The Sacred Journey

“Pursue the desires of your heart and learn the dance of life.” -Michael Thompson CHAPTER ONE The Journey Begins It was a bright, beautiful spring day filled with hope, warmth, and joy as we began our Sacred Journey. We met at the place where all journeys begin. Many paths lead from this place, but only one will fulfill our dreams. As we wait for our guides, we stand quietly listening to the silence. Slowly we inhale the fresh air, breathing deeply as we watch the excitement of nature act out before us. The tall pine trees and forest meadows pump a scent of freshness in the air that embrace us with a sense of peace and energy, as we still our hearts and minds in anticipation. We feel a sense of harmony within ourselves, and with those around us, as we contemplate the first steps of our Sacred Journey. Our guides quickly arrive bursting with excitement and confidence. They are familiar faces that we have known from previous adventures, but, somehow, it seems strange that we need them for this journey as well. They warmly embrace us and introduce themselves as Truth and Commitment. They will be our guides, and they assure us that only they know the path to follow. They will keep us on course, even in the darkest of nights, and the foggiest of days. Truth, knowing the eagerness within our hearts, explains to us that the path we are about to travel will lead us into four different terrains. She explains that we must travel through each territory and successfully complete the challenges that await us. She emphasizes how everyone who is in search of their noble dream must negotiate these four areas. “There are many paths,” she says, “but only one will lead us to our soul mates and final destiny, and only Commitment and I know the way.” Commitment seems to be the quiet one, who always listens with perceptive eyes. His deep, strong voice pushes aside his awkwardness, as the power of his words echo deep inside. His serious nature seems to dramatize the moment, making sure everyone knows what is required. With his powerful voice and presence, Commitment instructs us that once we start our journey, we cannot quit or turn back; we must remain true to the desires of our hearts. This is a requirement of the Sacred Journey, and those who travel with Commitment will fulfill their destiny. Truth is the wise one, knowing which way to go, while Commitment will help us stay focused during the difficult and dangerous parts of the journey. Although, they are wise and strong, they are also fragile and sensitive, needing our constant care and attention. Truth and Commitment are sensitive in that way. They must always be reassured that they are wanted as our companions. As I listen intently to Truth, I began to wonder what kind of journey this will be. Is finding love and romance so difficult and dangerous? Truth notices the questions written across my face and answers with a smile, “Why, yes, this is the greatest journey of all.” She points out that many different paths exist, but only one will take you to your destiny. “Most people travel these paths alone because they seem attractive, easy and the right way to go.” But with a tear in her eye, she says, “None who travel those paths ever discover their soul mates. They only discover broken dreams, wounded hearts, and disappointment, which will last a lifetime for many of them. There is only one path that leads to the desires of your heart and only Commitment and I know the way.” I could not help but question in my mind, Truth’s comments. How could there be only one path, and what makes Truth and Commitment the sole owners of this knowledge? I could not believe that everyone who does not follow Truth and Commitment’s path would always end in disaster. Truth sensing my contradictory thoughts, responded to my critical review of her comments. “The search for one’s soul mate is a response to the ‘calling’ for love and intimacy. This calling comes from the Lord and Author of the Sacred Journey. He has put this ‘calling’ in a sacred place known as the ‘desires of the heart’. It is here, where the Sacred Journey begins. You must know the desires of your heart, before you can fulfill your noble dreams. Most people embrace the images and desires that others have forced upon them. Because of this, they wander aimlessly down many paths, searching for the reflection of a soul mate that has no substance. Commitment and I will guide you through a process, which will bring enlightenment and revelation to your soul. There is only one path, and only Commitment and I know the way to the true desires of your heart.” I began nodding my head in agreement, as I realized that the desires of my heart would determine the only one path, as Truth had explained. As I thought about it, I began to realize that all of life’s great adventures begin with a calling, which resides in the desires of the heart. Each person has their own path, and the compass of the heart sets the azimuth. Only when we answer the calling and pursue the desires of our hearts, under the guidance of Truth and Commitment, will we fulfill our destiny. The challenge would be discovering and knowing what our hearts desires are, while sorting through the imprinted images and desires placed by others. How much do I really know about my heart’s desires? The thought of finally discovering them in regards to my soul mate, gave me a sense of relief as if I would finally gain clarity to the vague images that I possessed. The Sacred Journey would be as much an inward search for the desires of my heart as an outward journey in search for my soul mate. This was going to be a journey of great magnitude that must not be taken lightly, with whimsical decisions and reckless behavior.