Monday: We need stories and myths that nourish our hearts and sustain our spirits. Chief of these soulful stories within the Western tradition is King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table. As we revisit this legend this week, I urge you to see King Arthur as representing you and your own journey.
Tuesday: Merlin helped Arthur wake up to his true identity, path, and destiny. Clearly, Merlin was a guru of sorts. The guru wakes us up; protects and guides us on our journey through life; helps us to discover our identity in God; and empowers us to be a force for good in the world. Without Merlin, Arthur would have lived his life in utter ignorance and unnecessary suffering.
Wednesday: Merlin took Arthur where his unenlightened instincts would not take him: to the sword deeply lodged in a large stone. The sword represents our royal heritage, our God-given divinity. The stone is a metaphor for our tamasic tendencies: our ignorance, perceptual blindness, willfulness, and attachments to lesser gods.
Thursday: King Arthur ordered that a round table be built for himself and his knights. Why a round table, especially in medieval England where tables were always rectangular or square? The round table was meant to symbolize the equality of King Arthur’s knights, who came from many countries. In a similar way, Francis of Assisi referred to the men of his religious order as Friars Minor, that is, little brothers.
Friday: According to the legend, King Arthur tells his knights to look for the Holy Grail not in a temple or a church, but in the dark forest. This means that spirituality is not a direct flight into enlightenment. There will be times when we must come to terms with our interior darkness, ignorance, and attachments.
To see the complete passages from this week, click here.
