I love the story Fiona - thanks so much for sharing. It's exactly this kind of interpretation that we of course encourage here at Openhand. When are not efforting about what the moment should be, it stills the mind and opens the heart to the deeper meaning behind all events. And from this, we can glean amazing guidance in our lives - yes, we access the Benevolent Guiding Hand of the universe - Openhand!!!

Chris

Deep inside of me, I discovered a black box. Not a very large box, though by appearances strong and secure. It felt dark, strong and cold. Many locks and chains surrounded it, keeping it safe, while associated disguises and distractions had helped keep it well hidden. Today I found that box.

Initially there was fear, what could possibly be inside that required such careful guarding. What power did it have? What dark secrets might be within? Simultaneously, another part of me was yearning to uncover the contents, a soul’s desire to release what was inside. The fear element began to diminish as the yearning and determination grew. I considered the box and how to open it, as only I knew how.

Then without effort I watched as the locks and chains began to dissolve and light began to seep through from under the lid. I laughed as I became aware that the box was an illusion, not real. A deception created by fears, old patterns and tricks of the mind. Inside the box brilliant white light was radiating. The redundant box had served its purpose. The light became increasingly free to shine forth, leaving only remnants of the box behind.

I felt to share this experience as a reminder that we all have this shining light within, sometimes we lose touch with it, forget about it or lock it in a black box. But just a little deeper and it’s there waiting to radiate forth.

With much love and gratitude to Trinity for her significant role on this inward journey,

Shanti

Thank you for sharing here Fiona.

Such a profound journey of self discovery. And how funny when we realise that it is only ourselves that have locked away that which we yearn for and only ourselves that can unleash it again. It is all in there, waiting to be unveiled.

Sharing with you earlier was deeply moving for me too. A pleasure and an honour to journey with you.

With a heart full of Love
Trinity

Hi,

Being somewhat unclear about the next steps in my life, last night I asked for inner guidance "What would you have me do now?"

Almost immediately the answer came - "Be comfortable with not knowing!"

There's nothing like a little humour to assist in the letting go process

Love and light, Fiona

I know this joke ;D

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Btw I really like your sharings, Fiona. They feel... beatiful! like 'stories', full of this amazing energy of yours

Thank you!
Yulia

A newly hatched chick, mouth open, squawks, calling out for food which arrives dropped down its neck. All its needs are provided for, this continues for some time as the earth rotates around the sun. As the days pass, the body of the chick is developing and maturing, feathers appear and grow. The mind and soul are becoming stronger. The nest is familiar and safe, each woven twig has been explored and each crevice is known.

Then gradually a stirring arises within the fledgling, an instinct to explore, to adventure farther than the confines of the nest, to discover more about the rustling green leaves and what might lie beyond. Coinciding with this impulse, a great deal of fear surfaces. Fear of the unknown, fear of falling, fear of getting lost, fear of being a fool, fear of making a mistake… She sits with the fear, until eventually it is overtaken by the increasing innate desire to fly free, the natural impulse of the soul.

And so trembling, the fledgling climbs to the edge of the nest and peers over, it is a long way to the ground below. She looks around, feels her fear and observes the inherent impulses. She waits and then muscles begin to stir, stretching, opening up, slowly initially and then the momentum increases. Until with a start, she notices the feeling of lightness and realises that she is levitating above the nest. When this realisation dawns, with a jolt she falls backwards. The newness of the experience has taken her by surprise and so gently she takes some deep breaths to recentre herself. With a deep sense of calm she attempts again, on this occasion she remains composed and focussed as her body rises up above the nest. She flies forward and begins to fall, though then allows her body to right itself and rises again. Somehow she manages to circle and lands with a crash back into the nest.

The taste of flight has a huge impact on the young bird, it was a tremendously liberating experience, she is no longer satisfied with the limited life within the confines of the nest. She has tasted the freedom of flight and is eager to soar. After a brief reprieve she stands again on the edge of the nest and takes flight, this time she flies further outwards and over the field below. Sometimes she stumbles and her flight is awkward, or the wind catches her unaware and she is taken in an unpredicted direction, but her trust is increasing. She is beginning to attune to the rhythm of the breeze and learns how to utilise its energy. The sense of liberation and freedom is truly awesome, a wonderful sense of at-one-ness with the air and with life itself.

Within a few days the young bird is soaring through the skies, occasionally still cumbersome, though more and more in tune with the natural flow of her flight. Her trust in the supporting benevolence of the Universe is increasing as she darts and flits through the sky. She follows where the pull takes her, sometimes to explore the woods or at other times she is drawn to the corn fields or the farm. Frequently she is surprised by where the impulse leads, often towards apparent dangers, like flying low over the river or landing abruptly on a wall, but she trusts that it is all part of the unfolding journey of her life and is delighted by the sweet surprises that are revealed and the joy that unfolds as she follows her soul!

“The soul loves risk; it is only through the door of risk that growth can enter” - John O’Donohue (Anam Cara)