Many came to the collective farms to do their service to the larger community. Together they grew the organic food that helped feed the larger society, and that sense of purpose was invigorating. Rising Sun Farm was a diverse place with many cultures and languages spoken. A beautiful place of farms and forest nestled among the Santiam River, many younger people came here for solitude and service. Joshua had made many new friends. The work and education on the farm combined to provide exactly what he had wanted.
He knew that every experience was part of the journey. Yet he also had a longing for something he couldn’t quite grasp. Perhaps his dreams were part of this? He could not get the gentle voice of the feminine spirit out of his mind. Amid the chaos and terror of his dream, this one voice had seemed to save him. Were the ones beyond Earth calling him? Was he being called to the mystic way of life again? Was he to help in some way? He knew from his upbringing that many dreams carried critical messages. He had learned to interpret some of them, yet he wasn’t quite clear what this one meant.
Before he left for the village he decided to spend some time in meditation and prayer to gather his thoughts about it. He found an inner peace with the meditation that the elders had taught him. He had learned to meditate at an early age and he loved what it did to him. This part of the early mystic training had stayed with him.
After getting dressed, he looked at his clock and knew he had time for a short calming session on the bluff. He grabbed what he needed and followed the rocky path to the farm’s sanctuary. Immediately, sensing the earth all around him, he felt a sense of peace. The beautiful sanctuary slowly came into sight. Handmade of local wood and rock, it rested on a bluff overlooking the river. Joshua’s eyes skimmed the tops of the fir and alder trees that lined the meandering river bed below. The slight breeze of the mountain air gave him a sense of satisfaction and the beauty of the area made him feel centered. He felt at home here.
Drifting in the space of no thought for several minutes, he began to find his sense of peace again. Joshua opened his eyes and remembered: the reflection ceremony, Talis’s grandfather. He would have to catch the maglev train to town in about 20 minutes. He slowly got up from his place and made his way down to the station. He stopped again to smell the fresh scent of fir and slowed his pace even more. I will have time, he thought. Slow down and breathe. Focus your thoughts on the reflection. With that gentle reminder, he walked slowly to the train and boarded for the village.
Chapter 4
The Reflection
It was time for the group to gather. Grandfather’s time had arrived and people began filing slowly into the room. The energy was calm and serene; people sensed a peace in the room. Grandfather was smiling as he recognized his friends. He was happy to see so many gathered. Jasmine, a mystic from the University, was present to help with the ceremony. A strong figure, full of natural grace, her energy alone commanded the attention of the others.
She humbly focused her thoughts on Grandfather’s energy, smiling gently at Talis as the two caught each other’s eyes. Something between these two pleased Grandfather as he held both of their hands.
“She is one you need to trust with what I have told you,” he said as he looked at Talis. He squeezed their hands. “You two will be connected on this journey.” They looked at him and at each other. The deep energy in Jasmine’s eyes told both of them that she would indeed be part of the journey. Talis looked at Jasmine and then at his grandfather. “Yes, Grandfather, I understand.”
Two members of the Council of Elders were also present, Michael and Tythia. This was something of a surprise visit, as Talis had not seen them at the house for several years. Talis’s grandfather had been influential in the forming of the new Council, and also with the mystics at the University, and he knew these two Elders from the past. Despite this, Grandfather had kept only a small circle of friends, choosing to pursue a quiet and reflective path in his final years. The uprising and the ongoing transformation had been his cause; when society finally found its peace again, Grandfather took a backseat and went inward. He had seen and experienced enough, and had lost something precious, never quite regaining his energy. The two Elders’ presence was welcome and honored, yet Talis felt a bit odd about their coming uninvited. He wondered what they were up to. Trust was a major factor in their new society, but Talis still felt somewhat uneasy and he was not sure why. Nevertheless, he greeted them with a kind welcome.
So it was with Grandfather’s reflection and passing. He had invited his closest friends to say goodbye, and the room reflected a deep aura of peace as Jasmine turned the energy. The love inside the room also was felt strongly. As they gathered around Grandfather’s bed, Talis and Jasmine called everyone to focus their energy on the passing.
Talis began. “We gather here for a reflection on our loved one, Markus Aoliah Dueter, known to many of us as Grandfather.”
Jasmine began her reflective song. It began as a simple melody, almost like a child’s lullaby, and then grew into a magical chant. The richness of Jasmine’s voice seemed to blend with the warm light from the candles in the room. Everyone gathered close and laid hands on Grandfather. Tears were flowing from his eyes as he gazed at each one of them.
Joshua was one of the younger members present and was honored to be there. He looked around at the influential and powerful circle. As a mystic, he could see the strength of the group. The aura colors of the others danced around him as he blended his energy with theirs. All thoughts went to Grandfather and the love he was receiving was evident in all that were present. Joshua felt a bit out of place, his energy was distracted by his dreams, but knew that he was there to honor Grandfather, so he focused on sending the loving energy needed for the passing.
