The river

As above, so below. Let resistance fall away. Move into the swiftly moving stream. Trust that the clear, powerful current carries you to exactly the spot that is meant for you.

Trust that those who choose to be with you will be carried in the same powerful current. Move out of the backwater where the water is stale and dark. Move into the crisp, clear, fast moving stream. Trust.

You step over the gravel ridge that separates the back water from the river that thunders through rock canyons at this point. You retreated to the backwater to escape the noise and the power of the river because you couldn’t see beyond the next curve. Trust that the water is clear, fast moving and knows which direction to go.

Step into the water. Feel the current nudge you farther from the shore. It is time to let go and trust the river. Trust the water. Trust your judgement that you have chosen this particular river at this particular time.

Okay, you’re in. The water is cold but refreshing. It is time to let go of the bottom. Go with the current. Look back and see the small, barren, brackish environment that has been your refuge. A place of rest but also a place of hiding. Bless it and let it go.

Relax…you are fighting too much. Let the rhythm find you. Close your eyes. Trust that you are always safe, always loved, always guided. You have been led to this river for a reason. The turbulence, the fast moving stream, the noise, the power are all necessary to swiftly move you from the past into the present and beyond.

The walls of rock are close together limiting the amount of beautiful clear blue sky that is visible. The noise is overwhelming but helps to drown out conscious thought. You’ve found the rhythm, and now ride along the top layers of water.

Here comes the bend. Take a deep breath. Relax, don’t fight it. Go with it. With a crashing roar you are through the narrowest part. Momentarily, you tumble as the water cascades you over a ten foot drop. For endless minutes, you’re submerged beneath milky aqua water. When you pop to the surface you are already so far past the gorge that the fearsome roar is now a dull throb. You are now in a beautiful valley where the river runs fast and clear but now you can relax, enjoy, stop and look around or float lazily along.

So, where are you now? You have left your stagnant pool, your meagre subsistence. You have stepped into the roaring current and asked that it carry you to a more appropriate, more supportive place. You have total trust that your wish has been granted and you have safely arrived. You are also secure in the knowledge that those seeking to travel with you are even now on the way. They are letting go of their own shoreline and are plunging into deep, clear, rushing streams. One by one they will find themselves in this fertile, life-abundant place.

All your possession have been left behind. You have purged down to bare necessities. As material concerns drop away, emotional and spiritual ties grow stronger and more insistent. This is all that matters. You gather a group of loving souls and you know that together you have everything that you need.

You know that all answers will come to one or to another of you. One will find what you seek and another will know the best way to tailor it to your needs. One has the ability to sense danger and another has the ability to draw protection and safety around you. One brings down the inspiration that makes the music that you all rejoice in.

One by one, the others emerge from the river and gaze around in wonder at this new place. Tired, hungry, bruised…they are not fully aware of where they are or why. The sun will ease their aching bodies. The rich nature of this place will fill their bodies with the energy they need.

Relax, rest, regroup. You have all been through a storm but it is over and you can rejoice that you had the courage to jump into the current and experience your own personal catharsis and baptism.

Tonight the moon is full. Before the sun is fully hidden, you can see the moon rising in the deep blue sky. As the blue becomes navy, the moon changes from a flat, white disk to a glowing, golden orb with texture. The night stays warm.

You sit by fire and gaze into it’s secrets then move around and let your eyes gradually adjust to the dark until you see the sky is alive with starlights of every size, every intensity. Some glow reddish. Some truly twinkle. Others shine fierce and brightly white. Some join in large numbers to form a net-like draping. Others stand powerfully alone or join with one, two or three others of similar intensity and purpose.

You have moved on. You have gathered together those who choose to travel with you.