CHAPTER 1
ESCAPE
Rescued from the hopelessness of a confinement that until now held me prisoner to its reality, I quickly latched onto the realization that Angela freed all four of us and brought us here to a place only she knew ... a safe place ... an enlightened place.
The night had vanished without any conscious recollection of passing time, and a long overdue feeling of hope and quietness hugged my inner thoughts. The brightness of an awakening sun revealed the splendor of a lush, green hillside. It reminded me of a storybook meadow, far removed from the bonds of colorless nights and the caged existence I gladly abandoned as a shackled memory.
I momentarily closed my eyes and tried to capture the fresh ambiance of the crisp morning air and full solitude of our surroundings. A thick blanket of knee-high grasses, clover, and wildflowers saturated my senses with their refreshing beauty and aromas. The kiss of a light breeze complemented the radiance of the early-morning sun.
Angela gave us a few moments to clear our thoughts and adjust to our new circumstances before summoning us together as a group in preparation for our journey.
"We need to all join as one in a bonding circle," Angela insisted; she would never take us on such a venture without first invoking a prayer of protection around us. She kept it short but effective and knew all the right things to say. I felt very secure and reassured by her peaceful yet authoritative nature.
Leaving the obvious unambiguousness of the open field, I watchfully stayed focused in anticipation of what awaited our group beyond the fringe of the majestic, virgin forest that appeared before us.
"Follow me closely," Angela instructed, "and be keenly aware of all that your senses reveal, both physically and emotionally."
As we neared the edge of the forest, a previously unnoticed pathway guided us through a perimeter of deep-purple flowering shrubs seeping out from the wooded boundary. Approaching the hedged border, I paused and examined the expressive nature of bountiful blood-red, multi-petaled, thorned flowers peering out from beneath the glossy, dark leaves. The shyness of the flowers and theatrical dominance of their protective foliage left me with an unnerving feeling of emotional conflict, as if they represented more of a warning than just a contrasting adornment. This unknowing sent mixed emotional apprehensions threading through my thoughts, urging me not to enter, but Angela and the others continued onward without hesitation, so I had no choice but to follow them.
Stepping prominently onto the mossy forest floor, the transition to this pristine woodland, abundant with evergreen and hardwood trees, awakened all of my senses. Angela and the other two women, Elizabeth and Nancy, led the way, with Ed and me bringing up the rear on the narrow, well-camouflaged trail.
Beneath the giant timbers lay an array of ferns, vines, and wild orchids that would surpass even the greatest painter's vision. With cascades of sunlight rushing through the bright green canopy above, the details of contrasting colors grew ever clearer.
As we ventured deeper into the woods, the tapestry of our environment became more vibrant and alive. I could feel the dynamics of our seclusion calling me to an understanding of crisp solitude found nowhere else. It felt liberating.
We soon joined a well-worn path alongside a smooth, rock-laden, and gently flowing stream. It presented us with a choice of transitioning to the right, into a deeper blend of browns and greens adeptly charging up a sleepy hillside, or to the left, where the stream split into two smaller side-by-side brooks flowing like a painter's brush through the shadows of watchful evergreens. With skillful certainty, our capable guide bypassed the hillside in favor of a pathway paralleling the pleasing brooks.
Reaching a widening of the trail where two fallen trees provided a perfect pair of natural benches, Angela asked us to find a comfortable seat, close our eyes, and relax. After reassuring us that nothing could reach or harm us in this protected place, she instructed us to focus consciously on our breathing by taking in slow, deep breaths beyond the regular capacity of our lungs, until it felt like it filled our stomachs. Then, after holding it as long as we comfortably could, to slowly let it out again. She called it "belly breathing" and said that these full, cleansing breaths would help keep us relaxed and focused while sharpening our physical and mental acuity as well.
"An attribute you will find most helpful in what you are about to experience," Angela claimed.
We followed Angela's instructions as she shared with us some of the sacred beliefs her ancestors passed down concerning the spiritual significance of the trees and animals of these forests. She revealed her personal beliefs in secret and invisible realms, spoken of in legends and ages past, while inviting us to keep our minds open and our thoughts clear. Her words resonated with the depth of her wisdom, and the expanse of her knowledge seemed endless. When she stopped talking, we all sat quietly with our eyes closed and listened to the meticulous sounds of unspoiled nature.
After several minutes, Angela said softly, "Once you feel completely relaxed, both physically and mentally, continue belly breathing and maintain your relaxed state, but, keeping your thoughts clear, open your eyes and shift your awareness to all of your senses, both physical and intuitive. Let the story they tell unveil every aspect of the beauty that surrounds us, not as a passive witness, but as an active participant. Above all, pay special attention to how each of your senses complements the others and remember how that makes you feel. Being acutely aware of your emotions is what helps you to remember. This is because your ability to recall each moment is enhanced by the intensity of the feelings you associate with the memory." She said this to all four of us, but I knew her emphasis was meant for me. Mindful of my inexperience, she wanted to make sure I understood the full significance of her words.
I remained still and at ease, pushing away the usual mind-filling distractions of random thoughts, as best I could, while silently encouraging my mind to take in the full symphony of Mother Nature's backdrop. About twenty feet in front of us, three frisky, red squirrels started playfully chasing one another through the underbrush, bouncing off the trunks of fall-colored oaks...
