Inner deaths. Those little changes that represent a growth period, but do end a facet of your existence. When it feels like an iron door has slammed shut, but was it really “abandon all hope ye who enter here”? For me it was more of an entering into the world, and in a way more a gain of power and life rather than a loss. Much like the baptismal ceremonies of many faiths. In Buddhism they have a baptism by conflict ceremony. Mine was not so formalized, nor so short and merciful, but it did happen.
Ritual often in this day and age loses power. It doesn’t speak to the mind/soul like it should. In the ancient hermetic mysteries there is a decent into hell and then the lessons of transcendence. The purpose is to provide experience of the truth. We don’t learn from words alone. Normally the initiate is given the wisdom before the descent not after.
Much like the books of the dead, when living this life in a shallow spirit you were dying since the day you were born. We fear life because we fear its reverse side. So to seek the truth then test it in the descent can change your understanding. So you cease seeing those forces as dual. One never gains understanding of growth without the descent into hell. The iron door is both on the prison and the sanctuary.
Sit and wait on life for a moment, before you go swimming in the stream again. But you are thrown back in the stream. The fall is a shove from on high and a boost from below. And thus you are here and there in paradoxical harmony. There is no innocence just varying degrees of guilt. Oneness wins not by struggle, but by letting separateness think it’s on top.
One is laying there with the devils foot on their chest, and then realizes they are the devil and gets off of their own chest. Until this realization, you suffer and suffer because you choose it. And the people will cheer. It’s the game that nobody likes but we all play. It’s the only game in town.
Your thoughts are welcome. Be well friends.
Travis Saunders
Dragon Intuitive
~science,mysticism,spirituality~