The energy grew as the reflection song that Jasmine sang grew in intensity. Her mystic chant spiraled in the room as it became more focused on lifting the veil. The strength of her voice and the pure pitch brought the others to a trance-like state. The seers were trained to move energy and life force in the direction needed, and often their work accomplished healing. In the reflection ceremony, however, their work helped transfer energy peacefully to the spirit dimension. It was the way of most people now, and the request of Grandfather.
Each mystic, like Jasmine, had a special gift to help others on their path. Jasmine had been an acquaintance of Grandfather and had briefly met Talis a few times at special events. She also was a special mystic singer, thus she was invited to the passing for both reasons. This is how she turned the energy. Her spiritual songs helped people with their transition to the next realm. As the song intensified, everyone joined in the special prayer. Grandfather smiled and seemed to breathe deeply, each breath deeper than the last. The group joined in, most with their eyes fixed on him, some with their eyes closed. The energy was strong as the room glowed with a magical quality.
The energy rose as the spirit dimension was summoned by Jasmine. “We ask that our loved one, Markus Aoliah Dueter, leave us in peace and in harmony. He has touched so many and brought great joy to our collective. May he find harmony as he returns to the place from whence we all come.”
Talis gazed at his grandfather tearfully. “You have been my teacher and my father. I will live up to your integrity. I will be authentic and continue the journey. I love you, Grandfather; you have touched my heart like no other. I will miss you and am sad to see you go.” He kissed his grandfather one final time as he was fading quickly. Grandfather gazed at him with love.
The others spoke one by one, saying a personal goodbye to this wonderful man.
Michael from the Council of Elders ended the special goodbyes. “Go in peace and return to the Source. You have touched us all with your heart and your courage, my brother.”
Jasmine sang the final reflection song, all joining in.
With the Earth, Air, Water and Fire of our bodies and of the sacred Earth Mother, we call the Source of cosmic spirit and love—Divine Energy, the Universal Energy Field, that which we come from, that
which is the Source. Our friend and brother returns to you. We ask that the spirit world take this man in peace and guide him back to the One.
Jasmine advanced the energy with her powerful words and movement. Talis and Joshua felt the intense energy pulsate. For a brief moment they saw the bridge, the opening, the portal of no time, and were one with it. Grandfather looked at Talis intensely. He did not have to say anything. Talis felt his love and heard him clearly in his mind: “Find the truth, and retell the story.” Grandfather gently smiled, slowly closed his eyes, and his energy field rose from his physical body and into the gateway. A strong energy illuminated the room, and he was gone.
The room was silent for several minutes. Everyone was reflecting on the passing in their own way. A few were crying, some stood still with heads bowed. Slowly, everyone got up and left the room. Most of those gathered would stay for a traditional potluck meal in honor of Grandfather. Even dealing with the sorrow of losing his grandfather, Talis had organized the entire reflection ceremony, being his only close surviving relative. Talis’s parents had passed on much too soon while he was very young, leaving him to be raised by his grandfather. They had spent much of their life together and the reflection was a special way of saying goodbye to such a wonderful man.
Markus had been single for many decades and had raised Talis alone. He had met Talis’s grandmother just after the revolution, when peace finally had come to most of the world, but she had passed on before Talis was born. Talis cared for his grandfather in his later years. It was not a difficult task, as they had been almost inseparable. There was something about their relationship that spoke of destiny. Out of tragedy and loss comes love and healing. The balance of the wheel. Life always changing.
As everyone gathered around the table, there was light conversation. Talis sat down in an empty seat across from the Elders Michael and Tythia and filled his cup from the pitcher between them. He was honored by the chance to speak with two from the Council.
Tythia spoke first. “Your grandfather was an honorable man. He taught us many things in the Council.” She hesitated. “There was one thing that he tried to tell me that we never got to discuss. I am very sorry that I missed that chance.”
Talis thought of his discussion with Grandfather and of the journals. Tythia went on, tearing a piece from a warm loaf of bread and passing it to Talis.
“I know this may not be the best time to ask you, but did he ever talk to you about anything odd or different?” she gripped her fork tightly. Talis noticed that she and Michael both seemed tense.
Talis kept quiet at first. He did not quite know how to answer. Should he tell her about the journals and their discussion? He was usually quite honest about everything. Yet he was hesitant because what Grandfather had told him.
After a long uncomfortable pause and several deep breaths he finally spoke. “He did discuss with me the uprising and the revolution. He wanted me to read his journals and help tell his story.”
Michael and Tythia both stared oddly at each other, then looked at Talis. “Yes, he had spoken of the journals to me,” Michael said as he looked away to hide his disappointment. “He seemed very intent on giving them to you to read.”
“He gave them to me only recently. I will begin to look at them soon. Is there something that you could tell me about them? Should I let the Council know if I find anything of great interest?”
