One night while in meditation, I envisioned myself dying and it gave me a lot to think about. I saw a vision of myself standing on this huge wharf constructed of really heavy timbers fronting on to a wide and swiftly flowing river. The wharf was a representation of my present life, as I knew it, quite vivid and strong in my mind. The area of land behind me represented my past and the river in front of me, was my future.
Across the river was a ferryboat. I hailed the Ferryman who acknowledged my signal and made his way across to me. He had to paddle up the river and allow the current to drift him back down to me. When he tied up at the wharf he asked me which way I wanted to go? My choices were up the river, down the river or across the river. He told me that these choices represented the paths to my new life.
Up the river would mean choosing a hard long struggle with lots of lessons to learn along the way, but ultimately a great advance in spiritual growth. Down the river would be an easy and restful life with not much work to do, but very little learnt and also glimpses of my past life. Overall, quite pleasant but not fruitful. Across the river meant a short struggle upriver with lessons learnt on the trip up and a rest as we drifted back down to reach the riverbank on the far side.
On reaching the other side, my choice would then be to wander the new land, choosing my own direction with mistakes made along the way, but all of these would be lessons learnt. I would also meet all kinds of people who would be making similar journeys and I would have to tolerate them, their beliefs and their behaviour. Ultimately, this journey would bring me to another wharf and another river to cross.
The Ferryman said there was one more choice that I had, but he would need payment to divulge the information about this other alternative. I thought about this for awhile and then crossed his palm with silver and gave him half of my food rations. He seemed content with this and then told me that I was to remain on the wharf and wait for my guide who would lead me to the white light and take me to a heavenly place. This is where I could rest for awhile and seek council from other guides who were wise in the ways of life. I could spend time with my guide and reflect on my previous life and look at mistakes made and the lessons learnt. He would also help me in choosing what decisions I would need to make when I decided to go back to the earthly plane and commence my new life.
I am glad that I didn't hesitate for long in paying the ferryman.
What decision would you make?
- Mal Palmer