like this

a vision came this afternoon
of a water spout pouring out fresh, clear water
a head was bent beneath this water
the water ran over it with vigor for a long time
what appears then is a nun in a white habit
the nun walked away, her flowing veil blowing in
the wind

then she reappeared clasping the hands of a priest
there they engaged in conversation
of what i am not sure
there they stood connected by hands and heart
and she dropped to her knees head down

a vision then, of a lovely fresh face of a girl with a white veil
head down, eyes closed, hands clasped in prayer
water running like a river within this scene and doves too
there too is the christ image of heavenly heart
that rises when the worldly way of being in the outward
appearance ends
there he is with his hand out touching the souls
that are there with joy
there he is touching the earth with his bare feet
that are the light of all
the light that is not in the physical form
but appears through it as the  pure heart at times
when the mind is no longer playing it's song

there are the animals with the glow of light
and the angels too with the song of love
fear not, is the song that flows always

dear hearts
i am the light, the christ, the lamp of shiva
i am this light as i live in all things pure and impure
and am not touched by them ever
i live in all things as a sunrise never to set
when you pass the place of shadow which is only
creative force of mind/energy then you come to this place
that has no name or face or purpose or goal or ending spot
for it lives always in one place which is now
forever in one place of living waters

do you know this love my dear?
you are made of it as the heavens are
you are made of it as the earth is, like riches mysterious
you are made of it as the sun, moon, stars are
like this you live in all things as one that is present
without conditionings or attachments or physical heaviness
like this you live made of one perfect heart
like this you live in all and all in you forever
single
not as a divided entity that breaks up into rays of light
or colors
but as the pure original nature in which all flows forward
yes dear like this living essence
yes like this you live

impersonal heart

in the ancient traditions
the practitioner is taught to be within himself
as the objects of nature are
as still as a piece of wood or stone
as still as the bird that awaits it's prey
as still as the calm before the storm
as still as the eye of the hurricane
he is taught to be still
as still as the empty house that vibrates
with the sound of life play
as still as the sound of one hand clapping
as still as the world before the person was born
as still as the song with no singer
as still as the buddha nature that is not born
nor can die
as still as the impersonal heart
the master points to this way of
stillness
to put the mind in a different way of being
to take the mind out of the spinning cycles
to take the mind away from the creative world
in which "I" revolves

the way a master connects with his/her student
is not something always shared with the public
this kind of connection that is made in these sacred
unions are rare indeed
they are not understood by looking at the person that
is shaped a certain way
and imparts certain mannerisms that are this way or that
this bond of light cannot be taken in like this
within the worldly view
it is a bond that occurs in the heart light
that has come from the desire of many lifetimes and the
connection to the fire force of the absolute

the master that is true in these ancient traditions
impart knowledge without the mind understanding it
always
in a logical sense
this is how it is
the logical way of seeing is shaded by all the thinking
and so much always wanting to move forward on a certain
course to gain and get rid of, and improve upon
this is stopped in it's tracks with the transmutive power of
energy coming from pure consciousness
so most of the workings of the path take place on a level
not understood by the surface thoughts
it works mysteriously

as the buddhist masters would give the student simple sayings
that cannot be understood
it hearkens back to that place of the mind saying, "what?"
the mind will not get it
or the master will open up another space of seeing that is much
deeper and was not viewed before by the student

the main thing that is imparted however is
the truth is within the heart of all
for this thought that one is not free or is bound or is this way or
that is shaken out
these opposites that the mind grabs hold to is shaken out
and the mind becomes more quiet, more present, empty
yet full of pure life
and then the flow of beauty comes thru the heart of that one seeking
until that seeker is extinguished as a personal energy that is felt as ego

i simply began...

reader
those experiences of the past have written
something on your heart
that you are moving with
and changing with
but oh soul
those thoughts come as rain comes
and sun comes
as clouds and open passages come
as closed doors come
and as ripe fruit and dry leaves drop
from the trees
those stories and thoughts come this way
never staying long as one thing to grab to
never staying long as a continuous note that
soothes
they turn to winter yes
they turn to summer yes
they turn to spring yes
and to fall
and to death
and rise again
like all of nature does
so the very first thing that is within many spiritually
bright religions
is to look at the transient nature of all things
including mind
to see how it comes, goes, does not have staying power
and to stay grounded in the breath and equanimity
rooted in a way to the earth heart
and there, one will feel the forces blow strong of the
vasanas that will have their play on the body and mind
without end it seems
and will be hard to resist to follow
and will be hard to not bite down on and pound the fists against
or come into it's cocoon of comforts or whatever has it's enticement
there
but to react to it makes it stronger and forces like that will
come strong as an ox again
or possibly in sheeps clothing too, all of it
one is to stay rooted in the heart and the present moment and the
present pure experience with these forces.... and not entertain them
so they die out....
do not think that this is something that will happen quickly.. it will indeed
take a long, long time and also at some point a true master is needed to
help finish the journey, but this will come for sure when the student is ripe
and ready... don't worry... the right thing will come when the conditions are right
just do the work of being present within the present conditions with love,
without having expectations
or pressing down on yourself to be this way or that ...
allow the flow of heart to open with love, care and gentleness...
even though the strong forces will be there,
stay within the right character and intention to be honest and within the flow of heart...


