(c) John, Rekesh 2004-2008. No part of this work may be copied or reproduced without the author's permission
10. Mountain (Part 3)
Aliyah sat down on a ledge to rest. From her vantage point on the rock could be seen a stream flowing down from the mountain peak far across, widening slowly, its waterfalls like white laces gracing the mountain side. Higher up, above the origins of the stream, were wispy tufts of white clouds that clustered and shrouded portions of the mountain. The pure waters of the stream reminded her of nobler emotions, particularly that of love. But the wispy clouds, also composed of water drops, were something of an entirely different quality. Water by itself tended to flow ever downward under the effect of gravity, slowly acquiring silt, dirt, sewage and other runoff, finally merging into the saltiness of the sea. It was the heating action of the sun that transported waters from even the muddiest pool, the dirtiest drain and the saltiest sea into water vapor, lifting them high above into the atmosphere, transforming them into glorious clouds that offered life-giving water to the planet. Here again was a reminder about human beings, their emotions and natural proclivities which, when left to themselves, sank ever downward. But the redeeming action of grace transformed even the greatest transgressor into a benediction and an angelic source of love for many.
And the waters that finally merged into the ocean reminded her of her own spiritual experiences, when she had thought that the ultimate was experienced in a grand unification in the vastness of an ocean of consciousness. This was but an identification with the collective consciousness of all, a common denominator which was also evolving and progressing at its own level. The waters of the oceans were too salty, salt being a very earthy element, and not meant for human consumption. In fact prolonged exposure was dangerous to the physiology of the body. Likewise, her own ingrained natures, proclivities and unwanted habits had persisted despite her deepest spiritual experiences, and in fact she had even acquired an ego of accomplishment, a saltiness that colored her personality. This could now be her undoing. It took the redeeming action of grace in the form of difficult circumstances, signified by the heat of the sun, to slowly purify her of those tendencies and take her up higher. Mystics throughout the ages had often reported such a turn of events, and such exceedingly trying times were known to many as the dark night of the soul. She herself had been going through similar experiences and it pointed to a major imbalance within her personality, one which life set about to correct in an effort to restore balance.
It took time, but she finally understood that earthly life had to be given as much importance as those heavenly incursions, because the very synthesis of earth and heaven within was crucial to her sojourn here. Like the majestic mountain from which she now gazed into infinity, she was meant to have her head above the clouds, her heart amidst them, and her feet firmly on the earth.
There came also the recognition that there were many more realms and modes of being, indescribable and beyond her wildest dreams, and stretching higher into the heavens, where humanity was called to explore and learn, to live, to love and to create. The journey back home to the Godhead was indeed a circle, and it did not mean going back to one’s beginnings by undoing everything that was built up through the ages. Instead, it meant going forward and completing the circle. Humanity was being prepared.
* * *
Aliyah began her descent along the mountain path. The sun was setting and shadows crept along the trail. Looking down to the side, she could see the sprawl of the city suburbs far away. On an impulse she decided to leave the trail and take a downward path through the trees. She clambered down the steep slope, moving from tree to tree, leaning against each in turn before moving down to the next one.
Then she heard it, the muffled sound of drums echoing through the forest. She stopped to listen. The drumming started as a slow and simple beat that gradually increased in complexity and tempo. Soon it reverted to forms she knew, like rumba and the rhythms of the cha-cha. The sounds seemed to come from a direction to the west. She decided to investigate and started heading down that way.
She moved forward and down and the sounds became louder. The terrain here was rockier than the rest and made progress difficult. But she was very curious. Who on earth would be drumming in the middle of the forest at this time? For what reason?
All of a sudden the drumming stopped. She strained and listened. What could have happened? She could hear nothing, except for bird calls and the wind rushing through the trees. She took another step, lost her balance and grabbed on to a tree branch to prevent herself from falling. For a moment she managed to hold on, but the branch broke and she fell headlong down the rocky slope, triggering a small avalanche. She hit the ground, rolled and came forcefully to a stop against an old tree trunk.
She tried to get up and pain shot through her ankles. Looking down, she could see that both her ankles were bleeding, possibly from impact with rock. She tried to get up again and found she couldn’t. Her ankles were badly hurt. She would have to crawl and it was now almost dark. No one would find her there and soon it would get too cold. There had been stories of people being lost and freezing to death overnight in these mountains. Recognition dawned on her that she too might face the same peril. Agitated, she shouted for help, only to realize that there was no one around within earshot. Her frustration now turned to tears. She sobbed, lay down on her side and started to pray.
There was movement in the shadows. Someone or something was watching her. Instinctively, she sat up. Across her and atop a rock was a dark, silent figure, looking down at her.
“Help me!” she cried out. “I can’t walk.”
The figure descended the rock with cat-like ease and came closer to where she was lying on the ground. Then came the voice,
“Didn’t I tell you to get the hell out of here?”
Aliyah gazed in stunned silence as the figure moved into the light. She was looking at none but her beloved, miraculously back from the dead. She stared, disbelieving, bewilderment and shock flooding through her system. Voiceless, her lips tried to frame a question.
He said nothing, but walked over, took her forcibly into his arms and kissed her. In a fire of ecstatic emotion, she melted into his embrace.
* * *