Crossing Through Realms ⛩️
Meiji Jingu ShrineWhat is holding you back from stepping through your Gate? ⛩️
After a run this afternoon, the thought of the symbolism behind gates popped up in my mind. Partly due to the entrance from the parking lot to the Wissahickon Valley floor below was a ‘gate’. Well, more so of an entrance with a sign that read “ Parking Reserved For Valley Green Guests” Which fulfilled the role of a gate, or an entrance, to another area unreachable where we currently reside until we step through…
Bridges and Gates can both connect and welcome people or sever and exclude; I remember when I was in Japan and learning the significance of the Torii gates and the process of purification necessary before entering inside.
Why was the purifying necessary? Well, because the belief is your moving from our current physical defiled world, into sacred spiritual realm of the Gods—Kami. Even if your wearing your most finest fabrics & fragrances you still would desecrate their world the moment your foot passes through the gate.
Thankfully it’s easy to purify yourself with a simple water cleansing ritual you can do at most entrances to gates.
Why was I thinking about all this during the end of my run? Well, certain junctures in our lives will require us to pass through a gate that will bridge us to another realm—that can take the form of a myriad of things relationship, employment or just an entirely new identity…and while this may seem rather easy—just cross it.
It can cause frustration when we stay stuck in front of that big red gate for weeks, months and even years.
The requirement might not be just ‘paying a toll’ to cross. It might require purifying yourself from your old ways of thinking, before you try to enter a new world with the miasma of old profane thoughts lingering about.
Anyways, that was my thoughts post 10k run.
