The heart is like a canyon

The heart is like a canyon.

In much the same way wind and water transform common sandstone into a living cathedral, the heart is carved out by the wild wisdom ways of embodied existence on the planet.

It hurts, this process of being shaped and re-formed through direct engagement with the mighty river that roars through the soft tissue of embodied existence.

For many years, I held Life at arm’s length, preferring thought over action, favoring the intellect to the river of feeling that carves a path through me.

But now I prefer my Life this way: hands-on. 

My heart aches as I reflect on feeding my mother with a spoon for the first time at dinner. She’s not been eating much of late, but at least she’s not hungry tonight. 

Feeling wells up in me, also, for the beautiful young woman suffering from psychosis who I helped move into one of our communities this week. Alone, afraid, and in crisis, this young woman may not be able to sleep tonight, but at least she’s not out on the streets.

So little we can do about the winds and rains of Life, so little we can do to shore up the sandstone of our fragile lives.

But in the wreckage of what we’ve known, what beauty!

There’s no stopping the river of time, nor taming the forces of Life. 

I, for one, hope to welcome this great wild wind and raging river into my heart so that it, too, might become spare, weather-beaten, and wise.

I hope you can join us for the circle this week. All are welcome.

RSVP

Our free soul-tending circle will be held this week on Friday, April 7, from 4-6 pm PST/7-9 pm EST.

Email your interest to anna “at” gaiashamanism “dot” com for this week’s zoom invitation.  All skill levels are welcome.