| Room of 1000 Demons Once upon a time, in an ancient world not so far from here, there was a tradition... Every one hundred and one years, any who wanted, could undertake the challenge. If you survived the challenge, you would gain enlightenment. Since the ritual was only offered every one hundred and one years, if you didn't embrace the challenge now you would have to wait for one hundred and one more years to take it again. It was a challenge with some bite to it. All the applicants were gathered in the great hall, wearing their best robes, standing as still as their nervousness would permit. Compassionately, the priests explained the ritual to these assembled applicants, who were already fully apprised of the ritual in all its details. But this final time, they were facing the ritual itself, facing their future, and facing the doors at the end of the great hall. "You will line up, and one by one you will pass through the door at the end of this hall and enter the room beyond. The room beyond is the Room of 1000 Demons," the priest intoned. Almost as one, the applicants all turned and looked at the huge wooden doors at the east end of the hall; you could hear a collective inhale and the sigh of their robes as they turned. Continuing the priest spoke, "The Room of 1000 Demons is not so big, but there is no handles on the inside of those doors. Once you pass through the doors, they will close behind you. The only way out is to cross the room and discover the door on the other side. It is unlocked. Simply walk out." He had the applicant's full focus now. "You know by now that the Room of 1000 Demons is named that way for good reason. The room is filled with 1000 demons," The priest went on. "These demons are powerfully skilled in their ability to take on the form of your worst fears. They are merciless. If you fear spiders, you will have them crawling on your face. If it is heights that make your knees jelly, you will be looking down into the abyss from the most rickety of walkways. If its failure you fear... well you can imagine." "Whatever your worst fears are, they will meet you on the other side of that door." Some of the applicants seemed to pale, others had just slunk out of the great hall; one person had to be carried out, while the others' eyes were riveted on the doorway or else turned inwards towards their fears. "These demons are so skilled and compelling it will be nearly impossible to remember they are not real, they are cunningly your demons," the priest said more kindly now. "Remember, we can't come to your aid. You must complete the challenge on your own. Some applicants never leave the room. They succumb to their paralyzing fears, and stay until the end of their days." "You must choose, to take the risk or not. Either choice is fine. If you choose to decline the challenge this time, you can return in one hundred and one years and apply again." "There is good news. We have two hints for you." "First, starting from the initial moment inside the door, the very moment the door closes behind you; remember that what the demons show you is not real." "It is an illusion only. But note this well..." All the applicants were indeed noting well everything the priest was saying as you can imagine. "... most people find it very difficult to remember that these are illusions. They appear perfectly real, and they are, of course, tailored to fit you perfectly." "So, here's the second hint. It is more helpful. Once you are in the room and the door closes behind you, NO MATTER WHAT appears before you, NO MATTER WHAT you feel or what you think. KEEP YOUR FEET MOVING. Keep you feet moving?" "If you keep your feet moving no matter what, you will eventually get to the other side, discover the door, and come out of the room enlightened." The priest finished and gestured towards the doors. In deep silence, one by one each applicant stood still before the huge doors, took a calming breath, and entered the Room of 1000 Demons. What Is Your Room Of 1000 Demons? Can you recall the times in your life you have stepped into this room? When do you step into this room? If you have never stepped into the room, you might check to see if you're still alive. I will guarantee you that you aren't really living wholeheartedly. You should also know it is OK to step into the Room of Three or Four Demons first; we don't have to be huge about this. Whichever room you choose, Four or 1000� Feel the Fear and Do it Anyways. & Keep Your Feet Moving. Next You might not like this next one. But it will set you free and help you to accomplish the life you want. |