I sit, rather awkwardly at the very craggy top of the mountain that I have laboriously climbed. It was not a dangerous climb as there was a clear and safe path to follow. The exhilaration of actually reaching my destination, as well as the wide-scope view of the valley below, takes all my attention.
Still breathing a little heavily from the exertion, I close my eyes and thank God for this moment, this day, this life. Once having accessed the God Within, I talk on and on, describing my reactions to the view, some of the highlights of my experience coming up the trail, my great appreciation for this opportunity, and I begin to cry softly. I do not stifle the tears at all but let them carry me deeper within. I think, “Here I am, alone on the top of a mountain, crying with God--with all my heart.
I hear the flapping of wings and feel a presence. Opening my eyes I am charmed to see a huge eagle resting on a rock quite close to me, eyes directly upon me, utterly still, gazing at what must seem like an apparition—a being in distress. Blinking the blinding tears away, but not moving my body at all, I look at this gorgeous creature that emanates strength and at this moment, curiosity. Somehow I know that I can speak to him—that he will not be frightened.
Softly I say, “You have come for a reason and I thank you.”
The only response is a tiny flick of an eye, but there is a sense of communion between us. I know that the eagle is my friend; I can feel a sense of love between us.
“I await your message, my friend,” I speak again, moving only my mouth, keeping my eyes fixed on the never-straying eyes before me. Then I hear words from within, “This special encounter is for you; to help you remember your own strength.”
My heart opens to this beautiful wild creature and I begin to sense my own vastness as I feel the full energy of this eagle that has come to exchange his being-ness with my being-ness. I am nearly overcome by the realization of the oneness between myself and all things living on this earth. And my love for this bird who has joined me at the mountaintop for tearful prayer.
Suddenly, with a sense of finality, my friend puffs out his chest, and with a wild cry and a loud flapping of his wings slowly lifts his body skyward and is soon soaring towards the valley and out of my sight.
I remain unmoving for a long time, not wanting to lose the absolute magic of the moment.
Then, slowly I get to my feet and begin my descent from this sacred place. I know that I am forever changed by this experience of love and oneness. No longer am I just me, this physical being that I see, feel and identify as myself. I am a part of everything living—just as God is one with everything, so am I.
