The shadows dance across the wall. Oh how entertaining they appear, appeasing to my temporary desires, but no real pleasure seems to be found. This is all that I have known or seen—the dancing shadows. But something deep within the soul longs for so much more. There must be more to life than the dance of these shadows. Then, a miracle, the chains that kept one down from only seeing the shadows are broken. I rise and turn around to see statues and a fire that projected those shadows that I was so content with. Now, how fake a surreal they appear. The shadows have now lost their value. Wait! There is more. What lies beyond the fire and the statues? There is a distant light outside of this cave. No longer will I remain in this dark cave, but will dare to venture out to attain a glimpse of this light, this truth. Finally, through toils and pain I have found it—a joyful appearance. The light bursts forth, I have found truth. Oh how beautiful, how glorious it is! No longer must I force myself to be content with the shadows of life on the walls of the cave, but can be engulfed by the beauty of reality. The veil that covered my vision has now been removed and I can now gaze upon the Truth. I have just tasted a joyful appearance of the Divine.
