PART FOUR
Facing the ocean, I topped the rock and stood, for a moment, looking at the sea. The midday sun shone brightly over calm waters, and the blue sky was cloudless to the edge of the horizon. Seagulls glided lazily, searching their hungry search—now and then one would smash into mirrored rays, splashing water and swallowing up the prize of survival.
I turned slowly to my left, and looking down the beach I could see thousands of beachers stretching for miles upon the white sands. In many places they were crowded together, blanket to blanket, head to toe, and elbow to elbow. Here and there, the bright colors of an umbrella stood upright and pointed toward the blue skies.
As I continued to turn, off to the left, I could see a wall—short in height, only five feet tall, but enough to separate the city from the beach. And beyond that, towering in the sky, there was a huge, modern building with the words 'WAR CORPORATION' written in black, metallic letters across the front.
There was a high fence surrounding the building, with armed guards at the front gate.—They allowed only those with clearance to enter the grounds.
"Hey you," one of the beachers yelled, "Are you another one of those peace preachers?"
I turned and looked down at him. He was a big man with a dark hairy chest and a black head of hair that glistened in the sunlight. A white line encircled his waist and joined his bronze skin to a bright red bathing suit.
Two more beachers walked up beside him. They stood silently watching - wondering. They stared at the man in the white, but desert dingy robe.
"What are you doing here?" one of them finally asked.
He was a man who appeared to be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. It showed in his eyes and his posture. It showed on his face.
He waited for an answer, but I could not give him the magical solution for which he searched. It would only come from within. The answers to all problems of mental turmoil, sadness, hate, frustration, . . . . All the problems made within can only be solved from within.
I looked over at the building of the War Corporation (a monument of death, jutting into the sky). It occurred to me that I had been sent to this city to deliver a message to all the people. So, I thought, "*This man—he is not the reason I am here; and yet,—he is.*"
So, I looked at him again, "*You must understand that searching for happiness from the material, the money, the sex, the clothes, the fame, the food, . . . , these can only bring a short time, false happiness which disappears when the material foundation of that happiness disintegrates, when money is lost or hoarded, when the sex becomes boring, when the clothes are riddled by the moth, when the fame disappears or becomes a burden, when the food becomes scarce or too abundant, . . . .
"*In truth, happiness comes only from the mind. Don't become so involved in the material. Concentrate on creating the happiness in your mind. At first, you'll find it's not easy; but keep at it, and after awhile you'll find that the material doesn't matter anymore. Then you will be at peace with yourself and the world. There will still be problems. They will always exist in the material. But they won't effect you as often.—Life will be fun."*
He nodded his head a few times. He seemed
to agree.
A few more beachers,—curious, walked up and joined the three below me. They talked amongst themselves—mostly asking questions: "Who is this man? Where does he come from? What does he want? Is he a friend of the lady?"
These questions and more were asked, but, of course, I wouldn't be answering them. I would stay only a short while, just long enough to deliver the message; and then travel on.
I raised a hand toward the sky. "*This message won't convince most of the people,*" I thought. "*but some will understand. Some of them will find the truth and will be able to use it to further their progress upon the path of life.*"
I opened my hand, palm up. I concentrated on the force. My solar plexus began to tingle. The crown chakra connected the line, and the power of the nine steps sprang to life, linking my mind with the infinite force of the Universe. The infinite force, so powerful, that none other can stand against it. So powerful that he who wields it can bring anything into life. The Master of the nine steps cannot be compromised;—but if he misuses that power the steps will crumble. And the Master will fall upon a path of pain and misery for eons of time. It is true—the higher the fall, the greater the debt. And the scales of justice will always be balanced.
The wise one never misuses the power. He uses it with caution.
I concentrated on the heavens, and then I manifested the force. Bright lightening streaked the sky in brilliance on that clear sunshine day, and thunder roared and boomed upon the people. The sound was deafening and echoed for a hundred miles around.
