In The Presence Of Truth Part 4: A Bedtime Story

Hello, beloveds. I wrote this longer story about a woman who is feeling a little lost and meets a wise woman. The story examines their growing kinship while addressing some of the bigger spiritual questions. There will be eight parts to this story, this is part four.

Music is generously provided by Nature's Eye.

Thank you for listening, my loves, and take care.

Transcript

Hello dear ones, And welcome to today's reading, In the Presence of Truth Part 4 The following week, Emily arrived at Margaret's house, Under a sky thick with clouds. The air was heavy with the scent of rain, And the wind had picked up, Sending the trees outside swaying, As if they were whispering to one another. As Emily stepped inside, Margaret was sitting at her usual spot by the fire, Her hands folded neatly in her lap. Come in dear, Margaret said warmly, Her voice calm despite the storm outside. You're just in time. Emily smiled faintly as she closed the door behind her. The warmth of the room felt almost like a balm against the chill of the world outside. She sat down, And as usual, Margaret handed her a cup of tea. The familiar comforting ritual was always a small moment of peace between them. Margaret took a slow sip of her tea before speaking. Last time, We talked about peace and acceptance, Didn't we? Emily nodded, Taking a sip of her tea as she settled back in the chair. Yes, I've been thinking about that a lot, About how peace isn't about fighting the world, But about being present with it, Accepting it as it is. But I'm still struggling with one thing. Margaret raised an eyebrow. What's that? It's the fear, Emily said, Her voice catching slightly. I think I understand the idea of acceptance, But there's this fear that keeps coming up. Fear of not being enough. Fear of things not working out. Fear of missing something. How? How do I quiet that fear when it feels so loud? Margaret's expression softened, And she leaned forward slightly, Her gaze steady but gentle. Ah, Fear, She said with understanding. The great companion of every human heart. It's always there, Isn't it? Always whispering, Always pulling at us. But the thing about fear, Emily, Is that it is not an enemy. It is not something to be defeated, Nor is it something you must try to avoid. Fear is a part of the human experience. It's part of being alive. Emily furrowed her brow. So you are saying it's not something I should try to get rid of? No, Margaret said, Shaking her head gently. I'm saying you must learn to be with it. Fear is simply the mind's response to uncertainty. It's the mind's way of trying to protect you. But the reality is that fear often misguides us. It tells us we're in danger. When in truth, We're only standing at the edge of something new. Fear keeps us small, Keeps us in the familiar. But the only way to grow is to step beyond it. Emily's heart beat a little faster as she absorbed Margaret's words. So the fear isn't going to go away just because I want it to. It's just part of being human, Part of the experience. Exactly, Margaret said with a soft, Knowing smile. The fear won't go away, And neither should you want it to. What you must do is stop letting it control you. Fear becomes a problem only when we identify with it, When we allow it to define us. It is a feeling, Nothing more, And all feelings are temporary. You can sit with the fear, Acknowledge it, And let it pass through you. Like a cloud in the sky. Emily considered this, Her gaze distant. But what if the fear is so loud that I can't hear anything else? What if it overwhelms everything? Margaret's voice softened, Becoming more tender. Fear speaks loudest when we are disconnected from our true nature. When we lose sight of who we really are, The fear seems insurmountable. But when you remember who you are, When you remember the peace within you, The fear becomes less significant. It's still there, But it no longer has power over you. It's like standing in the middle of a storm, Knowing that you are the one who is unshaken. Emily closed her eyes, Her breath steadying as she imagined herself in the middle of a storm, Standing tall and grounded despite the winds howling around her. She could feel the fear inside her, Swirling, Tugging at her. But somehow, There was a deep peace, Like a still center within her that didn't move. But how do I keep that sense of peace when life feels so unpredictable? When things change so quickly, Or when everything feels like it's spinning out of control? Margaret leaned back, Her expression thoughtful. Ah, Yes, The unpredictability of life. That is the greatest challenge, Isn't it? Life is always changing, Always moving, Like a river that never stops flowing. And we, Well, We try so hard to control it, To make it fit into the shape we want. But the river doesn't care what shape we think it should have. It simply flows. And when you stop trying to control the flow, You begin to realize that you, Too, Are part of it. Emily was quiet for a long time, Letting the metaphor settle in her mind. So, I don't need to control everything. I don't need to make everything go according to my plan. Margaret's smile widened, Her eyes gleaming with something wise, Something ancient. Exactly, That's the secret, Emily. Let go of the need to control, And instead, Let life unfold as it is meant to. Trust the flow. It's not about having all the answers, Or knowing what's coming next. It's about surrendering to the moment, And trusting that everything is unfolding as it should. Even when you can't see the bigger picture. Emily's chest felt lighter as she took in Margaret's words. For so long, She had tried to steer her life, To control her circumstances, To have a plan for everything. But maybe, Just maybe, There was another way. One that didn't require so much effort, So much worry. So, It's like learning to trust the river. To trust that wherever it takes me, I'm meant to be there, Emily said. The understanding settling deeper within her. Yes, Margaret said, Her voice warm and sure. You are not separate from the flow of life, Emily. You are a part of it. And when you remember that, When you trust it, The fear fades. Not because it disappears, But because it no longer has the power to make you run in the opposite direction. You can stand with it, In it, And still be at peace. There was a long pause between them, As Emily let this truth sink in. Margaret's words had a way of making everything feel both simpler and more profound, All at once. Thank you, Emily said quietly. A sense of deep gratitude