The Cave

by Jerome Dechant
 Nov. 17, 2017

(This is a work of fiction, but it could just as well be true as not true.)

Out of the way, unknown to the masses and not easily accessible to the less determined explorer, is a cave.  Its entrance is unremarkable, if you were hiking through the area, you might see it and just pass by without even a thought to enter it.  And, this is as it should be, for only those who are drawn there; who are summoned by an inner calling will even attempt to undertake the journey in the first place.

So, what is so remarkable about the cave?  Actually, there is nothing remarkable about the cave itself, at least to the casual observer.  But to the ones who are called, the ones who heed the call, and endure the difficulties of getting there, what they find within is life changing and remarkable.

I was one of those who were called.  One who, without the slightest idea of what I’d find there, or why I was drawn to go there in the first place, found myself embarking upon this journey.  I didn’t even question the fact that I was going to a place to see a cave no one had ever heard of.  It was totally crazy.  I assure you, everyone I told about this, thought I was nuts for dropping everything to embark upon this insanity, to embark upon an adventure into a region of the world where most thought it wasn’t safe to go.  I can’t tell you how many times I was warned away from going, how many people said I shouldn’t go, saying it was too dangerous, that if I did go, I might never return.  Well, you are reading this now, because I did go, I did endure the hardships of following the narrow path which eventually led me to the entrance of the cave.  I did enter the cave, and I am here now to tell you what I found within.

The journey, the adventure of getting to the cave is a story in itself, yet I won’t go into that now, just know it wasn’t easy, there were road blocks and stumbling blocks all along the way, yet somehow, I had the presence to overcome each road block and stumbling block to bring the journey to an end at the entrance of the cave.

I had a guide who helped me during the wilderness part of the journey, up to a point, up to the point where I had to go on alone.  I’m grateful for his guidance and help because without it, I might have perished the first night in the wilderness.  Yeah, that’s another story.

I arrived at the cave entrance as the sun was setting behind the mountain ridge above me.  I found myself admiring the beautifully colored sky, with wisps of clouds catching the sun’s rays as it set in the western sky.  I’m not a seasoned adventurer, not even close, but somehow I felt comfortable being alone so far from civilization, so far off the beaten path.  It was mostly quiet, although as the sun was setting, I could hear the night creatures emerging from their burrow and going about their creature lives. 

I looked around, there wasn’t really any place big enough to set up my tent and build a fire, so I thought I’d enter the cave and see if I could find shelter there for the night.  It had been a long day traveling through rouged territory, and I was tired, ready to lie down and sleep.  The cave wasn’t very big at the entrance, I had to hunch over for quite some time as I moved into the cave, but eventually it became bigger and I was easily able to stand upright.  If you’ve ever been in a deep cave, you know how totally dark it is, how, when you turn off your light, you can’t even see your hand in front of your face when the palm is touching your nose.  Yeah, it was that dark.  I’m glad I had plenty of batteries, and my light was ample enough to illuminate the cave enough for me to easily see, yet beyond the beam of light, it was pitch black darkness.  Not far past the area where the cave opened up a bit, I found a decent flat space where I decided to throw down my mat and sleeping bag, to finally rest for the night.  Once I lay down, it wasn’t long before I fell into a deep sleep.

I don’t know how long I slept, I didn’t think to check my watch to see what time it was when I made camp, or woke up.  Whatever time it was, I felt refreshed and ready to go.  Before I dug into my backpack for something to eat, I had to find a place to relieve myself, which I did.  I had some trail mix and protein bars which provided the nourishment to satiate my hunger.  Some fresh cool spring water I’d gotten from a stream near the entrance of the cave washed down the final crumbs of the protein bar.

I looked at my watch, it was 1:11.  Was that A.M. or P.M.?  It felt like just afternoon.  I rolled up the mat and sleeping bag, secured to my backpack then headed off deeper into the cave.  It was cool and smelled a bit musty in this part of the cave.  Interestingly, the floor of the cave was fairly flat, but had a gradual decline to it.  At one point, after a turn or two to the right then left, there was a trickling stream at the edge of the cave floor.  It sounded like one of those soothing water fountains you might find in a meditation center or some such place.  All the while, it was pitch black darkness except for the beam of light my head mounted light provided for me.  I wasn’t in any hurry, so as I moved deeper into the cave I looked around a lot at the cave walls and ceiling.  There was nothing remarkable to see except for the things you’d expect to see in a natural cave like this.  It was simple yet beautiful in its natural beingness.

There was a glow of light up ahead; it was coming from the right just beyond the bend.  I thought it was a bit curious.  It was inviting, alluring.  My back pack seem much lighter on my back, and the sounds of my footsteps seemed to faint into a whisper of sound, yet the ground hadn’t changed in appearance at all, it was the same texture as the cave floor had been for most of the distance so far.  I proceeded on and as I did, the light seemed to become brighter and brighter as I approach the bend in the cave.  It didn’t really have a direction, and I had no shadow cast behind me.  The light was sufficient that I was able to turn off my headlamp, so I did, to save battery life.