I lowered my hand, and the thunder and lightening ceased. The sky was blue again, and the normal sounds of the day could be heard.
Yet, the silence was shattering.
I looked at the people, but no one moved. From all directions they stared at the man upon the rock. It was as if they could not fully understand what had just happened. The impossibility of it stunned them. Their beliefs of reality had been challenged.
After a few minutes, a man from far down the beach jumped to his feet and started running toward the rock. Anyone who can perform a miracle must have the answers to life.
Slowly more of them rose to their feet. They came walking toward the rock. Some came running, digging holes in the sand with plodding bare feet. Then more began to run. It became a sea of people pounding the sands as they walked or ran toward the rock. They left their umbrellas, blankets, beach balls,—they left it all to join the crowd around the rock.
I continued to watch as they moved in closer. In general I like people. And I liked these people. They were basically a good people who had been caught up in the wheels of a fast society. They were rushed into the consequent fears and anxieties that come with the fast pace of living; and yet, they knew something better existed. Or, at least, they hoped they could achieve something better.
But the fast pace of living, and the greed of materialism had made them negative. Most of them had little fondness for their fellow human beings. It was a typical consequence of a fast, materialistic society.—Becoming too involved in the ego.
Still, I did not fault them for their lack of love. And I understood their fears and anxieties. Oh how well I understood it. I knew exactly what they were experiencing; since I had been there myself. "*But if they are to raise themselves out of the all engulfing desires for the material,*" I thought, "*then they must use the innate wisdom to make love a major part of their lives. (Indeed, we are relative, material beings, and it is not wrong to bring the material into our lives as long as it does not become all encompassing—as long as it does not rule our emotions, our thoughts, and our actions).*"
I watched the crowd as it grew larger around the rock.
I was about to raise my hand again to start the deliverance of the message, but just then I heard a transport coming—the hum of its engine was a very distinctive sound, since there were so few of them. Only the city officials and officials of the War Corporation were allowed to operate them within the city limits. The general populace used the pedestrian speedways to go to and from their destinations.
When I looked up I could see it moving at a fast clip along the port way—long and sleek. As it approached the gate in front of the War Corporation building it slowed down, and finally came to a stop.
It was obvious that the guards instantly recognized the occupants. They snapped to, and performed their duties in a precise military fashion. They both stood at attention and saluted. Then one of them marched over and opened the gate, while the other one marched into the guardhouse and made a phone call.
A ceremonial show of respect for a superior officer. "*Ages old,*" I thought.
As I continued to watch I expected the transport to move through and into the compound; but, the doors opened and three people emerged from the vehicle—two men and a woman.<
br />
At first I was unsure who they were. But as I watched them I could tell that the tall muscular man was obviously in charge. He wore a gold and brown, dress uniform; and his countenance commanded an air of authority. I knew that when he gave orders, those around obeyed.
The other man wore the same kind of uniform, but he was much smaller in physique, and, at that time, his presence was of a nervous nature. He looked like a man who had found himself in a turmoil. The huge crowd around the rock bothered him, and he kept eyeing it nervously. As he talked his hands went up and down, and his head jerked back and forth.
I looked at the woman, and I noticed in contrast to the smaller man, she was very calm about the events taking place around her. She said very little, and occasionally nodded when one of the two men addressed her. As she looked at the crowd, and then at me, she remained composed and unexcited.
I admired the colors she had chosen for her dress suit—the colors of the high chakras: indigo and white. They heightened her charisma and magnetically drew attention of those around her. I was instantly attracted to her level of spiritual understanding. The colors in her aura depicted the presence of a wise and loving soul.
She turned back and said something to one of the two men.