well i guess this writing is completing and here for any that are interested
it comes from the experience walked here apparently
for this is where i started with a very young child and with meager living conditions
simply began with looking at myself and desiring peace for myself and humanity
i had no idea where the journey would lead or if there would be a teacher that came or not
or what a Guru was for that matter...
and the journey went forward and from there ... well, i have written a lot about that ...

great day and om

prior to this construct

what weighs on you now is a doorway to open
to the heart of all
see it as it is... a calling you back to the moment
like a cloud it covers its spell of mind
with this it has no true substance to stay
it is moment by moment this way
it is not ever for one minute concrete and
continous as a person that is real
so this is why we work to see it for what it is
and to go back through it to the space in which
nothing exists
the space or consciousness prior to this construct
that is called a persona
the mind will never help you in the end to bring it to
it's death
the mind cannot go beyond itself
it can only turn inward as a snake eating it's tail until
it is finished for good
this is why to the intellect it works at *understanding* and
building insights and gaining knowledge of the objective
world or gaining knowledge or insight of experience to
help it to see
yet this seeing is only partial, it is incomplete as there
will not be a settled knowledge that is still and complete
in all places at all times
there will only be a turning and revolving of mind and the
forces there
yes there can be a maturing of thinking, more openness and all of
this, this is very good for sure
but again, there is still the mental ups and downs, the attachments
the upset, the spinning that happens ... it will go on ... and this is
what is called suffering
so this is what is to be seen and looked at

i am not here to tell one to do this or do that
i simply flow with this writing as it comes
and also, i must say that this is the work that has come here
as i am not saying something that has not been experienced here
one cannot do this, not ever ....
so this is what it is

oh love
i will not ever leave the shoreless ocean heart
blooming continuously as a garden lit with love
in this garden heart
the winds blow easily and without interruption
blowing the thoughts away in the air
here now, then gone swiftly
carried to where?
coming from where?
great separation between them and great
slowing pace to them
not completing
what was so important anyway?
who is there to understand?
here in the garden heart
free from this journey so long
here in the garden heart
i sit

you see, this is the doorway...

beautiful soul

i move with something that speaks in my heart 

to say 

that you have not been what is real

you have not let your mind settle down into something 

other than the familiar 

for if you did you would be done with this worldly way 

in which calls to the mind to continue dancing in the mayaic realm

of otherness 

it calls as a master calls to it's student to be this way and that and not 

come fully to the waters of light 

i am not saying this to be judgmental, but in the way of the world 

there is mostly an entertaining of this kind of thing 

not a seriousness about being as the ancient masters are which 

is dynamic, like a fire-force that has nothing but love at it's base 

and nothing but stillness in which it lives 

nothing but mystery of the absolute in every breath, cell, word

and consciousness 

with this fire force of heart, these ones walk upright without 

needing support or influences or education from anything to 

improve it or help it along...

for the end that is the beginning of pure life cannot be improved 

upon by anything created by mind, hand, tongue, word, deed 

it is as it is from beginningless time 

beautiful, full, without covers and within all hearts equally

you see, we are made as this beauty in truth 

and even if we feel not like this inside now or weak 

see, this is where there is a doorway to open into 

to go through 

we go through our shaky places, our voices that call us back 

our revolving painful aches ... all of it, the shakiest, weakest 

point is indeed an entrance into something different 

look at it soul! 

