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THE CAVE OF THE HEART – the real immortality


The cave of the heart addresses the concept some seekers have regarding the mythologised stages of yoga and spiritual practices like ‘Nirvana’ or ‘Samadhi’ and other remedies that are sought after in the name of external immortality.


by Travis Edwards


HOW BORING IT MUST BE to not be able to die? Yet the idea of ‘immortality’ is so appealing to many. It invokes mental fantasies of a life so superior to that of the mundane cycles of worldly existences that many beings are chasing the holy elixir of immortality – to be one amongst the gods’ other realms. I was recently reminded about the


story of Alexander the Great and his search for the ‘fountain of immortality’. Alexander had heard many stories about this immortal nectar and had became obsessed with finding it. Initially Alexander had sent out many


of his missionaries to uncover this immortal nectar. His men travelled far and wide to varied regions of the globe but only returned with knowledge of certain spiritual healings such as reiki and certain herbal medicine concoctions, but it wasn’t what he was after. So Alexander decided he must make his own journey for this nectar. He travelled for a long time on an arduous pursuit. Along the way he was instructed and pointed in the right direction of where to find this immortal nectar. After many months he finally came


across a farmer who knew a quiet humble man who could show Alexander where to find this nectar. Alexander came into contact with the simple man and asked him if it was he who had this nectar of immortality on his land. The man nodded in agreement and pointed to a cave on the side of a hill. “Up there you will find it”, proclaimed the man. So Alexander climbed the hill with his many bottles ready to fill with this nectar of immortality. He was awestruck when he finally reached the cave. He had his torch to


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navigate the way through the cave’s vast darkness, and soon became aware of a glow that radiated a presence within the cave. He searched the cave and eventually found a room that looked like a cathedral of honey dripping from the ceiling. The rich amber glow of the substance had entranced him and so he immediately went towards it and with one finger collected a sample but just as he was about to taste it a voice from somewhere said, “STOP! Don’t do it.” Alexander looked around but could not see anyone. So again he went to taste the nectar,


but again the voice spoke, “Don’t do it.” Alexander looked around and asked who was saying this. He then saw what looked like a blackbird, a kind of raven, sitting on a perch in the corner looking withered and worn. Alexander, amazed at hearing the talking bird, said to it, “Did you just speak to me?” The bird replied, “Yes; don’t take it; don’t


make the mistake I did. Hundreds of years ago I took it”, said the bird. “I came here and now I can’t die. My feathers are rotted. They are full of cobwebs and holes. I can’t even fly. Please don’t take it.” It is said that Alexander really


heard this message in his heart and understood it. With the evidence he now had in front of him he then took all his bottles off and pierced them with holes. He was no longer going to pursue this collection of the immortal nectar. The moral of this story is to point


towards the real immortality within ourselves, that indestructible drop of the divine that we all possess. You do not want the immortality that Alexander was initially seeking. Why would you? How awful to be condemned to an


existence of no escape, no change, no new challenges or experiences, etc. Yet in the cave of our own hearts


this godly element is waiting. The real search is within. “The kingdom of God is within”, Jesus also had taught. This body we identify with is a mortal body, subject to time, but within it the immortal is ever present, and the game of this life is to go beyond the surface and find that pearl of non-dual reality of wisdom and the timeless being which is inside the cave of your own heart. It has been said that there are


numerous beings on this planet that have lived for hundreds of years. Don’t be surprised by that, and it is not because they were vegetarians so to speak. It is simply that their destinies have somehow played out like that, to express like that. We need not be putting so much of our energy into these examples of existence. This only takes us away from our own immortal centre within us. Yes take care of the body, but you don’t have to worship it. And actually all the sicknesses here on the planet are here to help us look beyond the limited field of the body. Worship the Indweller – the one who lives in the inmost cave of your heart. This one is the one you must find, not the cursed elixir that goes against your very nature.


Travis is an avid researcher of all things yogic by nature. He has travelled extensively throughout Asia, particularly within the Indian subcontinent. He enjoys studying ancient traditions and religions and shifting the old concepts into ever-fresh paradigms so he and others can pursue truth more directly. Travis lives in Melbourne, Australia, and can be found barefoot in a sunny park north of Melbourne.


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