Summary

A meditation practitioner shares a transformative story about a bird's quest to unite with the Sun, symbolizing the journey of self-discovery and inner growth.

Abstract

The narrative revolves around a bird adorned with rainbow-colored feathers that seeks to get closer to the Sun, its source of warmth and light. Despite facing challenges and burns from the Sun's intense rays, the bird persistently tries to reach its friend. An old tree advises the bird that only light can reach light and that the Sun's purpose is to transform everything into itself. The bird, determined to shine like the Sun, eventually decides to renounce its feathers and merge with the Sun, symbolizing a spiritual transformation. The author invites readers to reflect on the story's wisdom and share their insights, emphasizing that there is no right or wrong interpretation, only the existence of the experience itself.

Opinions

The author believes the story holds valuable lessons for personal growth and encourages readers to engage with its teachings.
The bird's journey represents an individual's quest for deeper understanding and connection with a higher purpose or truth.
The old tree's advice suggests that transformation requires a profound change that may involve letting go of one's current form or identity.
The bird's willingness to sacrifice its feathers for unity with the Sun illustrates a commitment to spiritual evolution, even at the cost of personal loss.
The author values community interaction and feedback, inviting contributors to respond to the story and share their perspectives.
The postscript implies an acceptance of diverse interpretations, highlighting the subjective nature of truth and understanding.

A Journey Of Inner Transformation

Thursday transformational storytelling.

A while ago I enrolled in a 40 day online meditation retreat and today was the 35th day. One of the guides told a story that I’d really like to share with our Know Thyself family, as well as with everyone on a journey of discovery and growth. Had to translate it from my native language into English, so I hope it reads well.

Once upon a time, there was a bird with feathers the colors of a rainbow, who lived in a garden filled with flowers and proud trees. The bird would always start its day by admiring Mother Nature’s views, contemplating the light and heat of the Sun that would delicately soak its feathers.

“This warm light wakes me up each morning and takes such gentle care of me throughout the day. I wonder if I could get to know it better, to thank and play with it”

When woken up by the pleasant light, the beautifully color feathered bird would say: “Thank you for your warmth” and, as days passed, the two became good friends.

With time, it began flying higher and for longer, in attempt to feel as close as possible to the source of light, to experience its delightful gifts, but, each time, the bird seemed to return a little more upset from its adventure than before. It noticed that the closer it tried to get to the source, the light would become stronger and the heat harder to bear. It was almost as if the bird was being kept at distance by the burn caused by the powerful rays.

However, it continued to persist in its endeavors, refusing to give up. The playful light would visit each morning, causing the bird’s desire to grow bigger and bigger. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to change and it would come back more exhausted every time, failing to understand why it couldn’t reach its friend.

One day, noticing its constant efforts, the old tree who offered the bird its branches as shelter, decided to interfere and said:

“If you fly too close to the Sun, it will burn your feathers and you will experience pain.”

The bird listened mesmerized and asked: “Sun? What’s that? And why would it do that to me? Why would it hurt me?”

The tree replied: “The Sun is your friend, your light. It lives somewhere far away where you can’t get to, but it sends its rays to you, giving you the chance to cherish and enjoy life.”

“Still, why can’t I get to know this Sun?”

“Because only light can reach light” the wise, old tree answered. “Its mission is to transform everything into itself, into light and just shine.”

“I want that, I want that! I want to shine bright like the Sun” the bird exclaimed, enthusiastically.

The tree looked at the bird with compassion and said: “You already are shining. A little bit of light is found within each of your feathers. They all carry bits of your friend in them.”

The bird was unsatisfied with the answer and promised both itself and the tree that it would not quit trying to fly higher.

When the warm light woke it up the following morning, the bird jumped and began flying, while talking to its friend, the Sun: “My beloved friend, today I am coming to you. Finally we can meet and play together.”

“My dear, for this you must be prepared to renounce your beautifully colored feathers and follow the light to the very end. Are you sure that is what you wish for?”

The bird took one last look at its feathers and thought long and hard before making a choice. Eventually, it decided it was ready to become one with the Sun. It gathered all its strength and flew towards the Sun with no hesitation, despite of the light becoming a fireball burning its feathers. Before disappearing and melting into an ocean of light and fire, the bird heard the tree from afar whispering “See you tomorrow morning, when you’ll soak my branches and leaves with your warmth and love.”

I believe this story is filled with wisdom teachings and I’m curious to discover whether it resonated and what could be learned from it. I’m encouraging everyone who reads it to leave a feedback on this post or publish something in response to it. I’ll be tagging some of the contributors in the publication, but please, feel free to engage and interact even if you’re not part of it or if you haven’t been tagged! The more insights, the better.

P.S: There is no right or wrong. There just is.

Shobnum Alam, Dreamer’s Way, Pashew Nuri, Jean Carfantan, Asif Inzamam, Daily Thoughts., Devieka Bopiah, Patrick Paul Garlinger, Ph.D., J.D., Kira Dawn

Namaste!