A Metaphor Of My Journey.

A lone person is making a journey across country. He doesn't know why he is making the journey, or what he will find. Many people have told him he shouldn't worry, he's got everything he needs, and that it will be easy from here on out.

As he begins his trek, he is unsure what direction he should go. All have advice, but none of it seems to make sense. He wanders aimlessly for a while, but with vigor and strength so it looks as though he has purpose and direction. People call out "Congratulations!" and "Good luck!" to him as he goes by. All seems well.

He comes to the first of a set of mountain ranges. He doesn't know where to go, when a thick mist engulfs him. He cannot see in front, to the sides or in back of him. He is now wandering around, lost, and soon is climbing into the mountains. He doesn't know why, but he is drawn upwards, perhaps to get out of the fog.

The traveler is wandering, lost, alone, scared, hurt, hungry and sick. He is completely without resources, and feels like he is just going in circles, although he can't even tell that. He pushes onwards, buoyed by the distant memories of people's congratulations, although he doesn't really feel them any more.

He has no escape, except in his dreams. Occasionally he finds terror there, too, but frequently happiness and wholeness. He feels completely different in his dreams, and when he awakes to find himself transformed back into what he was when he went to sleep, he gets more tired, sick and scared.

At some point, without warning, he finds the hut of a guide. There is a light on inside, he knocks and enters.

The guide takes him in, tends to his worst needs, and agrees to help him find his way on the journey. However, the guide cannot make the journey for him, nor can the guide decide which way the traveler must go.

After resting, they set out again on the traveler's journey. The traveler is again drawn uphill, into the mountains. The traveler is not sure what they are looking for, the guide helps the traveler distinguish what is real and what is not, what is useful and what is not.

It is a difficult climb; the traveler borrows strength and resources from the guide, who gives them freely.

Gradually, ever so quietly, the fog begins to thin out. There is more light. The traveler can see around, see further than they could for a long time.

The traveler is also able to finally see who she is.

The traveler can also see where she is. It is scary since the terrain is so rough and foreboding, but she finds it also exhilarating. It is the first time since beginning the trip that she is able to see around her clearly, not having to wonder if she would fall or stumble with each step. As she continues on, the fog also continues to clear. She can now see, far off in the distance, a familiar landmark. It is not one she has seen with her own waking eyes, but one she has seen over and over in her dreams. The traveler now knows where she is going.

The traveler and the guide continue on the journey. The fog is now intermittently thick, now thin, now gone complete, then back again. It is difficult for the traveler, because she thought it would be easier now. It is easier than the first part of the journey, but not as easy as the traveler had wished for.

Eventually, they come to dense part of the trail, difficult for even the guide to understand and help the traveler. It's a part of the range the guide has never been to before, and is unsure about. Luckily for both, they soon find another hut, with another guide inside.

This guide agrees to help the traveler as well, and three set off again on the traveler's journey.

The traveler is surprised to find that, although this part of the journey is also difficult and treacherous, there is little fog to obscure the path! The traveler looks back occasionally and sees the fog looming over the mountains and in the pass she has traveled through. She wonders how she could have ever traveled this far at all, without being getting too sick to move, or being killed by wild animals.

The journey is not over, not by any means. There are some very steep hills and rough paths ahead. The immediate terrain is treacherous. The traveler has learned much about herself, her path, and about the act of journeying in itself.

The way ahead, although difficult, is visible. The traveler continues onward, still with the guides at this stage, but knowing that when she needs them, other guides will appear to help her learn and travel along her path. The traveler is full of joy and confidence in finding her way, in finding out her true path. She knows that the journey will be successful, ultimately, fully satisfying.

Categories: Stories