level 5: trust

I've just entered the fifth level of the waterfall. For many years, the only way I knew, to make the transition from the fourth level, was to swim across a deep pool at the top of the fourth level and climb steep sloping rocks next to a cascade. In those days, I would leave everything behind, and from here on, go naked. And that, somehow, also sums up a stage of the spiritual journey.

Perhaps when we're young, we really gain a lot from material things. And we also identify with them, and of course, clothe ourselves, hiding our bodies. But metaphorically, at least on the spiritual journey, there comes a point when we have to walk naked; when we have to drop the attachment to material things; when we need to stand alone, without the support of manmade props. Really, we need to return to the state we were in the moment we were born, when we came into the world, naked and empty, simply a vessel. And so, swimming through the pool and climbing, leaving everything else behind, was symbolic of this for me.

But last year, for the first time, I came with a friend into this level, and we climbed a dry route, which I had looked at many times and thought might be possible. But it's another risky little piece of rock climbing: a steep, very smooth slab, curving upwards, beautiful shape; but the feeling that one might slip at any moment, with potentially fatal results. However, there is a tiny little finger crack running straight up the edge of this smooth, water-worn slab. And last year, climbing with a friend, we found it was possible to ascend it. And of course, on that first ascent, we helped each other. It made it a little easier.

But having climbed it once, since then, I've often climbed it alone. It's the four minute mile effect: once someone has done something, once we know in our mind that it is possible, suddenly it becomes possible for us. And in a way, I think this is the work of a spiritual master: to hint at what is possible, so that it might become possible for others. Otherwise, our mind is so good at telling us that something is impossible. But once we've seen it with our own eyes – or seen someone else who has at least seen it for themselves – things that were previously thought to be impossible, become possible.

I've come a bit further up the fifth level, clambering on big boulders. And now I've reached a spot which is one of my favourite parts of this waterfall adventure. Here, I have to wade waist deep through one bubbling pool of water; step up into another; and then like a miracle, there's a hidden ledge at the side of the pool, not visible through the foaming water, but perfectly flat, and just wide enough for the foot. One can walk along this ledge. It's one of those hidden gifts that one would never suspect is there. We come across many of those on our spiritual journey. Anyway here goes...

I've reached the top of the fifth level now. That secret ledge did the trick as usual. It's amazing: it's covered in moss. There must be enough air getting to it, through the foaming water, to keep the plant alive. The moss feels so beautiful underfoot. It's like a carpet. And I called this episode trust because there are times on our spiritual journey when we really just have to trust that we are being led in the right direction; that we will be given the resources we need, to find our way; just as I've been given that magical little ledge to walk on through the water.

It also reminds me, of course, of the parable of Jesus walking on the water. It sort of feels like that. My feet are a little bit in the water; but to an observer, it would appear quite miraculous, as if I'm walking on the water. So trust, trust that these little miracles will be given to us when we need them – it's a big part of the spiritual journey. And the more we move into that realm of trust, the more we can let go of needing to control our journey. We don't need to know where we're going. And we don't feel as afraid of the unknown. And that really is needed, here in this waterfall valley, as much as in the spiritual journey.

The top of the fifth level here has another beautiful pool, being fed by a gorgeous, rather complex cascade of water coming down in many ways over a jumble of boulders. For some seasons, I used to be able to climb in the cascade, getting very wet, and crawl out through a hole between some boulders at the top. But one of the amazing things about this waterfall valley is that between the seasons when I'm here, the monsoon comes. And the heavy monsoon rains cause enough water to come down the valley to rearrange these huge boulders. They're several metres across and weighing many tons, but even so, the power of the water is enough to move them sometimes. So from year to year, things change.

And that's really another lesson for life. We might think we've learned the way to move in the world, and then suddenly, things get rearranged. So we always have to be ready for the new. Anyway, luckily, there's an alternative way up out of this fifth level as well. And that's the way I'm going to climb today.