Maya Doves and the Cities of Light - Part 2

Yaxchillan

Aluna says,"Yaxchillan is the Earth centre of the five cities of light and represents balance. It is hidden deep in the jungle between Guatemala and Mexico on the Usumacinta River. The ancient name for the city was probably Pa'chan. Yaxchillan which means 'green stones' in Maya. The site is particularly well known for its well preserved, sculptured stone lintels set above the doorways of the main structures. These lintels contain hieroglyphic texts and imagery that describes deep shamanic practices.
"Yaxchillan teaches us about balance between the earthly world and the ethereal world. Its    mysteries are buried so deep, that it makes anyone who visits here dive deep within themselves. Here, described in its famous lintels, is the process of capturing, mastering and becoming free of one's individual ego. Once this state of consciousness is achieved,  we become one with all life."

 We made the trip up the river in groups of ten in small boats which was navigated expertly by one of the locals. Every now and again he deliberately spun the boat a little out of control; he had to have his fun and it was wonderful to feel that little bit out of control; especially for an Earth Element whose main challenge is to let go of the need to control.

I even caught the cheeky grin which he shared with me when he realized I understood what he has doing, having spent many years on white water in various boats and canoes. It was interesting each time he let the boat go out of control some of the other passengers showed the odd sign of fear, which was perfect as the negative emotion of the Earth Element is fear and their greatest challenge is to learn to give up the need to control.
When we arrived on the Island the Howler Monkeys began to howl a sound that seemed to touch you at a very deep level. Again some of the others were starting to show signs of fear. The closer we moved towards the entrance the louder the howling became and the more hairs of fear were rising on the groups collective skin. We had heard Howler Monkeys in Palenque but they must have been their quiet cousins. The thought that came to my mind was the wail of the banshees. Whatever fear you needed to go beyond was heightened by the sound of the Howler Monkeys. The monkeys were challenging us to go beyond our fears. If you have ever heard them you will know what I mean, they are damn loud, but there is a beauty underneath their howling, it is the essence of the monkey and it is almost melodic and touched me very deeply.

Once inside the entrance we had to walk through the Labyrinth. It was a doorway which lead into darkness; a darkness so black that you just had to trust in yourself and let any idea of being in control to drop away. You could not see where you were going and yet no one put on their torch; it was as if the whole group understood that the challenge of Yaxchillan was to give up the need to control and trust in the process that spirit was now offering us. With the end of the Mayan calendar we were experiencing no time, an opportunity to create the world that we wanted to live in, but to do so we had to move beyond the elements. Not so much by disregarding them but understanding their lesson and allowing the elements to be come a part of them.

I must admit I loved Yaxchillan as I had spent much of the last twenty years working to go beyond my many fears; skydiving, fire walking, abseiling - you name it I have tried to do to go beyond my fears and in the end I realized it was not my fears but the fears of my ego and how it saw the world. Yaxchillan is such a cool place. It is much smaller than the sites like Tikal or Chchen Itza, but of those who have the eyes to see and the ears to heart and the heart to feel it is an amazing place.
As we wandered through the rest of the site I felt that my own Earth Aspect seemed now to be at peace and I looked forward to Tikal where I was sure the Element of Fire had more in store for me.

Tikal

Aluna says, "Tikal is the Fire aspect of the cities of light. It is a place of power and nature. Tikal is one of the world's true wonders. In Tikal you can learn about power, but also about the mind and consciousness. The Mayans believe that Tikal is one of the most spiritually powerful places on the earth. Tikal possesses a certain quality of magic that fascinates and enchants. It stretches your mind and heart to hold more wisdom and light.
"The monumental site, with its towering pyramids, looms out of the misty jungle canopy like living sentinels of ancient times. The site speaks to those with open hearts. The ruins of Tikal include more than 3,000 structures extending over six square miles and includes palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, plazas, avenues and even steam baths. It is paradise."

For me Tikal was the highlight of the trip to the 5 Ancient Cities of Light.
I was drawn to the Maya trip because I knew that the Elements would allow me and those in the group to go through all of them and release the negative emotions of each of the Elements. In Palenque it had been easy as I must have done the Water Element in many previous incarnations. Standing in the monsoonal rain for hours while we did a number of ceremonies, it was easy to allow the water to wash over me and clear me of any emotions of frustration.

