Reading Your Story

If you are anything like me then you love a good story. Stories are waiting to be read wherever you look. There are plenty of books published every year, the novels, the poetry collections, the non-fiction delights, and I enjoy all those, but I am also speaking of the narratives that emerge from the contact each individual makes with those stories. You could say that from each story a thousand others are born, as diverse as the people reading them, and yet despite this diversity we are not separated by our personal engagement with a text because as human beings we all have access to the universal archetypes that inevitably emerge in one form or another through every story.

Stories are 'written' in more places than books. As I see it the word is written into all things something like the DNA of our journey through life. The textuality of our physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual being requires literacy to be read and understood and then acted upon. What manner of literacy is this that can read a text that is not written in the usual languages of communication? It is a literacy that requires emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, and balance. These are topics which will be elaborated on in this lens. Most importantly it is a literacy that encourages a listening heart in the encounter with metaphor, symbol, and sign. It is allowing the story to speak.

There is a lot that gets in the way and hinders our hearing including the stories of others expectations of ourselves, our own egos refusing to hear, an education that places no value on a child developing their natural talents and true nature. Hearts become clouded, intellects become confused, and emotions run riot. The inner being is caged and rendered ineffectual, calling out and waiting to speak. Through this lens you can share my exploration of effective ways to reveal our own stories and to find others that speak to us. So we can clean the heart, clear the intellect, calm the emotions and thereby unlock the cage and begin to hear the authentic voice that speaks truly.

By 'book' I mean all those places where stories can be read. So a 'book' can be the tree in the garden or the river that runs through town. It could be a dream or a painting that speaks to you. That does not mean that the conventional book, published and bound, is not equally important. How wonderful is a good book that takes us to a different world and nourishes our imagination, leaving us in some way changed? The experience is invaluable as it plunges us into perspectives we might otherwise never have become familiar with.

I also look at the work of those who have reflected on and written about the phenomena of story and its symbols and archetypes. Not only do they help us understand the rich pool of living guidance available but their works are in themselves stories for when a story sincerely moves us then it contains a truth we need to know and those shining nuggets of authentic wisdom can be found equally in some non-fiction works as much as in some novels or poetry.

Do you feel unsure of what to do next in life? Do you have an important decision to make but you are hesitating about the right course of action? Or do you want to understand more about yourself and your unique talents? These questions and many more are asked by all of us at some point in our lives. I believe we all have our own story. Not the one that lists the biographical details of our lives but the one behind that, the story that is often hidden, waiting to emerge into daylight but continuously frustrated by the seeming necessities of life, the masks we put on to please, or to earn an income. The list is endless. The real story that is you breaks through the surface at times but never for long enough. You might also call that story your 'destiny' or your 'true inner self'. It is the best story of all.

Have you noticed how some things in life have a tendency of returning? It could be a recurring dream, maybe you have an idea, an intention, an interest, and then you forget about it. Life is too busy. Inevitably a reminder occurs, sometimes years later, and you remember, oh yes that's something I wanted to do. Start tracing these forgotten moments and passing interests and you may well see a theme emerging that expresses something essential about who you really are and how your inner being is attempting to tell you what direction to take. One of the best ways to begin this uncovering is to always have a pen and paper to hand, wherever you go. Jot down anything that attracts your attention. Ideas, responses to books you have read or movies you have seen. The people you relate to well, sudden inspirations. Review your notepad regularly and note any commonalities you see.

That is the daily, here and now work, but we also need to look at the bigger picture. Browse through old photos, as far back in your life as you can go. Choose the ones that say most to you and take a quiet moment to remember and reflect. Again, write anything that comes to mind while you are doing this even if it does not appear to directly relate to the photo. Once you begin to see a theme or two go for a walk or enter a quiet space and consider to what extent you have engaged in, or ignored, those activities close to your heart. For example maybe you had a passion for music as a child and wanted to learn how to play an instrument but your parents had other plans for you. As an adult you enjoy listening to music but you don't find the time to do more than that. If you notice that music is a theme that constantly surfaces in some form or other in your memories then you have an indication that this is something you could pursue further. The entire universe is speaking to you if you stop and listen. So if you suddenly meet a musician or see piano classes advertised then hear that as a voice confirming your inner instinct.

That was one example of how finding themes works. As a Sufi student I feel grateful to have a guide who helps me to separate the chaff from the grain. There is always the danger of becoming entangled in other people's expectations or the schemes of your own ego. If you know a genuine, sincere person who has some experience in this direction then it is good to speak with them for feedback.