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.

The Labyrinth -- a meditation

I have been following the path for a while now, but I have not paid much attention to where it is leading me. Deep in thought, I have just kept walking, step by step. It has become a rhythm that is comforting to me. Step by step.

I haven’t noticed that the sun has disappeared behind dark clouds. I haven’t felt the wind picking up, the temperature dropping. All there is, is the rhythm. Step by step.

Suddenly the path ends. I stop, and so does the rhythm. I look up and startled, I observe my surroundings. The landscape seems desolate. I shiver. It is cold without the sun shining on my face. Slowly I turn around, the barrenness seems to stretch even further than my eyes can see. Then, my attention is drawn to a pattern that is laid out on the dry soil. I walk over and look at it. It is clear that someone took great care in arranging the stones in this pattern, and I almost expect that person to be there. But a quick glance over my shoulder confirms that I am the only one here. Alone with a pattern made of stones. I start walking around the edge of the pattern, and I find that it is larger than I thought at first. In fact, it is so big that it is impossible to see the whole pattern — impossible to see what it is or what its function might be. I am curious now, eager to explore and to discover what it is all about.

I come to two big rocks and somehow I know that this is where I will find the answer. Between the rocks seems to be the entry way into this elaborate pattern. As I come closer, I notice that symbols are carved on the sides of these rocks. They look ancient, and yet, they are so crisp that they might have been chiseled in the rock only yesterday. I step between the boulders, and I am only mildly surprised when I hear a voice that says: “This is the portal into the shattering patterns, do you embrace the change?”

Without hesitation I answer “Yes,” and I am allowed to continue. The pattern is now a clear path and I follow it. Pretty soon I come to a big crystal that is standing in the middle of the path. When I look around, I see that a number of paths come together here, with the crystal standing in the middle. I count the paths; there are seven. Not sure what to do, which path to take, I focus my attention on the crystal. As soon as I do that, it comes to life. Colors flow within it. I move closer to have a better look. Fascinated, I stretch out my hand and touch the crystal. A sing-song chant bursts forth from it:

“The rut is a route to no change at all.

Just over and over the same words, the same call.

So what does it tell you? What have you learned?”

I ponder the question for a moment as I recall the cold, desolate, barren landscape that my path had led me to. Step by step, in a soothing, unchanging rhythm. What did I learn? What could it have taught me? I look again at the crystal and I see that the colors are changing. And so does its chant. Still in a sing-song way the crystal tells me what my path could have taught me and I listen. And I hear what it is saying... 

Then the colors in the crystal merge into a picture, and it becomes crystal clear to me how I got stuck in my pattern, what the pattern had to offer me, and how, in every situation, I seemed to follow the same pattern. With that realization comes the awareness that I want something new, that I need something different... 

The crystal seems to smile, and when I step back from it, I know which of the seven paths to choose. Without any doubt I move on. This path has unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes it seems to double back upon itself, but I keep going. There is a sense of excitement and anticipation building within me. Finally, I come to a circle of stones. All kinds of different stones form the rim of the circle. For a moment, I think that there may be other paths leading up here too, but I see none. Again, I look at the circle, and I notice a flat stone disc in its center. It seems to emanate light. I walk up to the edge of the circle, uncertain what to do next. 

The light in the center gets stronger and it calls me: “Come, come, enter in...” I step into the circle, and I walk around the disc in the center. Looking at the light it is emanating and how it is still growing stronger. I feel a desire to step into the light, and as I do, the temperature rises and its comfort sparks a new sense of confidence within me. It feels good. This light is now filling the entire circle. I choose one of the stones that make up the rim of the circle and pick it up. I look at its color, its texture. And when I hold it in the light, it shows me the lessons learned. It shows me the patterns shattering. It shows me the changes that are beneficial to me. And I embrace them and accept them.

I know that I am to keep the stone, and as I put it in my pocket, the light disappears. I am in a glen in the forest, the sunlight touches me and warms me. The forest is lush, and there are many paths and trails leading through it.

I smile, and softly humming to myself, I start walking.

