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The Gift of
Freedom
Many years ago I read about
the charming Asian custom of giving a recently caged dove or pigeon as a special
birthday present. Symbolically, the bird and the gift’s recipient are
spiritually joined to one another, giving the bird’s ability to fly special
meaning and potency.
Traditionally, the new
bird-owner releases their birthday present, soon after receiving it.
They know that by giving freedom to their bird, they are giving freedom
to themselves. The newly released,
and their releaser, are emotionally bonded.
Together, they fly away from all their fears and worries.
Together, they draw a little closer to heavenly bliss.
It is meant to be a deeply spiritual moment, and a profound reminder of
our connection with all forms of life, and with life itself.
I gave my first pigeon to the
strong, forceful and beguiling woman who was my agent and manager whose
affection and compassion had also turned her into a much-needed mother figure.
It was her birthday. She was
delighted by the symbolism of her present.
She wanted to feel some of that symbolic freedom straight away.
She insisted on releasing the pigeon immediately.
We walked to the local park,
which was under the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
We were both delighted by the dramatic setting, and our own sense of
celebration. My dear friend opened the
small cage with all the aplomb of an opening night.
Nothing happened!
Well that’s not quite true. The
pigeon looked a little stunned, and cowered further back in its cage.
My friend waved the cage in the air, encouraging our little winged
companion to be free ... but he clung on to the cage as if his life depended on
it.
I didn’t know what to say.
My gift was supposed to be a symbol of freedom, but this symbol of
freedom was determined to stay trapped.
We fell onto the grass and
turned the cage onto its side. Our
bird scrunched himself deeply into a barred corner.
It was a strangely embarrassing moment … until my friend burst into a
contagious laughter. I laughed with
her, and she rewarded me with a big hug, and kind words, “It will always be a
beautiful thought. Thankyou.”
Her kindness, or her words,
seemed to be the exact cue needed by our living gift to walk out of his cage. We looked at the bird as if he had just performed a miracle.
We were stilled and bonded by our mutual wonder.
The bird seemed disorientated and staggered around like an amnesia
patient, until he started pecking the grass.
Something potent was obviously in that particular patch of grass because
its affect was almost instantaneous. Our
bird started strutting.
Other pigeons flew down to
the same pecking ground as our precious bird.
They accepted him into their midst.
Their acceptance had a magical affect upon our feathered friend.
He seemed to finally comprehend he was permanently out of his cage.
We watched as the realisation of freedom settled upon him.
His life was his own again! He
flew a short way across the lawn. I
heard my friend’s intake of breath. We
were both spellbound.
Our bird flew up onto a seat. He flew back down to the earth.
He became bolder, and stronger ... and then it happened!
Our pigeon flew … higher and higher … flying away with all my
friend’s woes and worries … taking her closer to heavenly bliss.
There was nothing to say.
It was a deeply spiritual moment … and we were too busy smiling.
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