Our Story: The Forest
In 8th grade the teacher who taught me civics and religion- so, not my favorite teacher due to the subjects he taught, announced we would alternate Wednesday classes. One Wednesday we would use the time for “Question Box” in which we could write down questions (any question), put the papers in the box that was passed around, and, then, our teacher would answer the questions to the best of his ability so we could remain anonymous. This was amazing, I thought, although, I didn’t really have any questions…and I was always a bit skeptical about the anonymous part. See, that was back in the day when we would still write out our assignments, so, anyone with only a little intelligence could clearly match up handwriting and know who asked the question…at least that’s what I would have done.
On the other Wednesdays, we would meditate. Hmm…meditate…this was right up my alley! I’d already been exposed to meditation for almost 10 years at that time. During meditation we could sit, lie on the floor, fall asleep, as long as we were quiet, it didn’t matter what we did. The only issue for me was classmates led the meditation with a bible verse and some music. I couldn’t wait for everything to be quiet so my meditation could begin! I had no idea this would do anything for me except give me space to enjoy no civics or religion class, but on the first day after everything was quiet, right at the end of the meditation, something big happened! While I was lying there, under my desk, suddenly words began to scroll in front of my eyes. First, a “W.” Wait, was I imagining this? “A.” I let the letters continue to scroll, “L.” Am I creating this or is this a message? Am I thinking about what’s next? The letters continued until the full message was, “Walk into the forest.” It appeared, letter by letter, word by word. This type of message had never shown up before, never in this way. Really, had my own mind created it or was it really some kind of message? I wasn’t thinking anything previous to the scrolling words and what did it mean? Walk into the forest? What forest? How? And…why?
That night, I know it was that very same night because my dad would pick me up to take me to dinner every other Wednesday. And I remember sitting in my mom’s living room talking to both of my parents. I told them what I’d seen, asked them if they had any insight. They both told me, “Well, go into the forest!” Still not knowing exactly what this meant, I decided I would attempt it.
The next Meditation Wednesday, after everything was quiet, I made up a forest in my mind and walked down the path into it. And, thus, began a series of meditations every other Wednesday in eighth grade of walking into that forest and being presented with many lessons, images, and guides to assist me in learning about life.