Mysterious Journey

“When a path opens up before us that leads we know not where, don’t be afraid to follow it. Our lives are meant to be mysterious journeys, unfolding one step at a time. Often we follow a path worn smooth by the many and in doing so we lose our authenticity, our individuality, our own unique expression. Do not be afraid to lose your way. Out of chaos, clarity will eventually rise. Out of not knowing, something new and unknown will ultimately come. Do not order things too swiftly. Wait and the miracle will appear.”

~ Ann Mortifee

I found Ann Mortifee’s book, In Love With The Mystery, in a Canadian bookstore.

I’m always attracted to anything that speaks of mystery, because mystery is my life, through and through.

On a daily basis I delve into the unknown, the mystic realms to make sense of my days and nights.

I am constantly seeking wisdom, and when I find some that lights up my soul I quickly pounce and treasure my discovery.

And so it is with the following quotes from a woman that I have not met nor can claim to know on any level but from the words she has written in her book.

Ann Mortifee is a performing artist and writer for the theatre, ballet and films, a keynote speaker at conferences and workshops and is the recipient of the Order of Canada.

Ann’s stillness during the early morning hours brought forth these gems for us to ponder.

I found myself resonating to these words, and perhaps you will as well.

Life As It Is

Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood carry water.  It does not necessarily change our outer reality, but it completely transforms our inner experience of that reality. We become illuminated with the simplicity of life as it is. We go about the same daily activities but with no resistance to the joys, sorrows or demands of those activities. Our preference for life being this way or that dissolves, and we become fluid and awake, able to experience, even celebrate, each and every moment. In other words, we surrender and find peace.

Strange Nostalgia

A distant sound, the song of a bird, the whistle of a train, or a wolf’s howl at midnight, often fills the heart with a strange nostalgia. A sense of far off places, vast expanses, calls us to come. For a moment our energetic awareness opens. We sense that we are more than the small self with which we so often identify. Suddenly, we yearn for that largeness, that vastness of nature, which is the gift we receive in meditation. The small self dissolves and we become one with the emptiness beyond space. We touch the essential Self for which we yearn.

Step Through

There are moments throughout our lives when we arrive at a doorway, a choice point. If we fail to see the moment for what it is, we may have to wait for years to arrive at another such opportunity. Be ever vigilant. Do not overlook the doorway into transformation when it arrives. And do not, for fear of the risk, miss the chance to step through that door.

Blessing

To the degree that we are able to empty ourselves of resistance to life as it is in this moment, to that degree we are available to recognize and receive blessing. For every moment contains a gift. It might be the gift of patience, perseverance or compassion. The blessing is always available to those who can receive.

The Sacred Marriage

The feminine principle in nature always upholds relationship, while the masculine principle upholds autonomy. The one seeks to merge while the other seeks to individualize. We can only experience true relationship when we are capable of standing alone. And we can only truly stand alone when we realize that we are forever connected with everything. We are a paradox of opposing urges. We are both separate from, and one, with all of creation. We must stand alone and we must stand together. This is the sacred marriage.

Relephant:

One Trap that most people fall into on the Spiritual Path.

~

Author: Monika Carless

Editor: Travis May

Photo credits: Author’s own