The face in the mirror

Somewhere deep in the mountains lies a mystical Temple.

A Temple unlike any other, filled with love and union, understanding and courage, true power and camaraderie, bliss and compassion, joy and acceptance, and the ever-lasting peace that the sincere and hungry heart is always searching for. No wonder that so many seekers around the world are trying to find it.

And so it happens that one day someone reaches the Temple, tired and thirsty, after a long and hard journey. A relaxed, attentive and smiling old man is watching from the above doorsteps.

Welcome, says the mysterious man, offering a glass of sparkling cold water to the thirsty traveler.

Thank you, says the traveler. And while drinking the precious water he gets a taste of the Divine.

Is this it, asks the now refreshed seeker.

Indeed, it is, the home of the Soul. We’ve been waiting for you, says the old man in a honest but playful manner.

The wind is blowing strong, pine trees are bending over while listening to this unusual conversation.

How much do I have to pay, asks the traveler, while searching his bag for his precious golden nuggets.

Well, says the doorkeeper, if they are of great importance to you, you better leave them all. And then he started laughing. The traveler was unsure of what to think, but shared in the laughter also.

I’m just kidding, says the doorman, we’ve got plenty of those inside the Temple. There is one test you will have to go through. 

The atmosphere turned quiet. From behind the closed doors, he then brings out a big, covered object.

Now then, says the old man while uncovering a big rounded mirror, this will serve as a test for entering the Temple. The mirror was perfectly clean like the mind of the old man who now had a big smile on his face. You can enter and stay as long as you wish, but only after you gaze in it for 5 minutes, he continued.

But of course, says the now enthusiastic traveler, not realizing the magnitude of the moment.

I must look in it for 5 minutes? That’s all? 

That would be all, the doorkeeper smiles and nodes as if he had seen this countless time before. I will keep the time, he ads and then proceeds to arrange the mirror.

Finding himself in front of this big mirror with reddish wooden frames, the traveler is curiously looking at the small inscribed text on top of the frame “At every turn of the road, you’ll face yourself”.

When you feel ready, says the wise looking old man.

I am ready, comes the somewhat hurried response, and the seeker’s gaze falls in the mirror.

The mirror started reflecting happenings from his life, childhood memories, dreams and even people that he no longer remembers. It reveals faces and places he loved, brothers and sisters he left behind.

One minute passes, but time and space became irrelevant for the traveler. He smiles at the sight of some childhood memories, and laughs at others. His heart is crying with joy when the mirror reveals one of his most prized memories;

While bathing in the river as a child, he used to have a now forgotten connection with nature. He was lying in a stream, face up, gazing at the clear clouds above him, and had no worries on his mind. The water slowly carried him downstream and the clouds were blown by the winds in the same direction. Time and space, mind and place, they all connected all in and around him. Such was his joy, he had no words to describe it, only tears to honor it. And so, the traveler cried tears of joy.

Three more minutes, the doorkeeper announced nonchalantly.

The beautiful images, the clear sky, and wonderful feelings started to change. Nostalgic and fearful images were taking their place. The traveler’s heart began to shrink.

Memories repressed, dark and mean things that were done by him or to him appeared in the mirror. His failures and shortcomings were all revealed one by one. Nothing was being hidden. Afraid and helpless, the traveler started to look away from the horror.

In the mirror, look in the mirror, said the old man. There are two more minutes, he added.

Now, everything that he ever loved appeared in that dark vision. Everything and everyone he ever cared for were present, and they all screamed in great pain while falling into the abyss of his darkest fears.

Despair, the traveler turned away in despair. No more, he shouted, no more! 

Are you sure? Asked the doorkeeper.

But the traveler was already running down the mountain as fast as he could, turning his back on the Temple and everything in it in the process.

You can come back anytime! Said the wise old man, having only the pine trees there to listen. And then he turned towards the mirror; I told you to be gentle, we only get one in a thousand.

I'm here only to reflect, said the mirror.