The other night I had a dream...
I was traveling through the forest, in the mountains. It was cold, and wet, and dark, and the stars were unfamiliar to my eyes. I had been hiking for miles, for days, and I was weary and despaired. As I walked through the trees I saw a campfire ahead in a clearing.
"Hello there" called the old man, "please come and share the warmth of my fire and rest."
As I sat down to shake off the dampness he asked, "To where do your journeys take you, my son?"
"I don’t know", I remarked, "I’ve lost my way and I suspect I’ve been walking in circles. I can’t seem to find my way."
The campfire danced in his youthful eyes. "Are you so certain?" he asked, "Let me tell you a story..."
There are two wolves that dwell within the souls of every person...
"I’ve heard this one" I said.
"Have you?" he asked, and then continued...
The first wolf is the White Wolf. A fiery and passionate creature, representing our hearts and emotions. It is the embodiment of love, of empathy, of compassion and creativity. She wants to guide us towards kind and heartfelt actions, nurturing the connections we have with others. The White Wolf is strong and powerful, but lacks vision and can be susceptible to anger and fear.
The second wolf is the Black Wolf. A cold and calculating figure, symbolizing our mind and intellect. It stands for logic, for reason, and for critical thinking. He aims to lead us down the path of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. The Black Wolf is careful and cunning, but is timid and callous, and lacks conviction.
These two wolves are constantly vying to influence our choices and actions. They offer us different perspectives, and neither should dominate the other.
"So, which one wins, old man?" I smirked.
They must work together, for in harmony, they lead us towards a life of wisdom and kindness. The wolf that wins is the one you choose to follow in each moment. Sometimes our heart’s passion propels us forward, and at other times, our mind’s thoughtful reasoning finds the way. The true victory is in understanding when to let each wolf guide you on your journey for a balanced and fulfilling life.
That is where we find the third wolf. The Grey Wolf. When both the White Wolf and the Black Wolf can find harmony in their stride. The Grey Wolf understands the necessity of both sides and strives to make peace between them.
The Grey Wolf teaches us that there is balance between our darker tendencies and our virtue. That there is passion, yet peace; that there is serenity, yet emotion; that in the chaos there is order; and that in loss there is rebirth. By finding balance and by making fully conscious choices, we can forge our own path that leads to harmony, understanding, and fulfillment.
The next morning when I awoke, the campfire had been doused and was gently smoking.
The old man was nowhere to be found.
But the sky was clearer...
And at the edge of the clearing was a path that I had not seen the night before.
"Thank you father" I whispered, as I packed up my gear to continue along my way.
[This message edited by SerJR at 6:33 PM, Saturday, October 14th]
