Myths and fairytales of all ages are filled with stories of individuals somehow compelled to seek their heart's desire, or something that will grant it to them. Some seek treasure, some glory, some seek lost or enchanted loved ones, or the keys that will open doors to freedom, wisdom or their own destiny. At heart, these stories are alway about the search of the psyche for self-knowing and wholeness.
Even the quest of the boastful Beowulf (boasting does not mean the same thing in ancient cultures as in ours) who seems to function on brute force and courage; even his quest to overcome the monster Grendel is a search for wholeness. Like the vast majority of these tales, Beowulf's search is a fundamental human search for the Light. It is fundamentally a spiritual quest.
One clue is that so many of these quests take the hero deep underground, into a deep cave, into the ocean's depths or into the underworld. The underworld is the archetype, the universal symbol for death and the potential for rebirth, the death of the old self and the birth of the new.
It is where we must all go in order to be transformed, into our own unconscious mind and the unconsciousness of humanity to face our own inner chaos, our fears, doubts, sins and ignorance. If we want to be truly free of our monsters, our lower selves, we must, like Beowulf, eventually make our way into the underworld. There is no other way to go.
Yet few of us dare, and those who often have no idea how to go about it. What is the way, we ask? What must I do? How can I get on the path?
The answers are within us. Truly. Not because we are so inherently wise but because it is only within that we can open the doors to the wisdom that is all around us, written into the very fabric of the universe and in the divine consciousness that sustains it.
Look within, said Jesus. "The kingdom of heaven is within you". The door is inside, and only you can open it. The key is not locked away. The path already lies before you….though you do not yet recognise it
However, wanting to find the door and open it is not enough. Spiritual awakening begins with certain preconditions: great need or desire; determination or will, and courage.
First comes the genuine and earnest DESIRE to know the truth
Then the WILL to seek and find the guidance you need, no matter what
and COURAGE, the courage seek and endure, to see things as they are, to grow, and to act on what you know to be true.
Only these can enable you to see what has always been waiting for you…your unique path.
Desire for truth comes from your spirit. If you seek truth, be sure that your ideals are aligned with spirit. And no matter how others discourage you, keep that desire alive in your heart.
Will is the determination, the commitment to actively seek guidance, especially from within, and to recognise it when it comes to you. If you seek but do not really want to see, you go nowhere. Your will must give you single-minded determination to seek answers, and to act on them when you find them.
For Courage exists only in action…in making choices and acting on them. It is your commitment to do what must be done, even in times of uncertainty. Courage is faith, faith in the meaningfulness or rightness of your actions, faith that you, humanity, the world are worthy of your efforts.
But what if desire is strong but will and courage are lacking: that is, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak?
This is the challenge that faces every truly courageous person who uses his or her reason. Fools rush in with blind courage, endangering themselves and everyone around them, and too often, losing the very things they had hoped to gain.
Consider Parzival (Perceval), the uncouth knight whose reckless, ignorant desire for glory leaves behind it a trail of suffering, pain and disappointment for others.
Through tests and humiliations, he must learn to heed his own intuition, to be patient, look within and polish his rough, immature ego to release the inner light. He must learn to distinguish between pridefulness, and the selfish desire to win approval and glory, and the higher qualities of true knighthood - its pure ideals, self-sacrifice, truthfulness and devotion to a spiritually noble cause. Only then is Parzival able to find and recognise the Holy Grail, and with the power of a pure heart, heal the wounded Fisher King and the land.
(Parzival and the Grail, by Edward Burne-Jones)
Courage arises from the heart. Clear your heart of selfishness, as Parzival had to do before he could emerge as the most worthy of all knights, and let your purpose be strong and unwavering.
When your desire is strong and pure, unclouded by inner conflict, spiritual forces will come to strengthen your will and your courage. You are not alone. Invisible hands are always waiting to support and guide you. Be like a child. Trust in those out-held hands and give yourself over to their loving care, for they, not you, know the way.
Become like a child as Parzival was in the forest: confused by his failures and humiliations, without preconceptions, washed clean of certainties, and humbly receiving the help he needs. It will come, not perhaps as you expect it or as soon as you want it, but it will come.
Tosca