On the evening of the fourth moon, Ana’s face was aglow with a brilliant smile. Skipping along the water’s edge, she thought about Jason and the unconditional love he has shown her. Six-foot tall, he was a gentle man with a soft, comforting voice, a hardy laugh, and a cheerful disposition. Very spiritual in nature, he was well read and openly affectionate, too. Listening to Owl’s advice, she was taking things slow. Following both her head and her heart, she was appreciating each moment for what it was… incredibly beautiful… and without expectations. With her heart so filled with joy, she wanted to rejoice and openly share this incredible love with everyone!
As the moon rose over the setting sun, the Wise Woman greeted her in anticipation of their fourth lesson. Ana sat on the grass along the water’s edge and opened her right hand, palm down, to show her she was eager to know more.
The Wise Woman said, “Your ring finger represents your Five Senses. It’s what allows you to see, feel, taste, smell, and hear everything in the world around you, allowing you to become more aware of your self, our Creator, and your Walking Spirit.”
“Sometimes, though, whether we are fully aware of it, we allow past pains placed upon our five senses, either by our own infliction or by the infliction of others, to consume us. Out of fear of being hurt again, we begin to deny what we see; tune out what we hear; numb what we feel; ignore what we smell; and forget what we taste. Eventually fear breeds pain and confusion, causing us not to see, hear, taste, smell, and/or feel anything, or imagine things not really there.”
“Phew! It would be awful to be that mixed up,” said Ana. “Luckily, I don’t have that problem.”
The Wise Woman looked into Ana’s eyes and asked, “Are you sure about that?”
“Oh come on, you have got to be kidding?” stammered Ana.
As they continued their conversation, Ana pouted as they built a small fire along the water’s edge.
“Are you ready for a Spiritual Bath?
“Yes,” Ana said half-heartedly.
Ana disrobed, walking carefully into the gently moving stream. Once comfortable, she closed her eyes to clear her heart, mind, body, five senses, and spirit of all the day’s emotions, thoughts, dreams, and desires.
Totally relaxed now, Ana envisioned her ten fingers as a drawing instrument, her body a canvas. She touched her soft hair and outlined the shape of her head. Her facial features followed, from her forehead to her chin. Downward still, she touched her neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, and each finger. As she drew, she started to see and feel who she was with her mind as well as her heart, five senses, and spirit. Her breasts followed, along with each nipple. Moving downward, she touched her stomach and the sides of her body… Like before, just like the first time.
She opened her eyes and looked into the flame on the water’s edge. As she did, she recalled how as a young girl her father forced her to stay at the dinner table countless times past her bedtime until she ate all the peas on her plate. Oh, how she hated canned peas. She vividly recalled the sound they made as they rolled off the spoon and onto her plate; the sickening smell of brine; and the panic that followed as she anticipated the slimy texture entering her mouth. She remembered how her body cringed as the warm, salty taste filled her mouth and how she squirmed as her throat closed up as she tried to swallow a spoonful.
For a time Ana cried uncontrollably as the memories flowed. It was as though every pea she ever ate represented the lack of control she had over the people, places, and circumstances in her life. So much so she found herself turning inward; often withdrawing from her surroundings, she ignored the sights, sounds, fragrances, flavors, and textures vying for her attention. Good or bad, all the stimulation seemed too much.
With her tears finally diminishing, she looked up at the moon’s brilliant light for guidance as she slowly returned to shore. She listened intensely as the Owl whispered, “Ana… You are never alone. I walk with you always. In joyous times, I celebrate with you. During the most sorrowful of times, I comfort you.” Once on shore, she stood by the warm fire to dry off before getting dressed.
Looking up at the half-moon moon once more, Ana spoke to the Owl about how much she learned this evening, not only about herself, but also about her past pains. She realized that while there was little in life she had control over, she did have a choice. She could react emotionally to people, places, and situations with little or no forethought, or she could take a step back, take in everything with all of her senses, and reflect on all the possibilities before responding. By choosing to respond rather than to react, she was no longer placing limitations on her own self; she was actually expanding her possibilities. Reclaiming all of her senses along with the joyful and sorrowful experiences they emanate, calmness soon followed. For she realized joy and sorrow were from the same place; that one could not fully explore freedom’s joy without ever experiencing its lack conceives.
Ready to learn more, Ana searched for, but discovered the Wise Woman was no longer with her. “Where did she go? Have I learned all I need to know yet?” she asked herself.
“Have patience,” the Owl whispered. “There is still so much more to learn.”
Very weary from the journey thus far, Ana returned home to rest.
To be continued…
