|
The Path © 1998 by: Cirse Windom
|
|
|
|
Reverence and Sacrifice ~ ritual devotion |
|
over time, seeker’s light had grown brighter and stronger.
throughout seeker’s travels, he had often shared the story of the ring of pebbles and the dandelion ~ relating how they had profoundly clarified his perceptions of ‘life’.... and thusly, his perceptions of ‘death’.
understanding the debilitating fear many wanderers possessed of transformation, with great compassion, seeker shared lessons of the many changes all life passes through.
he shared stories of the holes, and of the many sorts of persons along the path he had come to know; for, seeker was eager to provide different perspectives to those who truly sought them.
eventually, seeker came to be known as a ‘keeper of the light’.
and he was aware that his name, whispered among various wanderers with great awe and reverence, was exchanged among many who had never actually made his acquaintance.
seeker was not too surprised then, to come upon a small group of dimly lit wanderers vocalizing to passersby the lessons of the dandelion.
seeker noticed that long chains of dandelions, which appeared to be their only source of slowly extinguishing light, were draped upon their bodies.
he approached the band intending only to observe, but once near, found his self quickly engaged.
“ahhhh....” said one of the group. “a wanderer with a great light has come into our presence.”
“yes,” agreed another. “but his light is not as great as the keeper’s light. the keeper’s light would blind us all.”
“this wanderer has come to us with purity and innocence. a vulnerable soul in need of our guidance. it is our duty to enlighten this being as to the ways of the keeper of the light.”
“have you ever seen this keeper of the light?” inquired seeker.
“we know the keeper; for, he has visited us spiritually from afar. we each have a story of enlightenment.... and now, you shall have yours.”
“we are disciples of the dandelion keeper, and you will come to hear the keeper’s message also.”
“the keeper will speak to you in his way, and you will know the keeper’s strength. that is the lesson.”
“faith, then, is the lesson?” asked seeker.
“yes, yes..... faith. faith in the keeper’s teaching, and the keeper’s healing, and the keeper’s love of us all.”
careful to conceal his identity, seeker momentarily pondered this before being swept away and instructed in the methods of dandelion chain making.
although seeker knew that many insights he had hoped to share had been elaborated, distorted and diluted by others with motives unlike his own, seeker felt his self suddenly injected with an intoxicating dose of self importance. and he listened intently ~ perceiving his self beneficiary of the unconditional devotion and lavish praise of these wanderers.
although seeker knew their rituals to be destructive, he assured his self that as long as he did not directly participate and kept his identity secret, there was no harm in reaping what he now considered the fruits of a life long endeavor to seek and discover.
although seeker was aware the keeper was actually a semi-fictionalized composite of all seekers past and present ~ as a true seeker his self, seeker felt justified in extracting much of the abundant reverence.
seeker perceived to suffer all-consuming torment, however, being in the presence of such idolization.... yet unable to expose his identity ~ seeking immediate, direct and greater glory.
although seeker knew well the danger of egocentricity, he continued to bask in the attentions of these ardent few ~ seeker’s own need rapidly growing to rival even that of the disciples, until he feared most.... his exclusion.
seeker comforted his self by feeling righteous in receiving the recognition of those free to worship as they wished. for a while ~ and without thought of his diminishing, inwardly sinking light ~ seeker depended upon others rather than his self to affirm his worth.
during this time, seeker had his self become the leader he had grown so wary of on his journey.
very soon, seeker was prepared for the ‘great ignition’.
in this ceremony, seeker was to be initiated through smoke and fire, becoming an accepted member of the disciples of the dandelion keeper.
for this, great quantities of dandelion blossoms were amassed in a huge heap.
the disciples gathered around, enveloping seeker within their midst as an appointed speaker explained the ceremony.
“the great keeper of the light has taught us to revere this dandelion plant. it is our sacred object. our granted obsession.”
“we must never consume it ~ for, to consume it, is to consume the keeper, and we shall not worship in this way; for, it is not the way of the keeper.”
“it is to be sacrificed in honor of the keeper ~ in honor of his allegiance.”
“are you prepared to honor the teachings of the keeper?”
another individual appointed as ‘lighter of the fire’ stood poised.... ready to ignite the heap....
“wait! don’t burn these flowers!” seeker wailed, suddenly shocked beyond his need for adoration.
“do
you not see that by
imparting
seeker held up a handful of falling flower heads and implored....
“do you not believe.... that to truly embrace an entity’s significance and placement among all beings as equal ~ is to recognize your true relationship to it?”
but seeker was met with rallied hostility. “ours is not to question the intention of the keeper! ours is to believe!”
another rose up their fist, shaking a chain of dandelions. “this is our sacred object! we have given the keeper our light, our faith ~ and for it, we are given the light of the dandelion. we are given immunity for our deeds. it is the prize we receive for our faith! it is the lesson! how dare you cast doubt upon our faith! how dare you ~ a non-believer accuse us of non-belief!”
“all other beings are lowly.... incapable of comprehending the virtue of the keeper’s divine process and purpose. ours is a charge of unquestioned faith and devoted worship!”
although seeker hesitated to initiate the reaction from such an action, he felt somehow responsible for the direction of this small group and desired desperately to clarify the lessons of the dandelion.
“there is sacredness in all!”
“we receive no immunity for our faith. our ‘prize’ is strength and courage.”
“lies! blasphemy!” they cried.
“there is but one keeper, and you shall be visited by terrible misfortune to claim his identity!”
“light the fire!” some one shouted.
flames rose and smoke billowed as the followers placed their palms upon one another’s shoulders, representing the ‘circle of life’, then proceeded to dance around the fire chanting into their darkness....
“keeper of the light.... keeper of the light.... heal us.... and bring us forth from darkness....”
seeker felt assaulted ~ witnessing the rhythmic sway and what he perceived to be a great devotion to blindness.
the fire flickered and sparks flew as long chains of wilted dandelions were cast into the burning alter ~ to be replaced by new chains, possessing new brightness ~ in a symbolic renewal of devotion.
seeker, stunned by the realization of how far he had strayed from his own
beliefs and teachings, turned and slowly departed. |
|
Self-Recognition ~
|
|
|
Writing - Home The
Gift of Everlasting Cheer | Tide Pool
Surprise |
Can You See What I See |
|
|
All text and graphics on this page and within this website (aimsatyourservice.com) are copyrighted by Lisa Bracken and/or Cirse Windom 1995-2007, except as otherwise noted. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and distribution of any kind is strictly prohibited. Please visit the legal notices page to inquire about copyright, reprint and other issues. |