Lifesong's Wild Edge

By Mark Wienert Jr.

A small group of adults, isolated in a remote mountain location, begin to breathe deeply as they prepare for the journey within. Here they must first silence the inner critic, and begin to face their fears. They have arrived at the... edge. "The edge is where we learn about ourselves, it lies between the comfort zone and the precipice of crushing defeat."

No night sounds but for the crackling of a wood fire and the students rhythmic breathing. Shadow's dance reflecting in each face, eyes follow the smoke trail spiraling upward lost to the blackness.

The tension builds as each member of the group prepares to leave the security of camp. They will, one by one, quietly slip alone into the darkness for two days and two nights. Taking with them only the clothes on their back, water, a knife, and the knowledge and skills they have learned in preparation for this rite.

The previous four day challenges have not been easy. The days have been long, and the nights even longer. Each student has struggled near exhaustion, to learn the ways of physical survival.

They have built the trail, now they must find the passageway to that innermost place of power which resides deep within each and every one of us.

Moving silently beyond the edge where firelight gives way to deepest night, they leave their physical selves blended and distorted in shadow. They merge with the landscape moving outward, quietly, a sigh of wind, scattering, disturbing neither twig nor leaf.

There is no need for them to hurry for there is no sense of time in this place, just the forever notion of time everlasting. For two days and two nights they will wander, meeting the basic needs of their bodies while quietly exploring the inner and outer world of this experience.

It is the process that guides them to be a part of each moment as life interrupts, and they become a connecting thread to all things encompassing their world.

Out there somewhere, the sun will rise a dawn of illumination, a touching of the sacred. As well, these brave explorers will experience again, the reoccurring darkness which once dressed as fear, can now, through their own personal power be transformed into something new. Though it has the same face, it no longer rules their minds.

The edge defines our strengths and purpose. We may ignore the calling at times when it howls, or when it whispers in the quiet moment of our dreams. It may come unlooked for when our need is greater than our fear. It is the place where the magic is made, where the fire burns, tempering and strengthening the will.

The edge is where we will risk for the sake of our desires and dreams. It is a place where we face failure, and learn to stand alone. Though we must invite failure along on our journey, we do not fear this teacher; instead we understand its power in the process of transformation.