The Free Radical

North-South, East-West, Up-Down– six directions in three dimensions– these are the external directions, co-ordinates in the matrix. The seventh direction leads outside of the matrix, and here, again, we encounter a seeming paradox. The way out of the labyrinth is in the inward direction. You have to travel in to get out.

Most spiritual or religious traditions mistakenly focus on the vertical axis, the up-down vector, when seeking a higher order. This is definitely not what the actual founders of these traditions taught. The answer to the plight harassing humanity does not lie somewhere above the clouds, or in outer space; nor does the just punishment for our digressions await beneath our feet. No, all that we seek in terms of salvation lies in the direction of our own hearts. Our sacred journey is ever inward, toward the center of our own hearts, and the path is called love. Historically, it is The Road Not Taken.

We are the players in a game, actors on a stage, taking ourselves ever-so-seriously. Our ego identities are the roles that we play, and sometimes we get fooled into believing that that is all that we are: meat-bags with personalities. We carry around vague notions of souls like spare change forgotten in our pockets. “Yes, um, yes, I believe I have a soul…” we stammer while patting our clothes… “gotta be around here somewhere.”

Well, no, not really. Your soul, your higher self, your infinite I, your authentic self– whatever you wish to name it– it is not here in the matrix; it is not lost in the labyrinth with you. Ellie (the name I use for my soul; see The Mouse In the Maze and His Flying Elephant – audio)– Ellie is actually the creator of the maze, the external world of your experience. Ellie writes the script for all the actors in your play– your life. Ellie loves you, and so she must respect your free will.

You have the freedom to choose in every moment how you will respond to the circumstances assigned to you from your own Ellie. Her task is to provide for you valuable lessons in limitation within the illusion. As you respond with judgement and fear, you will inexorably move deeper and deeper into limitation. Your reality– within the illusion– will get smaller and smaller. As you respond with love, appreciating and enjoying the show– even as you’re in it– you will move into a larger expanding reality, having learned better and better how to be the embodiment of unconditional love.

Love is the only truth in the illusion, and truth is imperishable. Have you noticed that all the other emotions come and go, are very temporary and insubstantial? But true love always endures. Your own mother can sometimes really piss you off, but is there honestly a moment when you don’t love her? Of course not. Love is real; that’s why it persists. It stands above all conditions and cannot be touched by them… because love created all the conditions.

You have certain fears. Perhaps some of them you’ve carried around with you all of your life. Now what is love to do, what should Ellie create for you to address these crippling fears? Does love shelter you and keep you small, hiding you away from anything which might threaten your peace? Or rather, does love, bit by bit, lead you along the pathway which allows you to finally face those fears, and eventually overcome them? Ellie has to serve up every vile and demanding thing which threatens your emotional well-being because her only directive is love. She will challenge you to face everything which you harbor inside that is not of love. In learning love’s lessons thus, you are purified. You become love’s being; you become one with Ellie.

The seventh direction is this connection with Ellie,
Deep in the belly of fear’s own reflection;
For the previous six are part of the matrix,
and will lead you nowhere except to more fear,
and perhaps a quick fix, a few parlor tricks,
a litany of lies and a reason to jeer.
Love’s inward path cuts straight through the maze
As hate turns to wrath and neither saves face;
For nothing is real, but that which you feel
among the traps and the lures, applying your cures…
But nothing endures except this appeal
To turn inward and love the whole crazy show
And you know… you can go… and talk to her– though
she already knows whatever you might disclose.
Is it you discovering you, in love, you suppose?