what keeps coming back to you is the doorway to see that these 

thought/concepts are like shadows that come and go 

it is only your mind that continues to produce it to come into reality 

and make it real 

oh soul, yes ... this is what is to be seen

that those tender spots that sting so and make one draw back are the 

moments that are given to see through the mind 

well i am taking time to write this out, oh one of heart 

it is not like i planned it at all this way, these words 

it is not like i said that i will write something that is to make one 

be present 

it is not like i went over this in my head or hoped that there is a result 

it is not like i prayed about it or practiced it or worked on a lecture about it 

it is not like i find anything to be lower or higher and something needs help 

and something does not 

it is not like i love as a personal thing when writing it 

and even if it flows as a thing that feels someone is writing it 

it is not true for it comes the way it comes 

i really am not involved with it 

love, 

today there is something more flowing 

like a river without any stopping places 

like a wind without any catches to it 

or a doorway that stays open to love 

oh soul

this is the way it is 

there are phases that come and stay and revolve

and deepen and surface and deepen again 

and then one day another depth that lingers 

longer and longer 

and feels heartier with strength, quietude and more 

effortless than ever 

oh friend today it is felt this way 

and i know this writing feels as if someone is excited 

about it 

but it is not that way 

it is not like a running around kind of thing and wanting 

to sing on the roof tops about it 

it is a settled being in the moment with one pointed concentration 

and not having to be constantly internally saying mantra or 

concentrating on balanced breath when mind is in action 

simply a few breaths and the flow is back 

sturdier, more substantial

oh what work it seems friends to go on and on with great efforts 

and what a joke it is to be simply peaceful without those hard personal efforts

(as if that suffering person never existed at all) 

it is as if it has always been quiet 

yet there is still a cognition that there has been such a long journey walked 

well this is this day 

and it is not done 

and the journey continues until it is complete

but i feel grateful to rest a little more this morning in the flow of 

heart and quietude 

blessed day to all!

a town called *is*

in a town called *is*

there lived a man who sought to know of something beyond

birth and death

this man regarded himself to be of great prowess

he had a strong physique and felt himself healthy

and of good intellect...

he sold all of his belongings and set out to find the truth

he left behind family, friends, job and all relations 

he resolved to not look back or to come home without 

any knowledge that rang of real

he walked on a path that started right outside his door...

onward he went for awhile on this path
until he encountered a great forest called doubt --

in this forest he was pestered by all kinds of unrest that spoke 

incessantly about what a bad person he was and that maybe he was not
capable of such and awesome undertaking as this...
then immediately this  

was followed by what a good person he had been due to particular good deed 

he had done.. but then no, he was not so good and so on...

and the other familiar rant yammering on about possibly he shouldn't have started out at all--

maybe his family was right that he knew not what he was doing ..

will they accept him when he got back he wondered ..  possibly not 

maybe now he was cast off like an orphan to roam about without a single mooring 

anywhere ..

oh this is not good cried his persona... we have been left alone ..

he walked on heavy with such a great deluge of worry and unrest through this 

forest of doubt...

he slept under a tree that night and felt the shadows fall with the black enveloping his soul

and his sight felt blinded 

his heart was not there in this enshrouded place ...

he twisted and turned about on the hard earth and rose in the morning not refreshed in the least..

he picked up and continued ...

eventually he came across a man wandering in the forest looking very ordinary in his way..

he cast a quick look at him and he felt a bit free with his glance ...

the man smiled an easy smile 

and the seeker very weary said, friend i am in search of that which lies beyond birth and death..

do you know of this place?

the other journeyer said indeed i do for i live within it always...

and this shook this man of great prowess to the core...

well how so do you live in it? for i am right here where you are 

but do not see it ...

the ordinary journeyer laughed and said oh -- you have only just begun my friend ...

once you are free within it matters not where you live or what you are doing ...

the mind is eternally at peace ...

well this was quite a thing to be heard ...

why then sir, is it so very, very hard for me to be at peace when this freedom is right here and now?

for i do not feel free at all.. my mind is in such weariness, heartache and unrest...

tell me dear sir, why is this and how can i be set away from this hell that i am living?

so very strange that we both stand here looking like men and in the same setting 

yet you are at ease and speaking of peace and that is felt well as when i glanced at you

my heart sang and my soul took to a bit of rest ... i felt as if there was a light 

in this great darkness in which i am so accustom...  

how can i be freed and speak as you do sir please say?

stillness pervaded that gentle being as he spoke in his clear voice to say ...

all beings are eternally free in the heart my dear seeker ..

now it is not seen due to your false identification with the body and mental waves that rise and fall

within these waves there is no constancy or anything that can be found that is lasting ..

to attach to these waves is death really (as eternal light is covered over) and so much suffering comes from it that is to have no end...

how then said the seeker shall i get away from this misery that has clung to my heart so strong

and so very all consuming in its way? i follow it like a lost lamb in the dark calling away for 

my mother ... oh pray tell dear wise soul of the heart .. 