"*They're curious,*" I thought. "*—That's good. Let them hear the message with the others. I started to look to the crowd, but just then, as the larger man turned and pointed a finger, a glint of light caught my eye. I could see the sunlight reflecting from long strips of gold on the shoulders of his uniform. "*Yes,*" it suddenly occurred to me. "*This must be the General, ruler of the city, and his daughter.*"
As I continued to watch them, the General pointed at the crowd and said something to the smaller man, (obviously his aide). He waved his arms in gesture a couple of times; and then the three of them started toward the beach.
The General's aide was not happy. He protested a couple of times, but finally realized it was futile, and gave up. He rushed toward the crowd, and in spite of his dress uniform, he was able to move the distance between the General and the crowd in only a few seconds. He yelled something at the people standing on the steps. He motioned for them to clear the way.
"*Looks as if I am going to have company,*" I thought. I realized that this might be good. If the General had the ears with which to hear, the message might be more effective; and after all, he was the leader of the people. He was a figure of authority, and more people would listen to him.
At first, the General's aide was not having much success getting the people to clear the steps, but his persistence finally yielded the desired effect. Some of the people looked over their shoulders to see what the commotion was all about. They didn't seem too concerned about the man yelling at them, but when they saw the General and his daughter not far behind, they turned to their neighbors and began whispering in a high pitched fever.
The crowd became excited. The whispering took hold and ran from person to person, in all directions, like a chain reaction. Heads turned and people stood on tiptoes to see. Some crowded closer to get a better look. Little children were raised into the air so that they too might see the ruler of the city.
As the General's aide kept urging the crowd back, they finally departed from the stairs, and a large path opened up between the wall and the rock.
Slowly, and with dignity, the General and his daughter walked forward upon the sands, until they came to a halt but a short distance from the rock. The daughter was standing to the left of her father, and the aide to the right. They watched me intently; except for the aide, whose eyes fluttered nervously as he kept turning his head back and forth scrutinizing the crowd.
The General turned and spoke to his daughter in a voice so low that not even his aide could hear him. "Have you ever seen this man before?" he asked.
"No," she replied in a thoughtful tone. She paused for a moment as she looked me up and down. "But he is wearing the garb of the desert tribes, and the lady did say something about. . . ." She was trying to remember.
"Yes?" asked the General.
"I remember that she spoke of the coming of two men to our city before the final destruction.
One will come from the great desert of Kahlija. He will bring a message which will teach our people the essence of life.
And the second one—the incomplete one, will come later, from the fabled city of Khoomihnkahn. And his task will be different, and yet a task of great importance."
As she finished speaking, I suddenly noticed a large group of armed guards running out of the War Corporation building."*Someone must have sent the word,*" I thought. They ran down the wide marble steps, past the three figured fountain ( a beautiful work of art—each figure showered water high into the air, and vivid red lights illuminated the mist as it settled back into a clear blue pond. Each figure represented one of the three angels of peace). "*The time will come when their essence will embrace this planet,*" I realized as I watched the mist. "*But a difficult time comes before it.*"
The guards ran through the transport parking area, through the gates, and down to the beach. They formed a barricade on both sides of the General to keep the crowd a safe distance away.
I continued to watch as three officers marched to a dignified stance several feet behind the General. As they stood at attention, I paid particular notice to the one behind and slightly to the left of the General's daughter. His presence felt odd. He gave me the feeling that he would take ill advantage of any situation to enhance his station in life, and especially his station in the military ranks.
"*I should keep an eye on him,*" I thought.
The General's aide issued forth a great sigh of relief. His eyes stopped their nervous fluttering, and, for the first time, he concentrated his attention on me—the strange man in the robe.
The General, on the other hand, paid little attention to the guards or the officers. It was what he expected.
Just then one of the beachers yelled out, "General, he made thunder in the sky. It shook the beach!"
The General ignored him. The beacher obviously wanted attention. After all, everybody wanted the General's attention. And no one can make thunder in the sky.
He continued his low voice as he spoke again to his daughter. "Do you think, then, that this is the one from. . . ."
