A SHAMANIC JOURNEY TO THE UPPER WORLD

I lay down,
a nervousness overcomes me not knowing what to expect.
The medicine man beats his drum 
It's slow and steady.
The staccato rhythm penetrates through my soul
to the core of my being.

I become one with the sound.
The nervousness wears off.
I slowly close my eyes
I journey to meet my teacher.
My head and body become listless.
I am completely relaxed and drift off
to another state of consciousness
into non-ordinary reality where
spiritual teachers reside.

I climb mount Everest.
the highest mountain in the world.
I'm afraid.
It's tough to get to the top.
I struggle with my breath.
I stop.
Suddenly, without warning I become fearless.

I can do this.  I am not afraid.
In a flash, the air becomes clear, and breathable.
I move ahead with no barriers.
I sense this is a world that has no judgements or negativity.
I feel at home and at peace.

I reach the top and stare toward the horizon.
I gaze above and below.
Such beauty, and majesty.
I see a figure approach me.
Are you my guide?"  I ask.
He answers back to me in my mind.
Telepathy.

"I am the gate keeper, but follow me,
"I will take you to your teacher."
We go to a cave.
There I see a gentle, older woman sitting next to a fire.
She motions to me to come forward and sit.

"Can you see the light through the darkness?"  She asks me.
I tilt my head and raise my eyebrows.

She laughs.
It's a deep hearty laugh,
I'm surprised that it's that type of laugh
from an older woman.

"Of course not, that's why you're here."
She tosses a stick into the fire.
I hear the crackling of the wood, 
and see shadows dance across the cave walls,  
as the flames rise higher , and higher and reach the top.
"What is your question?"
"I have many, but the main one is 
What am I supposed to do with my life?"

She reaches for another stick and
draws pictures in the sand.
I look closely at them but I can't make them out.

"Ahh yes.  Many people have come here asking that very question.  Your life's purpose.  A very important question indeed.
She drops the stick down and
stares into the fire, apparently at a loss for words.

I sigh. I rub my hands together.  Tap my fat up and down.
I get agitated.
I want an answer and I want it now!

"First things first, you need patience.
Breathe.  Be in the moment.  Live in the now.
Second thing's second, I can give you all the answers you need if that's what you want, but any and all answers you seek come from within.  However, you have come here looking for guidance and that is what I'll give you."

I'm mesmerized by her words.

"You have a passion yes?  Something deep within you that you know what you must do?

I nod my head instantly, but 
I think to myself, there's no way I can do that.
I'm not good enough to follow my dreams.
Then she spoke to me like she read my mind. 

"You know what it is.  Your soul knows.  You just forgot.  You let fear and doubt creep in your mind instead of following your passion.  Don't worry about what other people think of your destiny.  Your destiny is your own.  No one can tell you, you can't do something.  You most certainly can.  The universe is on your side. 
The universe of light and love."

"God?"

She throws another stick in the fire.  The flames roar up.

"If that's what you want to call it."
I stare into the fire.  Lost in thought.
A healer I must be I thought to myself.  But how?

I hear beating of the drums.

"I have so much more to ask."

"You can come back anytime you like."

"I will.  Thank you for your guidance."

The beating of the drums pulls me in closer and closer.
It holds me tight.  I can't escape it.  

I retrace my steps from where I came.
The drums get louder.  The beats hypnotic.
I feel myself drift back into consciousness.
I wiggle my toes, and my fingers.
Birds chirp outside.
I take a deep breath and slowly open my eyes.
I am rejuvenated, refreshed, and at peace.
I know what I must do.