In this meditation, I continue our series exploring the story of the prophet Elijah as a map of the contemplative journey.
Previously we encountered the storm, an image of the distracting thoughts that arise when we enter meditation. The second trial Elijah encounters is fire.
Here, fire becomes an image of desire — particularly the desire for ourselves, our circumstances or the present moment to be different from what they are.
Desire itself is not necessarily negative. Some desires may lead towards growth, goodness and change. Others may arise from fear, ego or dissatisfaction. The work of meditation is not to suppress desire, but to hold it clearly in awareness and discern which movements are useful and which can be gently released.
Using the breath as an anchor, we return again and again to the quiet centre beneath both thought and desire.
This meditation offers a practice of contemplative awareness, acceptance and discernment, helping us recognise the sparks of desire without allowing them to consume us.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction: Elijah and the second trial
01:26 – Opening bell
02:26 – Entering the cave through the breath
03:34 – Meeting the storm of thoughts
04:05 – Finding the eye of the storm
05:10 – The fire of desire
05:27 – Wanting reality to be different
06:19 – Discerning the sparks of desire
07:09 – Finding stillness within the fire
07:54 – Abiding until desire recedes
08:28 – Trusting the peace of the breath
09:06 – Resting beyond thought and desire
09:35 – Returning to the body
09:48 – Choosing the good and letting go
10:18 – Closing bell