If Water was easy the next day at Yaxchillan was more difficult but not greatly so. We arrived at the Earth Element site only to be greeted by the sound of Howler Monkeys. For those not fortunate enough to have heard their sound, it is like the sound of whaling banshees or the devil. For those who were Earth and dealing with the element of fear there were scared shitless. Then on top of that we had to walk through a dark tunnel which we later found out was called the Labyrinth. For the Earth Elements they had to led go of the need to control and step into the dark. It was not easy for some and even for me the first couple seconds there was a momentary panic before I gave over to spirit and walked in the total blackness. When I appeared out the other side I felt free of the need to be in control.

If Yaxchillan was a challenge then Tikal just blew me away. We arrived at group 4 and there before us was the mouth of the dragon. I immediately began to shake as I felt this was to be an Important moment in my life. I knew why I had not been able to finish the final three chapters of the legend of the 33rd Sage. I had to walk into the mouth of the dragon and experience myself. When I came out through the other side I was changed forever. It was in that moments that I realized that the legend of the 33rd Sage was all about me. I was the young boy Huo in my story. Twenty eight years of living and working with the Elements and much of that time on the path of the Initiate. Tears began to run from my eyes and I was sighing and gently sobbing as I realized that the story was always about me. The essence of the 33rd sage is something that we can all tap into; for the 33 sages of the plum Red Robe exist within all of us.

Is there any wonder that since I booked on the Maya trip that The Way of the Initiate - Legend of the 33rd Sage had begun to materialize; for it was my story.
I had not stepped in through the mouth of the dragon and into myself. It was just like the character in my book I had to step through the dragon's mouth and this mouth just happened to be in Tikal. It was in the mouth of the dragon where I would come face to face with the other me; the me that I was to become.

Later on I was meditating standing in front of the Jaguar Temple when all of a sudden the heads which I had seen in visions and meditations over the last few days rushed at me again, only this time it was only one head and it was the head of the king of the Jaguar Temple and immediately he began downloading information to me. Information that was all too much and I spaced at completely. Although physically I was okay, I was mentally exhausted. Who knows what the future will bring. All I know is I have to finish The Way of the Initiate and The Legend of the 33rd Sage.

Rio Dulce

Aluna says, "Lake Izabal is surrounded by lush tropical rainforests inhabited by hundreds of bird species, monkeys and many other animals. The waters of the lake are rich in fish. Unique to that lake is the freshwater sea cow (Manatee); a mammal that can weigh up to one ton. It is the largest lake in Guatemala. It is 45 kilometers long and 590 square kilometers and in some parts is up to 50 feet deep. At its eastern end it drains into the Rio Dulce. I always like to take time here to relax and integrate the previous sites and prepare for the two most powerful sites in the Maya world."

It was Christmas day when we made the one and a half hour boat trip on the lake which lead to out rest stop for the night. The journey was filled with birds of all kinds who seem to be watching us on our journey. I was feeling totally relaxed on the boat as we made the journey across the lake. It is funny how the presence of water or mountains always seem to relax me and allow me to go deep within.

Although we only stayed one night at the hotel by the water if felt like a week as we and especially me was able to reflect on what had happened the previous few days.
Over dinner we were entertained by a local group of Caribbean singers and dancers. The food was okay, the music and dancing enjoyable, but what was even more special was they way this group of people had become so close in such a short time. It seemed like everyone had checked their egos at the door when they arrived on this trip; this is not to say that we all did not bring our individuality on the trip, we certainly did and the Aussies, one certain Pom and a little Mayan knew how to have fun and enjoy themselves. What was brilliant was that everyone accepted each other for who they were and where they were at. On some spiritual trips there seems to be one or two who want to show the others how spiritual they are, but on this trip there was a lot of support and love for fellow individuals on a great journey.

After dinner Aluna showed us that the moon was almost in conjunction with Jupiter and how it would be appropriate to ask for what we wanted to receive as Jupiter was the planet of abundance. I looked up at the moon almost in conjunction with Jupiter and rather than ask for money or material goods I heard myself asking for wisdom. Thirty years on the journey and I am still asking for wisdom and yet the request was what I truly want most, although a little more abundance would help the journey being a little easier.

