The Way Up The Mountain



In Ancient Hebrew thought, each one of us is considered a pilgrim on a journey.  We have been sent from our Heavenly home, here to this earthly wilderness to experience refinement.  We left with full hopes of returning to our home, however, we did not realize that while we were away, there was the risk that we may forget our native language and the way we must travel to return.

This experience can be taught through a parable from Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov:
A King had an only son, the apple of his eye. The King wanted his son to master different fields of knowledge and to experience various cultures, so he sent him to a far-off country, supplied with a generous quantity of silver and gold. Far away from home, the son squandered all the money until he was left completely destitute. In his distress he resolved to return to his father's house and after much difficulty, he managed to arrive at the gate of the courtyard to his father's palace.
In the passage of time, he had actually forgotten the language of his native country, and he was unable to identify himself to the guards. In utter despair he began to cry out in a loud voice, and the King, who recognized the voice of his son, went out to him and brought him into the house, kissing him and hugging him.
Today, we may come to a place where we recognize that we are in the wilderness and want the comfort of home.  We may also realize that we do not know the way.  Like the Ancients understood, we travelers can find the way.


Imagine a trail.  In the wilderness and on the mountain side there are many trails, but there is one which leads Up the Mountain.   This is the trail which will lead all travelers home.  It can be found through observation & exploration; seeking & knocking, asking, and receiving or discovering.

Both Ancient and Modern Pilgrims understand that there are specific directions or instructions in which to follow the trail.  These directions and instructions show travelers the way.  They give warnings of upcoming cliffs and storms in which to prepare.

Pilgrims on this trail also understand that the trail needs to be walked to be preserved.  If not protected and preserved, the trail would become over grown or washed away and lost.  It is the duty of those travelers to lead out in this trail and preserve this path for fellow travelers.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

The flow of inspiration you receive never ceases to amaze me!

The Horizons of Thought said...

Beautifully written!

The Horizons of Thought said...

Beautifully written!