© 2017 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter January 2017
by Mario C. Veo
This is the story of a young man who went on a hike with those he thought were his friends.
It was warm and pleasant day, idyllic you might say... pretty flowers all in bloom, birds chirping all the way, and if thunder played far away, well, who's to say...
All was gentle, all was great... until they faced the rumbling river, and the ravine in the way. "There's a log cast across, as a bridge we must accept." "It is too dangerous," one exclaimed, "I fear we're all doomed, here to stay..."
"Stay or go back... that's our choice."
"Nonsense," said another, "just walk across... it's far too late to stay the same."
"Help me tie a rope around my waist, so if I fall you may be my saving grace!"
"Better to tie one around the neck!" said another, "thus to ensure a proper effort."
"Nonsense you old fool! All can see that it's best to crawl across. Embrace the narrow, treacherous log... hang on to it like the lover you never had... caress its gnarly bark for it is the only way - and if you get scraped... well, that's the price you pay!"
"Better inch over it, crawling like a worm... for the closer you are to it, the safer it will hold you."
"Stay or go back... that's our choice."
"Nonsense," said another, "just walk across... it's far too late to stay the same."
"Help me tie a rope around my waist, so if I fall you may be my saving grace!"
"Better to tie one around the neck!" said another, "thus to ensure a proper effort."
"Nonsense you old fool! All can see that it's best to crawl across. Embrace the narrow, treacherous log... hang on to it like the lover you never had... caress its gnarly bark for it is the only way - and if you get scraped... well, that's the price you pay!"
"Better inch over it, crawling like a worm... for the closer you are to it, the safer it will hold you."
The discussion grew louder and louder, tempers frayed, the sky darkened as thunder moved closer, not away.
So, the young man looked and pondered... and after proper reflection, nimbly walked across, even as his 'friends' fought... but stayed their way. Now on his journey he thought, "What strange opinions each of us have - so fast to assume the worst, and even more, doomed perceptions... Yes, to many the log was far too narrow... to me it was a bridge a mile wide! As my feet are not soooo big, it was enough to carry me, safely, to the other side."
How strange is Life... how simple - or complicated. Is it 'truth' or mere subjective perception... and what does it all mean to me...!?
Welcome to 2017... don't say I didn't warn you!!
Yes, the Path may be confusing, the suggestions even worse, and all must live through it... so - as always - the choice is yours: Live joyfully and prosper... immaterial of nay-sayers around you... or, stay stuck, and wallow even as others do...
"So, how do we deal with it all?" you ask. Simple! You just stay centered, lift yourself up by your bootstraps, and move beyond the illusion that faces you.
Oh, you don't know how to do this? Well, that's where we come in - this month's workshops are dedicated to self-empowerment, to personal freedom and liberation from darkness, to true self-expression... and to manifesting a joyous, prosperous, knock-your-socks-off, glorious new year.
Yeah, so what if it's 2017, who cares about all the doom and damnation - didn't you know it's all a trap to have you give up your power to the Dark Side... (oh, yeah - it's also a test by the White Brotherhood, to see if you can stay centered in your own Loving Light... well, of course it is!)
Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations every Tuesday afternoon and the last Sunday of each month at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.