"*Yes,*" I interrupted. "*I am the one from the desert.*" I could see the startled look on the General's face. He thought that no one could hear the conversation between him and his daughter.
"*I was a friend of the lady,*" I continued with an understatement. "*Oftentimes we discussed the coming events of the world, and how they would effect your people.
The lady wanted to help the people of your city, to show them the path to peace; but the evil corruption of your society has destroyed her, and she will no longer be a light in this world.*"
The General's brow became furrowed with lines of guilt, but he never looked away, nor looked at the ground. He continued to hold my stare.
"It is unfortunate that she has died by some evil plot," he said.
"Yes," agreed his daughter. "It was the ultimate horror for me and for many of the people. She had become our friend. She shared our hospitality, our joy and our happiness. She shared our sorrow and our tears. She brought us warmth during times of distress; and she lectured us on the joys of peace. She tried to show us how to attain it, and how to make it a part of our lives.
"But it is true, she left us in a pool of tears, just as we were beginning to understand."
The daughter became silent. I watched the corners of her mouth turn down as she thought of the lady's death.
The General folded his arms and cleared his throat. He was waiting for me to say something, but my attention was still fixed on his daughter.
Here was a woman of fine features—physically, mentally, and spiritually. This woman was many steps above most of those around her. I could see that she had a deeper understanding of love and peace. There was an air of tranquility radiating from her pres
ence. I knew she was a person who would help, whenever she could, those in need, bringing them aid and comfort. She was loved by everyone with whom she came in contact. And I knew she was especially loved by her father.
Yes, it was easy to understand how she and the lady had become such good friends.
The General shuffled his feet a couple of times and put his hands on his hips. "Come now," he said. "All this talk of the lady. That is all in the past. Tell us, sir, do you have a message? And if so, what is it? And where does it come from?"
I looked down at him, and I thought, "*The truth is the truth. It doesn't matter from whence it comes.*"
And then I said to him, "*I simply bring a message of truth.*"
I looked into his eyes. And I thought that just for a moment I would take a peek into his subconscious.—
What I found was not surprising.—He had little concern about the people and their problems. His ego was steeped in the material, and he had become a prisoner of his own desires. Indeed, he was a typical leader of a materialistic society.—
And he could not hear the cries of those who were suffering: "wars, wars, . . . too much, too often; too much killing; too many wounded; too many loved ones lost from loved ones; too many lonely people; too many children without parents; too many orphans crying to the city, 'Where are my mommy and daddy?'; and too many parents crying for their children, killed in air raids or planted bombings." Yes, too many questions and not enough answers.
I withdrew the probing from his mind. "*Yes, I come with a message,*" I said. "*But before I deliver it, let me say to you that peace comes from love. If all the people in your world understood and lived with love for all people, then peace would be everywhere present. There would be no wars.*"
"Possible," said the General. He stroked his chin a couple of times and then gestured with his hand. "Yes, I can see the logic in that," he said. "And it would be a great way to live; but there is one problem: how do you get everyone to love everyone?"
"*Sounds absurd, doesn't it?*" I replied. "*There's no doubt that that type of situation is too ideal, still, you can make the people more aware of love. You can educate them so that some will want to make it a part of their everyday lives.*"
He didn't look convinced. "But how do you do that?" he asked. It was obvious that he had mental blocks which kept him from finding the answers. Perhaps he was unable to overcome the mold of his environment; or maybe being a General had something to do with it. After all, Generals are the leaders of men who are trained to fight, to kill—the only love here is the love of death.
I sighed. I looked up at the sky. I looked down at the General. Was this a waste of time? Surely this little talk and my wonderful words of wisdom weren't going to break down his desire for the material, the glory, and all that comes with it.
"*Give talks, seminars, and speeches. Ever hear of advertising?*" I asked. "*Form organizations, have classes in your schools, teach through literature, have your religions concentrate on their basic principles, have frequent talks with other cities. Do all these things in the name of love and peace. Put forth a lot of time and energy. Wherever goes your energy, so goes success, whether fast or slow, good or evil, actions create a path.*"
He looked thoughtful for a moment. "I might be able to pass a bill," he said, "but it will probably meet a lot of resistance."
"*Why would anybody want to resist love and peace?*" I asked.
He didn't hesitate with an answer.—"It has always been my experience that religion and politics don't mix."
"*Ah, but that is a misconception,*" I replied. "*Love and peace are not restricted only to a religion. They can be understood and practiced by everyone; even an atheist.*"
"That may be, but I have a difficult time imagining myself becoming an ambassador for love and peace in the midst of all our worldly problems. Can you see me trying to convince a mother who hasn't enough food to feed her baby that she should love everyone and have peace in her heart?"
"*She is the last one you should convince,*" I replied. "*First, convince the food mongers—convince the rich, then you won't have mothers without food.*"
"Yes, but the problems of the people go further than just a mother trying to get enough food to feed her kids. Besides the starvation and poverty, we have other serious social problems. We have racial tension. We have problems supporting the elderly and the handicapped. We have problems with internal corruption—which in turn affects the taxing of the people. We have terrible health problems, diseases running rampant; and problems with insects and pest control. We have problems with the environment. Natural disasters are beginning to accelerate. All of this, and I haven't even mentioned the problems with the other coastal cities.
"If I try to convince the wealthy to love everyone, and start giving away their money and property for the benefit of those in need, they will think I am crazy. Giving away money is not going to solve all these other problems. People are still going to be unhappy and restless."
He paused for a moment. "Not only will the rich question my rationality," he continued, "so will the poor.
"Society has its structure. It has its balance. Everyone finds their niche in the order of it all, and climbs in. No man can change that!"
"*I understand what you are saying, and I understand the problems of your world,*" I said. "*I am not telling you to convince the wealthy to give up all their possessions. What I am saying is that if you approach love and peace with a rational mind; if you show people the logic in it—it is certainly more fun to be happy, peaceful, and loving, than it is to be woeful, angry, and hateful. It is healthier for the mind and the body. A person can understand the logic in that whether he's rich or poor. Right?
"*If you can show the people that happiness also comes from sharing, and that love and peace are a return measure; if you can show the people that it isn't just some foreigner from the desert who teaches love and peace, if you can show them that a rational man, such as yourself—one from their own world, can approach the truth about love and peace in a realistic manner, and show them that it is not the unreachable quality of a fairy tale life; then, if you enlighten only a few of the great multitudes; then all your spent energy has been well worth the effort. Your world will become a better place in which to live.
"*And even more, if you can change just some of the people; if you can replace just some of the anger, frustration, and hate in your world, with love and peace - tranquility; then you will not only help these people toward the higher planes, but you will also soften the blow of the coming destruction of the coastal cities.*"
The General raised his eyebrows. "The lady spoke of the coming destruction," he said, changing the subject. (Understandably). "What exactly is it that the two of you are talking about?"
"*I do not have the answers to that question,*" I replied. "*The one who comes later will have a message that addresses that problem. For now, my message is of a different nature; in fact, very much along the lines as I have already been telling you.*"
"Well then," said the General. He pointed toward the War Corporation building. "Come to my office and deliver your message. Too much time has already passed, and I have a busy schedule."
"*No,*" I replied, "*this message must be delivered to all who are here.*" I stretched out my arms indicating the people on the beach. "*The message will be delivered to everyone who will hear.*"
I looked away from the General and his daughter. I looked to the people upon the beach. They all waited.
I turned the key. The door opened and the force began to flow, and then I said, "*I come before you this day to show you the truth and the power of love and peace—the path to the higher kingdoms.
"*I,
but a messenger.*"
My voice was amplified many times its normal range. It carried across the multitude to the far ends of the beach. Everyone there would hear me that day, even some in the city.
Again the crowd became silent. No one moved or made a sound. The crowd stared in awe
. The General and his daughter were stunned. They had never before witnessed a 'miracle.' They stared. The people stared. They didn't know what might happen. And only the babies still cried, only the little children still laughed and played, and only the dogs still ran about.
Everyone else waited, watching to see what would happen.
Finally, I was about to deliver the message and make my exit, but just then I felt an unusual intensity of anger and hate coming from someone on the beach.
And I knew where to look.
The officer behind and to the left of the General's daughter. His eyes were sharply focused on me, and his lips formed a frown.
I looked through his eyes and into his mind (another little peek). I could see what he was thinking. "The General's life is in danger. This man is using some newly discovered invention, and somewhere upon him he has a concealed weapon." Then it occurred to him that I was from the Northern Coastal City, a fierce enemy. "It's a trick," he growled in a low voice.
"This man has come to assassinate the General," he thought. "It's some sort of trick."
If he could save the General's life, he would be a hero. He would be greatly rewarded. Or, even if he only rid the city of another peace preacher, the War Corporation would be eternally grateful. Either way he couldn't lose. They would surely raise his military status in rank and privilege.
"Look out, he's got a weapon!" he yelled. He pulled his laser gun from its holster, dropped to one knee, and took careful aim. What a fool.
In the following moments of what was about to take place, I would merely be a spectator, watching a cruel play of fate. As the officer yelled, the General and his daughter turned and looked behind. When the daughter saw what was happening she cried out with terror in her voice. "No," she shrieked. She remembered the teachings of the lady—her good friend. She remembered the lady's death. And quickly she acted on instinct. She acted without thinking of herself.
She jumped in front of the man, to stop him from killing. A grand gesture of selflessness—one that would have worked; except that he was already pulling the trigger.
The red ray, bright and illuminating, struck the wrong target. Her heart was pierced, and she fell dead upon the beach. Red blood soaked her suit—pooling upon white sands. Indeed, he had killed. For the second time, upon this beach, a wonderful woman had been killed while acting in the name of love—killed by greed and violence.
The General fell to his knees beside his daughter. He pulled her to his chest, and in great sobs he cried, "Oh, no. Oh, no." He began to rock back and forth crying 'Oh, no," over and over again.
The blood from her wound flowed unto his gold and brown uniform—staining and dripping upon the sands.
He was no longer the General—well protected from the cruelty of war. I knew that at that moment he knew the full meaning of 'death.' He had lost a treasure more valuable than all the wealth on the planet. "*Now he knows what it's like when a parent loses a child,*" I thought.
The fool who shot her dropped his gun in the sand. He stood shaking with fear. "It was an accident," he said. He looked over at the other two officers. "You saw it. It was an accident," he said again. But they knew it didn't matter what he said.
"She jumped in front of me. There was nothing I could do. Absolutely nothing."
Suddenly, the full realization of his predicament started to sink in. He stuttered a few times. He looked at the General and back at the other two officers. "The whole thing is a trick," he said in a raised and trembling voice. "Can't you see that? This man is from the Northern City. He's brought a few gadgets with him, and he is duping you." He was trying to convince everyone around him. The frustration and agony were welling up inside. He was about to break. His whole life was ruined, and there was nothing he could do about it.—Surely, the hangman's noose would be the best he could expect.
His nerves were becoming frayed. His hands were shaking, and one eye began to twitch. "It's a trick," he yelled, again. "It's a trick." He was becoming irrational. He couldn't cope with the situation—a self-inflicted agony, brought on by the temptation of greed; wanting more from the material life—at someone else's expense.
He bent over and picked up his gun. "But I'll take care of the problem," he said in a low, but strange voice. He raised his gun again. He took careful aim (the scent of blood already upon his soul). He pulled the trigger, and a beautiful red trail shot forth; forward to rain blood upon the rock, to tear my life, to split the bars - prison of my soul.
"*Oh foolish man—think you guns have all the power? Know you not the true power of the infinite force?*"
At that moment the red ray struck. The crowd gasped and gaped with anticipation. Then, they gasped again.—
The ray struck not me, but only an impenetrable shield created by my newly found forces. "*Yes, bringing forth the shield,*" I thought. "*Being created and directed into reality by my thoughts.—The power of thoughts, they are as real as their manifestations. They shape the heaven and the sea and the rock upon which I stand. They shape and become the fate of all lives; as certainly as now.*"
The red ray shattered and scattered in all directions, dissipating. The crowd stood back, amazed at what they saw.
"I must have a better aim," muttered the fool with the gun. He pulled the trigger again, and again with the same results. Again he pulled the trigger, and again, and again; until finally he had exhausted the energy pack. He threw the gun in the sand. "It's a trick," he yelled. "It's a trick. It's a trick. It's a trick."
I watched as the General raised his face out of his daughter's hair. There were tears streaming down his cheeks. "Remove that fool," he yelled. "I'm tired of hearing him babble!" His voice was cracked and sobbing as he spoke.
Several guards immediately ran forth and grabbed the officer. They pulled him by the arms and shoulders. And, as they dragged him away, the heels of his boots left two furrows in the sand. He kept yelling something about tricks. At that point he was almost incoherent.
"*The greedy shall certainly not inherit much,*" I thought. I looked at the woman in the General's arms—gone. Here was a woman with friends and family—gone. Here was a woman who brought happiness into the lives of other people. Here was a woman who had interactions with other people as she came and went in her daily living—a woman who had her own ideas about the Universe, about the city in which she lived, about the people she knew. Here was a woman—an entire world revolved around her life—all destroyed in a flash. As I continued to watch, it suddenly occurred to me that there was something wrong about her death. I took several steps down upon the rock, and jumped onto the sand.
I kneeled and laid my hand on her shoulder. Here was a woman not yet ready to die. I could tell she was willing and wanted to come back.
I concentrated and the nine steps connected, and the infinite force flowed.
The wound closed and life returned.
"*How easily the lady could have done this,*" I thought.
And then I thought, "*Indeed, how easily she did do it when we were on the plain of the paths.*"
I stood up and looked down at the General's daughter. The wound in her chest was no longer visible. Only the hole in her suit, and only the blood stains, and only the blood soaking into the sands remained to remind. An act of violence had taken place that day, but the power of the infinite force had undone the wrong.
Again, the whisper, and through the crowd it became a roar upon the sea of people.
In bewilderment, the General looked down at his daughter. He was confused as to what was happening. But hope seized his heart as he noticed the absence of the wound. Could it be that this man brought forth another miracle? Could it really happen in an age when miracles do not exist? Could it be?
Her eyes fluttered for a moment, and then she opened them. She did not understand what had happened. The last thing she remembered was a flash of red. And then suddenly she was lying in the arms and lap of her father. She looked down and saw the blood stains upon her chest. "What has happe
ned?" she asked in a confused voice.
I could see the General was in a state of disbelief. Suddenly, he became overwrought with joy. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her so long and with so much vigor as to squeeze the air from her lungs.
Finally, as she gasped for air, he sat erect and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He said to her, "A miracle has taken place—an absolute miracle." He looked up at me, and waited.
I shrugged, "*It seems some higher force is guiding us,—doesn't it?*"
The General nodded.
"*You probably have a much better understanding, however, of the bitterness and agony of war and the death that it brings.*"
He nodded again.
The daughter looked around for a moment, and then stood up. The General stood up next to her.
I climbed
again
to the top of the rock
to speak to the people.
It was time to deliver and leave.
So, I began the message.
And as I spoke my voice reached out to everyone upon the beach. "*I come to tell you to search out the truth. And when you find it, follow it, and live with it.
"*I come to tell you that the truth is simply infinite love. And this, then, is the key to the higher kingdoms.
