A lovely sunset-bathed butterfly landed in my mailbox yesterday. A Danaus plexippus. Written gingerly across the inside span of its wings was this poetic message:
Any path is only a path, and there is no affront, to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you…
Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself, and yourself alone, one question…
Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn’t, it is of no use.
Carlos Castaneda has spoken (The Teachings of Don Juan). Of course, he had a little help in the form of autumn earth goddess -- Vendella the Wise.
Is it so apparent to all the world that I’m forever seeking answers…that there is always a question?
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Danaus plexippus
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2 comments:
You're a sweetheart as always. The questions keep you alive, don't they?
When I was in college I took a basic philosophy class (one of those pesky required things) and all semester I felt like I was going out of my mind. It raised so many questions and my brain spun like crazy with all the possibilities of such a grand universe that we live in.
Too many for my pea brain, really.
When I was contemplating the move back to Arkansas from California I was tormented by the fork in my road. Once I began to tread down whichever path I was going to take, it felt like it would be a final and irrevocable change in my life. It wasn't like I could go a little way then backtrack and take the other path if this one didn't suit me.
I wish I had read that Carlos Castaneda sentiment back then.
However, just before I dove in, I took a deep breath and realized that it didn't really matter which path I took -- that it wasn't really like a fork in the road in the literal respect. Once I made my decision, the other path would cease to exist and whatever decision I made would be okay -- because it always is.
That thought gave me a profound sense of calm.
Maybe it's in my nature to choose the path with heart... or maybe I give it heart as I steadfastly meander on.
Yes, they do. But, there are times when I'd like to shut down completely. I think that's why I have an affinity for drugs -- the legal ones now! :-0 I can escape this mind for at least a little while...
I love your thought about the choice that ceases to exist. It is freeing. I'm going to ponder that one!
About the heart in your choices... I think it's some of both.
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