5. The Dream
- Many weeks had passed, and the Poet had sat up many nights by the light of his lantern, reading the books of the great poets and seers of old. And while he still taught the people of the village, none yet would listen, for though he had read much Wisdom, he still knew not the way.
- He resolved that he should not speak to the people any longer, for he did not feel the presence of that which had at first called out to him, and he believed himself to be without guidance.
- And behold, many more weeks passed, and the Poet perceived that the people of the village still marched toward their destruction, for their murmurings had grown louder, and they had become even more vexed with their lives.
- And the leaders did distract the people with all manners of idols and trinkets and shiny goods, which only served to inflame their passions.
- And the people were without aim, and they did grasp after any pleasure which could distract them from the truth. They did not seek Wisdom to ease their suffering, but they sought pleasure as a cure, and they became their desires, and they dreamed horrid dreams by night and worse dreams by day, and no pleasure was enough to satisfy their needs.
- And on a quiet spring night while all the village slept, the Poet was awoken by a soft voice that came to him in the early hours before the dawn. He fixed his eyes upon the distant hills as he had done so many times before, and he perceived that the hills had, at last, another revelation for him to hear.
- The Poet was anxious, for he still knew not the way to Alignment, and he hoped that he would now learn the way.
- As the silence of the dark morning rested gently upon the dry plains, the Poet felt that he should go beyond the boundaries of the village so as to view the foggy, moon-kissed hills in all their glory.
- And he did walk beyond the gates of the village, and he felt the majesty of the distant hills. The Moon hid behind a vale of translucent morning fog, and the song of the waking morning birds echoed softly throughout the thin air that rested on the plains, and their song did penetrate his aching heart.
- And the Poet did dream a dream, and he did speak into the dream, and he perceived that he did receive an answer to his questions. And he beheld that he had entered a different realm, and that he had become the dream.
- Such was the dream which was dreamed by the Poet:
I
- Many weeks had passed, and the Poet had sat up many nights by the light of his lantern, reading the books of the great poets and seers of old. And while he still taught the people of the village, none yet would listen, for though he had read much Wisdom, he still knew not the way.
- He resolved that he should not speak to the people any longer, for he did not feel the presence of that which had at first called out to him, and he believed himself to be without guidance.
- And behold, many more weeks passed, and the Poet perceived that the people of the village still marched toward their destruction, for their murmurings had grown louder, and they had become even more vexed with their lives.
- And the leaders did distract the people with all manners of idols and trinkets and shiny goods, which only served to inflame their passions.
- And the people were without aim, and they did grasp after any pleasure which could distract them from the truth. They did not seek Wisdom to ease their suffering, but they sought pleasure as a cure, and they became their desires, and they dreamed horrid dreams by night and worse dreams by day, and no pleasure was enough to satisfy their needs.
- And on a quiet spring night while all the village slept, the Poet was awoken by a soft voice that came to him in the early hours before the dawn. He fixed his eyes upon the distant hills as he had done so many times before, and he perceived that the hills had, at last, another revelation for him to hear.
- The Poet was anxious, for he still knew not the way to Alignment, and he hoped that he would now learn the way.
- As the silence of the dark morning rested gently upon the dry plains, the Poet felt that he should go beyond the boundaries of the village so as to view the foggy, moon-kissed hills in all their glory.
- And he did walk beyond the gates of the village, and he felt the majesty of the distant hills. The Moon hid behind a vale of translucent morning fog, and the song of the waking morning birds echoed softly throughout the thin air that rested on the plains, and their song did penetrate his aching heart.
- And the Poet did dream a dream, and he did speak into the dream, and he perceived that he did receive an answer to his questions. And he beheld that he had entered a different realm, and that he had become the dream.
- Such was the dream which was dreamed by the Poet:
- “I wish to learn of Alignment.”
- “And what doth thou suppose it would mean to be in Alignment?”
- “Surely he is Aligned who labours by the hand and is guided by the mind? For by which other way may I seek Alignment?”
- “This is not Nature’s way, for what good is thy labour if it be directed toward a false target?”
- “But why should I shy from my labour? If I work diligently, will I not find Alignment? And if I read the words of the many wise seers and poets of old, will I not know the way, even by my own efforts? And what doth Thou know of my target?”
