Friday, October 2, 2020

Pack Light

 

Your Journey

“Once the soul awakens, the search begins, and you can never go back. From then on, you are inflamed with a special longing that will never again let you linger in the lowlands of complacency and partial fulfillment. The eternal makes you urgent.”

John O’Donohue (Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom)

          This is a warning issued by a man who knew of what he spoke. Fr. John O’Donohue, may he rest in peace, put his foot on the path and never looked back. He wrote numerous books and poems and blessings in his short life that will bless humanity for ages to come. His legacy is the gift of a good heart connected to a determined soul, who followed without reservation. The path is not an easy one, however, so if you have qualms about it, you’re well advised to take another route.

          Putting one’s foot on the path of soul—that is, the path of consciousness—is a one-way journey. There is, as O’Donohue said, no turning back. A soul on fire is a fearsome thing, not to be trifled with. The road is full of hazards and pitfalls and threats of danger, but also full of joy and inspiration and hope. In other words, it’s LIFE full-blown. Consciousness causes you to live it in its broadest scope, not as a sleepwalker just passing through, but alert, wide-eyed, with your heart open and undefended. Sounds terrifying, right?

          Following the soul’s direction takes us to unexpected places within and without, where we come to understand that there are no coincidences, no mistakes. Whoever is put in your path is part of your story and you are part of theirs. If we allow life to flow through us, without grasping onto any one aspect, then we learn our purpose, our duty, and our joy. What causes us to try to hold on to parts that we especially like, and avoid those we don’t, is fear and doubt. The lesson, therefore, is trust. Trust your soul. Trust the flow of information that comes in, and follow the guidance given. The path is not easy, but it leads to fulfillment so much greater than any of us can imagine. Welcome to the journey. Pack light.

                                                  In the Spirit,

                                                  Jane

No comments: