Dear Open,
In my weak moment I was hoping for someone to hold me, but instead you are holding the space for me. And it is so much more powerful! Thank you for this. The space around me is now more expanded and I have more room to manoeuvre and ... breathe. Joy is sipping into my heart. The anxiety was really closing on me lately, but it lifted, like a cloud. I shared bits and pieces of my experience with different people and only opened up on this forum. I will contact someone that I know that had already crossed this gateway.

I have to get going in few minutes, but wanted to share a story that provides me with courage lately. It also makes me cry. Perhaps others will find it inspiring too. It is called "Crossing the Dragon's gate" and it is so incredibly fitting to what's happening to me. Now I also see it is a powerful reflection of crossing the 3rd gateway.

CROSSING THE DRAGON"S GATE
"Beneath the serene quiet of the water lilies a young carp senses a calling . . . swelling up in her heart like the swirling waters at the base of a great waterfall, Somehow summoned to go beyond the barrier of crashing water and veiled mist The churning waters of the waterfall’s bottom matches that of the young carp’s desires.

Finally with a burst of enthusiasm the carp launches herself up the wall of rushing water cresting the first falls with a surge of effort only to be met with relentless rushing water. Persevering from one cataract to the next the carp makes it to the summit’s last falls. Regrouping her energies in a pocket of scouring effervescence every essence of strength, courage, and spirit is consumed in the launching over the fall’s summit.

And the dragon’s gate accepts her efforts. The transforming gate of fire reveals the birth of a new Dragon born of the seed of desire planted in the heart of a small carp that once hid in the shallows."

Margaret