The Sacred Mountain

The Sacred Mountain

A long time ago, I heard of an extremely inhospitable mountain around Pesqueira. It is part of the mountain range of Ororubá (indigenous name) where the indigenous Xukuru people dwell. They say that it became sacred after the death of a mysterious medicine man from one of the Xukuru tribes. It can make any wish a reality, as long as the intention is pure and sincere. This is the starting point of my journey, whose objective is to make the impossible possible. Do you believe, readers? Then remain with me, paying special attention to the narrative.

Following the BR-232 highway, reaching the municipality of Pesqueira, approximately fifteen miles from the center, is Mimoso, one of its districts. A modern bridge, recently built, gives access to the place that is between the mountains of Mimoso and Ororubá, bathed by the Mimoso River that runs to the bottom of the valley. The sacred mountain is exactly at this point and that is where I am driving.

The sacred mountain is located next to the district and in a short time I am beneath it. My mind wanders through space and distant time, imagining unknown situations and phenomena. What awaits me upon climbing this mountain? These certainly will be reviving and stimulating experiences. The mountain is of short stature (2300 ft (0.7 km).) and with each step, I feel more confident, but also expectant. Memories come to mind of intense experiences that I have lived during my twenty-six years. In this brief period, there were many fantastic occurrences that made me believe that I was special. Gradually, I can share these memories with you, readers, without guilt. However, this is not the time. I will continue up the path of the mountain, searching for all my desires. This is what I hope, and for the first time I am tired. I have traveled half of the route. I do not feel physical exhaustion but mainly mental due to strange voices asking me to go back. They insist quite a bit. However, I do not give up easily. I want to reach the top of the mountain for everything it is worth. The mountain breathes for me with airs of change that exude for those who believe in its sanctity. When I get there, I think I will know exactly what to do to reach the path that will lead me through this journey that I have waited for so long. I keep my faith and my goals because I have a God who is the God of the impossible. Let's continue to walk.

I've already gone three quarters of the path but still, I'm being chased by the voices. Who am I? Where I'm going? Why do I feel that my life will change dramatically after the experience on the mountain? Apart from the voices, it appears that I'm alone on the road. Could it be that other writers have felt the same thing going down sacred paths? I think that my mysticism will be unlike any other. I have to continue, I have to overcome and withstand all the obstacles. The thorns that injure my body are extremely hazardous to human beings. If I survive this ascent, I would already consider myself a winner.

Step by step, I am closer to the top. I am already just a few feet away from it. The sweat that runs down my body seems to be embedded with sacred scents of the mountain. I stop for a little bit. Will my loved ones be concerned? Well, it really doesn't matter now. I have to think about myself, at the moment, in order to get to the top of the mountain. My future depends on it. Just a few steps more and I arrive at the top. A cold wind blows, tormented voices confuse my reasoning and I do not feel well. The voices shout:

“He succeeded, he shall be awarded! “Is he even worthy? “How did he manage to climb the entire mountain? I am confused and dizzy; I don't think I am well.

Birds cry, and rays of sun caress my face in its entirety. Where am I? I feel as if I had gotten drunk the day before. I try to get up, but an arm prevents me. Furthermore, I see that at my side is a middle-aged woman, with red hair and tanned skin.

“Who are you? What happened to me? My whole body hurts. My mind feels confused and vague. Is being at the top of the mountain causing of all this? I think that I should have stayed in my house. My dreams have spurred me up to this point. I climbed the mountain slowly, full of hope for a better future and some direction towards personal growth. However, I practically cannot move. Explain all of this to me, I beg you.

“I am the guardian of the mountain. I am the spirit of the Earth that blows hither and yon. I was sent here because you won the challenge. Do you want to make your dreams come true? I will help you to do so, child of God! You still have many challenges to face. I will prepare you. Do not be afraid. Your God is with you. Rest a little. I'll be back with food and water to meet your needs. In the meantime, relax and meditate as you always do.

Having said that, the lady disappeared from my vision. This disturbing image left me more distressed and full of doubts. What challenges would I have to win? What steps did these challenges consist of? The top of the mountain was really a very splendid and calm place. From up high, one could see the small agglomeration of houses in Mimoso. It is a plateau filled with steep paths full of vegetation on all sides. This sacred place, untouched by nature, would it really accomplish my plans? Would it make me a writer upon my departure? Only time could answer these questions. Since the woman was taking a while, I began to meditate at the top of the mountain. I used the following technique: First, I clear my mind (free of any thoughts). I begin to come into harmony with nature around me, mentally contemplating the entire place. From there, I start to understand that I am part of nature and that we are fully interconnected in a great ritual of communion. My silence is the silence of Mother Nature; my cry is also her cry; Gradually, I begin to feel her desires and aspirations, and vice versa. I feel her distressed cry for help pleading for her life to be saved from human destruction: Deforestation, excessive mining, hunting and fishing, the emission of pollutant gases into the atmosphere and other human atrocities. Likewise, she listens to me and supports me in all my plans. We are completely interlocked during my meditation. All the harmony and complicity has left me totally quiet and concentrated on my desires. Until something changed: I felt the same touch that once awakened me. I opened my eyes, slowly, and saw that I was face to face with the same woman that called herself the guardian of the sacred mountain.

“I see that you understand the secret of meditation. The mountain has helped you to discover a little of your potential. You will grow in many ways. I will help you during this process. First, I ask that you turn to nature to find rafters, slats, props and lines to erect a hut, then firewood to make a bonfire. Night is already approaching and you need to protect yourself against the ferocious beasts. Beginning tomorrow, I will teach you the wisdom of the forest so that you can overcome the real challenge: The cave of despair. Only the pure of heart survive the fire of its analysis. Do you want to make your dreams come true? Then pay the price for them. The universe doesn't give anything for free to anyone. It is us who have to become worthy in order to achieve success. This is a lesson that you must learn, my son.

“I understands. I will hopefully learn everything I need to overcome the challenge of the cave. I have no idea what it is but I am confident. If I overcame the mountain, I will also succeed in the cave. When I leave, I think that I will be prepared to win and to have success.

“Wait, do not be so confident. You don't know the cave of which I am talking about. Know that many warriors have already been tried by its fire and were destroyed. The cave shows no pity to anyone, not even the dreamers. Have patience and learn everything that I will teach you. Thus, you will become a real winner. Remember: Self-confidence helps, but only with the right amount.

“I understands. Thank you for all your advice. I promise you that I will follow it until the end. When the despair of doubt flogs me, I will remind myself of your words and also remind myself that my God will always save me. When there is no escape in the dark night of the soul I will not be afraid. I will beat the cave of despair, the cave which no one has ever escaped!

The woman said goodbye amicably promising return on another day.