The Journey Within

 

Sanjay had been trekking through a dense forest for hours.

‘I have been here before,’ he thought. ‘I’m moving in circles!’

He started to panic. He looked around for help but there was no one in sight. He sat down on a rock and looked around. All he saw was dense forest, entangled roots and cacti. Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

“Hello my friend,” said the stranger. “You looked worried?”

Sanjay was ecstatic to see the man, “You have no idea how happy I am to see you!”

 

The stranger smiled and said, “What is bothering you?”

“I have been trekking for hours moving in circles. I’m lost in this forest.”

“Don’t worry, I’m here now. Follow me.”

The stranger started walking and Sanjay followed.

“You are an angel, brother, I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

“I’m not an angel, I’m someone much closer to you,” said the stranger.

“Yeah, you look and sound strangely familiar. What are you doing here?”

“Well, you can say I am a guide. I guide lost souls. Lost in this dense, convoluted outer forest.”

“Ah! You are doing a fine job!” exclaimed Sanjay.

“We shall see about that.” 

They continued to walk.

 

The vegetation started to change as they moved ahead. Soon they were walking on a lush green lawn. A little further, they reached a place that seemed like paradise, right out of a fairy tale. Sanjay was mesmerised by the beauty of this place. Beautiful sky with fluffy white clouds, a beautiful lake with pristine blue water, shrubs with beautiful flowers and the blissful chirping of birds.

“What is this place?” asked Sanjay.

“I will tell you,” said the stranger. “Come, sit with me.”

They sat on the bank of the lake.

“People these days miss out on this beautiful place because they fail to journey within.”

“Yes,” said Sanjay. “Because like me, most people get lost in the forest outside.”

“Exactly,” replied the stranger. “Thankfully you listened to me. Most people just ignore and remain lost in the outer forest forever.”

 

“Hey,” said Sanjay, “you haven’t told me your name. Who are you?”

“I don’t have a name as such, but you can call me your inner voice!”

“Inner voice? What do you mean?”

“I am the voice inside you which asks you to look within, beyond the frivolous affairs of the world!” said the stranger.

“Okay, I don’t get it, what is it you want to say?” enquired Sanjay.

“The outer forest is your active conscious mind, it is confused. People’s opinions, responsibilities, self-doubt, social status, comparisons, oh it’s a crazy world out there. The only way to sort it is to journey within. Here you will find peace and serenity. Here you will get to know who you really are. It is here that you will find answers that help you sort out the outer forest,” replied the stranger.

Sanjay’s eyes welled up with tears. 

“And we spend our entire lives in the forest trying to untangle when all we need is to dive deep within ourselves!” said Sanjay.

“That’s right my friend and listen to me! I will never lead you astray,” said the stranger.

“I will, I will, I will,” repeated Sanjay and woke up from his sleep. That’s when he realised that the stranger was his subconscious trying to communicate with him and that he had to pay heed to it.