Descending the steep narrow path, I am led across an invisible threshold to a world within the world. The path consists of broken pieces of mountain turned to dry, loose, crumbly pebbles making it easy to slip and lose balance. There is little to hang onto except for larger rocks sparsely spaced offering just enough stability for me to reach down to take hold of – each rock appearing and disappearing at random as I move further down the path. I notice the metaphor of the unstable path for the edge of uncertainty that we walk upon every day with every breath.

I pause to inhale the sweet musky mountain air while absorbing the sound of the roaring rapids below which appear and disappear from sight like a mythical serpent slithering behind the trees. I contemplate the instinctual, transformative power of serpent and its ability to bridge inner and outer, above and below. I bend my knees ever so slightly, breathing into pelvic bowl and sacrum- finding a center point that offers internal stability. The deafening waters continue to beckon, steadily peeling away outer layers of daily holding and accumulations of the ten thousand things of daily living like a snake shedding its skin.

At the bottom of the path is a large flat rock hanging over the churning currents. I walk out to the edge to meet River who opens in Her fullness before me. She offers Her teachings. I accept. With a humble bow I sit upon the overhanging rock. I think of how snake loses her sight for a time while she is shedding her skin as I close my eyes, turn my ears inward, breathe deep from the belly, open the heart cup, body stable, soft and receptive. The power of River’s watery force is palpable- coursing through flesh, muscle fiber, nerve ending, artery, bone, cell membrane, dna.

Her endless current pushes further in- to the innermost chamber of my being- infinite emptiness which births and contains all of life’s experiences, and life itself. In this place, roaring currents become silence and rushing waters become still, clear pools. Like snake emerging with new skin and fresh sight, I re-member (re-form) here in the chamber of emptiness. This place of source- home- always here within. I remember that when forgetfulness sweeps me off to distant lands, I can remember again- and again and again- no matter how far I have strayed I am always home.

I open my eyes newly to the leaves of the birch tree overhead playing hide-and-seek with the breeze and the sunlight while surrounded by the ever-witnessing mountains. I rise with a deep bow and a smile to River- returning the same but different.