The Invisible White Rabbit – A Parable in Determination

The Invisible White Rabbit – A Parable in Determination is based on a story by Edward Hays. I think The Invisible White Rabbit is an excellent source of inspiration and wisdom for those trying to forge a spiritual journey. We all know this journey takes incredible determination and perseverance. Many New Age books make it sound easy with their claims of “Five Easy Steps Towards Enlightenment”, but anyone who has done any deep spiritual work is acutely aware that it is not easy or fast. But how do we stay on the path with life’s challenges and surprises?

The Invisible White Rabbit – A Parable in Determination

“It seems a young aspirant to holiness once came to visit the hermitage of an old holy man who was sitting in the doorway of his quarters at sunset.  The old man’s dog stretched out across the threshold as the young spiritual seeker presented his problem to the holy man.

“Why is it, Abba, that some who seek God come to the desert and are zealous in prayer but leave after a year or so, while others, like you, remain faithful to the quest for a lifetime?”

The old man smiled and replied, “let me tell you a story:

“One day I was sitting here quietly in the sun with my dog.  Suddenly, a large white rabbit ran across in front of us.  Well, my dog jumped up, barking loudly, and took off after that big rabbit.  Soon, other dogs joined him, attracted by his barking.  What a sight it was, as the pack of dogs ran barking across the creeks, up stony embankments and through thickets and thorns!  Gradually, however, one by one, the other dogs dropped out of the pursuit, discouraged by the course and frustrated by the chase.  Only my dog continued to hotly pursue the white rabbit.”

“In that story, young man, is the answer to your question.”

The young man sat in confused silence.  Finally, he said, “Abba, I don’t understand.  What is the connection between the rabbit chase and the quest for holiness?”

“You fail to understand,” answered the old hermit, “because you failed to ask the obvious question.  Why didn’t the other dogs continue on the chase? And the answer to that question is that they had not seen the rabbit.  Unless you see your prey, the chase is just too difficult.  You will lack the passion and determination necessary to perform all the hard work required by the discipline your spiritual exercises.”

Excerpt from “The Invisible White Rabbit”

Edward Hays, In Pursuit of the Great White Rabbit

“Edward Hays portrays himself as walking the razor’s edge between madness and magic. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, he describes his childhood as being surrounded by silent applause from his parents, his brothers Joe and Tom and his sister Jane.

With that enchanted childhood as a bulletproof vest, he entered adult life — but never totally abandoned the wonder-world of stories and imagination. His professional education was shaped in the magic monastery of Conception Abbey in Missouri, where the Benedictine monks opened his eyes to the location of hidden treasures along the road of life.

In 1958 he was ordained a Catholic priest and wandered here and there in the mystic land of eastern Kansas. A star chaser like the Magi, he ventured to India and the Orient, only to discover that Shangri-La was back home. Returning to Kansas, he became a member of a contemplative community of men and women located east of the moon and west of the sea. In 1978, nudged by the muses to assist those explorers searching for Shangri-La in their backyards, he began making a series of strange maps which some call books.

Next, Fate arrested him and in 1996 he landed in the Kansas State Penitentiary as a prison chaplain. As the twentieth century ended, he continued to scribble mystic maps for other seekers. Entering the new millennium, he also entered Eldergarden and in that preschool of infinity is relearning how to enjoy the moment. In daily recesses there is time for play, daydreaming, finger-painting and other artistic calisthenics for the imagination — as well as frequent backyard encounters with the Presence. After graduating from Eldergarden, rumors are that he will depart following another star to explore intriguing extraterrestrial destinations.” Edward Hays

This is one of my favorite stories.  The writer, Edward Hays, has written many books with stories and parables of the spiritual journey.  My favorite book by Edward Hays is Twelve and One-Half Keys (a really fun book that can be adapted into bedtime stories for children or adults). This is one of two books I often take with me when I travel.  If you are curious, the other is The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks.

The reason this particular story makes so much sense to me is that I relate to both the old man and the young aspirant.  As a teenager, I eventually stopped asking out girls because they all said no. I had never received any rewards for my efforts.  After several years, I stopped trying since there was no point in continuing. I had not seen “The Rabbit”. In this case, “The Rabbit”, was positive experiences with dating. The chase became too hard for me on hope alone. I lost my determination to continue to ask girls out without “seeing” anything real or worth the risk or effort. I was initially trying to date girls based on the experiences of others, but as time went on without my own experiences, my determination waned, and I eventually stopped. This is similar to the other dogs in the parable above about determination; they lost their willingness to chase something they did not have first-hand experience with its existence.

As a young man, I had some positive experiences dating women. I knew it was worth the determination necessary to meet amazing young women because the feeling was incredible. I had seen “The Rabbit,” so the chase was now real to me.

