Many of us these days feel like we're tossing about on stormy seas, where there are big swells, strong currents and rip tides. We get our bearings, feel like, "Whew, got through that one!", only to turn and see yet another 'big one' heading our way, threatening to 'pull us under'.
It's deep practice to stay afloat, and keep from drowning in the fear that seems epidemic. It feels hazardous in so many ways to our notions of 'security' and 'worth'.
David Whyte, the poet and inspirational speaker, in his audio series, Clear Mind, Wild Heart, tells of the parable of Jesus standing on the water, calling to his disciples who were crossing the water in their boat while the waves raged. The whole scenario frightened them, The seeming craziness of it all increased even more when Jesus called Peter to get out of the boat and walk to meet him. On the surface of the water -- a seeming impossibility to our rational minds, and theirs.
So fixed on Jesus and his beckoning, Peter gets out of the boat and beings to step towards him. Then, realizing he was doing something 'impossible', he began to fear and sink beneath the water, as most people would expect to do given the circumstances.
Whyte tells us that whenever any of us 'hazard ourselves,' moving into the unknown, we can't see how we could possibly be supported -- we can't see the surface that will hold us, or the surface we do perceive seems perilously unstable -- and we fear that we'll sink. And our 'memory bank' Minds will surface every 'old story' that confirms the peril.
In translating a poetic meaning of this parable, Whyte says that whenever you feel in life that you are taking a step towards anything worthwhile, or when the seeming security of 'the known' crumbles beneath you and you stand facing the unknown, you always feel like you're taking a step onto a surface that won't support you.
But like Peter, when we're so focused on 'something precious to us', as Whyte says, it enables us to take the steps and find ourselves supported, walking across 'a difficult terrain' by holding our focus on the fixed point of what calls to us, and not giving over to the fear of sinking.
With 'visions born of fear' plentiful these days, we must find it within ourselves to fix our focus, our vision, every bit of our attention and conviction that we can muster amidst the waves, on a more precious vision, on more hopeful outcomes, and on the practices and kindred-spirit community that helps us to see past our fear to the new Eden that calls to us.
But walking across stormy seas -- seemingly impossible conditions, with fear and instability all around -- doesn't happen by 'thinking it through', but by intuiting our way. And this is the domain of the Feminine, which resides within us all, just waiting to lead us, step by step, across the waves.
Blessings on the Way,
Jamie
Comments