- “I know thee, Young Poet, and I know of thy target. And I ask thee: art thou thy labour? Art thou the things which thou doeth with thy hands and thy mind? This is not Nature’s way, for thou art beholden to higher realms which are now hidden from thee, but which will soon be revealed.
- And now thou doth murmur as if thy purpose is a mystery, but it is not so, for nothing and no-one can be found within the Cosmos whose purpose is a mystery. And art thou without purpose? Art thou a mystery? Art thou the one being within this vast Cosmos who espouses neither responsibility nor connection to the Whole?
- Nay, the man Aligned is not he who relies on what he has created with his own hands, for he has not created it, and it belongeth not to him, and he who resteth only on himself will soon find that even the rug will be taken from under him, and the cloth from his back, and the meat from his storehouse, and the joy from his heart. He shall be left with nothing, save a poor spirit and a hardened heart.”
- “But surely it is Nature’s way that I should seek to save the people of my village by being Aligned myself, and by showing them the way to Alignment, that they may be saved from their assured destruction which has been foretold by Thy voice of revelation?
- For if I would learn, and if I would direct mine own hands and mine own heart toward worthy aims, and if I would speak truth unto the people of my village, would they not hear me? And would they not know of the truth I speak? And would they not change their ways and live even as I live?
- And would I not become as the judge of my people? And would I not lead them away from their pains and their sorrows and their troubles which do torment their weary minds?”
- “Thou hath spoken of worthy aims, but lo, there is only one aim, and though it is hidden from thee, thou doth aim at it always.
- And behold, there is but one path, and though thou seeth it not, thou doth walk along it.
- Thou hath spoken of thine own desires and plans for thyself and thy village, but what thou hath planned is not Nature’s way, for who was ever Aligned who leaned only unto their own desires, and who looked no higher?
- And how doth thou know that thy path is truth? This is not Alignment, but a sickness. Nay, to indulge in thine own appetite beyond the point of proper nourishment is contrary to Nature.
- And besides this, who has shown unto thee that it was the design of Nature to entrust the gabble to the poor soul who would overindulge in the folly of his mind? Would that thou should grasp so much that there be nothing left for Me?”
- “But what of those who are as Thou doth describe? What of those who stuff their minds and labour by their hands? For they have become as judges, and they have beat upon the people of the village with their swift hand of tyranny! And if they are not Aligned, then by what authority do they judge? Is it not my duty, as a seeker of truth, to show them the errors of their ways? Will Alignment not be found as I raise myself up and show them the blind spots in their vision?”
- “This is not Nature’s way, for who has made thee judge over thy fellow citizens? And who would entrust thee with the gabble when thou hath failed to see the blind spots in thine own vision?
- Lo, didst thou forget that thou hath sought after Wisdom, and that thou hath moved to become as a judge, and to show thy people the way to Alignment? And didst thou forget also that not one was saved by thine efforts?”
- “But didst Thou not call unto me and lead me on this way? And doth Thou not see that the leaders of my village have overindulged? They have led the people of the village toward all manners of distractions and false idols which keep them from the truth. And shall I not rise up and receive mine own seat at their tables, that I may judge even them? For I have heard Thy voice, even when Thou hath revealed that I am to become as a shepherd of the people in my village. And will I not save my people by becoming as the leaders are? Will I not then speak with authority and truth?”
- “This is Nature’s way—the way of deception.”
II
- “I have dreamed that I have moved against the leaders of my village, and even that I have shown unto them the errors of their ways.
- Behold, they can no longer indulge themselves, and yet I perceive that my own soul is not yet full. And I ask Thee: where is Alignment to be found? Didst Thou not say that this was Nature’s way?”
- “And didst thou not listen? Thou hath been deceived, for that is Nature’s way, and in Nature’s way thou hath directed thyself.”
- “It is clear that I have much still to learn, for my ways have yet to bring me into Alignment.
- So teach me! Where can it be found?”
- “I tell thee that this is the first step: to ask the question.”
- “Is this Thy great secret? And insomuch as I have asked the question, wilt Thou not give me the answer which now is hidden?”