your words are like soft rain to a man that has been in a desert for many an era...

i am so drowned in the mess that i have made apparently ....
as you say it is i that has misidentified 

myself with this body and passing phases of mind and by doing so created a world of overpowering shadow... 

how then to disentangle please say now and i will go there ...

the first thing is to not pay attention to the thoughts and body as they are mere shadows that follow

the course of nature ..
changing, coming and going, rising and sinking ...  

be quiet and watch them as if set apart like a light that shines them up only...

my master told me to stay well away from the body and mind as if like an outcast that is to not be touched .. this was very hard at first for the being had been so soaked into this field of 

thinking i am the body and mind and it takes on a life of its own.....

so very hard to move away from, yet it must be done sincere seeker for otherwise you are drowned in 

its false spell that may seem innocent at times..
but this is indeed where it pulls you in like wolf in sheeps clothing ...
be aware of this attachment dear seeker of o ne ... 

next be honest always and forthright in character ..
true in all your dealings and ways in the world...

stay detached in all things, yet keep the heart open ...  

also, here is a mantra to say that points to the o ne reality**brahman**say it with devotion and great care
this will aide to dissolve the mind into the o ne reality that is eternal..
though you do not know of this o ne heart yet friend say the mantra like you believe in it
and feel it in you and all about, do not say it as mere rote ...

or this energy will waste away and only lead to empty repetition...

rest in the heart and have faith in the o ne ...

for it lies within yourself and nowhere else.... 

do not be afraid to be alone for this is the best way ...

dear one seek good company and if that is not there, nature is your companion and it will never, ever put you out ....  

dear wise soul, you have made it sound so simple,
but now it feels so very, very arduous and mixed with so many emotions .....
i am a bit lost right now ... yet underneath it all, your words are felt and penetrating 

in a way that is not understood by me...

wise soul, this strong urge to be out of suffering is simmering under the waves of the world i thought i knew ..
i feel unable to not pay attention there as it haunts my very being so..

dear seeker, this is because you are made as whole and eternal...
the disharmony within is telling that you are not right in identifying yourself with the false ..
the pull you feel is there because the light is in you and inherently draws one in ...
if it is disregarded then one suffers...
if it is heeded (it is still very hard) 

but in the end freeing if followed to its full completion...
then no suffering and all is set right...

hearty journeyer you must have great strength and courage now...
not strength of body, but of soul and heart...
this is not something that can be built like muscles...
it is more a breaking down of the barriers that have been held up to hide from pure life ... 

this is what true courage is friend .. 

yes wise guide .. how opposite this is than what i thought before...
for i felt i must struggle with these waves and push them aside or down to win over ..

now what you say in a way i have no power at all and what is asked now is to give over what was known as *my* power to a the greater intelligence that is not of my personal world ...

oh i am really nothing it feels ..

how very deflating to a man that is built on body and mental intellect ...

what a hard blow to this me...

yet i see you here wise light looking so much of a whole being and in fine form and frame ...

free as you say and i do feel you are true in my being...

oh my this is not easy precious guide...

no it is not, said the guide...
but this attachment and hearty ego you speak of is not your friend .. it is false and unreal

so as to keep you captive in a haunting world of separation...

well dear seeker you can always stay there where you are at...  

oh no quickly interrupted the seeker.. my soul is in great unrest now and i do not want any more of it...

what about my family and friends?...are they now not a part of my world?

am i to cast them out of my heart like they never were?
spoke the guide --the bible says one must turn away from the world which includes family and friends....  one must detach from that life (within themselves) for it keeps the soul bound to body and mind...
though this has been the way of all those within monastic life, it does not mean one needs to hide away from the world, but to let go of all inner attachments...  

the bible says follow me ...  follow the truth no matter what it calls for ...

one is not saying that responsibilities are to be cast aside when in the thick of it --

if you have put into motion a family with young children still needing to be reared then one finishes this job and then it is up to the soul where to take the journey from there ...

but know that without full detachment there will never be full realization .. not ever...

all that have come to be in truth and light have renounced the world and never returned there
the freed soul then lives in the world but not of it...
a radically different consciousness than those caught within mundane mind...
okay, said the seeker
this is what is needed and i am now in a position to leave it all..

where are you going now master? how can i find you?

i cannot say where i will land dear wanderer of the way..

but you have what is needed to complete, and now my heart is bound to yours in sincerity, light and love as we are the same truth within...

you will travel thru many different countries ..
some will ring of great unrest and some of divine light ..