"*Life is full of happiness and sadness, love and hate, peace and war. And materialism and ego affects all of these states of being. But you are the ruler of ego, and you are the ruler of your emotions. It is important that you rule with wisdom. Never let hate into your life. And only feel sadness when you must. When it is time, let it go. Return to the positive life. And never let materialism effect your state of mind—enjoy, but don't become obsessed and fearful for your possessions. And when the time comes let the material go, for the material always changes.
"*Always have love for the people in your world. If they do something wrong—don't judge and don't hate. The infinite force will always bring the balance. Why create a debt of your own?
"*Rise up with the truth.
Love all your neighbors, all your enemies, all the people in your world. Love your life
Love God,—
and then you will be elevated.
"*You see, love is the key.—So, strike down the prison of materialism. Let the bars of ego disappear and be friends with everyone.*"
I paused.
"*If you strive for happiness, and don't let 'stuff' get in the way, then you will reach the higher planes.*"
(The truth can sometimes be very simple.)
I watched the crowd awhile longer. The message would work in its own way. And certainly miracles are not always the answer, and some will not believe them, even when they see them; but they still get everyone's attention,—long enough to get the message across; especially, to those who are more spiritually advanced.
I knew, also, that it is impossible to live love every moment of life. We are relative beings. And there will be times when we will have sorrow or anger in our hearts and minds; but if we always go back to the path, then we know we are trying, and trying is progressing. And as we continue with the truth, the times of negative emotions will become less and less; until one day the negative emotions will no longer be a part of our lives.
"*Yes,*" I thought. "*We must strive for the ideal, and not give up.*"
I looked at the General and his daughter, and I said, "*Today's happening, has shown you the infinite power, the power that is all around us; in everything, even in ourselves—everywhere, yet subtly disguised. Indeed, the infinite consciousness is the power that holds the Universe together. And love is the essence and the foundation—steps leading up.
"*Since you are the leader of these people, you are in a better position to use your new understanding to benefit the world. Don't let this opportunity slip from your fingers."*
A little astounded by it all, the General could only nod. He wasn't saying much.
The daughter climbed the rock and touched my hand. "Thank you for coming," she said. "What you have done today will help many."
"*It is good to help when we can,*" I replied. "*There's no doubt—there are times when we can all use a little help. Nevertheless, I am just a messenger. And I am not being modest. I am just a messenger.*"
I smiled as our eyes met.
"*And now that the message has been delivered,
I will be leaving.*"
She stepped down from the rock and stood beside her
father.
"*But someday we will all be together again,*" I added.
She understood.
I raised
My vibrations
And
Disappeared
Into a higher plane
*******
The white silk was ever cool
As the lady stepped beside.
She took my hand, and a feeling of warmth
gripped my being.
She looked into my eyes, and she said,
"*I and friends of lifetimes ago have been
waiting patiently for your return. How I
am joyed, this moment, with pure happiness.
Reunited.
How I have longed merely to touch your hand,
your being.
And now we are together again.*"
I felt her warmth.
I squeezed her hand.
I felt the joy.
I experienced the love in
My heart for this woman—
A love that takes lifetimes
To become what it is.
"*The way has been long,
A difficult path,*" I said.
"*But now, the way is easy,
Beautiful,
As we travel
Hand in hand.*"
I thought a moment about the coastal city. "*There will always be those who disbelieve—even when they see and hear the miracle and the message. Factions will appear. Religions will spring up. Many scholarly works, and many heated debates will follow. But finally only those who truly live, every moment of their lives, the essence, and only those who truly search for the infinite wisdom will learn the truth of what has happened on the beach.*"
Again,
I looked before us—
A magnificent path
I put my arm
Around the lady,
And she
Around me
And arm around
And arm around
We stepped forth
Upon a new path,
Into a new, and greater
Existence
AD INFINITUM
Ad Infinitum Book One Master of the Nine Steps Page 27
