Kundalini Splendor

My friend Karen came for a visit and we drove the famous Trail Ridge Highway up from Estes Park. This is one of the most spectacular drives in the country, for sure. Great mountains rise in the distance, wildlife abounds, and at the summit, you are literally at the Continental Divide. Here it is always cold. There is in fact frost on the ground for many months of the year, and indeed, the earth is covered with fragile tundra, which is found only in Alaska and Russia besides this stunning location.

In the distance from the highway, you can see Long's Peak, favorite climb for those interested in mountain adventures. Here is a story about such a climb.

Many years ago, my friend Carol Konek, then 14, was camping at the foot of the mountain along with her father and brother, who had planned an ascent for next day. Carol was to wait below. But when dawn came, the brother was sick and couldn't go on the climb. So her father, not to be deprived of his adventure, woke up Carol and told her to get ready to go up the mountain with him. She was totally unprepared. She had done no training for such an arduous undertaking. But off she went at her father's bidding, and up they went together.

The climb was long and tiring and at times terrifying. Often she didn't think she could go on, but on she went, inch by inch, foot by foot. Finally, in total exhaustion, they reached the top and came back down safely.

Carol, an extremely brave and dauntless woman, has always observed that after making such a climb, she knew that she could do anything she chose in her life. And she has.

Frankly, I think that kundalini is a similar challenge. We don't know exactly whre the path is or where it is going to lead. We may not feel ready. We may not be in touch with those who have gone before us. At times we are uncertain whether or not we are "doing it right" or if we will even survive. But climb we must, and trust we do, for we know that however uncertain we may be, how unsure the outcome, it is the right path for us and that we would not choose any other.

We are intrepid travelers, as much as the mountain climbers with their packs and staves. Our pack is all the wisdom we have accumulated beforehand, everything we have learned or experienced in our lives. Our staff is our inner direction, the ever present guide who leads us always in the right direction.