Crossing the Bridge

The guides had been gathering for weeks. Cecilia knew them as hers for they had come before when she initially called for them in her early shamanic practices. For decades the same seven, one representing each of the three-dimensional Directions, have surrounded her with protective, empowering energies. Now they are preparing her to cross over into a life between incarnations.

After a period of watchfulness, her guide from the East approached. "Do not speak of our individual identities with others," the guide said. "We are here for only you. Others must find their understandings of this phenomenon through their own guides, for the processes are different for everyone, despite the commonalities that may be experienced. Just know for now that we are with you. Is this agreeable to you?"

Cecilia nodded, for words were hard to form and intuition told her to save her waning energies. Then she exhaled deeply and settled more comfortably in her bed. Closing her eyes, she heard a rustle next to her -- a soft sound of her guide from the South taking up its post.

"What is the first thing you want to see?" the guide asked. Tell us if you prefer exotic or healing colors and scenery."

Although she still didn't speak, she found her mind able to create welcoming light blues of early morning skies, darker blues of flowing rivers, pine and grass greens of trees and meadows, five pointed blossoms of lavenders and fuchsias, sprinkled upon the mountainsides, and sparkling whites on the snow capped peaks.

"Lovely," the guide from the South said. "We will make it so for you."

"But isn't there supposed to be a tunnel?" Cecilia asked telepathically. "Many sources talk about that. And a super bright light. And a deity-like being? And maybe relatives and pets who have crossed before?"

"Is that what you'd like for your reintegration?" asked the East guide.

"You can decide to experience that, if you wish," confirmed the guide from the South.

"Those images aren't part of your belief system," came the clarification from a guide. "People see what their consciousness expects to see, has been trained to see."

Cecilia wasn't sure if that voice was from a Four-Footed, a Winged One, a Finned One, or a Creepy Crawly. Nor could she discern whether the wisdom originated with the Spirit of topographical features, astrological configurations, or a representative of the world of Flora. Nonetheless, it had the sound of Truth.

I suppose the tunnel is more symbolic than literal. A visual metaphor for the transition between entering the dark mysteries of the shamanic process and exiting into the enlightenment of the Summerland, she reasoned. And there are no relatives, pets or deities I'd want to see. My guides and perhaps distant native ancestors would be enough.

Laugh lines crinkling and cheeks rising, she smiled, and felt the cool dew under her bare feet as she stood in her mind's eye waiting for the guide from the West to join her. From some distant spot on the Pacific horizon the gentle tones of a native flute carried on the breeze bringing her a sense of deeper peace.

"Soon it will be time," said the voice from the West, "and when you are ready you can begin your walk with curiosity and gratitude. Your heart will tell you when to take the first step, and your mind will know you are safe and eager to do so.

Cecilia reached out to stroke the guide's shoulder in appreciation.

The guides from the North, the Below, and the Above arrived together. "You have learned the lessons you intended to learn in this lifetime," the North guide said.

"And you have passed those lessons on to more souls than you know, changing their perspectives in helpful ways," said the guide from the Above.

"You will carry the knowing from these lessons with you down the next pathways you choose," assured the guide from the Below.

The old woman took another long, slow, deep breath, feeling completely relaxed. "There is a little time left," her guide from the Within whispered to her. "Know that we will not leave until you cross the bridge, complete your recovery from the woundings of this planet, and begin your next life's planning. Your new guides will assist you with that. Sleep now, and wake refreshed to complete all that you choose to finish."

No one else could see the guides, but Cecilia felt their presence, patient and loving, kind and empowering, waiting for her signal to step free from the burden of her dis-ease and the pain it had become.

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