The Nameless Wise

Let's begin this month's meditation with another short story:

In a time and place of great unrest lives a young maiden who has never felt love. Orphaned before her first breath and left in the care of those to whom she has only ever been a burden, eventually she falls somehow further in their esteem to the level of abomination. She flees into the moonless night alone, a nameless child carrying nothing but her life and her wits, neither of much value in this land.

She comes to the edge of a lake, its still surface gazing back at her with a dark reflection of her own eyes. She yearns to call out to her ancestors or their gods for guidance, but she has never known their names, forbidden all her life to ask of them. She knows well many rigid prayers to invoke the god of those who hate her, and just as well she knows the unkind silence that always answers her. So silently she calls, no name to speak aloud, needing much, expecting nothing.

Though silent, her earnest call does not go unheard.

A chill comes upon the maiden and the lake's surface ripples, though no breeze disturbs the nearby trees. The disturbance transforms her lonely reflection into a host of elongated yet familiar forms. In the same, silent voice with which she cried out for them, they answer: We are with you, child. Though the words make no sound, they are unmistakable and Ancient. They continue, answering her unvoiced question.

We are your ancestors' ancestors. The dead whose names linger in this world etched in stone and soaked into parchment dwell uneasily in their shady space. We, the truly Ancient, know the impermanence of such records and keep our names in secret places beyond time's reach.

The maiden finds this perplexing, as surely she has spoken no name, hidden or otherwise.

Names are more than you have been taught. We are Family, as this secret name we share. All those forgotten who refuse to accept the lie that they have no voice, who call out for and attend the Ancient, who prepare to summon words never before heard, all creatures who find their voices in Darkness – even if no living soul hears them – are our kin. The unspoken words yet caught in your throat are a blazing beacon we cannot ignore.

Every Call is answered with Echo's wisdom. You seek guidance, for a hidden path to be revealed to you. We will give you all that has made us strong since time immemorial, the secret to life eternal, our Hunger for life. In exchange, we would accept the overflow of a life sure to be long- and well-lived. Bring to us each month and on holy days your stories, your dreams, sorrows and songs, your living presence in the world. Life for life. Are we agreed?

In a desperate situation and committed only to share hypothetical spoils that seem honestly far-fetched, she agrees, speaking aloud just to be sure. "I agree."

No longer will your breath meant for truth be forced to recite a false god's lies. Be free.

Suddenly Recoiling, the maiden exhales deeply, longer than seems possible, and when her lungs burn with need, she straightens and inhales slowly, with measured control.

You must breathe now for yourself and speak with your own voice. This will make you powerful in ways that will quickly lose interest for you as your ambitions expand in proportion to that power. Abide our gift. Heed your Hunger. Return your thoughts often to us, Sister.

She heeds well the words of her nocturnal guides and leads a life of adventure, if not always of comfort, acquiring much wisdom with which she remains most generous among kin she is quick to recognize.

Those of us lucky enough to know our living Elders must guard against taking them for granted. I invite you to join me in this month's New Moon meditation, perhaps inviting the wisdom of risen Elders with an offering of time and attention dedicated to living Elders.

Materials
Mirror: I recommend using a black mirror or minimizing the light in your meditation space. Alternatively, having a clear view of the night sky allows the New Moon to serve as your black mirror.

Setup
Select a safe, private place where you can comfortably sit or lie down with a clear view of your chosen mirror.

Peek ahead at the Declaration of Purpose. Decide what you intend to offer along with your invitation of wisdom. It could be your presence, your thoughts, your time – you'll certainly be sacrificing all these by participating in the meditation – but you may also dedicate particular acts of generosity or cleverness completed prior to the meditation, perhaps drawing the attention of a source of wisdom more given to such qualities themself.

Opening
Vocalize an audible hum while visualizing a sphere of light taking shape around your ritual space.

Declaration of Purpose
"I come to offer ... and to invite the wisdom of darkness and silence."

Offering
Direct your offering to the black mirror. Visualize the efforts, the energy, you dedicated in your Declaration condensed into a mist that you blow towards your mirror. Breathing steadily, continue exhaling your offering to the mirror, allowing your thoughts to come and go without resistance, for at least six exhalations.

The Hollow Temple
On your offering's final exhale, pause before inhaling again. Focus your attention on the gap between breaths. Breathe in, and out again. Pause and contemplate before repeating. Holding fast to the feeling you find between breaths, breathe in and out again six times, now filling the gaps before each inhale with a silent invitation. Set aside this empty space for the wisdom you seek, so it will have an appealing and well kept place to make its home.

Closing
Rest your eyes on the mirror and take three slow, deep breaths, exhaling swiftly between each inhalation.
Vocalize an audible hum, gradually decreasing in volume as you visualize the sphere surrounding your ritual space dissipating.

Though you breathe in Darkness, you do not breathe alone.