The Longest Path

 “Sometimes the greatest distance is back to self.”

I am standing on the side of a small river. Its waters have streamed through its curvy path for eons of time, slowly, steadily, back to the sea. A soft breeze caresses my skin as the sun warms my back. And I watch the water flow by, slowly and steadily following the twists and turns of the old river.

I am standing there, pausing… With so much going on and so many changes afoot, the quietness of this place is comforting. All there is, is the water flowing by, the warmth of the sun, and the breeze that makes the leaves of then trees softly whisper. I listen closely, yet I cannot quite hear what they are saying.

There is something here, although I don’t know what it is… 

I am standing close to the river, far away from everything. I have sought out this quiet place many times before, and as I look around I notice that this so familiar place is somehow different. The light of the sun seems brighter, the flow of the river seems to have a greater purpose, and the quietness seems to deepen. 

And then, somewhat unexpectedly, the stillness becomes so vast that time ceases to exist.

I am standing in my familiar spot close to the old river, finding myself in a place outside of time and space, and everything around me is quiet. And in this space, an anticipation is building. I can feel it as my focus increases and my mind becomes crystal clear…

I am standing on the side of the river of all time, sensing all the times I have been here throughout eons of time…

Then I realize I am no longer alone. An ancient cat has joined me. It is huge, yet to me it is also very familiar as we have walked the path together for as long as I can remember. I greet it, and it greets me. 

From a distance I see a shadowy figure approaching. As it comes closer its shape becomes more defined, almost as if she is materializing out of the energy of nature itself… I look at her — she is the wise woman, the mother and the maiden all at once. She is quite close now, and when our eyes connect, I there is a great recognition… I know her. And yet, somehow, at some level, I do not know her at all.

When she speaks, she speaks softly, almost as if she is singing. Be still and listen… Listen to what she is saying… Listen to her message…

She looks at me and says, often the longest path, is the path back to our selves. That inner path that leads to greater knowledge of self and true authenticity…

Then she turns around and disappears, just like she came. With every step she takes, she becomes more “shadowy” until all that is left is the energy of nature.

The big cat gets up and stretches. It rubs against me one last time, and then walks away on a path that didn’t seem to be there before. It stops and looks back at me, almost calling me to join on this new path. And I know this is the direction I will take. As soon as I have made that decision, the big cat disappears.

I take a deep breath and find myself standing close to this so familiar river. I have no idea how long I have been here. However long it has been, even though my surroundings are very familiar, something has changed. 

I have changed. I have gained a new understanding about myself, and about the river, and the water that seems to have an even greater purpose in its flow back to the sea. 

And I have found a new path, an inner path… A path that may be long, yet it will lead me home…

With the sun on my face, I start walking.