- “And who ever told thee that there was an answer that thou wouldst hear? And who ever said unto thee that there was a path that thou wouldst see? Who has made thee the Saviour of men? From which source doth this revelation spring forth? And, with it, what wilt thou do?
- Art thou so virtuous that thou shouldst behold the one true answer for all? Art thou so sound in spirit that thou might be entrusted with such a profound knowledge of the divine?”
- “But I have asked the question! Didst Thou not say unto me that Alignment may be found by this way?”
- “Thou hath asked the question, but there are many more questions to ask, for what knowledge is true and virtuous which is learned in one moment, or even one life?”
- “Doth Thou expect me to labour all my life in search of Alignment, only in the end coming to see that my sowing has reaped no harvest?”
- “Who ever told thee that Alignment was not to be found? Or that thy sowing would reap no harvest? And who made thee the judge of Nature’s way? Art thou to take My place? Thou hath revealed thine own gluttonous nature, for only demands have I heard uttered from thy mouth!”
- “Thou sayeth that Alignment is not found in a lifetime, and yet that my sowing will reap a harvest. Nature’s way is like a river that twists and winds, and I comprehend not which direction She turns.”
- “This is Nature’s way—the way of deception.”
III
- “Lo, Teacher of my dream, I left Thee, for Thy words made me angry. I perceived that the path to Alignment was but a foolish tale toldå to those who seek.
- But in this moment I have happened upon an understanding, for I have tasted of Alignment, and I have seen that Nature’s way—the way of deception—is as a flowing fountain.
- And I have taken my cup and filled it with the water of the fountain, and my thirsty soul has been nourished with deep understanding.
- And behold, my soul has been lifted to heights beyond even my own weak perception, and I have been entrusted with this great and profound vision. Is this not Alignment? Will I now be a leader among men? Will I become a teacher, even that I may take what I have found and spread it among those who suffer? Will I not be as a light unto those who walk in darkness? For the providential Wisdom which I have tasted is beautiful, and true, and honest, and benevolent, and virtuous, and sweet.
- Is this not now the task of my life, even as it has been spoken unto me by the voice of revelation? May I now spread among my people the truth of Nature, and even the sweetness of Alignment?”
- “Yea, thou hath tasted of Alignment. Thou hath filled thine own heart with the water of the fountain of eternal knowledge. But look now; is the same fountain from which thou didst drink still flowing? Canst thou still fill thy cup with the water thereof?”
- “I tell Thee that I cannot, for I now look upon the fountain which once flowed, and I see that it is now dry. There is no water to nourish my soul, except for that which is left in the pond. But that water which lies in the pond is not good to drink, for in there lie bones and scum and all kinds of filth.
- Surely this is not fit for my soul? Shall I never again taste of Alignment? Shall I be forced to fill my cup with the dregs?”
- “This is Nature’s way, that thou shouldst drink of those dregs which lie at the bottom of the fountain, for thou hath tasted of Alignment, and thou hath known the divine Wisdom that flows from within these hills, and thou hath desired that thou should share the fountain, and thou hath been deceived.
- Lo, this is Nature’s way—the way of deception.”
IV
- “Teacher, to Thee I return, for I listened not to Thy counsel, and my heart now sinks into a deep sadness.
- Thou hath prophesied my most fervent aversion, and I desired that this should not become my fate, for I had walked on the path of Alignment, and I desired not to leave that path.
- But my desires were far too great, and I did drink of the dregs, for I believed that the water of the pond—having come from the same source as the fountain—would nourish my soul and lead me back to the path of Alignment.
- And I saw that this was not nourishing to my soul, for it did lead me to dark places, and I saw that Nature’s way was deception, for as I did lean in to scoop up my portion of the eternal knowledge therein, I became without balance, and I fell down into the depths of the pond.
- And I tasted of death, and I tasted of all the pains of the world, and I did see many piles of bones which were heaped up in the depths of the pond. I was afraid, and I was without power, and I beheld the shadows of many people in the deep, and they did scream and cry, and they did grasp at my limbs.
- And as they did this, I could see that it made no difference, and I did see that they drowned, one after another, and that they became as the bones which piled up in the murky depths below.
- And I felt that these people were like me, for I, too, was afraid, and I did also cry and grasp, though this gave me no respite.
