The Broad Way and the Narrow Way: Charlotte Reihlen 1867
This forgotten Christian teaching directly evokes the broad path of the world and the narrow path leading to the kingdom. This image has many copies and representations. But overall it remains an indication of two destinies of man according to the decisions he makes.
It represents two paths that are offered to man: on one side a broad welcoming path advocating pleasures and worldliness. Then gradually this life of pleasures and celebrations becomes conflictual and ends in destruction and fire. On the other side, a small, unwelcoming and austere door leads to a fountain and a small, narrow and dark staircase. Then this difficult path becomes more illuminated to end in accomplishment and light. The scenes are numerous, as are the symbols and the different stages of these two paths. Many references to the gospels are noted.
It is interesting to note on this work by Charlotte Reihlen that the broad path begins with pleasure and the worldly, then ends with struggle and destructive fire. The narrow path is more austere and solitary, but ends with accomplishment. The symbols and representations of this image speak for themselves, they are easily understandable and above all universal. They can evoke the life of every person on earth, regardless of their culture and social level. They demonstrate the importance of our decisions, and the growing and primordial difference in life choices and their implications.
Everyone is led to choose between the wide path of the world and the narrow path of the soul path, between the highway of the system and the path of life, between the natural being and the celestial being. This image teaches us that the wide path seems apparently good and attractive, but ends in suffering and destruction. The narrow path seems difficult and demanding at first, but ends in light and accomplishment. This scene represents the life of consciousness, it represents the periods of life when everyone must make decisions. And these decisions can have an immense impact on the rest of life.
These separate paths are divided by deep and major differences, they can no longer reunite but only distance themselves more and more. The divine force pushes us to take part in one of these two paths. Without being lukewarm or indecisive, life pushes us to position ourselves clearly in the only and true free will which is the choice between a broad path of the truth of the world, and a narrow path of divine truth.
Beyond its religious origin, the broad path and the narrow path (currently available on https://www.redbubble.com on many formats) has no beginning nor end, it is beyond eras and time. It carries an eternal wisdom and at the same time confronts us with the consequences of our life choices, the real choices that each of us must make at a given moment. These very paths are secondary, because they confront us with the meaning of life and its ultimate goals.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14