keep going precious seeker until all thoughts are cleared and only the non-dual o ne remains ..

you will know it undoubtedly when it is uncovered ...

the last stop however is the town of death...

oh my shuddered the seeker ... how horrid that sounds

the wise soul laughed greatly and said do not be afraid...

and then he took to his feet and left....
the man in search of light looked about and took a deep breath of release...
he felt quite a bit sturdier within as he knew that his call to freedom was true and held great value ...
his reminiscing for the life he left behind continued to rise and fall like waves
sometimes it was all consuming ...
sometimes like a soft glow in the background...
doubts still haunted and pestered.. angel and devil voices chimed in ... random, senseless thoughts continued to rise and fall ..
but he continued to ponder this surrender thing and detached from the body and used the mantra in devotion and love...
he journeyed on for so many, many days it seemed like
as a one shorn of his homeland and like a one that knew not where he belonged
as his life of before seemed so very distant like a dream in the mist ...
he set it aside like he was told and slept in the open air...
breathing the smell of the earth, listening to the rustling of creatures and watching the shadows fall..
onward he went ..
his heart was light somedays and ridden with haunting shadows and doubts other days...
 he returned always to the mantra...  drinking in its vibration and watching the glory of natures wonders ... so very welcoming and open like a sweet fragrance of Gods creation
it felt unreal to him at times, this beautiful gift of nature
the blossoming wonders, rich greens and sweet earthy smells fresh from rain or warm with sunlight ..
he was lost there sometimes and then back came mind again...
then he came to a valley called expanse...this looks nice he thought...
things felt a bit easier and restful... thoughts were there, but did not feel so pressing down and haunting
kind of like riding a wave easily,
rather than the heavy current of mind constantly pushing against the being so as to say -- look at me! listen to me!
he breathed a bit easier and sat awhile in happiness that was very refreshing ...
so simple he thought this beautiful moment...
still there was unrest looming underneath like a bobbing thing that went under and rose up again when the conditions were ripe --
on and on like this he went...
then he came to a place that felt different also,
his mind seemed calmer and lit up with insight ...
he felt like a being at the center  of a web with strands reaching outward where all was connected and appeared harmonious and filled with love
okay, now i have finally arrived he thought ... i am very holy and special indeed...
i am one with all things and have never not been...
i am quite a light .. i am a teacher,
i am  a one filled with wonder as the earth and stars and heavens and all things glorious...
i have drunk deeply of the clear waters and sunny pastures of the universe ..
what a free soul i am and how much i have to say now about it ....
i am to be known for my way of speaking clear and deeply insightful vision that is so very high up...
look at me now, such a treasure trove of wisdom...
he felt he had arrived and continued to reflect on all that he had gained and suffered and just how
amazing of a soul and seeker he was ...
and just how much others would see this too...
he sat in this way for oh so long friends, very reluctant to leave this land of ego pleasure..
eventually however the clouds came back and the sea began to rock within
and his heart did not seem so rested in his own method of feeling things to be within harmony and light
fortunately in the depths of this view he was swept up by ...
a kernel of sense remained to see that he had not paid attention at all  to his guides wise words
that said one is not done until *all* thoughts are gone and the last town is the town of *DEATH*..
death came up to him this way in his mind *BIG* and looming above so as to say .. yes, you cannot bypass me .. though you gave it a good shot indeed
still there is no completion without passing thru me (the town of *DEATH*)....
well he wondered if he had sat here so long so as to avoid this part...
oh my how deluded mind can be and got up and shook his head about and sighed a deep sigh as he knew he was not done and needed to continue into the land of death ---
onward he went and now he knew enough to not be taken in by *any story* no matter how good it sounded...
he had learned this lesson in a very hard way...
as he had lost so much time swept up in this world of fantasy...
soon enough this place called death shown up in the distance ...
oh, there it is said his persona... what to do .. go forward, go back...
he did not know really for it felt so very real not as a dream or a projection anymore ...
and he breathed and said let the worst come and be over with...
for i feel so very weary
like a soul caught as a deer in a trap with barely a breath of life left, not fully dying
and not full living ..
Lord of my soul this is not where i want to stay
may you do what you must
and he kept going
and he sank into this haunting shadow that was the most frightening of all fears and the most horrifying
shadow that looms in all mental waters ...
and he shook to the bone at the barren feel of it
like all that was known to him was to be lost forever..
his body, mind -- the whole thing ..
so real and palpable was this feeling and there was nothing he could do as he was helpless to its strength and power and then out he went...
gone to himself...
when his consciousness awakened to the appearance of the world
all was radically changed
the dual world he knew before was rinsed clean and what was revealed was the o ne SELF of all...
so completely peaceful and at rest
so very gentle like calm waters ...
the past never happened, the future had no reality ...
beyond birth and beyond death was this pure consciousness
there were no thoughts about it
only peace, beauty and all consuming non-dual pristine awareness remained
he wasn't sure where he was at first, but then within his awareness he recognized his surroundings and knew that he was in the town called *is* ... as if he never left...
was there ever a journey?  did he ever leave this place?
my what a dream he had been lost in...
well friends his family was rather indifferent about the whole thing and barely noticed anything had changed ...
what happened next ...
this beautiful light took to his feet and walked on into the open lands
singing of pure presence and light wherever he was ..
not two,  not two...

