Getting Past the Stuff

Confronting your fears takes great effort but getting past them requires immense courage, perseverance, trust and love. No one enjoys toting around emotional baggage ~ the stuff that triggers drama / trauma in our lives. I had been somewhat successful in keeping my stuff ‘out of sight, out of mind’. Archangel Michael had other plans for today’s lesson. I went into meditation and the journey began:

Archangel Michael and I were walking along a winding path through rolling green hills and pastures. It was a beautiful day. The path led to a wooden dock that overlooked the ocean. When we got to the edge of the dock, I looked down and was horrified by what I saw! There was tons of rubbish in the water – broken pieces of glass, concrete, rotten food, dead trees and old clothes as far as the eye could see. “Look at this stuff! What idiot is responsible for this?” I was outraged and looked to Michael for resolution. Smiling, he pointed to an object floating nearby: a raggedy bra with my name on it!

“You’ve got to be kidding! This is MY stuff?” Horrified and embarrassed, I tried to locate garbage cans along the beach but there were none. “How can all this stuff be mine?” I asked Michael. “An ocean of emotion to be cleared” he replied. “It has been building for many years and now the time has come for you to clear it. But it is more than what you see on the surface. Your ‘stuff’ is as deep as it is wide”.

I looked at Michael and said, “What can I do to get rid of it?” Michael answered “It’s quite simple. In the past, you have confronted your stuff but never got past it. All you need to do is go through it – literally”. I felt my jaw hit the dock! “You mean, dive through it? Are you insane? Can’t you see the floating debris of glass and concrete? And there are these wiggly things swimming among the trash. If I jump in, I’ll get stuck or cut or worse – die! The water is so dark that I can’t see the bottom. What if there is no bottom? What if the stuff goes on forever?” Michael reassured me that beyond the stuff was the most pristine water –  pure and clear of all obstacles. I just needed to trust. But my fear of the unknown was too strong. I buried my face into Michael’s chest and cried. “I can’t do it, Michael. I’m afraid of what I can’t see. I so want to clear my stuff but I can’t do it alone. Please help me”.

Something moved and I quickly opened my eyes. I was now standing on the ocean floor surrounded by miles of crystal clear water! The sun’s rays entered from above filling the entire space with light. I heard Michael’s voice and saw him standing several yards away but there was something between us: a gigantic jelly fish about ten stories high and wide! It was crystalline with millions of stars inside. A vision to behold! Michael then said “I have transformed your stuff into a transparent jelly fish but it is still your stuff. You need to go through completely to clear all of it. This task will require all you can give and more. You will feel its sting every step of the way. Know I will be waiting for you on the other side. You will not lose sight of me. As always, the choice is yours. There is no judgment if you decide not to do this”.

The thought of having to revisit my stuff at a later time was too much to bear. Looking at Michael, I dove into the center of the jelly fish. It was like swimming through thick honey. Every stroke took great effort. I could feel the stings on my arms, face and legs. It was taking longer than I thought. I was becoming exhausted. Every muscle ached. My skin was raw and covered with blisters. My lungs burned with every breath I took. I could feel myself on the brink of unconsciousness. I had just enough energy for one last stroke. Lifting my arm, I looked at Michael and called his name. At that moment, I saw my hand break through the membrane of the jelly fish. My entire body jettisoned out of the opening. Streams of stars trailed behind me.

True to his word, Michael was there with his arms outstretched and wearing his signature smile. Exhausted, I collapsed into his arms. As he embraced me, I heard him gently whisper “well done”.