Saturday, December 5, 2009
Welcome
I'd like to open up this arena for those who are interested in following along with the many crazy things that go tumbling on in my head. Since I've always enjoyed creating and sharing, I've decided in trying a new method in expressing myself. As a child, I have always loved dreaming and imagining other people and places. The lives of the world out there has always excited and interested me. Whether it is factual or fantasy, I truly enjoy exploring what is out there and seeing how to create something for myself and others to follow and enjoy themselves. I also thought that this would be a good place to deal with my meditation and reflections and so that I could start working on getting my fingers limber, my mind racing, and my thoughts clear. I intend and hope that this forum will become interactive, where you will feel free to be participating with me along this process of exercising, clarifying, and exploring. All I ask is for you to be straight forward and honest so that we may both gain insight and improvement. So, if you disagree with my ideas, don't like something I say or how I say it, have your own input, advice, or suggestions, I urge you to jump in and just say it. I'm always open for improvement and correcting, as I do seek for perfection and know that I might not be able to make it there alone. So, I thank you for stopping by and looking around, for your support and interest and especially for your active participation.
Mark of the Shadow
Within the cave darkness lurked and ventured out. Edging around each and every corner, it pressed against the light from the center. A fire lay crackling and burning. As the flames flailed and flickered, shadows cast upon the walls danced seductively a mesmerizing trance. The darkness pressed upon the fire light, taunting it so that she would consume it and all the light would vanish. Forever.
“Do not stare at those great black beings of yourself or those around you,” the old chief broke the spell-bounded children and than continued, “be not compelled to which fire throws on the opposite wall of the cave.”
“To think of the shadows is a serious thing,” spoke the wise one as the children sat still eagerly listening. “When man moves away from his nature, his heart becomes hard. Man is a prisoner of his own shadows. Come. I have never told you before the story of Coyote and Moon. Now you are ready. Listen well and listen closely.
Coyote had always loved Moon, for she was soft, splendid and radiant. However, Moon was always teasing Coyote. Coming and going as the days passed. Every night she would wink down at coyote playfully. And in addition to this little game, every now and then she would completely just disappear without a trace. This would get Coyote concerned and worry of her whereabouts. But, the following day, she would pop back up and wink again down at him as though nothing had happened, as if she were always there. After a short while, these games and tricks annoyed and aggravated Coyote. However, time after time this would continue on and it came to the point that Coyote did not know what to do. His frustration built into more and more angst, until one day, he came to realize, in order to subdue his torment and suffering, he must find a way to catch Moon and keep her for himself. That would be the only way for him to stop these silly games and rather he could enjoy all their time always together.
“Now if you let evil thoughts or depression into your mind it would creep inside you and cut your soul,” the sage interjected.
“And so one day, Coyote went to Sun, brother of Moon, who loved all the creatures that he shown upon. Coyote knew that he was the only one who could help since Sun must know his sister well. Sun did listen to Coyote’s dilemma carefully and hated seeing him so pain stricken. He wanted to help him, but told Coyote that Moon could only walk the earth when she filled the sky and shone her brightest. He further related that once, within every century or so, Moon would grow to such a size so that she could collect all her light. Then, right after nightfall, she would come down to earth to visit, only to return to her place in the sky before the following morning. So is the nature of things.
Coyote asked Sun what to do, but Sun shrugged him off saying, “My means are limited to shine my light. I control not the moods and behaviors of my sister. Even if I could caste my light upon my sister to help her come down, she still must touch the sky and earth before she could walk the ground. I have no way to make her grow to such size.”
Coyote filled with sudden hope asked Sun if he would help with an idea for a plan. Sun agreed with a warning, “Just as night falls, Moon may walk the plains under starlight, but must return to her place in the late evening sky before daybreak.” Coyote promised to follow his instructions and told him to wait for his call.
The next night Moon came out to wink down to Coyote as she always did. However, to her surprise, she did not see him. The next night came and passed without any sign of Coyote. Then the following night and the next one after. As the nights continued to pass Moon began to fret and worry. Each night her worries grew, she in turn grew: brighter, growing and glowing. And on the night that her worries grew to such a size, she laid there filling the sky. With despair she lingered over the horizon. When she actually touched the horizon, to her surprise she saw Coyote come out on top of the highest cliffside and began to howl. Just as his cries echoed throughout the valley, up came Sun and shown his light onto Moon blinding her. Before Moon could understand or react, she was thrown to the earth and Coyote ran to her and snatched her by his teeth.
“Now you are mine. To stay with me here on the ground, forever,” hummed Coyote with delight.
However, Moon began to cry and to cry miserably. So would you if you were in her place. You see, she realized that as long as Coyote kept her on the ground, the night wouldn’t end and she couldn’t do anything about it.
