THE HEO/INES JOURNEY

SACRED SPACE #2

Only to the white man was nature a 'wilderness'

and only to him was it 'infested' with 'wild' animals and 'savage' people.

To us it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with

the blessings of the Great Mystery."  

Luther Standing Bear

The Vision Quest of the Native Americans is a hero's journey

that always occurs in wilderness.

Other indigenous peoples have had their own initiations

and classically the Hero's journey was taken in wilderness

which is the preferred environment.

Many great spiritual, scriptural figures immersed in it for

40 days and 40 nights.

However, Nature can always be called upon no matter

who the hero/ine or their process may be.

 It its important to realize that the path is like a cybernetic

negative feedback mechanism. We are always going a bit wrong in order

to go right. We turn left, make a mistake and then go 'right.'

Sometimes we initially land up in the wrong place but

we learn the lesson and move forward as in;

I'm not lost, I'm just searching!

Alternatively we can look at the journey as a treasure hunt where

we listen and look for clues in a relaxed, meditative

space. The first clue my lead us to the next clue. The next

clue may seemingly lead us in the wrong direction

but if we ignore it we might not find the following crucial clue.

The process is convoluted and confusing.

"Anyone who isn't confused here

really does not understand what is going on." Unknown

 SACRED SPACE AND THE HERO

The journey requires that we undertake the task in sacred space.

This space can be found purely within our inner being or outside of us

in nature.

Sacred space can be created anywhere by going

'inward' into handling a crisis situation - taking the crap

with the motive of making it into manure. Rather than be a quest

for the extraordinary it may be prompted by a kick in the rear

such as loss of a loved one, one's job or one's health.

For instance someone who is threatened with life threatening disease

can catalyze the process using the three phases of the hero/ine's journey.

Separation - Threshold - Incorporation

by catalyzing the misfortune into a positive outcome.

If they are cured or healed they can utilize the 'grail' in being

able to help those going through similar calamities or ...

for something else where they help the planet.

Nature is a room with many doors and windows to spirit

that can help us find the middle way of the Buddha.

HARD SKILLS VS.  SOFT FASCINATIONS

By silencing speech we may hear the spirit voices of the rocks, plants 

and trees and listen to the song in the winds and rivers.

God's voice is heard with the heart in response to its yearnings.

Nature can provide all the needed polarities for change:

clear/confused, up/down, exhausted/rested, terrified/tranquil, hungry/satiated,

thirsty/quenched, dark/light, sun/moon, day/night and much more.

Most folks these days use nature as a playground for going 'Outward' rather 

than 'Inward' and practicing their

hard skills or working out. However it is within Nature's Soft Fascinations

 that we can listen to our inner voice

 or those of our guides and depending on our purity and inclination;

the 'soft, silent, still voice' of the Divine or Jesus.

The 'Soft' include; the scenes, sunsets, sunrises, moon sets and moon rises.

The mantra of the bush - a creek running by, the wind in the trees and bird songs.

The aromas and scents. The daily and seasonal changes. The longer we are out

the more profound the effect and the ability to enter a relaxed, alfa state

of consciousness where we receive insights and or instructional dreams.

The less we have between ourselves and nature the more powerful 

the wilderness effect and the possibility of deep insights.

Nature can offer all the challenges as well as

the remedies that we require. She also inspires the senses

which can assist us on the path.

"Nature is not only all that is visible to the eye...

It also includes the inner pictures of the soul." Edward Munch

The search for one's destiny is also part of the soul's quest for meaning.

The Hero/ine's journey is about finding meaning by giving back to the planet -

not only to the Talking Beings, but also according to one's preference

the Still, Growing or Wild Beings.

This differs from the Warrior's journey which fulfills the first two stages only.

The Warrior keeps the 'Grail' for his or herself - the hero gives it away. There are

countless Warriors, fewer Heros.