The Silver Gate Challenge
At the Silver Gate of Wisdom, the “Challenge” is:
“…to reconnect to our regenerative forces and stay connected.”
As we get older, “regenerating” doesn’t always come so easily…physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. Our bodies don’t always cooperate like they used to; we forget a lot; we’re spent emotionally from years of just simply dealing with life. As described in this chapter, we can end up at the Silver Gate suffering from what Arrien refers to as “soul loss” or a disconnection from the things that fill us up and give our lives meaning. We feel depressed, anxious, restless, and empty.
Here is where the “Challenge” comes in; we can’t let ourselves get stuck in this soul-less place. We need to dig down deep and find that spark within ourselves that is curious and creative, that child-like fearlessness that motivates us to try new things and grow in new ways we haven’t yet experienced.
There are four fires described in this “Challenge” that we have within us all our lives:
“The fire of vision provides visions or dreams that show us possibilities and potential in our lives, inspiring us to manifest what we see or are called upon to do. The fire of the heart teaches us about what and whom we love. The creative fire signals the work that we love, a keen awareness of our gifts, and our desire to express them as a way of contributing to the world. The soul’s fire calls us to be authentically who we are and serve others rather than our own egos.”
At the Silver Gate our “Challenge” is to stoke these fires, get them roaring again, and find our passion.
Once we’ve found it, the rest of the “Challenge” is taking that “internal fire” and expressing it in how we live our lives. This is the gate where we need to get past what holds us back and throw off that inertia.
A fun example from the book came from my ancestors, the Spanish. Apparently, an ancient custom in certain parts of the Pyrenees was practiced in order to keep “soul loss” from occurring. Each month, for a year, on the date of your birthday, you are supposed to celebrate by doing something that you’ve never done before. What a great way of engaging and reconnecting with the world around us and our lives! I first read this last year and was going to try it. I must admit, sadly, I was a dismal failure at it!! As soon as I began trying to think of things I’d never done, I started to realize why…fear, economic restrictions (no money), time, pre-conceived notions… not to mention, lack of imagination…all things that can put out your fires, if you let them.
I’d like to put out a “challenge” to all of you taking this journey to wisdom with me. On your birthday this year, set a goal to celebrate each month for the next year by doing something you’ve never done. I have a few months until my birthday, but I may start keeping a list now, since I found it such a “challenge” the last time. Write a comment to me, and let me know if you’re doing it and what you’re doing to celebrate!
Let’s get reconnected and regenerated starting with one day, one month, one year!!
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