From the moment we emerge into the world, we are travelers embarking on an unknown journey. Where will the road of life take us? We don't know. While we can steer towards a particular destination, there may be any number of obstacles or detours. It’s a humbling realization that much of what happens in life is beyond our control. We have to trust the journey. Choosing to trust accelerates our soul’s evolutionary path because it allows us to transcend internal blocks to moving forward, which in turn provides the strength to release whatever may bind us to the past.
The concept of a journey is a well-known metaphor for life. Of course, a journey implies movement. And, moving forward often requires that you take the first step without knowing how things are going to turn out. When you go somewhere that you have never been before—whether it is a literal place on Earth or an intangible experience, such as undertaking a startup business venture—you have to trust, because there is a risk that things will not go according to plan. The uncertainty and perceived risks may pull your focus. But it’s important to remember that there is also the potential for something unexpectedly wonderful to happen. If you take that first step, you may, in fact, go somewhere even better than you had imagined. So, while venturing forth may feel uncomfortable, if you can allow yourself to trust, and maybe even have a sense of adventure, you free yourself to grow through the experience of something new!
"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." Martin Buber
As souls, we are not separate, but integral parts of the continually expanding Consciousness of Life itself, which evolves as we stretch ourselves through new experiences. So when you feel the pull from within to try something different, or life brings an opportunity to your doorstep and you are drawn to it, trust the energy. Trust your connection to higher consciousness and say "yes!" Don’t confuse yourself with worry about whether or not you are good enough, talented enough, or “whatever” enough. Know that if you are truly meant to go somewhere, or accomplish something, the path will open up—e.g., you will find the resources, or be guided to find your inner strength and whatever is needed to reach that goal. Don’t put energy into worrying about how, when, or if you’ll arrive at a destination. Keep your eyes on the road, allowing yourself to be guided forward by the energy of your path.
"If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it is not your path.
Your own path you make with every step you take. That’s why it’s your path." Joseph Campbell
Although I don’t know where life is leading me, the steps on my path have a lot of energy around them. Some part of me lights up with excitement and anticipation (sometimes even a note of fear) at the prospect of something that is connected to my path. I have learned to trust and act on this inner sense of knowing. Consider the proverb, “The path of the Just is like a shining light.” (Proverbs 4:18) While the word “just” can mean upright, righteous, and morally judgmental, those traits are contrary to the idea of connecting to higher consciousness, which is the source of the continuously unfolding creation. However, “just” can also mean equitable, objective, neutral, and open-minded—attributes which point to those who are free from rigid belief systems and personal bias. Those who are just in this manner can see beyond the perspective of the separate self, or ego—allowing them to better trust in and accept the magnetic attraction of the path they are being guided towards. The energy around the path does not come from magical thinking, which happens at the level of the egoic mind—it comes from deep within one’s very being, at the soul level.
At the soul level, we are all inter-connected. Trusting the journey means remembering that you are part of something greater than yourself and committing to doing whatever it takes to be in greater harmony with that. It is consciously connecting to Oneness. Therefore, a big part of trust is accepting that things are exactly as they are meant to be and that things will work out for the best.
This reminds me of the sweet film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. The distributor, Fox Searchlight gives this summary of the film’s plot:
"The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a group of British retirees who decide to "outsource" their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and bolstered with visions of a life of leisure, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self."
Imagine the massive disappointment of these elderly people who had taken a courageous leap by moving to “spend their autumn years” in India. To reassure the distraught guests, the young, indefatigable Indian proprietor, Sonny, says, “Everything will be all right in the end. If it's not all right, then it's not yet the end.” The film summary goes on to say of the retiree guests, “Though the new environment is less luxurious than imagined, they are forever transformed by their shared experiences, discovering that life and love can begin again when you let go of the past.”
There are valuable lessons to be learned from this film. Although circumstances may not be what you expected or what you hoped for, don’t turn away. Be present with what is. Not everything is as it first appears. It is not the circumstances that we find ourselves in, but rather the tendency to run away from, avoid, and resist them that causes suffering. Being present may require that you release familiar comforts, expectations, hopes, and even dreams that you’ve imposed on reality. Only when you let go can you discover the gifts waiting there for you. As Joseph Campbell said, “We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” We must trust the journey.
Link to film clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTNozURNfBo
This blog waas previously published on my old website. Copyright 2014 www.cynthiarevesz.com
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