The Archetypal Desert in the Soul (Caroline Myss)

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The Archetypal Desert in the Soul (Caroline Myss)In the Bible are many references to 'the desert' - where Jesus 'went' for forty days - where the Jews 'wandered' for forty years. The struggle for those sent into the desert is simple: Not my will, but thine. We are left to wander for a long as is necessary until we finally are able to let go - to surrender control over the path of our life.

What does it really mean to you to surrender? Surrender is a mystical, archetypal ritual of transformation. In surrendering, and through surrendering the authority of our life shifts from the rational ego mind to the mystical-soul vision. Individuals who have gone through complete journeys of transformation are renamed - they are given a spirit name. Examples: Jesus is

the man, Christ is the soul. Siddhartha is the man, Buddha is the soul. This mystical act of surrendering changes the compass of our life's journey, pointing us away from the plans we made to the plans made best suited to the capacity and talents of the soul. In this surrender, we give up what we as human beings cherished the most: control and (the illusion of) power.

Just imagine yourself being alone in a desert, or better yet, if you can, go to some forest, or some place where you are completely alone, no cell phones, computers, or people. Being there, whether in your imagination or some real place, feel and sense your soul expanding outward - larger and bigger - until the Earth is so small that it can rest in the palm of your hand. And just be there, holding the Earth and wait - wait for God to come and find you. Think about the fact that life is so brief, so quick. The planet is so small and you are so grand, so eternal, and have so much to give. And here is the big question: Into whose hands shall you place your spirit - the hands of the people on that tiny planet you hold or the hands of God, who has sent you for higher purpose?

Within the Third Mansion, you must decide whether you are ready to contain mystical consciousness. Myss gives a quote from artist Dubois: 'The important thing is to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we have become.' Do you really, truly, desire to return the temporary comforts of an ordinary life? Just pause for a moment as imagine a life without mysticism, a life without mystical vision, and without divine intervention. Imagine a life in which a higher purpose and meaning mean nothing.

Imagine a life void of your Castle, in which you are soulless. Can you imagine yourself 'soulless'? If you can, and you can - go deeply enough into your Castle, you can yes, you can - free yourself from your fears and truly come to know that you are indeed watched over and continually guided to the smallest of details in your life. Your rational mind cannot begin to comprehend this mystical truth, but once you accept this truth fully, you will have gone far enough in the desert.

'Surrender and let God reorder the flow of your life. You aren't leaving your life; you are reentering your life - soul first.'A Moment of ContemplationWe have dismissed or hidden much of the soul's vocabulary; literally putting our souls under a gag order. Such words as miracle, grace, and prayer are part of a sacred, potent, alchemical language that awakens the soul. Words are power, as you already know. Words are conduits of consciousness and the building blocks of reality. Mystics of old knew the power that the words in each prayer contained to open their souls to divine consciousness. For us to understand the language of the soul and to know how to used that 'soul vocabulary' in prayer - in healing - and in channeling grace is to truly unlock the power of your soul.

Myss gives the following example: '...the prayer of surrender, " Thy Will be Done " can be translated to mean, 'I am asking for the courage to step out of my own way, to not interfere with Your plans so that Your grace and love can pour through my actions, word, and deeds this day. Let me see each persona as a vital and blessed part of my life. Let every action and thought I have today serve all. "

And this prayer from 'The Cloud of Unknowing': " When you feel utterly exhausted from fighting your thoughts, say to yourself: " It is futile to contend with them any longer. " ...In doing this you commend yourself to God...You make yourself completely supple in God's hands...When this attitude is authentic, it is the same self-knowledge, because ou have seen yourself as you really are...less than nothing without God.

This is, indeed, experiential humility. When God beholds you standing alone in this truth he cannot refrain from hastening to you...Like a father rescuing his small child from the jaws of wild swine or savage bears, he will stoop to you and, gathering you in his arms, tenderly brush away your spiritual tears. "

When you are ready, you may proceed to the last hallway in your Third Mansion, where the rooms for contemplations in the desert await you.Namaste