35 : in-between

Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen.

— Luke 24:5

The moment of the empty tomb is one of the most powerful symbols in spiritual tradition. It represents the ultimate transformation — death giving way to new life, despair turning into hope, and the unknown unfolding into revelation. This is not just a story about Jesus; it is a deep metaphor for the process of spiritual, psychological, and personal rebirth.

Death and rebirth are universal themes found across many traditions, from ancient mystery cults to Jungian individuation. Jung spoke of the necessity of allowing old versions of the self to die in order for a new, more integrated self to emerge. He saw this as part of the nigredo, the dark night of the soul — a period of dissolution and loss before transformation can begin. The empty tomb, then, is not just a symbol of resurrection but of the liminal space in between — the moment where one stands at the threshold of something entirely new, not yet knowing what lies ahead.

Often, we cling to the past, even when it no longer serves us. We return to familiar patterns, seeking comfort in the known, just as the women at the tomb sought the body of Jesus where they had last seen Him. But the message of the empty tomb is clear: He is not here. The past cannot be resurrected as it was; something new must emerge.

This can be a difficult lesson. Transitions — whether spiritual, emotional, or existential — often come with grief. The old self must be mourned before the new self can fully emerge. The uncertainty of what lies ahead can feel overwhelming, even terrifying. Yet the empty tomb is not just about death; it is about the promise that something greater awaits. It reminds us that we are never abandoned in these moments of transformation. Even when we cannot yet see it, new life is already unfolding.

So, where in your life are you standing at an empty tomb? What parts of yourself or your past are you still seeking, even though they are no longer there? What would it mean to step into the unknown and trust that something new is already rising?

Journaling Prompt: Reflect on a time in your life when you experienced a metaphorical death and rebirth. How did it change you? Are there any aspects of your life now that you feel called to release in order to step into something new? What does the empty tomb mean to you personally?

#CarlJung #Lent #Meditation #Journaling #Bible #LabyrinthsInTheSand #JourneyWithin #40DaysOfReflection #InnerWilderness #DoorToTransformation #SpiritualJourney #DesertOfTheSoul #FollowingTheThread #TheLightOfTheWorld #JungianReflections #ArchetypalJourney #40DaysOfGrowth #SoulWork #ExploringTheSelf #SpiritualLabyrinth #KnockAndItShallOpen #SelfDiscoveryJourney #InnerQuest #SacredPath #DesertWisdom

080425