A baby was born and an elder died three days before Story Teller entered the village. There was rejoicing and there was mourning.
Story Teller saw an opportunity. After the elder's body had been respectfully buried, he announced that he would tell a special story that night at the community gathering.
They sat expectantly around the fire. The new baby was cuddled in its mother's arms.
"This is the story of the womb and the tomb," said Story Teller.
"Long ago, Yahweh, looking to create a new and close relationship with humankind, decided to be born as a human. He waited for the right moment. He found it in the willingness of a young woman who was pure of spirit and of loving heart. She conceived.
"The baby Yeshua floated in her womb.
"I don't know if any of you remember being in your mother's womb. If you do, you remember floating in a sea of fluid where every desire of yours is instantly fulfilled. You are safe and protected and nurtured. This was especially true for Yeshua because of his mother's disposition: sunny and warm and loving.
"When you were in the womb, at some point you were told that you must leave. The thought troubled you. You had grown accustomed to this world you lived in. You did not want to go.
"In addition, you were told that you would go through experiences you had not had before. You would experience pressure and gravity and light and separation. 'What are those?' you asked. 'You will find out,' you were told. 'But you will be okay. Everyone goes through this.'
"You did not like it but you saw you had no choice. Sure enough, the time arrived, you went through the birth canal and out into this world, this world of pressure and gravity and light and separation.
"This world, this womb we are now in, became familiar. You learned your way around. Though it has its peculiarities, you like it here. Then at some point you were told that you have to leave here. You shook your head. The thought troubled you. You did not want to go.
"In addition, you were told that you would go through experiences you had not had before. 'What are they?' you asked. 'You will find out,' you were told. 'But you will be okay. Everyone goes through this.'
"You do not like it but you see you have no choice. Sure enough when the time arrives, you will go through the birth canal we call dying and out into another world.
"Yahweh went through this same experience as Yeshua. He was born into this world out of his mother's womb. He gave up his life and his body was placed in a tomb. He was born out of the tomb into a new realm.
"This is the way it is. Every womb is a tomb and every tomb is a womb. This is happening right now. We are born out of the womb/tomb of the past into this moment now which quickly becomes another womb/tomb of the past. We are forever dying and being born anew."
Story Teller paused. All sat silent.
"We welcome this little one," he said. "We ask blessings on the one born out of here. And we ask blessings on us all as we continue dying to the old and opening into the new."
"Amen," said some of the elders. "Mommy, is this over now?" came the shrill voice of a child.
They all laughed.
Story Teller grinned, "Yes it is over. And just beginning."
Story Teller saw an opportunity. After the elder's body had been respectfully buried, he announced that he would tell a special story that night at the community gathering.
They sat expectantly around the fire. The new baby was cuddled in its mother's arms.
"This is the story of the womb and the tomb," said Story Teller.
"Long ago, Yahweh, looking to create a new and close relationship with humankind, decided to be born as a human. He waited for the right moment. He found it in the willingness of a young woman who was pure of spirit and of loving heart. She conceived.
"The baby Yeshua floated in her womb.
"I don't know if any of you remember being in your mother's womb. If you do, you remember floating in a sea of fluid where every desire of yours is instantly fulfilled. You are safe and protected and nurtured. This was especially true for Yeshua because of his mother's disposition: sunny and warm and loving.
"When you were in the womb, at some point you were told that you must leave. The thought troubled you. You had grown accustomed to this world you lived in. You did not want to go.
"In addition, you were told that you would go through experiences you had not had before. You would experience pressure and gravity and light and separation. 'What are those?' you asked. 'You will find out,' you were told. 'But you will be okay. Everyone goes through this.'
"You did not like it but you saw you had no choice. Sure enough, the time arrived, you went through the birth canal and out into this world, this world of pressure and gravity and light and separation.
"This world, this womb we are now in, became familiar. You learned your way around. Though it has its peculiarities, you like it here. Then at some point you were told that you have to leave here. You shook your head. The thought troubled you. You did not want to go.
"In addition, you were told that you would go through experiences you had not had before. 'What are they?' you asked. 'You will find out,' you were told. 'But you will be okay. Everyone goes through this.'
"You do not like it but you see you have no choice. Sure enough when the time arrives, you will go through the birth canal we call dying and out into another world.
"Yahweh went through this same experience as Yeshua. He was born into this world out of his mother's womb. He gave up his life and his body was placed in a tomb. He was born out of the tomb into a new realm.
"This is the way it is. Every womb is a tomb and every tomb is a womb. This is happening right now. We are born out of the womb/tomb of the past into this moment now which quickly becomes another womb/tomb of the past. We are forever dying and being born anew."
Story Teller paused. All sat silent.
"We welcome this little one," he said. "We ask blessings on the one born out of here. And we ask blessings on us all as we continue dying to the old and opening into the new."
"Amen," said some of the elders. "Mommy, is this over now?" came the shrill voice of a child.
They all laughed.
Story Teller grinned, "Yes it is over. And just beginning."
Love it, George. Every womb is a tomb and every tomb a womb. Sometimes I need the womb. Sometimes I need some strong muscles to expel me out of it. Steve F.
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