The Invitation

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life's betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
"Yes."

It doesn't interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

© Mountaindreaming, from the book The Invitation published by HarperSanFrancisco, 1999 All rights reserved

I run before the sun gets up.... I'm half awake from a night full of dreams, thoughts, hope and love, and slowly massaging my body by putting on tight running shorts and T-shirt seems like a continuity of a vivid astro projection throughout the universe.

I gratefully drink a big glass of water, maybe a light protein shake and jump outside. The dark sky welcomes me, the fresh air flows deep down into my internal being and I smile, "Thank you, I love you, thank you so much!" I can hear the birds sing the music of a new glorious day and the rattle of the leaves in the wind whispers magical secrets from the night. The moon is still observing us proudly from above and the stars look happy in peace and harmony with the spin.

I spread my arms wide open, breathe deeply, feeling the air expanding my lungs and off I go. I run in the mountains. The roads are narrow, the fall is steep and the incline makes my thighs tense and sends shivers out through my body from the Achilles, up through the strong knees, hips, and spine and all the way through to my rosy fingertips. I'm grounded and the gentle repetitive impacts caress the soles of my feet and I feel lucky sensing the breath of Mother Earth. She's alive and her belly raises and lowers with every in- and exhalation like a little child safe in the arms of the embracing mother. Glimmering light is streaming down through my Crown Chakra and its energy and charm makes me blush and giggle of joy and trust. I can feel the aura of my surroundings, the trees are happily flirting with the birds, the branches beat the rhythm of my pace and the smell is sweet and full of life. I feel childlike and I feel free.

The clouds..... Oh the clouds are a world for themselves. Light cotton balls silently flowing on the blue ceiling and inviting the sun to paint one masterpiece after another on their soft beautiful bodies. Amazing fractals are created in front of my nose tip and shiny rays kiss the ocean and leave me round eyed in wonder and grace.

Suddenly everything changes. The colors have jumped a spectrum and the sky has lit up faster than the miles I just left behind. I can hear a cow having a conversation with her offspring and I turn around now running towards this early morning's starting point. I'm running towards a little green house in the mountains with the fresh flowing water and magic stones in every corner, and an incredible 3 floor tall crisping crackling bamboo as guardian angel.

This place is full of wonder and I'm spellbound by its power and charm. I feel safe and I feel light and warm. I breathe, touch and create. I suddenly feel in tune with myself and the universe, everything seems perfect and I'm full of trust and love. The sensations and colors are stronger than ever and tears run down my cheeks.

We are and everything is just so amazing incredible wonderful!....