A map for the soul… Compassionate journey…
Tjaatutjanun? Where are you from?
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Prologue
Sometimes God sends us to places where He decides to meet us. If we choose to go where He wants us to be, there is a high possibility that we will meet Him somehow. One of the most amazing, and challenging, places where He led me was the Great Sandy Desert in the middle of Australia.
I was blessed to be there and completely honored to cross paths with the Aboriginal People and with the Aboriginal Dreaming, or Tjukurrpa. Some of the stories and encounters changed my life and some helped me to see and understand the meaning and purpose of my life. All of them have molded me into the person that I am today. I am sharing one of the many stories with you in this book and the lessons I have learned. I would like to invite you to join me on my mysterious journey sprinkled with some miracles.
How we relate.
On this very night the air was fresh and the temperature was just perfect to enjoy the unexpected camping. The desert at night is mysterious and unpredictable, it is beautiful and frightful. The sounds of moving creatures and sneaky wind that caresses the bushes and the soft sand in the darkness appear to arrive from different directions. The time before your senses adjust to the sounds and the darkness can be very tense. After gathering a few sticks and lighting a little fire, I sat down on the ground. I unwrapped a sandwich and poured some coffee that I had brought with me. Coffee smells so good in the desert. And as I was ready to take the first sip, I heard a question “Would you mind if we join you?” I jumped up, completely puzzled, but the voice sounded very peaceful and I did not feel afraid.
What we create.
Before I could ask the question about where they came from, the old man looked deeply in my eyes and whispered, “I heard your question before you even thought about asking me. This is a question that I would like for you to answer this very night. Tjaatutjanun? (Where are you from?) Do you still remember where you came from?”
Growing in wisdom.
“When you saw clouds coming a few days ago you expected rain. Not because you had hope, but because you have learned that if there are clouds there must be coming rain. I am not talking about that kind of trust in what we know and understand. I would like to talk about the trust that is hard to understand, and to know when the unexpected is coming.
Humility – readiness to learn.
My soul was getting heavy and my voice weakened. I fell silent. I knew my wrong from the past, and I started to feel the weight on my conscience. In this silence I heard angels coming down and holding me tight and felt the old man’s hand on my shoulder. I heard the boy’s sigh.
The Darkness.
I wanted to continue, but all of a sudden the wind stopped. In that short silence I heard something that is unexpected at night. I heard a willy-willy coming. Usually a willy-willy is created during a hot sunny day. A willy-willy is, in Australian slang, the name for a dust devil, a whirlwind that picks up and carries dust. They are usually harmless, but occasionally are big enough to pose a threat to people or buildings.
Compassion; words cannot embrace it …
“He rolled over a car”, the old man said, “and died in the clinic. There were a few others involved in the accident, but the Royal Flying Doctors flew them to the hospital and they are doing well. A lot of people in the community are angry about the accident”. The man’s voice was clear and peaceful. “They are not done yet with the custom of sweeping the ground, but they have all moved out of the house to the sorry camp”.
“We are going to show our compassion to the family in the sorry camp and the community on this sad journey”, said the old man. “We are going to show them that we love and care about them. Compassion is the language of love and understanding.
Living with contradictions; moving on.
The old man said, “I might listen to a lot of wise and saintly people through my whole life, but unless I decide to change and grow, nothing will happen. Do not get me wrong, I need wise and holy people on my life paths, but at the end of the day it is my choice to change. As far as I know only babies welcome change”. He looked at me with a grin on his face and we both chuckled. “Good one”, I said. …
May you be blessed and enjoy the story. May Mama Kankarra look after you!
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Why do we continue to journey in a particular direction even though we know, deep down, it is not the right path? Why do we live with no peace in our souls? These are some of the questions the author is challenged to answer after an unexpected event. It was an ordinary day that turned into an extraordinary encounter. Even though he did not expect any changes in his life, the journey took him to a place of compassion that led to some life-changing decisions. Was it God or his personal choices that led him to this? Was it an accident or God’s loving plan? There are journeys we take, trips we plan, and decisions we make. There are weeks and years ahead of us with adventures waiting. Let A Map for the Soul… Compassionate Journey… be your companion in times of darkness and confusion when circumstances tell you, “You have reached your destination,” but you know you are lost or stuck.
This wondrous story could be your guide through the mysteries of your personal journey, spiritual growth, and gaining an understanding of yourself. The esoteric and unique places and encounters of the characters add another dimension and another insight to your spirituality.
The characters will take readers into the world of personal strengths and weaknesses as well as deep cultural and spiritual differences. Once you immerse yourself in all of that, you will create A Map for the Soul.
About the Author
Mirek Woznica was born and raised in a part of Poland called Silesia. He has worked in Australia, Europe, and Alaska as a Catholic priest for twenty-one years. He shares his unique, esoteric experiences and encounters in a captivating way. He is currently an adjunct professor at Simpson University in Redding, California, where he lives with his wife, Regina.