Sun soon began to recognize this as well and he knew that day and night cannot dwell together. Soon he saw all the creatures of Earth become confused as the night animals were mixed up by the day, and the day animals by the night. This unbalanced quickly turned to chaos and the disorder brought suffering and plight.
Coyote was not pleased with the outcome. On one hand he was happy to finally have Moon to himself, and on the other he did not feel good that she was upset. Again, he felt helpless and wasn’t sure what to do. But before he could really dwell on the matter, Sun came to him and demanded that he release Moon. Coyote refused, “She has entranced me and bewitched me. I cannot release her back into the night.”
Sun reminded him of his promise, but Coyote responded, “As much as I feel compelled to fulfill my word, still, I cannot let her return from where she has come. My pain and torment would torture my soul for eternity as I would be forced upon her realm of night and return to her callous tricks and games.
Sun thought about his words and then said, “Then, night must be relinquished in order for Moon to remain on Earth and released from her binds.”
Coyote looked up with hope once again. Sun continued, “You must travel and carry the night with you. Go in the direction of my light and the darkness will follow your footsteps until she eventually is swallowed and disappears. Then, return to your Moon and all will be set in order.
Sun went closer to Moon and reassured her, “Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts. Rest assured, as much as I have caused this problem, I too will cause to fix it.”
Coyote followed Sun’s instructions and quickly left in the direction of Sun’s light. As Coyote ventured forth, sure enough, the darkness of the night followed close behind. The longer he walked on, the longer and thinner night stretched after. Like Sun had said, slowly darkness vanished and all was day.
Satisfied and excited, Coyote went back to Moon. But on his way back he felt a presence following him. Actually, he noticed that a shade had stuck behind him and was mimicking all his movements. If he went left, the shade went left. If he went right, so too did the shade. Annoyed and pestered by the vacant being, he tried to catch it. But every time the shade slipped away. He then tried to chase it away. But here too he failed, for the shade was just too quick. Coyote became confused and frightened and so he ran as fast as he could away from the shade. When he came back to where he left Moon, she was no where in sight. He began searching for Moon, but everywhere he went, she was not.
Then, Sun came to Coyote and told him that Moon had returned to the night forever and that from now on he would be cast with a shadow, “As the sun rises and the moon sets, your shadow will be your constant reminder by your side. Just as you had followed her lure, you were led astray. So, therefore, trust not your shadow, for a shadow is darkness that comes from the light. It is neither one nor the other, but the manifestation from the two. It is but a reflection that holds no truths or ends. If you forget yourself, you won’t even recognize your shadow.
Scared and enraged, Coyote barked, “What have you done? What am I to do now?”
Sun replied, “To rid of ourselves of our shadows, we must step into total light or total darkness. Make peace with your shadow. Unless you are unable to, you will never dare venture in the light.”
Unable to face the humiliation and grief, Coyote ran off into the night to find Moon, where he remains to this day. When the moon is full and up high in the sky, you can still hear him calling out in the night.
The old chief finished his fable with one last thing, “So now little ones, you know the sun and the moon cast shadows upon the days and that it is important to confront our shadows. To be friends with our shadows is to walk without a shadow of a doubt. And so, remember to keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will only follow behind you.”
Moishe Pipik © 2011
“Do not stare at those great black beings of yourself or those around you,” the old chief broke the spell-bounded children and than continued, “be not compelled to which fire throws on the opposite wall of the cave.”
“To think of the shadows is a serious thing,” spoke the wise one as the children sat still eagerly listening. “When man moves away from his nature, his heart becomes hard. Man is a prisoner of his own shadows. Come. I have never told you before the story of Coyote and Moon. Now you are ready. Listen well and listen closely.
Coyote had always loved Moon, for she was soft, splendid and radiant. However, Moon was always teasing Coyote. Coming and going as the days passed. Every night she would wink down at coyote playfully. And in addition to this little game, every now and then she would completely just disappear without a trace. This would get Coyote concerned and worry of her whereabouts. But, the following day, she would pop back up and wink again down at him as though nothing had happened, as if she were always there. After a short while, these games and tricks annoyed and aggravated Coyote. However, time after time this would continue on and it came to the point that Coyote did not know what to do. His frustration built into more and more angst, until one day, he came to realize, in order to subdue his torment and suffering, he must find a way to catch Moon and keep her for himself. That would be the only way for him to stop these silly games and rather he could enjoy all their time always together.
“Now if you let evil thoughts or depression into your mind it would creep inside you and cut your soul,” the sage interjected.
“And so one day, Coyote went to Sun, brother of Moon, who loved all the creatures that he shown upon. Coyote knew that he was the only one who could help since Sun must know his sister well. Sun did listen to Coyote’s dilemma carefully and hated seeing him so pain stricken. He wanted to help him, but told Coyote that Moon could only walk the earth when she filled the sky and shone her brightest. He further related that once, within every century or so, Moon would grow to such a size so that she could collect all her light. Then, right after nightfall, she would come down to earth to visit, only to return to her place in the sky before the following morning. So is the nature of things.