- But there was one who did not cry or grasp, and She was curious to me, for in the midst of this dreadful suffering, She appeared to be without fear.
- And although we had fallen into the depths of the pond, the light of the Sun still shined from the surface above, and She did look up toward the light.
- She then drifted high above me, even toward the light that shined from the surface, and She did look down upon me, and She smiled, and She eased my suffering.
- I looked up, and I began to drift with Her, and we did receive breath at the surface.
- My breath was greater than I had hoped for, and I did swim to the edge of the pond, and there I reflected on my time below, for I had been deceived by Nature’s way.
- I felt in my heart that what I had seen was true, and I perceived that I should save those who still cried out from the depths of the pond, for they were suffering greatly.
- And I wondered if they were just like me, and I wondered if they did also seek to taste of Alignment, even as I had.
- And now I ask Thee as I sit beside this pond, tasting not of Alignment, but of bitter sadness for my fellow people: shall I not dive back into the depths, even that I may help those who scream and gasp for air? Will I not taste of Alignment again when I have eased my soul of this burden which is upon me? Is it not my duty, as a shepherd, to guide those who have been deceived by the cruel ways of Nature, even as I have?”
- “Who ever told thee that Nature’s way was cruel? Yea, thou hath fallen to the depths of the pond, and thou hath tasted of death and bitter sadness, and thou hath seen those who did grasp and cry and scream, but it was not thy path to become them, for wast thou not saved? And didst thou not drift to the surface with the girl who sought the light? And didst thou not receive breath?
- And who art thou to judge Nature’s way? Who hath given thee the right to govern that which is both outside of thee and within thee? Hath thou forgotten that divinity exists also within those who grasp? Doth thou not see that the divinity which exists within thee cannot be given nor taken? And doth thou not see that those who scream in the filthy depths of the pond are not without this divinity?
- Doth thou truly believe that it is thee, the prideful Poet, who will guide those who suffer, even that they may be Aligned?
- Young Poet, where is She who led thee from the depths? Is She not gone? And I ask thee: where are they whom thou didst see in the pond? Will they not be as bones? And art thou to be likened unto God? Wouldst that thou should form their bodies again, even as a divine craftsman?”
- “Surely Thy counsel is wise, but I suffer greatly. I am lost in my own home, and I cannot see the way. I have been saved, and yet I despair in the death of my fellow people, for what am I if not a part of them?
- Will their suffering not leave a lasting imprint on my own soul? Is my inaction not an abomination to Nature? Will I not now be overcome with grief, even until I throw myself back into the depths in order that I may save my fellow people, or at least that I myself may also be turned to bones?
- Teacher, what does it matter if She who saved me is nowhere to be seen when there are still many to be saved? How am I to ever taste of Alignment again if I carry this burden upon my shoulders?”
- “Thou hath many questions, but for now I shall leave thee, for these things I know, that thou wilt dive back into the depths, and none will be saved, for this is Nature’s way—the way of deception.”
V
- “Teacher, I hoped that Thy prophecy would be untrue, so I listened not. I sat by the pond, and I watched as many walked in. I saw men, women, children, families of many generations and many more multitudes walking into the pond, and none came out. I wept, and I was in despair, and I did nothing.
- Then, from among the multitudes, I beheld that there was a girl who smiled, and She appeared to be the same girl who had saved me from the murky depths. And I perceived that She was not afraid of that which lurked in the depths of the pond, and I saw that She did walk into the pond, even with the multitudes.
- This sight was as a thorn to my heart, for She appeared not to know that She had been in this place of filth before.
- I could bear it no more, and I did wave my hands and cry from across the pond, begging that She would heed my warning, and that She would not go down into the depths. But She did not hear my cry, and She did walk into the pond.
- And my heart fell with sorrow, and I could bear it no more. I raised myself up and dived into the pond, hoping that I could save at least one innocent being from such a cruel fate as this.
- And I did sink down into the darkness below, even deeper than I had fallen before. And I was surrounded by bones and shadows, and many did gasp and scream, and many did tug at my limbs. I saw their faces, and they were overcome by fear and pain and suffering. But this was not my way, and I did search for the girl who had saved me, though She was nowhere to be found among the multitudes.
