"Voyage of Spirit”
by
Guide Chandonn
copyright 1998, all rights reserved.
first performed 1/28/98
[This group meditation, for the New Year, was written to focus on dealing
with the bad things in life (the storm and the heat) and different ways to
deal with them. We may fight or defy the bad things (yell at the storm) or
we may simply try to follow the natural pattern to its conclusion (find the
breeze and follow it). The changing seasons, both forward and backward, help
us realize that we take this "voyage of spirit" every year in our
lives.]
It is dark here, but the light begins to grow brighter.
You find yourself in a comfortable place -- a place where you feel completely
at home. Look around at where you are. You know this place well.
Now, find a pathway which leads out from your sacred place and toward the
sea . . . Begin walking this path.
As you walk this path you notice that the trees around you are changing --
they are flowering, budding, and growing new leaves. The sunlight is like
that of early morning. Dew covers the early grass. The air is fresh and smells
sweet . . .
Continue walking . . . In the distance you can just make out the sea. It
is a blue plain of sparkling smoothness . . .
Now, the dark green leaves along the trees are full-grown. They provide a
nice shade for the path. Is is midday here and the birds are singing . .
.
Continue walking . . . You begin to make out the sandy seashore ahead of
you . . .
Now the day's heat is at its peak, and the leaves are changing colors. You
see bright shades of orange, red, and yellow. The aroma of dried sap fills
the air.
The leaves quickly fade and begin falling like snow to the ground . . .
Continue walking . . . Now the boat dock is clearly visible. You can see
a large wooden sailing ship anchored there . . .
The leaves are no longer falling. The trees have become bare again.
Small, white flakes dance in the air . . . And as you reach the boat dock,
the ground is covered with snow . . .
Now, climb the ramp up to the boat. Even with the snow on the ground the
ramp is not slick, and the air is not cold . . .
As soon as you arrive on the ship the crew salutes you. You take the wheel.
The anchor is raised, and the ship is underway . . . across the sea!
You are the captain here. You give the orders. You decide where the ship
sails . . .
The air is fresh and the salty breeze is warm. You sail out wherever your
heart desires . . .
The waves may be calm, or they may be rough. The breezes may blow gently,
or they may whip about suddenly. They may start up quickly, and just as quickly
subside . . .
Sailing . . . sailing . . .
The sky begins to grow cloudy. On the horizon ahead, the clouds may be dark.
The wind picks up and the smell of rain can be faintly detected. The dark
clouds ahead light up briefly and glow with lightning. A few moments later
a loud thunderclap can be heard.
You steer to avoid the storm. But it still heads toward you. The wind grows
stronger, the sea rougher, and you order "batten down the hatches!" Your
crew works quickly to secure the slip.
The rain begins to pour. The boat rocks. And it seems the ship and crew might
not survive. You begin to feel like the world is fighting against you.
In desperation you cry out, "Be silent!" And the winds slow. Soon the rain
eases to a gente drizzle, and the sea grows calm. The sea begins to move
gently, and the sky begins to clear.
You take stock of your ship and crew. You have been shaken. You may have
lost cargo. Or the hull may be damaged. Or everything may br well. In any
case your ship is still sea-worthy.
You decide to press on.
You sail onward. You sail out wherever your heart desires . . .
The waves may be calm, or they may be rough. The breezes may blow gently,
or they may whip about suddenly. They may start up quickly, and just as quickly
subside . . .
Sailing . . . sailing . . .
The sun grows hot as the day wears on. The wind has vanished and the ship
simply sits on a calm, glassy sea. The temperature continue to rise. Soon
the heat is sweltering.
Your crew complains of the heat. Some of them may collapse from it as well
. . .
When you can no longer bear it, you wet your finger and hold it up. You quickly
discover that there is a very slight breeze blowing. You steer to follow
this breeze. Soon, the ship is no longer in the heat. There are clouds overhead
shading you.
Your crew recovers and you sail on, following your heart . . .
The waves may be calm, or they may be rough. The breezes may blow gently,
or they may whip about suddenly. They may start up quickly, and just as quickly
subside . . .
Sailing . . . sailing . . .
After a time, your journey brings you back to the boat dock where it began.
You bring the ship to rest again in the dock, and you give the order to drop
the anchor.
The crew applauds you for a successful voyage. You will take this journey
again. But now it is time to return home.
You salute your gallant crew and back climb down the ramp to the dock.
The ground is again covered with snow.
You resume walking the path . . .
As you walk, the snow fades to flurries and vanishes. The late afternoon
heat returns, and the dried leaves magically begin to jump back onto the
trees. As they return to their branches they again become bright shades of
red, orange, and yellow again.
You walk on down the path . . .
The leaves are now bright green again. They shade the path from the heat
of the day. The birds play in their branches.
You continue walking . . .
The leaves have shrunk to buds, then to flowers. The heat is gone and the
dew has retutned to the grass.
Walking further, you can see that you are approaching your safe place.
As you near the end of the path the trees are again bare.
You have returned to your comfortable place. The light grows dim here until
it has completely faded.
Created by Guides Chandonn,
Hypatia X, and
Sophia X Pharou
Last modified:
06/20/2009