Today, when I hit a low point in my journey, I have reference points of when I have experienced the bliss, ecstasy, joy, freedom, connection, and love that I am striving for.  I have seen “The Rabbit”.  This means that what I am chasing, I know exists; it is real, and I have experienced it.  I think it is hard enough to continue to stay motivated and consistent with genuine experiences, let alone without having these experiences.  This does not make me special or unique, it just means that I have reference points for my pursuit offering me the necessary determination to keep plugging along.

Determination and Seeing The Rabbit

My first reference point came in October of 1989.  I was rushed to a hospital. The morning of my second day, I tried to pray for the first time in my life at age twenty-eight.  The strangest thing happened: I had an overwhelming sense of peace and safety, that everything would be all right.  It was so deep and convincing I somehow knew it was real, and that was the beginning of my spiritual journey.  It was brief as I returned to all the struggles I was experiencing, but for that moment, there was calm. I now had the determination to try prayer again.

I was hiking solo across the country in 1995; it was the summer when the country was experiencing temperatures between 95-110 degrees. At this particular part of the expedition, I had gone several days of hiking from 9:00 a.m. until 7/8:00 p.m. and was exhausted mentally, physically, and spiritually.  I was feeling lonely, lost, desperate, and ready to give up.  I summoned all the energy I had to just break down my tent and pack up my gear to begin the day’s trek.

I walked out to the road, and in the spirit of a “challenge” to God, I “prayed” something like this, “God I can’t go on anymore, if you don’t help me, I will give up.  I need a sign.  I have nothing left.”  About a minute later, a man drove up next to me and asked if I needed a ride and companionship.  He looked like an interesting, safe, and kind person, so I jumped in.  He explained he might only be going a few miles before dropping me off because he wanted to hit some antique stores in town.  I was grateful for the ride, conversation, and meeting such a nice guy.  He dropped me off in town a few minutes later.  I felt a little better, but I was still not solid or inspired.

I was walking for about fifteen minutes when he pulled up next to me again, “The stores don’t open on Tuesdays till noon, and I don’t want to wait that long.  I am going to visit a friend in Indianapolis. Do you want a ride?” A minute later, with my backpack in the back seat, we were off!  We had a wonderful conversation for the next hour and a half.  It turned out he was the founder of an intentional community I had read about and was interested in exploring. After he dropped me off in downtown Indy, I felt refreshed and alive.  The story is not complete yet.

I was sitting eating lunch on a cement bench when I was approached three times over an hour, having almost identical conversations with all three women!  All three conversations were with young, blonde women asking me if I knew Jerry Garcia died the day before, explaining that they had seen him at his last show in Indy. They followed that by telling me I needed to go to Bloomington, Indiana!  All three women said I needed to go to Bloomington!  The last one even went and got bus info, handing me the money to take the trip!  I took the bus to Bloomington. The following day I met the woman who I was to become engaged to later that year. We did not get married and parted ways, but this day changed my life in so many ways. It’s a long story, but I think that you can see how powerful this experience was for me. This has been another reference point for me when I feel stuck or lost.  I had seen and been touched by “The Rabbit” in an extraordinary way

Determination – The Creation of A Sand Mandala

I had participated in a ten-day training with The Dalai Lama in 1999. Throughout the ten days, there was a group of Tibetan Monks creating a sand maṇḍala. It was an amazing experience to witness. I was fascinated with the process, but more importantly, I was fascinated with the determination and focus. Upon its completion, we were able to see the sand maṇḍala up close; it was breathtaking! The monks dismantled this sacred piece of art and dumped it into a nearby creek as part of the ritual. I remember experiencing bliss and loss simultaneously. I still do when I reflect on this experience.

Many other experiences serve as reference points along the way.  They keep me motivated and inspired to practice Meditation and Reiki daily without fail. The truth is that I am not actually a very disciplined person.  I know what I want, and I know that meditation, prayer, and Reiki will help me get there and stay there.  They are not the goal; they are vehicles to help me achieve success in peace, love, and life.  Many believe that Meditation is the goal; my experience demonstrates this is not correct.

For me, the goal is to Connect with “The Rabbit,” learn about me/you/us, share our experiences, love, and wisdom, and maybe be of use in helping others see “The Rabbit,” too. The pursuit continues, but it is not as difficult because I have been fortunate to have seen The Rabbit enough times to know that “The Rabbit” exists and is Real.

Have you seen The Rabbit yet? Do you lack determination?

 

Other posts you may enjoy:

I Am Not A Healer

Stop Trying To Fix Me – I Am Not Broken

Blindness – A Spiritual Teaching in Seeing

The Art of Knowing is Knowing What to Ignore

Spiritual Training on Humility – The Janitor Part I

This Sculpture Shows The Inner Child In Us – Love

 

 A Beautiful Poem on Spiritual Determination

The Guest House by Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi 

 

Michael Swerdloff

Providence Holistic Counselor, Cioach and Reiki

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