- And after searching for what seemed like many hours, I noticed that there were some who were laughing and pointing, and I perceived that they did not laugh with joy, but with mocking. I looked to where they pointed, and I saw that they pointed at the girl who I had searched for, and I saw that again She was above us all.
- And while the mockers mocked, She remained with a smile, and She did not change Her countenance. This was peculiar to me, but I was glad that She was not with us.
- Again, She smiled at me, and my heart was filled with gratitude for having found Her, and we did both look up together, and we did rise toward the light above us.
- I received breath at the surface, and it was even greater than that which I had experienced before. And I remembered what Thou had told me, even that I would save none.
- And I began to search for the girl who had now saved me twice, and She was nowhere to be seen. And I swam to the edge of the pond, and there I wept in agony, for I had been deceived by Nature’s way, just as Thou had prophesied.
- And I saw how Nature had deceived me, and that still the multitudes walked into the pond. And I saw that it was a terrible fate that was assigned to one and all. And I did see that my own fate was the same, and that all was an illusion.
- And I felt that She who had saved me was not of my understanding, and I saw that She went back into the pond, smiling, as though She did not know of the troubles that would befall her. She did not return from the depths, and I knew of Her deception.
- This brought terrible pain to my heart, for I had been deceived by Nature yet again. And I saw that it was all a cruel game, and I felt that there was no other way but that of Nature, whose way is to deceive.
- I began to smile, and I began to laugh, for there was no way out, and there was no Alignment, and I was only to be deceived.
- And lo, as I laughed, I saw that the fountain which had once nourished my soul began to flow again, and there was even more water flowing than when I had first filled my cup.
- And my heart filled with joy, for surely this was my moment of true Alignment! Surely now that I had seen behind Nature’s great vale of deception and learned to laugh at Her ways, She would deceive me no more!
- And I did grasp my cup with great joy, and I filled it with even more water than that which I had drunk before, and I did drink of this water, and it did fill my heart with much providential Wisdom.
- But lo, although my heart was filled, I did perceive that I should drink again, and I resolved that I should take my cup and fill it once more with the water of eternal knowledge.
- And I turned to the fountain, and I wept, for I had been deceived again, for there was no water flowing. And lo, there was no pond, and in place of the pond was a pile of bones so tall that the top could not be seen, for it was hidden by the clouds above.
- And the multitudes were grasping and screaming as they climbed up the pile of bones. And I felt that they knew something that I did not, for though none could see the top, there were voices from the heights of the pile which beckoned those below.
- The voices were heavenly and sweet to my ear, and they nourished my soul and told me that I should climb, and inasmuch as they did beckon unto me, I did climb the pile of bones.
- And over many days I climbed, and there were many people who were climbing with me. There were sad people, angry people, foolish and grasping people, and I felt not of their kind, for the voices that beckoned me to climb were sweet to my ear, and they told me that their song was true and good, and that they did lead me on the path to Alignment.
- And after many days, I began to see the top, but the voices that beckoned me seemed to become quieter as I came closer.
- The voices disappeared when I reached the top, and I perceived that those who had climbed with me were now as bones, and I saw that there was nobody else but me at the top.
- My heart again fell with sorrow, for I had once more been deceived by Nature’s way.
- And in my moment of sorrow, I again beheld the girl who had saved me from the depths of the filthy pond. She was lower on the mountain, and She looked at me with a smile, and I did call out to Her, and I begged Her to join me at the top of the pile so that I would not be lonely, but She just smiled.
- Knowing that I had been deceived, I began to walk down toward Her, and She led me down to the bottom of the pile, and when I had reached the bottom, She departed.
- Again, I wept, for I had climbed to the top of the pile, and I had listened to the sweet voices which had beckoned me, but even those voices deceived me, and I was in great despair.
- And now I return to Thee, Teacher, for I have again seen the multitudes who climb this mountain of bones, and I see that they grasp and scream, and I see that they are in pain, for they desire what is to be found at the top, which they cannot see.