Quirigua

Aluna says, "Quirigua is the Air aspect of the cities of light. The Maya have a traditional story that speaks about the day the Star Elders - the Invisible Council, left the earth plane for the last time (about 800 years ago). Quirigua is the site where this last exit took place. It is one of the smallest Mayan cities, but one of the most mysterious and powerful due to its splendid series of Star Elder monuments. These living, sandstone obelisks were created to mark important cosmic events. Each spectacular sculpture is that of a Star Elder and is adorned with symbolic information and encircled by gods and sacred animals. The sides and backs are etched with Maya calendar glyphs giving dates to significant events. The date of Quirigua's turning point in history is immortalized on a huge boulder known as Zoomorph G. Half a dozen of these curious rounded sculptures, resembling mythical and real animals are found in Quirigua. Some believe the Zoomorph is a map of the universe and contains necessary information needed to enter and exit the Earth's Hologram. The Acropolis, which was created out of white quartz crystal, amplifies the energy needed to generate these cosmic migrations.
"Quirigua has mesmerized countless travelers. British author Aldous Huxley, noted that Quirigua's Stela commemorate, '...human triumph over time and matter and the triumph of time and matter over man.'

"Qurigua is permeated with heart energy. Here we take the longest journey anyone can make. It is a journey of 13 inches. It is the journey from our mind to our heart. The power of the heart energy in this site, combined with a lightness of spirit, helps us allow this 13 inch journey to take place."

Interestingly as the Air Element, Quirigua is the place of the left brain mind. It is the summer and as we walked around the sandstone sculptures one could feel the heat of the air as there was very little cover from the elements. I always had difficulty with the heat of the day and I wonder whether it came from my difficulty with Air element people who I often saw as superior due to my dyslexia in my younger years. I always felt judged by those I saw as my academic superiors and with the benefit of hindsight I can now see that what I was seeing, as there judgement, was no more than me judging myself.

The negative emotion of air is judgment and it is one of the emotions that disconnects us from each other as it makes one better and one worse. Eg beautiful/ugly, fat/thin, smart/dumb etc. That is one of the reasons that I like the Elements, for as we begin to understand our own element and the elements in others we can begin to celebrate the differences rather than judge them.

Walking around Quirigua was not such a special time for me. Others described it as their favorite site; for me it was uncomfortable as I relived my previous judgments of myself and others. It was then that I was attacked by thousands of little midges or small black flys which appeared out of nowhere and attacked those who had not sprayed themselves with insect spray.

I found that during this trip that when I said anything or judged anything that within minutes I was being challenged by it. This happened twice within an hour at Quirigua. I watched as the midges had attacked Raphael and inflicted hundreds of bites. I said that I would normally be the one who would be bitten and I did not have one bite. My smugness did not last long as within a minute I was covered in bites.

You think I would learn but no, not me. Only minutes later I was saying how on these trips I bring first aid kits and Homoeopathic remedies and I end up treating others as I don't get sick. This time it took about fifteen minutes as the first signs of Montezuma's revenge started gurgling up inside me.

Quirigua was an interesting challenge, it taught me about judgement and it also taught me that the logical aspect is important but only if it is in concert with the heart; for the heart sees the connection in all things where the mind sees the individual.

Copan

"Copan is the ether aspect of the cities of light. It is the most powerful site in the Maya lands and it is renowned for its magnificent Maya Ruins and dozens of living Stela. Copan's rich stone sculptures and intricate hieroglyphs make it an incomprehensible mystery on the 'La Ruta Maya.' The entire area is shrouded in mystery. Stories of UFO sightings abound throughout the surrounding villages. Its rich stone sculptures and intricate hieroglyphs are legendary. During the reign of its most illustrious king, Waxak Lahun Ubah K'awil (also known as '18 Rabbit), the royal sculptors displayed their innovative talents in many Stelae that we're commissioned by 18 Rabbit. The hieroglyphic stairway, a stairway into the sun, includes the longest single glyphic text found at a Maya site.

"There are many things that draw the spiritual traveler to Copan. Several translations have been offered regarding the meaning and purpose of Copan. Copan means 'Xuxpi' or Xukpi,' which is related to an inner dimensional Celestial Bird. According to the mystical world of the Mayas, the Celestial Bird was in charge of taking your spirit from one place to another. You can see the Celestial Bird in Copan's temples such as Rosalila. Copan could be considered a 'bridge' or 'Copantl,' which means 'pontoon or bridge.' there are those that think Copan is a bridge between dimensions and is by many considered the most powerful site in the Mayan world.

