doors of perception
“If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, Infinite”
-William Blake
There is a very popular statement most of us have all heard at one point in our existence, it goes like this, “When one door shuts another door opens.” Over the last few months, I have heard this statement consistently inside my head, like a warm breeze on a sunny day, a whispering voice warmly reminds me to listen to this Universal Wisdom blowing this truth through my awareness.
Not so long ago I traveled to Florence, Italy. The words I have for my time spent there are nothing short of words that would be used by a poet speaking of his most beloved muse. For I, heart and soul, fell in love with Florence. In love with the culture, the sounds of music, the language, the architecture, the art, the people, the views, the history, the hope, faith and reverence for God. The purity of stories told visually of Heaven and Hell. The stories told by the sculptures of lust, beauty, death, and sacrifice. The stories of the Renaissance artists themselves. Those who know me well, know that I am a dreamer and have the extra sense of fantasy! I imagine the sounds of construction Brunelleschi and other architects/engineers were creating while constructing the Duomo. As I walked the streets and alleyways of Florence, I imagined moments of walking just behind or beside Michelangelo, Danti, Donatello, Di Vinci, Raphael, Vasari, and Giovanni. Walking, having conversation just as I do with my artist friends of today, thrilled to hear about what creative project they are working on. Such a delight walking the very same stones that still hold the history, passion and Spirit of such creatives and thought leaders. But what really caught my eye of this romantic place, beyond the obvious magnificence, was the multiple multi-dimensional DOORS throughout the city of Florence herself!
Yes, Doors.
So. Many. Breathtaking. Doors.
There were small ones, large ones, narrow ones, and super wide ones. Round ones, rectangle ones. Beaded ones, sculpted ones, carved ones and ones with metal decor embroidered all over. Some were plain and some were fancy. Some were fit for royalty and some for peasants. Some doors held hundreds of years worth of stains, cuts and gouges taken out. Some were modern, some of glass and some of new storefront chic. Each door had it’s own unique personality.
ALL DOORS HELD THEIR OWN PERCEPTION OF TRUTH
You see, ‘when one door shuts and another door opens’ holds truths literally, metaphorically and Spiritually.
It is the Spiritual meaning that often breezes through my awareness. I have learned by the master teacher of life and nature itself, that the Universe is patient, all knowing and never bossy. Universal Wisdom is not moved by hasty projections, opinions, judgments, lies, manipulations, ill beliefs or discontent thoughts. Universe will many times offer knocks, signs and doorbells but until one's own free will is ready to properly shut a door, another one meant for your next level of growth, peace, happiness, love and soul’s evolution may not open. In fact, until a door is correctly shut past looping, patterns and behaviors may keep us held in the very room they are attached to. This is why, the doors of past perception must be shut and oftentimes locked so that the attachments, stuck energies, and misguided intentions are not allowed through to the unlimited possibilities that another door may open. A closed door acts as a container, once closed surrender the key to your guides… Let Go, Let God.
It’s a damn shame, the ego will stay housed to past or even present day frameworks. For most people will never stop to question why they haven’t moved out of their parents or caregivers home, staying subconsciously stuck. Or question why they have yet to leave a toxic relationship. Do they not know they can open one door while shutting another? Do they not know that each one of us holds the key… for me my key was placed on a necklace worn around my neck and over my heart. In using this key I unlocked the door I was trapped in. Using the same key, I shut that door, relocked it and left. The magical key that unlocked and relocked my own beautifully carved wooden and metal door was with me the whole time but until I knew it was me, until I knew that I held the power of having the key myself, I kept myself trapped. Now, I have found space to breathe in knowing that the past no longer is where I am held trapped, stuck and confined.
Just as a rainbow will always be seen after a storm when one door shuts another one will open. Blindfold your eyes, the visionary within will show you the way. It requires trust, soft feet and an open heart. Listen to the breeze and flow with the wind, something about open doors allows a fresh air to be felt. Go towards this.
Spiritually, a visionary will move through many doors of perception, hold many keys, and experience many surrenderings. If one is on a true Spiritual path, this journey is one of transcending Hell and enlightening oneself to spiraling upwards towards Heaven. This is an awakening process of perceptions within the infinite and unbounded love that just is.
Lastly, I leave you with this passage from a true (non-visionary) Visionary, Philosopher and Writer;
“Visionary experience is not the same as mystical experience. Mystical is beyond the realm of opposites. Visionary is still within that realm. Heaven entails hell, and “going to heaven” is no more liberation than is the descent into horror. Heaven is merely a vantage point, from which the divine Ground can be more clearly seen than on the level of ordinary individualized existence.”
- Aldous Huxley, Heaven and Hell
P.S. Fun fact. Upon my return from Italy, a close friend had sent a card in the mail to me. When I arrived home, it was there waiting. On the front of this bright yellow card was an intriguing wooden arched door surrounded by flowers. Inside it read “When one door closes another door opens.” Love these soul connections and serendipitous signs that continue to knock, whisper and point me in the right direction always spiraling upwards. To the card sender, I dedicate this writing to you, XOXO.