I finally came upon the bend in the cave which revealed a fairly large cavern.  I looked around and couldn’t see any torches or other sources of light, yet the whole cavern was pleasantly lite.  I entered the cavern and as I did, I noticed a figure seated towards the other end of the cavern.  It looked to me, like he was the source of the light.  As I approached, the silence was deafening.  There was such peace and stillness, it felt out of place to move, yet I was drawn to do so.  So, I moved towards the seated figure.  As I did, feeling of contentment, joy, laughter, excitement and exhilaration seemed to flow through my entire body.   I felt so happy and fulfilled, I’ve never felt this complete before.  It was amazing.

I finally was a few feet in front of him.  He was sitting cross legged in a full lotus posture, with this hands rest one upon the other in his lap.  His eyes were closed and he didn’t move at all.  He just sat there in his radiance and beauty.  He appeared to be a young man, or maybe an older boy.  His complexion was pure and youthful in appearance.  His only attire was a simple cloth which served as a loin cloth.  As I gazed at him, I noticed he wasn’t touching the ground below him; he was floating just above the mat below him.  There were no shadows anywhere.

I didn’t say anything; I just sat down there in front of him.  He might as well have been a living statue and that’s what I thought of as I sat down.  I sat there in his beautiful radiance and closed my eyes.  The light was coming from within me, I could see beyond the cave walls, I could see the surrounding mountains and streams, the lakes, the birds and wildlife, I could feel it all as though I was each one of those beings, each one of those rocks and plants.  It was overwhelmingly beautiful and the bliss which manifests it all was gushing through every part of it and me.  I have no idea how long I sat there, it could have been minutes, it could have been centuries, and it didn’t matter because I found myself in all life expressions.  I forgot that I was sitting in a cave; I forgot I had this body because I was all bodies and none of them at the same time.

I don’t know how it happened, I don’t know whether it was all just a dream, but when I regained consciousness of my body in this being, I opened my eyes and I was at home, sitting in the middle of my living room on the floor in the lotus posture I’d taken when I sat before the radiant being.

I had entered the cave, I had made the journey and somehow I was home again.  I’ll never forget this experience, that light shines brightly within me to this day, and you my dear one, are as much a part of me and this light, as that radiant being who blessed me with his presence.  I now bless you with mine, as you, he and I are ONE.

Nameste

A Good Teacher?

In a class room full of students, there are some students who readily comprehend the teachings and even excel at it.  On the other end of the scale, there may also be those who have a very difficult time comprehending the lessons being taught.  And of course, there are a range of students with varying capabilities in between these extremes.

A good teacher provides the materials and experiences the students need in order to benefit from the course materials.  A good teacher also evaluates the needs of each student and as appropriate, provides the necessary guidance and attention to those who need it.  The sign of a good teacher are evident by the number of students who pass the course successfully, absorbing the lessons presented to such a degree that each one leaves the course having mastered the subject matter presented.

In the current education system, people are herded through the courses like cattle to the slaughter, with little concern as to whether every student has mastered the material or not.  This system does not insure each student will thrive and grow through the learning processes.

There was a time when there was a master and apprentice approach to learning.  The student was the apprentice to someone who had mastered the knowledge and skill sufficiently to be able to pass that knowledge and skill along to the student.  The student remained a student for however long it took for him or herself to become the master of the teachings.  In this way of teaching, the teacher does not give up on the student, but rather develops an understanding and rapport with the student tailoring the lessons to the need of the student, tailoring the lessons with the intention that the student “gets it.”  It takes skill to be such a teacher; it takes dedication and commitment to the student’s success and eventual graduation to the level of the student joining the ranks with the master.

How could we bring back this sort of attention and interest in growing each student into the masters they are capable of becoming?  I can assure you, it won’t happen with the current educational system.  There are educational systems being used in some parts of the world which embody the essence of the Master Apprentice approach to teaching and learning.  It behooves us to investigate these systems, and thereby learn how we might benefit by adopting their approaches to teaching and learning.

The successful education of our young is essential for humanity to grow and thrive.  Therefore, the care and attention we provide facilitates and enables each person’s success in life, enables each person to be the best they can be, to find and express their own unique skills as masters of their own abilities and life.  Our young are worth every bit of our attention and effort to enable each one to reach their own full potential.

It takes love and understanding to make this happen.  It takes commitment to the intentions to thrive as a race of being, rather than just get by or just survive.  The attention to such a success driven educational system pays out a hundred fold more in the end, than it cost to make it so.  It is a good investment.