From the book: "The Return of the Shaman"

The Return of the Light

The Return of the Light

Heard though unseen

Her song is carried on the breeze

Calling in the cosmic energy

And giving it away again

Words on the breeze

Arrows in the mist

Healing though unseen

She feels the energy flow getting stronger

As she stretches her hands to all

Who need her gentle touch

A candle in the night

Arrows in the mist

Winter solstice

The longest night is over

As the sun breaks through the mist

You can see her singing

And dancing to our earth mother

The energy flows from her hands

Ready to heal each of us

As we celebrate

The return of the light

From: “The Return of the Shaman”

You can buy the book here…

‘Bridge Builders’

I think it is a good thing to build bridges...

To create a way to get from one place to another. Or to permit two sides to be able to meet...

But what about the ‘bridge builder’?

Where does that person come from — and perhaps even more importantly, where is he or she going?

From a certain perspective one could say that the ‘bridge builder’ is in a pretty static position. In today’s world a lot of bridges are needed — so there are plenty opportunities to keep building bridges without ever crossing one yourself as the ‘bridge builder’; the architect of that walkway from ‘here’ to ‘there’. The ‘bridge builder’, the mediator, the moderator, the peace maker can just move on from one situation to the next; always building bridges.

Until...

In everybody’s life there comes a point of inevitable change. When one cannot do anything else than to change — to move on to something new and different. To walk that bridge and to move from ‘here’ to ‘there’.

And when someone has been the ‘bridge builder’ for as long as anyone can remember — chances are that when they finally make that all important move, everybody around them is in for a surprise! Rather than keeping the focus on building bridges, on mediating, moderating, even keeping the peace, suddenly it becomes apparent that even ‘bridge builders’ are ‘normal’ people with ‘normal’ needs and ‘normal’ emotions. People who want to move on with their lives. People who are — like the rest of us — fed up with being stuck in one place.

Yet while it seems so easy for them to build bridges for situations outside of themselves, it may not be quite as easy to get from ‘here’ to ‘there’ when it concerns themselves...

It is most definitely a step outside of the comfort zone...

It doesn’t mean necessarily that the ‘bridge builder’ will stop building bridges.

It does mean, however, that it needs to be done in a new way. In a manner in which the ‘bridge builder’ can build bridges while move forward on their own path — a mode that doesn’t get them stuck in one place while helping others moving on.

A way that may keep the peace around them, yet enhances inner peace.

It is a good thing to build bridges. To create that way to get from one place to another — a walkway on which two parties can meet. But let’s take our own responsibility and start building a bridge or two ourselves, rather than just relying on the ‘bridge builder’...

First published February 2013

Trust Yourself

One of the most important questions in life is about trust. Who do we trust?

Traditionally those who had a certain level of authority would be trusted, like our parents, our doctor, the major, and yes, the police. And of course the (local) government. They were people who — through their education and life experience had gained a broader level of insight in whatever life could throw our way, and therefore, their opinions, guidance and regulations were trusted as being right. And hence, that guidance was usually followed.

Why would we not follow the advice of a person whom we were confident will know what it is all about? Someone with an education, knowledge, and insight…

In this point in time wee may have a different perspective on that — and yet, there are still people we may trust solely based on their position. Teachers may fall into that category — and doctors. And perhaps even our (local) government.

More often than not are we willing to take their advice — and follow it — without giving it much thought. After all, they are having our best interest at heart, right?

And even when this is true, their idea about what is best and healthy, may not suit us as an individual. This means that if we would follow their advice — given with the best intentions in mind — it may not be beneficial to us…

It is always a good idea to ask ourselves who we trust, and why we trust that person… To give some thought to the advice we are receiving before we decide to either follow it, or to test their “wise words” against our own intuition, wisdom, and what we know to be true about ourselves. To perhaps read up on things online and discover what we didn’t know (yet) about the situation at hand. To find alternative solutions, new possibilities, for a — at least for ourselves — new, and better way of looking at the situation we find ourselves in.

After all, each and every one of us is totally responsible for our own live.

