meet me under the arch
Four years ago when I first met Daniela, we had agreed to meet in Santiago de Compostela after she finished walking the 800 kilometre French Camino. I had one direction, text me when you are going to arrive and meet me under the arch.
It had been years since I had been there, and well, I forgot that almost all the architecture in the ancient city had a feature, an arch.
So there I am at midnight walking the streets, arch to arch, noisily pulling my suitcase wheels over the cobblestone streets. The loud, laughing conundrum unfolding felt like a comedy version of Where's Waldo? Obviously, there are more known and significant arches that one should remember in a place like this, and I now do. She was referring to the large cavernous arch next to the cathedral which, other than at midnight, is always accompanied by a busking bagpiper. With a smile on my face as I share this memory, "meet me under the arch" will never be the same.
Now that I am back in Italy, the land of arches, I am realizing that they have become a contemplative focus for me, automatically. It's really beautiful. They pull me close. Like a child I'd love to walk through them all. There is something about the softness that is a delight. I've been trying to understand what happens for me.
When I think of my auric field, I imagine it to be soft and rounded. It has no sharp angles, therefore fits gracefully in this contour as if it belongs, making every arch provide a sense of belonging.
If an arch can signify a passageway it must be an invitation to come or to go. It also represents passages of time or seasons, daylight into night, childhood to cronehood, naivety to wisdom. If it is a place to meet, who do we meet? A love, an inspiration or prophetic teacher? Lately as I walk through arches I imagine that the inspiration of love I am meeting is me. My heart pulses with gratitude. This is what I'd like to bring into the world. This is what we all deserve to bathe in.
The less and less we allow the harsh and depressing news of the world dictate how our days are governed, the more and more we can become the act of love that can sweep our worlds in an equal force. We have been so trained to protect our hearts and judge right and wrong that the act of simply loving can somehow feel suspicious. However, when we hide our hearts from the world, we minimize its capacity to fill. Bring it on, I say.
What a great practice.. with conscious deep breaths into the moment infused with love, abandoning all conditions. Inhale to the self, exhale to all we are able to touch. There is nothing greater than the loving care of one another along the path.. just because we can.
Love to you with an arch, a bow and a smile,
Gisele
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