om shanti

wonderland

in the world there are many types of souls

so many have excuses to not go forward 

as they do not want to be challenged 

most are caught up in romantic involvements or 

within the whirlwind of
some kind of drama or other...

others sit back and worry all the time 

or are uncertain..

some are self absorbed and caught up in the outer image

so many types of being in the world 

well here is a group of souls that i can tell you about

they live in a place called wonderland on a hill

above the busy-ness of the world 

they have been friends a long time and 

do all sorts of things together

there is one soul in the bunch that is to be the wise one

he is not always present though at their gatherings

but more sought out for advice 

but then this advice is always put to the inner world of the 

soul that is asking and twisted about so as to 

be nearly unrecognizable from the original 

which is the general way of this group..

they end up following the most familiar path anyway

no matter how wise the advice given is 

each member of this group has a certain outstanding 

very distinct quality .

and this is the name given by the universe .....

joe or bob just does not seem to suit them...

why not call it out for what it is ...

the first soul is called *doubt* for he is back and forth 

on every decision.. waffling about as one that is uncertain..

not firm in a thing ...

his stature is a bit hunched over ... not ever looking fully up at what 

is before him...  this is doubt...

the other gentleman is *pride* ... 

he is just full of himself and feels there is nothing to compare to his fine 

form and awesome features ...

the ladies, he feels are always looking up to him
as well as everybody else

he is the master of handsomeness and fine physique

a catch to be sure, feels he...

the other is *sloth*...  he is never ready on time ... always dragging about

as if his legs were made of lead...

wanting to sleep in the middle of the day and getting up quite late 

his energy is a bit wearisome to say the least...

still he has hung out with this group for many years .. 

moving about like a slug... 

the last soul in this fine bunch is called *absurd*... 

this one is always right.. never is he wrong, not ever...

he has his philosophy and intellectual assumptions that he throws out 

constantly ...

and he will take in very little in the way of advice ... 

he wants to be the man on the podium that gives the sermon in church

or be the teacher among the crowd ... 

that has so much knowledge to impart...

"listen friends", are always his first words.. this is the way it is with absurd 

well here is the crew that live in this town called wonderland

and you can be certain the outings are not lacking in drama..

or color.. none within this group are seeking to know the light, this is for certain

so you can imagine the flurry that ensued when a new soul named no-one moved

in to the neighborhood..

this set the bunch on the edge of discomfort and wariness
about what this meant to their little familiar
well wrapped up world of outings and chattering about..

now the advice giver that held some wisdom lived amongst them but 

did not spend his days partaking in this drama filled talk

he spent time just being and living simply..

his name was *earth* .. a funny name but indeed it was fitting for him

because he was the only one that was down to earth...

and not chasing dreams and shadows all the time ..

he had no desire to chat about** how this should be this way** and 

**how that should be that way**

he was content just being and this was all...

the group of souls in wonderland let very little change in their world 

every morning they walked the dogs 

then had coffee

then read the paper..

then took a walk

lunch

chatting 

dinner

chatting

tv

bed...

the general routine...  

when they heard about no-one entering the scene they had a lot to say about it

i heard he's enlightened, said pride...

what?!, said absurd... listen friends, how can an enlightened soul be here in wonderland? i have only read about people like

this living in india or in a cave somewhere on the himalayas...  not right here in our neighborhood..

what absurdity... what nonsense...  

then sloth piped in ...  why bother talking about this at all..  i am ready soon to eat and then take a nap..

this is not anything we need to bother about...

doubt said, oh no this sounds like something that makes me uneasy... i have not been feeling well and 

do not want to hear about something so unsettling and *out there* such as this ...  can we let this go?

but if we do let it go, i will still feel that this new presence is about, and oh what to do? continued doubt..

well this was the end of the conversation for now until later...