This means that — especially when it is about something important as trust — we no longer place that outside of ourselves, with that well intended teacher, doctor, parents, or government.

It means that we are given the opportunity to learn to trust ourselves.

When we trust ourselves — our own discernment — we will know if a person is trustworthy, or not. We then would listen to the advice and guidance given to us, yet also do our own research, make your own observations, and sense intuitively if something is right for us at this moment…

In other words, while in the past we often trusted others in important situations — guiding our decisions — we may find that at this point in time it becomes more and more important to be entirely confident in our own sense of what is most beneficial to us.

Self confidence.

Divisions

Division — literally the act of separating something into parts or groups, or the way that it is separated.

In the world today, we do not have to look far to see division. It can be a division that is caused by different opinions, where each side is getting louder and louder, creating a gap between the two (or more) parts or groups that is getting ever wider… Or a division of action — where one group is going all the way and taking action in order to balance whatever issue is at play, while another group is just giving any possible solution “lip-service”. Or even that more traditional division between the “Have’s” and the “Have-not’s”…

As a lot of those divisions are playing out around us, it seems hard to see where we — as an individual — can make a difference. What can we do to bring a greater balance, or perhaps even close the gap just a tiny bit?

Well…

What if we would come from the other direction entirely? What if we, rather than focusing on the divisions in the world around us, would look inside ourselves to bring balance to the divisions we may experience within ourselves?

Things like “I should have reacted differently in that conversation”, or “I don’t know if I am worth it”, “I don’t know if I can do it”, and so on.

Pretty much any statement we may make to ourselves that expresses doubt about ourselves or the things we say, do, or think, to a certain extend creates a division inside ourselves. Even when we do not say it out loud…

Why not give ourselves credit for who we are right now — with the understanding that we are walking a path of growth, that there still is a lot to learn and experience — yet the person we are right now is the best version of ourselves we can muster. So there is no reason to doubt who we are, whether we are good enough, know enough, or do enough as we keep taking steps on our personal paths through life.

When we do give ourselves credit for who we are right now, something wonderful happens!

Bit by bit the division within ourselves get healed. We may find that we become more whole, less scattered in our focus. And as we create a greater wholeness within ourselves, our authenticity starts to shine more and more brightly! And that is a good thing!!

The other thing that may well happen, is that the divisions in our immediate environment start to become less fierce. They may still exist — but then again, there will always be as many opinions as there are people — yet it may no longer be an “either / or” choice that is voiced loudly, or angrily.

So, give int a try!

The two sides of fall

In the cycle of the seasons every season has its own energy. The winter time is one for making plans and creating a structure through which you are most likely to make your goals come true over the next series of seasons. Then with spring we tend to set everything in motion… As if we give ourselves and our lives a big push forward. In summer we keep working towards our goals — and as the goals in front of us may become more clear, we may fine tune our activities in order to reach them. Then with fall the time of the harvest is upon us. Often it is the time in which we can give ourselves a pat on the back, celebrating a job well done as we have reached our goals.

And then, about half way through fall, something happens that signifies a decided shift in energy…

From the busy time of the harvest, there is a change into a much calmer, even quieter energy.

This happens at the time of the Celtic beginning of winter, at November 1st.

For them, this was an auspicious time, as they felt it was a moment when the veils were thin, and therefore the division between the physical world and the non-physical world was not as strong, or definite…

For us, in today’s energy, it is a good time to be thankful for all that we have accomplished over the past year. And perhaps just as important, to take stock of what our lives look like…

To see the everything about our lives that is important to us, our priorities, where we spend our time and energy, and so on — and then to decide whether that still feels right to us, or if we wish to change things. Release the things that no longer serve us, and perhaps bring into our lives the things we wish for…

In that sense, the “other” side of fall becomes a preparation for the winter energy, in which we create the space in which new ideas and plans can flourish. A space in which — when the time comes — our resolutions for our next pass through the cycle of the seasons can take hold, and be manifested as we bring them from winter, through spring, summer, and into fall.

And from that perspective one can say that with the Celtic beginning of winter, we are truly standing on the threshold of a new cycle through the seasons…

Use it well !!