On guidance

This week taught me something little about guidance, trust, and true meaning of faith. The lesson is not finished yet for me but here is what I learned so far.

If you ask for guidance, I heard, you have to trust the guide and the ways s/he takes you. We know guides know more and better, they can see farther and know safer paths. 

If you ask for help, I realized, you need to let the helper do what s/he can. 

Yet too many times we ask for help and refuse to give up the ways/thoughts/habits/behaviors we hold on to.

I woke up in the middle of the night. Actually, it was just before 4am, still dark and rather chilly. I looked at the clock and thought of going back to sleep because I just couldn't keep my eyes open. And then I heard the voice of my guide. First, it reminded me the lines from Rumi,

"The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don't go back to sleep."

And then, gently, reminded me my own prayer for guidance. Here it was, now I had to take that step, or not.

I got up, wrapped myself in the blanket, and went out on my balcony. There I sat, half asleep. I felt the breeze on my face, the same kind messenger Rumi experienced centuries ago. It kissed me on a cheek and whispered the secret in my ear. Birds were all awake, one last star lingered among the clouds scattered across the night sky, and tall proud trees just silently witnessed my communion.

I don't know what the secret was. Maybe I was too sleepy. Maybe I just need more time to remember the ancient language of the Guide. Maybe next time I will understand. But I am glad I obeyed, surrendered, and didn't limit my spirit by my mind.

Hafiz said it so beautifully, "I am a hole in a flute that the Christ's breath moves through - listen to this music."

The ancient Tao Te Ching is full of it,

"Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place.

Do your work, then step back.

Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course?"

And of course, Bible puts it like this,

"in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Even my salsa teacher focused on letting go this week. Woman has to be gentle, flexible for her partner to take the lead, he said. You don't need to be dominant, you don't have to break the walls standing in your way, or harden yourself as rock to succeed. Just seek your purpose, the meaning of your journey here. Let the path unfold and unveil in front of you and be brave enough to take it.

 After all, isn't the water of the river stronger than the rocks in the way? Isn't it stronger in its softness and flexibility? It always finds its way to the sea no matter how far or difficult the way is. But you can't grasp it in your fist, and even our control over it is limited. But not its potential and ability.

I go out to find a house for myself.

I go in and find out that God has made a joint home for both of us to live in." Sri Chinmoy

"The symbol of El Camino de Santiago is the scallop shell. It is said that as the waves of the ocean wash the shells up onto the shores, the hands of God guide us to our final destination. The destination is same for all of us, despite the different routes we may take there. The scallop shell is the rising and the setting sun. It is the unity of all that is seemingly diverse. It is the open hand full of possibilities." Camino Called Life