Carpe Diem #1134 beyond control

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

Do you know the feeling that you are loosing control? That time (for example) is like grains of sand through your fingers? Or ... that technical problem I had earlier this month ... I couldn't control that, and it made me "mad and angry", because I couldn't do what I love to do ... keeping CDHK alive and running. Those few days when I couldn't use my PC were beyond my control ... Life is beyond control. No one can hold control on life or the world ... that battle we always will loose.
But ... maybe we have to let go control? And just accept the things we will encounter on our path? I think this is one of the lessons the Road to Santiago will teach us or has taught us.

We are on our way to Santiago De Compostela, walking that famous route, St. James Way or The Camino, the Road to Santiago. This month we were on route to Santiago together with Paulo Coelho and his guide Petrus. We are reading "The Pilgrimage" and there are only a few days left before this month will be over ... maybe we will succeed in our goal, maybe not .... well ... that's beyond control ... we will see let go of it .... we have had the precious experience to wander through the northern part of Spain we only can be happy ...

let go
the caged bird
reborn

© Chèvrefeuille

Along The Road to Santiago

Beyond control ... that's the title of this episode .... And it refers to something I read in "The Pilgrimage". During his journey, his pilgrimage, Paulo encounters several difficulties beyond control. One day he is attacked by a horrible dog and he remains with wounded hands. That same dog encounters him many times and one day he goes to a gypsy fortuneteller to ask her why this dog is so many times on his path. It turns out that this dog is his demon, his back-pack, he still has to carry. That dog will leave him alone only when he conquers his fears, his pride, his greed and more.

This scene looks familiar I think. Maybe not ... Maybe you know that classical novel by John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, a Christian allegory in which the leading character, Christian, has to carry a heavy burden until he reaches Calvary. Than he feels how the presence of the Holy Spirit reveals him the love and care of Jesus Christ. Right at that moment his burden comes loose, it's taken away by his saviour.

In this similarity we can see also that we aren't in control ... the Cosmos, Higher Spirit or what ever name you choose is in control. Again I sense that to go beyond control is letting go ...

Let us take a look at a quote from "The Pilgrimage":

[...] ‘In the life on the Road to Santiago, certain things happen that are beyond our control. When we first met, I told you that I had read in the gypsy’s eyes the name of the demon you would have to confront. I was surprised to learn that the demon was a dog, but I did not say anything to you about it at the time. Only after we arrived at that woman’s house – when for the first time, you showed the love that consumes – did I see your enemy.
‘When you chased away that woman’s dog, you did not place him anywhere. You didn’t hurl the spirits into a drove of pigs that was thrown over a precipice, as Jesus did. You simply chased the dog away. Now his force wanders along behind you, without a destination. Before finding your sword, you are going to have to decide whether you want to be enslaved by that force or
whether you will dominate it.’ [...] (Source: The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho)

Along the Camino

[...] ‘A threat leads to nothing if it is not accepted. In fighting the good fight, you should never forget that. Just as you should never forget that both attacking and fleeing are part of the fight. What isn’t a part of the fight is becoming paralyzed by fear.’ [...] (Source: The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho)

The above quotes show you what I mean I think. We can be in control, with letting go. Defeat your demons and become free .... go beyond control ... let go ...

This episode is NOW OPEN for your submissions and will remain open until January 29th at noon (CET). Have fun!