pride suggested they talk to earth about the situation... 

they all agreed just as something to do about it
which does in no way mean they were open to truly *hearing* the advice given,
still, they gathered together and trotted off to earth's place in the morning...
the walk was lovely...
the sea sparkling in the distance...  with smells of fresh life blooming and sweet scents from the
woods that stretched all around...
earth was in the doorway to his cabin waiting for the little group to arrive..
he smiled easily with his usual unperturbed style...
not really seeming to be involved in the whole affair, but still open appearing in manner and relaxed...
the first to speak was doubt...  he walked back and forth with his usual non-committal style..
his head down not really seeing what was before him...
he cleared his throat and said... earth, it has come to our awareness that no-one has moved into wonderland .. the word is that he is an enlightened being... we are in a pickle as to what to do or how to approach his presence... we are not wanting to hear of ways that are different than ours .. for why?
we are fine with our routine and quite frankly have no idea what this odd being may have to say..
what he wants or doesn't want... the bottom line is, we are not interested in meeting him, yet feel uneasy about his being and living here ... what to do earth? you seem to be unrattled by changes like this...
this is why we brought our dilemma to you today... not that we will change anything about our stance..
earth spoke - doubt, why would you ask my advice about something that you have not one drop of interest in actually listening to or heeding? ...  you say you are not interested in changing, yet you flit about like a lost soul back and forth in such unrest...
why doubt, would you indeed not want to hear of another way-- that may bring peace and quiet to your restless waters? ...
as these waters are literally drowning you in dark and unsettled ways...
is this really where you are wanting to remain?
doubt spoke, i am simply like this and do not seek to go beyond it ..  this is my stance,..
then he looked reflective and said hmmmm... i guess sometimes i desire a bit of rest this is true, however i do not want to go and listen to very unfamiliar talk that speaks of ways that are foreign..
that stretch beyond our standard mode of thinking...
spoke earth, since you came here you must be in search of a word that helps to guide.. but you, doubt, continue to push away what is offered as you claim immediately it tastes sour to you ...
you make no effort in the least to venture beyond your enclosed world of comforts ..
that quite obviously have not brought refreshment to your soul...
why don't you go and wander about as you do back and forth continually in the forest and find an answer there? ... if this could happen that clarity came this way, you would not be here ... so very lame is your excuse, doubt that you put to shame any bit of intelligence you might have in there ... a closed up house you are with tightly bolted windows and doors .. how very isolated and lonely in its way...
then pride chimed in,... why bother with this something beyond business.. i have made of my body fine and shining so as to attract beautiful maidens with deep fluttering eyes, golden locks and warm arms that will hold me... this is the highest experience of my soul -- to feel loved --
this no-one you speak of ... he can offer nothing -- as he cannot bring affection and warmth like another can ...i am a lover and cannot change.. i have no desire to welcome a man of God ...
he cannot change anything that has meaning to me...
earth spoke, pride your argument is not justified as the arms that hold you will not be eternal...
they will go when the mood of romance changes... and turn sour when the heart becomes overshadowed by desire of another or of something different... so very weak is your excuse not to open to no-one and that romance has the highest experience in life ...
this what is to make of your world a weary one of highs and lows
ridden with pleasures and aching pain..
where within there  is no center or anything that rings of lasting beauty, deep wisdom and peace...
no, pride .. i cannot accept your reasoning as right... you can indeed venture out seeking a warm body all of your days as this is your free right to pursue... but your argument that romance is the highest is completely false ... truth needs no-one and it lives as incomparable beauty, pure love and deep compassion... there is no
maiden that can compare to *truth*, no matter how fair and glowing...
sloth spoke slow and drawling ... oh my gosh, i am getting sleepy with all this nonsense talk..  i mean why bother with it all?..   i just want to enjoy my friends and good food and sleep... what is this all about.. there is no need for a man of truth here ..  he has nothing to offer me when i am quite comfortable the way i am...
spoke earth,.. your comforts are like rugs that are to be pulled when the time comes to meet the maker sloth...  you may feel yourself to be a prince of your world, but not in the  least will you be in the world beyond ... all that you pull to you to bring solace and comfort are like dust in the wind ...
then what sloth?... what are you to do when all of it goes?...
absurd spoke, listen friends, i know all about this spiritual knowledge stuff.. it has to do with finding yourself or something like this ... i do not care about it ... i know what i know and there is no-one that will tell me different... i have read many books about every subject, so my knowledge base is broad and stretching ... i  am a knower .. and do not need anyone else telling me about how the world is or is not
