The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opens today. As you probably know, the movie is based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantasy novel, The Hobbit or There and Back Again.
The books was first released in 1937 to rave reviews and re-released in 1966 with illustrations by J. R. R. Tolkien (see below).
The story in the book is one of a journey taken by the hero, Bilbo Baggins, and his friends along the way to get a share of a treasure guarded by a dragon.
We should look upon Bilbo’s unexpected journey as a mystical journey. The goal of the journey is to obtain a high degree of wisdom and compassion and a deep understanding of our own true nature.
In Buddhism, this journey is uncover our Buddha nature or bodhichitta or mind of enlightenment. This is the mind of enlightenment that aims to awaken us and all sentient being through wisdom and compassion.
In the unexpected journey taken by the Hobbit, as well as our in our spiritual quest, we encounter obstacles on the path. Overcoming these obstacles is accomplished, in part, by meditation practices.
So I ask you, what obstacles are you encountering in your journey?
What friends are you making on the path?
What does the dragon symbolize to you?
Please share.