They both looked at one another uneasily. Talis could not quite grasp what they were up to by being here. Tythia spoke quietly. “Your grandfather was an influential man. He did so many great things to lead us to where we are today. You decide what you want to share with us. But we would appreciate any information that may help us become wiser leaders and better people.”
Talis nodded, but was a bit perplexed by her answer. “I will keep you informed as to my progress.”
Michael looked Talis directly in the eyes with an intense energy, then smiled. “As always, thank you, Talis. You have grown into a fine man. Your wisdom grows every day. Blessings to you. We are always at the service of the people.”
Michael and Tythia bowed to Talis and to the others. “We are honored to have been a friend of Markus. May his spirit live on in each of us. We must make our way to the Council chambers. We wish all of you a blessed night.” They quietly left.
Talis breathed a sigh of relief once they were gone. He had noticed that they seemed nervous with their discussion. He decided he should start reading the journals as soon as he could. What was in these journals that even intrigued members of the Council? He thought it odd, but it also made him more intent on fulfilling Grandfather’s request. He would indeed have to be cautious.
Joshua was on the other end of the gathering. He had not heard the discussion with Talis; he was focused on talking to the seer Jasmine. He deliberately sought her out to ask about his dreams. Although he realized this wasn’t the best time to discuss it, he thought it a great opportunity to get some advice from a mystic.
Jasmine sensed this and sat directly beside him. She had penetrating eyes and the energy of an ancient soul. Jasmine had been brought up at the University as a mystic and knew no other life. All of the seers seemed cloaked in an aura of mystery as they spent much of their time in trance or prayer. This made them distant at times, but they were approachable when needed as they served the greater society. This was their way. Jasmine had a special gift and she was sought after by many people during their reflective passing. She was able to open the veil between the dimensions in a delicate way. Her voice was soothing and brought the group together during what could be a tough transition for many. This gift brought her out of the University more often than others. They were certainly blessed to have her with them today.
Joshua fidgeted with his plate of food as he gathered his thoughts. “Jasmine, I thank you for honoring Grandfather. Your voice and presence were certainly powerful.”
Jasmine smiled and bowed. “Blessed be. You are Joshua, are you not?”
“Yes, I am a friend of Talis and of Markus. He was a special man to all of us.”
Jasmine nodded and looked at him deeply. She knew he was not seeking her to compare friends and talk of Grandfather. She, like most mystics, was direct with communication. “You have a question to ask of me?”
It was difficult to hide anything from a strong mystic. They had empathic and psychic abilities and could read a person’s mind and feelings quite easily. This was their job and their gift to others. Yet even after all these years, it made Joshua feel uneasy at times. He did not like someone knowing his thoughts. This was one reason he had decided not to pursue the life of a mystic himself.
“Yes,” he said. “I have been having these intense reoccurring dreams. They wake me each night. They are of the uprising and the revolution. In particular, I hear what sounds like a woman’s voice calling to me amid the chaos.”
Jasmine was silent for some time. Joshua looked around during this long silence and absorbed the sounds of other’s talking quietly and of candlelight reflecting on faces throughout the room. Joshua was used to the silence of the seers, but he still felt a bit uncomfortable with this long pause.
Jasmine finally spoke with seriousness and a sense of urgency. “I would like you to come see us at the University. I would like you to discuss this with the other seers and have you explain your dream in detail. This type of dream is occurring in several people at this time, yet your communication with the woman mystic in your dream is of upmost importance. Would you be able to come visit us?”
Joshua thought quietly as people around began to leave the gathering. Although no one was ever required to go to the University and meet with the mystics, if you were personally invited it was always wise to go.
Jasmine sensed his anxiety. She put her arm out and gently touched his shoulder. “Do not be afraid, my friend Joshua. We are always here to help. We may seem distant at times, but our hearts always lie with those that we serve. And at times we need your help also. This dream of you
rs may help us understand what is going on with the energy field fluctuation we are sensing.”
“An energy fluctuation?” Joshua asked with a surprised tone.
Jasmine was quiet, but quick to answer. “It is not advisable to discuss it here, but we can explain it to you if you come visit us. Will you agree to visit?”
Joshua got up suddenly as he noticed Talis was coming over to join the conversation. Although he trusted his friend, he wasn’t sure if a private conversation about his dreams was thoughtful during the reflection ceremony.
He answered quickly. “I would be most honored to come visit. I hope that we can help each other. Let me know the appropriate time.” He bowed. “Blessed be, Jasmine.”
Jasmine bowed to him as she noticed Talis close by. “Blessed be, Joshua. We will call for you.”
Talis had come over deliberately to interrupt their discussion. He had wanted to talk to both of them, but noticed they ended the conversation as he approached.
“I apologize if I interrupted you two,” he said with a slight awkwardness.
“Talis, it is always good to see you.” Jasmine smiled, her face red with embarrassment, quite unusual for her and she wasn’t sure why. “I would like to talk to you at length, but I am needed at the University for a council. Will you call on me as your grandfather has requested?”
The Mystic Paradigm: An Evolutionary Novel Page 2
