Metaphors can be helpful in understanding more about who we are.
In this meditation,
We will imagine our lives,
Our inner being,
Like a library,
Containing clues to who we are and what has shaped us.
Bring to mind an image of a library building,
Representing your life,
Containing the riches of your life's experiences.
Is it a large,
Central library in a city?
Or perhaps a small,
Quiet,
Country library?
Imagine walking through the front door.
Before you are shelves and shelves of books,
Comfy chairs to sit and read,
And a circulation desk.
You walk around and begin to explore.
How is this library arranged?
What sections and genres do you find?
Perhaps there's a biography section,
With books about the important people in your life.
Or a travel section containing books about the various places you've lived or visited.
Or periodicals about events and moments that shaped your life.
Keep looking around.
As you wander the stacks,
You pass by a sign that says,
Religion and Spirituality.
What do you find there?
What do you find there?
Most people's libraries contain non-fiction.
But sometimes we find a fiction section,
Containing stories we tell ourselves,
That may not always be true.
Do you have such a section?
What fiction stories do you find?
What do you find there?
You wander now to a part of the library with lower shelves,
And you realize that you're now in the children's section.
This area contains the stuff of your childhood and youth.
What do you find?
What intrigues you?
What would you rather not pull from the shelf?
What do you find?
There are so many areas still to browse.
Fantasy,
History,
Horror.
How do you feel as you explore this library?
A man notices you looking around.
May I help you find something?
He says.
I'm Jesus,
The librarian.
He takes you to a table near the entrance,
Which you somehow missed when you came in.
It features a number of books carefully curated by the librarian.
These are some of the books from our stacks that we're currently featuring,
He says.
You might see something here that catches your eye.
I selected these myself.
What do you see on this table?
Is it a single theme?
Or perhaps multiple genres are displayed.
He says.
You've got a bit more time before you leave.
Is there one book you wish to pick up and look through,
Or check out?
Or spend some more time perusing a section or a particular shelf?
Or maybe you wish to speak with a librarian?
No rush,
Says the librarian.
Take your time and leave when you're ready.
