My journey has led me here to this place, a deserted island in the middle of an amazingly brilliant blue sea.
I am alone. I am like the Swiss Family Robinson, a castaway, unsure of how I am going to be rescued from this jewel in the sea. But there is nothing in me that fears. I look out at the sea. I look up at the sky, and realize that the sky is so blue, it's as though the sea and the sky have become one. Joined. United. Harmonious. Perfect.
I feel a sudden thrill within me, and I decide for the first time in my life to rid myself of any constraints that may bind me and naked, I dive into the sapphire sea. I swim out, and float on my back staring up at the vibrant sun, feeling its warmth even from the cool depths of the water.
I feel so alive, so vivacious and delighted. Giggles burst forth from deep within, with child-like enthusiasm. There is such freedom here. As I lazily float along, unaware and uncaring of anything and everything except the joy within me and the pleasure I feel in the moment, I don't feel the vibration of another creature beneath the surface headed straight for me with one purpose in mind: To bring me to a place of complete surrender.
It happens as quickly as a thought. One moment I am staring heaven-ward. The next, I am being swept away, deep into the blue sea by an animated octopus. Then just as suddenly, I am deposited on a bank of golden sand and the octopus has vanished. But it's not just a bed of sand; it's a tunnel that is strangely lit. Everything around me seems to sparkle as a sunbeam shining on translucent citrine. I stand up in all my naked glory, and take a deep breathe to internalize the moment in this seemingly magical passageway.
I walk slowly, observing, absorbing, and it almost seems to me that I smell the faint scent of citrus. I feel remarkably fresh and wonderful.
Ahead of me, a few yards away, I see what appears to be a doorway with a transparent door. Guarding the door is a simply dressed woman. As I get closer and closer to her, I discover that this woman looks exactly like me! Curiosity overcomes me, and I pick up my pace until I am face to face with this woman.
“Hello my dear,” the woman says in a serene voice. “I am so glad you've arrived.”
”Where am I?” I ask in a bit of a daze.
“This is the Passage of Freedom,” She responds with a knowing smile. “You are here to let go of everything that will hinder you on the rest of your journey. This is your first point of release.”
“Oh,” I say, trying to absorb this knowledge. “What must I release to pass through?”
“The first point of release is freedom from self-loathing, self-hatred, lack of self-acceptance. Only self-love can pass through this door.”
Without thinking, I respond, “I release it all. Please take it.”
I open my mouth, and out comes a long, knotted rope, each knot representing a blockage in my own self-love. She slowly pulls the rope out until each and every single knot has been removed. I feel a sudden lightness throughout my entire body, like I've suddenly been set free from bondage.
The door vanishes, and the woman says to me with a smile, “Self-love shall pass.”
I walk through the door as if by magic, and proceed along the passageway. I turn a corner, and come face to face with another woman with my face, my body, in essence, me.
“Hello there! You're just in time.” The woman remarks, looking at me kindly. “Welcome to the second point of release.”
“I understand. What must I do?”
“It's time to release all fear, worry, and doubt. Only faith shall pass through this door,” She responds, and touches my face with her hands. Instantly, it is like my body has become a power unto itself, and everything black starts to emerge from every pore. I am surrounded by a fog of darkness, eyes closed, and I feel the power of fear coursing through my veins, crying as the life is being sucked out of it. Fear, worry, and doubt have no place in any living thing. Fear is death! As the fullness of fear leaves my body, I watch it float into a large black carrier, which is given to an angel, whom I recognize as Archangel Michael, and is swiftly taken away.
I don't know how else to describe it, but I feel white! I feel cleansed and pure, as though absolutely everything is possible. What power is this? I am nearly beside myself with joy.
Once again I am transported through the vanishing door with the words, “Faith shall pass.”
I literally float down the corridor, not knowing what else is to come, but at this moment, this pure moment, I am peaceful and happy.
Within a few footsteps, I come across yet one more door. And once more, the image of myself stands with a kind greeting, but this time her message has changed.
“You have been traveling through the Passage of Freedom, and have been reconnected with self-love and pure faith. Is there anything else you feel necessary to proceed to true freedom?”
I must ponder that thought for a moment. And suddenly it comes to me. “I wish for genuine courage. I wish for endless inspiration and gratitude. I wish for the gift of patience. I wish for wise teachers to guide me. I wish to live in abundance. I wish to be open to all of the guidance provided by God and his team of angels and spirit beings. I wish to be my authentic self.”
“Is that everything?”
“I wish that if there is anything in the future that I wish to create in my existence that I have the power to do so, as long as it is for the good of all.”
“So let it be.” Was all she said and I walked through that final door, leading me back to the island in the sea and a band of angels ready to bring me back home.
The agile octopus that prompted my release from the bondage that was my life propelled me to places within myself I thought I was too afraid to go. I crossed through the Passageway to Freedom, leaving behind all that could possibly hinder me, knowing that I have all the tools I need to create my own reality and live my bliss forevermore…because I am.
