Stories are powerful, they can change perceptions and frames of reference in seconds.
We’re very grateful and extend a huge thanks to Dr Susan Gregg for her kind permission to let us publish on our blog the opening story from her book Finding the Sacred Self .
Enjoy…
“Two apprentices, a man and a woman, were walking down a path late one night.
The moon was moving toward full, but not yet bright enough to dim the stars. The wind rapidly pushed the clouds as they danced over the face of the moon. The shadows they crated moved ominously over the high desert terrain.
The night was far from empty; many spirits were out. The apprentices hurried along.
The quiet was almost deafening, only broken by the sound of their footsteps in the loose gravel and the occasional cricket. Off in the distance a coyote howled.
They spoke in whispers about the lessons they had learned. Their teacher had unexpectedly told them to return home tonight. They had never been asked to leave after dark before.
Their teacher had laughed at their fear.
They tried to be warriors as they walked along the path but fear continued to rise to the surface. They knew someone was lurking in the darkness waiting for them.
As they approached the path leading toward the cliff they thought they saw someone step out of the shadows. At first they laughed at their foolishness but then they began to hear a quiet chanting. Before them stood an ancient one. Only terror held them in place.
The old one said, “Who do we have here? Who comes before me? Come closer and let me see you.”
Slowly they both began to inch backward.
They had heard stories of the old ones and how they steal the unsuspecting apprentice’s souls. Their hearts began pounding and fear began to rise within them; the night was filled with the sound of their breathing.
The old one asked, “What do you fear? Certainly not one as old as me, alone in the desert. How could I possibly harm you? Are you victims or warriors?”
The man timidly began to speak, “I have heard stories of the old ones and how they steal people’s souls. I have no wish to fight you.”
The old one laughed and said, “Who asked you to fight me? Do you really believe those stories meant to scare children into listening to their elders? Come closer so I can see you.”
Again they edged back and the woman asked, “Why are you here? Who are you and what do you want?”
The ancient one smiled and said, “The path to freedom always leads through your fears. You can never be free until you have faced your fears and conquered them. Your healing and your sacred self lies in the direction your head tells you not to go. Whenever your head says, ‘I will not do this,’ you must do it or you will never be free. Listen not to your head. Listen always to your heart.”
The man said, “Those are fine words, old one, but they sound like words of a trickster to me. Why should I trust you?”
“Because your mind tells you not to,” replied the ancient one. “Listen to your heart. What does it tell you? Come closer so I can see you.”
For a moment, they all stood motionless on the edge of the cliff.
Before the man had a chance to stop her, the woman smiled and stepped forward. The man yelled, “No!” But the woman and the ancient one just smiled.
Then the old one reached out and in a rapid, fluid movement, pushed her off the cliff. And she flew. ”
About Dr Susan Gregg “Susan believes that life is meant to be happy and free of struggle – that life is an opportunity to remember our divine nature and to have fun.” you can visit her site at http://susangregg.com
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