Getting Wet?

You can’t dive into the ocean without getting wet.  In the same way, you can’t dive into the darkness, negativity, and/or evil without it affecting you to some degree.  What this means for those who have a fascination with the dark side of life, their fascination with that will affect their attitude(s) and therefore life experiencing as well.  If one is not well established within the light, that is to say, the center of their being is weakly connected to Source, their inner light can be easily snuffed out by exposure to the darkness because in this state, their being is like a sponge which absorbs readily the energies of darkness they are immersed within.  Can you see then, how a good person can be easily turned bad?

Meditation with the intention of opening the channels of light energy so Source can flow freely through your being facilitates growing that small spark of light into a raging sun, radiating powerfully from the heart center and throughout one’s entire environment.  One who is so strongly radiant with the Source light can enter into the darkness and it is gone immediately, because the darkness cannot persist in the presence of such radiance.  In such radiance, that which was hidden by the dark is revealed, and what appeared to be a coiled up snake may be revealed to be a rope.  That is to say; there is nothing to be feared.

Attain radiance, attain clarity through such radiance, and as you walk through your life, you will see divinity expressing all around you.  There is great love, beauty, harmony and abundance in all things revealed via expressing and being the vehicle for Source energy/light to radiate through you. 

There is no one outside of you who can add to your radiance, it is an inside job, a job only you can attend to.  By focusing upon connecting consciously with Source energy, consciously connecting with the light, one builds upon and grows the radiance and flow of this energy.  It is less about effort and more about allowing.  Resistance has been built up by efforts and struggles along the path in life, and can be dissolved through allowing Source to flow freely through out one’s being, thereby dissolving any and all resistance.  And, what is revealed is the Divine being you truly are. 

Divinity is a Here Now experiencing, embodied within this very moment by moment unfolding, if only we will let it be so.

Suggestion:  Let it be so.

The Purpose For Negativity In Our Lives

I think it is absolutely important to notice the negativity and to acknowledge it, yet not dwell upon it.  Whatever the negativity is, which makes one feel uncomfortable, irritable, angry, etc., notice it, see what is causing those feelings, then flip the coin over and put your energy upon the opposite of the cause, so you add energy towards the positive, what you want.  The reason for the negative is to help us more clearly define what we want, or the positive, life supporting, loving life experiencing.  It is changing from focusing upon the problems, to focusing upon solutions.  What can I do to end _____? (fill in the blank)  Whatever the answer(s) to that question is/are, start doing that, start placing energy and attention upon the solution(s).

Often times, we carry the weight of past experiences with us where ever we go in the moment by moment unfolding life expressing.  Realize, you don't need to carry that baggage any more, you can drop it like a hot potato.  It was there for whatever reason, to serve you in your growth and compassion, if you've learned from it, you won't have a repeat of that lesson, you can move on to something better, but whatever it is, NOW is when you experience whatever it is, Now is the only time we can change things, Now is the moment to shift focus towards love, peace, harmony, abundance, caring, sharing, giving, receiving, being happy, 

Now is the seed for your future life experiencing, what seeds are you planting?

Blessings to us all. 
All in ONE, ONE in All.

Shine Your Light

Yes, shine your light!  Some people may only have a little spark of light, which needs to be nurtured and taken care of so it can grow.  This is where community can be most helpful, to those little ones (figuratively speaking regarding the tiny lights,) to help protect them as they grow their own luminosity. :)  Since we are All in One, and One in All, it behooves us to join together, lovingly lifting those in darkness towards the light, where they each can make their own choices for their own fulfillment.  Compassion is really important here, because the ones who have dwelt in darkness are suffering the most, and truly need more help than anyone to find their own tiny spark of light within themselves.  We can offer unconditional love like the sun radiates its light upon us all without distinction.  Be like the sun, radiate your love unconditionally as you walk through your life.  Because of freedom of choice, we can't force the light upon anyone, we each must choose it without coercion of any kind. This is divine love in expression.

One in All, All in One.
Blessings to us all!

Guidance

Guidance is just that, guidance. Whether a person hears it or listens to it is another story. Consider the guidance you received from your parents. Did you always listen and obey? If you are like most people, you did your own thing, you made your own choices, for better or worse. That's part of the learning process. There is no one to hold your hand and guide any of us through our life experiencing.

Even though this world looks like it is going to hell in a hand basket, doesn't mean it isn't a manifestation of all the divergent choices each and every being in creation has made, and is making.

If we want our life experience to be heaven on earth, it behooves us to make it so, or let it be so. I can't make this heaven on earth for you or anyone else, but I can make it so for myself, and this is true for each and every one of us.

As children of the creator, we have the same creative ability. Whether we use it divinely or not is up to each of us. I suggest choosing wisely and creating with love, compassion and caring as the motivating force behind all our creations