absurd, said earth... you are not a knower.. true knowledge does not come by gathering and collecting facts .. it comes by opening and quieting the mind ... your excuse that you know it all and that there is nothing else to know is beyond stubborn..   like a boat tied to a dock, you will not leave the port with this attitude ...  you will be sunk and find yourself in great suffering with many thoughts flocking about your head and giving you no rest... and at the end of your life your bits of knowledge you have collected have no power in aiding you to move on peacefully beyond the world...
well this was the scene at earths place ... not much entered into the souls that were present ... and they left sunken feeling and a bit at a loss for words for once ...
quietly they strode to their homes and set their heads on their pillows with dreams of all sorts and varieties ...
pride - dreamed he was caught in a gale that tossed him about like a dry leaf and woke shuddering and sweating so as to call out .. oh my gosh what a nightmare...
absurd dreamed he had lost his way to school and roamed about in the forest like a lost puppy looking for his mother...   sleeping without shelter and shivering in the cold air.. he woke startled and breathing heavily, shifting about in his bed...
doubt dreamed he lived in a beautiful foreign land where the faces were open, kind and giving ...  with a flow of wonderful fruits and hearty vegetables ... and warm rains and glorious sun filled endless days...
he woke more refreshed than he had ever been and said to himself, now this is unusual, how wonderful...
sloth dreamt he ran a marathon and needed little to eat ... at the end of it, he flew over huge mountains and looked down with great ease on the entire expanse of land.... he felt great energy and peace surging within... he woke to the alarm clock that said 11:00 am ...  oh my, he said to himself, it is so late. i have missed so much of the day.. and he was surprised at himself how he wanted to get out into life and breathe the fresh air...
the little group met in the day to walk as usual ... all were quieter than normal....
doubt said, you know i have been thinking, possibly we should open up to this no-one... it doesn't mean we haveto change anything, right? i mean we can still be friends, hang out and do the same things..
pride offered his words that said, maybe this is best .. to at least be neighborly and ring the bell.. bring some tea and cookies or something as an offering to aide him to feel welcome...
sloth said, yes, indeed! in such an invigorated voice that was so not of the norm for him that all stopped and looked speachless for a bit...
then absurd spoke.. listen friends... this sounds like a cohesive plan that may aide to set our minds at ease and bring in more spacious light and harmony... and with this flow of  confident words, he surprised everyone including himself ...
they all shook their heads in affirmation and set about to hunt for some treats to bring to no-one as a welcoming greeting...
they called on him in the evening ..
his house was lit up with warm lights that flooded thru the windows...
the foliage was green and full around the house and the frogs could be heard croaking in the back...
when no-one answered the door, he looked very ordinary...
he was wearing nothing that stood out to the eye...
his home was comfortable and quite simple ...
he asked the group to sit down, and welcomed all to enjoy the nice gift of treats they brought...
then there was a rich silence that filled the room... which indeed this little troop was totally unaccustom to ....  nothing was said for a long time ...
then absurd spoke and said ... we wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood and hope you are happy here ...
no-one said that he was indeed happy, but he was at peace no matter where he was as all was the same within... nothing changed...
absurd knew not what to say to this .. but eventually got out the words, that must be nice..
no-one smiled..
then doubt said, dear sir, we heard you are enlightened, is this true?
no-one said that this was true and that all this meant is that the mind forever abides in stillness...
doubt said, this sounded unusual and also a bit enchanting ...
he continued, is this something that any common creature can obtain or is it a special thing that only foreigners from far off places and lands can find...
no-one laughed, and said it is the natural state of all ...all can come to it, if sought in sincerity and with earnest efforts....
well, said sloth... my, how wonderful this sounds...  and then his voice trailed off as he lost his train of thought, and he sat staring the rest of the time in emptiness..
then pride said, sir we were a bit uneasy about meeting you as it just sounded so very unfamiliar and we are set in our ways... we are most relieved to find you ordinary and very pleasant ...
may we come again one day and seek to find out more of what you are speaking?
no-one said, of course, that his door was open to any that are sincere...
then they all left and wandered their way lost to a new possibility on the horizon...
the days passed with the group sitting in no-ones cabin and asking questions...
and this is where this story ends friends, left open like this...
how far they go, it is up to each soul...
as it is certain their set ways will be deeply challenged ...
but once the seed of truth is planted and a true master manifests.... it continues to haunt in its own way..
until the truth is discovered and the soul is set free ...
this is all friends of the heart this evening ...
that is flowing...
many blessings in this beautiful wonderland of life...
ommmmmm