Zoom. If asked, please use passcode: dharma