Coyote asked Sun what to do, but Sun shrugged him off saying, “My means are limited to shine my light. I control not the moods and behaviors of my sister. Even if I could caste my light upon my sister to help her come down, she still must touch the sky and earth before she could walk the ground. I have no way to make her grow to such size.”
Coyote filled with sudden hope asked Sun if he would help with an idea for a plan. Sun agreed with a warning, “Just as night falls, Moon may walk the plains under starlight, but must return to her place in the late evening sky before daybreak.” Coyote promised to follow his instructions and told him to wait for his call.
The next night Moon came out to wink down to Coyote as she always did. However, to her surprise, she did not see him. The next night came and passed without any sign of Coyote. Then the following night and the next one after. As the nights continued to pass Moon began to fret and worry. Each night her worries grew, she in turn grew: brighter, growing and glowing. And on the night that her worries grew to such a size, she laid there filling the sky. With despair she lingered over the horizon. When she actually touched the horizon, to her surprise she saw Coyote come out on top of the highest cliffside and began to howl. Just as his cries echoed throughout the valley, up came Sun and shown his light onto Moon blinding her. Before Moon could understand or react, she was thrown to the earth and Coyote ran to her and snatched her by his teeth.
“Now you are mine. To stay with me here on the ground, forever,” hummed Coyote with delight.
However, Moon began to cry and to cry miserably. So would you if you were in her place. You see, she realized that as long as Coyote kept her on the ground, the night wouldn’t end and she couldn’t do anything about it.
Sun soon began to recognize this as well and he knew that day and night cannot dwell together. Soon he saw all the creatures of Earth become confused as the night animals were mixed up by the day, and the day animals by the night. This unbalanced quickly turned to chaos and the disorder brought suffering and plight.
Coyote was not pleased with the outcome. On one hand he was happy to finally have Moon to himself, and on the other he did not feel good that she was upset. Again, he felt helpless and wasn’t sure what to do. But before he could really dwell on the matter, Sun came to him and demanded that he release Moon. Coyote refused, “She has entranced me and bewitched me. I cannot release her back into the night.”
Sun reminded him of his promise, but Coyote responded, “As much as I feel compelled to fulfill my word, still, I cannot let her return from where she has come. My pain and torment would torture my soul for eternity as I would be forced upon her realm of night and return to her callous tricks and games.
Sun thought about his words and then said, “Then, night must be relinquished in order for Moon to remain on Earth and released from her binds.”
Coyote looked up with hope once again. Sun continued, “You must travel and carry the night with you. Go in the direction of my light and the darkness will follow your footsteps until she eventually is swallowed and disappears. Then, return to your Moon and all will be set in order.
Sun went closer to Moon and reassured her, “Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts. Rest assured, as much as I have caused this problem, I too will cause to fix it.”
Coyote followed Sun’s instructions and quickly left in the direction of Sun’s light. As Coyote ventured forth, sure enough, the darkness of the night followed close behind. The longer he walked on, the longer and thinner night stretched after. Like Sun had said, slowly darkness vanished and all was day.
Satisfied and excited, Coyote went back to Moon. But on his way back he felt a presence following him. Actually, he noticed that a shade had stuck behind him and was mimicking all his movements. If he went left, the shade went left. If he went right, so too did the shade. Annoyed and pestered by the vacant being, he tried to catch it. But every time the shade slipped away. He then tried to chase it away. But here too he failed, for the shade was just too quick. Coyote became confused and frightened and so he ran as fast as he could away from the shade. When he came back to where he left Moon, she was no where in sight. He began searching for Moon, but everywhere he went, she was not.
Then, Sun came to Coyote and told him that Moon had returned to the night forever and that from now on he would be cast with a shadow, “As the sun rises and the moon sets, your shadow will be your constant reminder by your side. Just as you had followed her lure, you were led astray. So, therefore, trust not your shadow, for a shadow is darkness that comes from the light. It is neither one nor the other, but the manifestation from the two. It is but a reflection that holds no truths or ends. If you forget yourself, you won’t even recognize your shadow.
Scared and enraged, Coyote barked, “What have you done? What am I to do now?”
Sun replied, “To rid of ourselves of our shadows, we must step into total light or total darkness. Make peace with your shadow. Unless you are unable to, you will never dare venture in the light.”
Unable to face the humiliation and grief, Coyote ran off into the night to find Moon, where he remains to this day. When the moon is full and up high in the sky, you can still hear him calling out in the night.
The old chief finished his fable with one last thing, “So now little ones, you know the sun and the moon cast shadows upon the days and that it is important to confront our shadows. To be friends with our shadows is to walk without a shadow of a doubt. And so, remember to keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will only follow behind you.”
Moishe Pipik © 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