rising in her chest. I think I'm beginning to understand what it means to truly trust life. Margaret's eyes softened, Her gaze full of kindness. It's a lifelong practice, Dear, But you're on the right path. The river always flows, And so do you. The following week, The air had turned crisp, With the first signs of autumn. The leaves were beginning to show hues of gold and amber, And there was a certain stillness to the world outside Margaret's house. When Emily arrived, She could sense the change in the air, Both within and out. And around her. Margaret was seated by the fire, Her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea, Her expression soft but knowing, As if she had been waiting for something, Waiting for this moment to unfold. Come in, Dear, Margaret greeted her with a gentle smile. It's a beautiful day for reflection, Don't you think? Emily nodded, Feeling the weight of their last conversation still resting heavily in her heart. The peace she had begun to feel, The trust she had started to place in the flow of life, Was still with her, But it was fragile, Like a new seedling. She wasn't sure if it could withstand the storm of her own doubts. As she settled into her usual chair, Margaret placed a cup of tea before her, And watched her closely, A quiet understanding in her eyes. You seem a little troubled today, Emily, She observed. What is it? Emily hesitated, Her hands cradling the warmth of her tea. I've been thinking a lot about fear and trust, About surrendering to the flow of life. But I'm still not sure I can fully let go. I keep second-guessing myself. What if the flow leads me somewhere that I don't want to go? What if I'm not strong enough to handle it? Margaret's gaze softened as she leaned forward slightly, Her voice calm and sure. Ah, Yes, The fear of the unknown. That's a common one, Isn't it? We cling to what we know, Because we believe it's safer, Even when it isn't. We think if we control the direction of our lives, We'll be safe from harm. But the truth is, We can't control everything. We can't protect ourselves from the inevitable ups and downs of life. Emily's throat tightened as she listened, Her heart aching with the rawness of the truth. I know you're right, But it's so hard to just trust. I want to believe that things will work out, But what if they don't? What if everything falls apart and I'm left with nothing? Margaret sat back, Her expression serene, But filled with deep wisdom. The idea that we can control what happens to us is an illusion, My dear. We can't stop the storms from coming, But we can choose how we respond to them. We can choose to face them, To stand tall in the wind, Knowing that we are more than the storm. And when you remember that, When you remember who you truly are, You will see that nothing can truly break you. Emily looked down at her hands, Her fingers trembling slightly. But what if I'm not strong enough? What if I can't handle the pain, The fear, The uncertainty? Margaret's voice was gentle, But firm. Strength does not come from never feeling pain. Strength comes from embracing the pain, From walking through it, Knowing that it will pass. You are stronger than you know, Emily. The strength is already within you, But you must learn to trust it, Even when you don't feel it. Trust that you are capable of weathering whatever comes your way. A heavy silence settled between them. Margaret's words felt like a lifeline, But Emily still found herself clinging to the edges of doubt. You said that strength comes from embracing the pain, Emily said after a moment. But I don't know if I want to embrace it. I don't want to feel that kind of pain. Isn't there another way to grow? Can't I just be at peace without having to go through pain? Margaret's eyes softened with compassion, Her gaze steady and warm. I understand, Dear. No one wants to feel pain, But the pain you fear is not the enemy. It is a part of your growth. When you avoid pain, You avoid life itself. You see, Pain is not a punishment. It is a teacher. And when you are willing to face it with an open heart, You discover a strength you never knew you had. It is through the challenges, The struggles, That we learn who we truly are. And that, Emily, Is where your peace lies. Emily closed her eyes, Letting the words wash over her. But how do I stop running from it? How do I face the pain without letting it overwhelm me? Margaret sat back, Her gaze turning inward for a moment, As if recalling something distant. The first step is to stop labelling the pain as bad, As something to avoid. Pain, Like fear, Is simply a part of the human experience. It is natural. It is inevitable. But it does not define you. You are not your pain, Just as you are not your fear. You are something deeper, Emily. Something more eternal. And when you remember that, You can face whatever comes your way with a sense of calm, Knowing that it will pass, Just as everything does. But what if I don't know how to get to that deeper place? Emily asked. What if I can't find it? Margaret's gaze softened further, Her smile full of quiet reassurance. You are already there, Emily. You don't need to go searching for it. You simply need to stop running from it. You need to stop looking for happiness in the wrong places, In the things that are fleeting, And start looking within. The peace you seek is already in you, Emily. It always has been. And when you stop searching outside yourself, When you start looking inward, You will find it there, Waiting, Quietly, Patiently. Emily sat in silence, Her heart swelling with something she couldn't quite name. There was a stillness within her that had been there all along, And for the first time, She felt a deep, Unshakable knowing. Knowing that the path Margaret spoke of, The one of acceptance, Of surrender, Was the way home. I'm beginning to see, Emily said. It's not about fixing myself or fixing my life. It's about just learning to be with it as it is. Margaret nodded, Her eyes twinkling with that timeless wisdom. Yes, Emily. Life is not something to be fixed. It is something to be lived, To be experienced. And in that experience, You will find yourself. That is the true peace. The conversation left Emily feeling lighter, As though something had shifted deep inside her. Margaret's wisdom soothed her restless soul, The parts of her that had been aching for so long. And for the first time, In what felt like a long time, Emily could almost hear the stillness within her. A quiet promise that no matter what storms might come, She was already strong enough to face them.