- And I have called out to them, and I have taken many by the arm and begged them to sit with me so that I might tell them of what I had seen at the top, even that it was a deception of Nature. But I tell Thee now that none will listen, and none will be saved by me, and all the while the pile grows taller and wider with the bones of those who have climbed it, and this tragedy is beyond my capacity to bear.
- I ask Thee, Teacher: why do they not listen? And why do I feel sorrow? And why doth this pile grow larger every day with the bones of those who do not listen? And why did the voices which beckoned me with sweetness to my ear abandon me when I had come to reach their heights? And when will I learn from Thee of Alignment? And what will last? And who is the girl who saves me? And why does the water not flow? And when it flows, why does it stop? And why doth Thou now laugh at me? Why doth Thou mock me?”
- “Yea, I do laugh at thee, Young Poet, for thy questions are many, though the answer is one. Thou hath amused Me, for thou wilt continue to follow Nature’s way, which is the way of deception.”
VI
- “Teacher, Thou hath infuriated me with Thy mocking, for in my moment of vexation Thou didst leave my aching heart to rot. I was angry, but I now perceive that even Thou art of Nature, and that I am of Nature.
- And I see the bones and the mockers and graspers, and I see the pond and the fountain, and even girl who saved me, and I know that they, too, are of Nature, and I know that Nature’s way is one of deception.
- Yea, I return to Thee without questions, for I have learned what Thou hath taught me, for over many days and nights I did labour diligently among the multitudes who sought to climb up the pile of bones. I did work myself to exhaustion in the pursuit of saving their souls, and I did cry unto them with a loud voice—even until my voice was gone—telling them that they would not be Aligned, and that they would not be nourished, and that they would only toil in order that they might perish.
- But in my effort to save them, I became weak, and my soul suffered, and my heart was broken, and my countenance fell, for I did perceive that my sowing was without harvest, and I saw that not a single life was saved, just as Thou had prophesied.
- And in this moment of despair I fell upon the pile of bones, and I wept again, and I felt that Nature’s way was harsh and cruel, and I felt that the way of Nature was good for no man.
- And in this moment of despair, I did again see the girl who had saved me from the depths. She smiled at me, and She began to laugh, for She saw that I had been deceived, and She knew that my heart had been hardened.
- With simplicity and hope She did pierce my heart, for I began to smile, and then to laugh, for all the while I had been deceived, and I, too, was blind, just like the many people who I had tried to save.
- And I did lift myself from my despair, and I did walk to Her. We did not speak, but we simply sat and laughed as the fountain again began to flow.
- And behold, the pile of bones did fall into the depths of the pond below the flowing water, and we beheld that the water which flowed was more than that which had flowed before. And still we did not speak; we simply smiled while we beheld the splendid scene.
- And there we sat—just the girl and I. We did not fill our cups with the water of eternal knowledge, for the sight of the fountain was enough to nourish our souls.
- And I did perceive that the way of Alignment was not to drink, but to sit.
- We sat for many days and nights, and we did smile all the while—even though the multitudes still walked into the pond. I was not tempted to save them, for they were deceived, and so was I.
- My heart was full, and my vision was clear, and the fountain flowed, and my soul became as the flowing water.
- And lo, I did turn to the girl after many days so that I might finally break our silence and ask Her to reveal Her mysteries, but I beheld that She had left my side, and I knew not where She had gone.
- And I looked to the multitudes, and there She smiled as She walked with them into the depths. And my heart was not sad, for I knew that this was Nature’s way. And I was contented, and I remained, and the fountain flowed.
- And now I say unto Thee, Great Teacher, that I wish not to ask of Thee anything other than that Thou might commune with me, and I with Thee.
- Thine answers are surely wise, though my questions are conceived in folly. Despite my insufficiency, I have seen that the path to Alignment is a mystery, and that Nature’s way is one of deception, and that there is water for those who do not seek to drink, but simply to sit.
- I wish not to fill my cup, for the sight of the fountain is enough to nourish my soul. And I know that Thou wilt never leave me, for Thou art bound to me, and I to Thee.
- Thou hath taught me, Great Teacher, that I know what it feels like to be Aligned, and that I don’t know that I know. And Thou hath shown me the deception of Nature’s way, which is that I think that I know. And Thou hath shown me the tragedy of Nature’s way, which is that I believe that I know.”
II
