The Prison Door

Close your eyes and imagine that you are walking through a beautiful meadow. The morning sun is shining, the birds are singing, and a few wispy clouds are floating high in the azure sky. The green grass tickles your hands as you admire the surrounding landscape. There are trees all around the meadow, and their leaves are gently blowing in the summer breeze.

As you continue walking, you notice a path that leads away from the meadow and into the surrounding forest. You decide to explore. As you step away from the comforting joy of the meadow, you notice that it is gradually getting darker. The leaves are soon so thick that very little sunlight reaches the forest floor.

Bravely continuing, you discover a small stone building. It looks like it has been there for many years. You step through an archway and pause for a moment while your eyes adjust to the dim hallway beyond. Curiosity triumphs over fear, and you proceed down the corridor in order to discover its mysteries.

As you come around a corner, you see what looks like a jail cell. The door is partially open, and there's a prisoner inside! From the looks of it, the prisoner has been there for a very long time. There are a few rays of sunlight coming through a small barred window. The prisoner is sitting in the back corner of the cell, as far from the light as possible.

You hesitantly say hello, and the prisoner tells you to go away. But something makes you stay. You ask why the prisoner hasn't left the cell, as it's clearly unlocked.

"This is my home," the prisoner replies, "the only place where I really belong."

You explain that there's a beautiful meadow just beyond the forest, and you offer to show it to the prisoner.

"I cannot leave," the prisoner replies. "I've done some very bad, unforgivable things, and this is the only place where I feel suitably punished for my crimes."

You continue trying to convince the prisoner to exit the cell, but without success. Finally, an idea comes to you.

"Just come to the door," you explain. "The light is better there, and I want to see what you look like."

The prisoner reluctantly agrees, and as the distance narrows you suddenly realize that the prisoner is a tormented version of yourself. This is the prison where your shadow self lives.

You continue talking with the prisoner near the door of the cell. Soon you convince the prisoner to step outside the door, walk to the end of the hallway with you, turn the corner and step through the archway to the forest beyond. The prisoner is temporarily blinded by the dim forest light, but soon recovers. The two of you begin walking towards the meadow. As you walk, you begin to understand this dark part of you, and the reasons for such self-inflicted isolation.

Soon you arrive in the meadow, and the prisoner stops for a moment before stepping into the sunlight. You follow. Without a word, the prisoner turns to you and smiles, then the two of you embrace.