"It is also home to the Butterfly Man (from Copan)

"Copan, has also been called the Valley of the Kings and is located in the western part of Honduras. It was a great Mayan civilization and was governed by an enlightened dynasty for centuries. Most of the Mayan Archeological sites today bear the name given to them by their discoverers. In the case of Copan it is different. According to Don Diego Garcia de Palacio's letter, which is considered as the first written account of these remarkable ruins; it assures us that these ruins were known by this name during the 16th Century. Investigations have not yet agreed on the Etymology of the word 'Copan.' Several translations have been offered regarding its meaning such as 'bridge,' 'Capital of Co.' Others say it comes from the Nahuatl language and they add the ending 'tl,' thus converting it to 'Copantl,' which means 'pontoon or bridge.'

"While we are in Copan I will take you to the new museum, 'El Museo de las Esculturas.' You start entering the museum as if you are entering the mouth of a snake. You then continue walking through a long dark tunnel, representing the excavated tunnels in the inside of the Acropolis. It also symbolizes Xilbaba - The Mayan Underworld. At the end of the tunnel you will see a replica of the famous Rosalila temple. It is quite a moving experience.

"In Copan, we can seal in all the energy, light and wisdom which we have collected along our journey through the cities of light, with the help and power of the sun. It is here that many enlightened ones discovered a bridge within. The bridge allows one to transform themselves and transmit themselves to another world or reality. It is here that the emergence of the dove was completed. This is where one could literally walk into the sun.

"The Mayans believed that the ancestors came from the Pleiades. The Mayan Indians knew the earth was round centuries before the Europeans made this discovery and the Mayan calendar is a mathematical and spiritual gift to mankind.

"The Popul Vuh states that several Gods, including Hung Hpu, Xbalanque and the Great God-King Quetzalcoatl, returned to the stars after their earth life ended. As with all myths about the Mayan Gods and Goddesses, Mayan myths discuss connections with beings from other realms who came to earth to seed the planet.

"Many people see the story of Popul Vuh as the story of extraterrestrial Gods who came down and made man in his own image. When they first made man he was so perfect - living as long as they did. They could see far and wide using their senses of clairvoyance, clairsentience and clairaudience."

For me Copan was all about the Dancing Jaguars. All through the sites we visited there seemed to be a seriousness. In fact we had only seen one smiling face and that was on a head that we found in a pile of rocks. I always thought enlightenment was about lightening up and the Mayan sculptures did not seem to be light. That was until we saw the Dancing Jaguars. Two fat waterlilly jaguars dancing and pointing towards each other or were they pointing towards the jaguar god. Anyway, I sat between the dancing jaguars and underneath the jaguar god and meditated. It was only a couple of minutes into the meditation that I began to understand that the jaguar was the keeper of the time continuum and as we had come out of the previous age it was their energy that would bring in the new age or the next 5,125 year cycle.

Copan is the ether aspect of the Cities of Light and having worked on all the elements in the previous sites I found it the easiest and most pleasurable. It was also perfect that my birthday occurred when we were in Copan and at dinner that night the group celebrated my birthday, just like they had done with Norm on the previous night. Knowing what to expect I  ran from my table and hid when the lights went out. The look on the waitresses was precious, when they could not find me at the table. Not one to be normally stuck for words I was deeply touched by the gesture and my large piece of birthday flan or whatever it was.

One of the things that I enjoyed most on this trip was not the sacred sites and the pyramids, although they were wonderful and they initiated a number of visions that I am still trying to understand. It was the fun and friendship that I enjoyed with the group. Each night over dinner and a glass of red wine, stories were told and fun was had. Of course some of the group were louder and at times very entertaining. I would put Tod, Norm, Tas, Enrique and maybe even myself at the louder end of the group. It was brilliant to watch as the group which had been fairly serious on the first few days came together and began to lighten up and really get to know each other. I am sure some of the conversations were much deeper than they would have had at home with their own family and friends and yet at the same time there was a lightness and playfulness to it.
There is so much more that happened on this journey to the lands of the Maya; a journey that was made easier by Aluna and her support team of Rapahael, Enrique, Norm and a cast of thousand energies that pervaded the sites, but I will leave that to others to tell. My hope is anyone who reads these blogs will think about taking a journey to the lands of the Maya and be open to anything that happens when you get there.

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My new book the 33rd Sage and the Initiate is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and many other wonderful bookstores and online sellers. If you want to read more about 'The 33rd Sage and the Initiate,' have a look at my website on www.the33rdsage.com or my translatable blog at http://33rdsage.blogspot.com.au/

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The Legend of the 33rd Sage - Chapter 24

Chapter 24 - The Lightness of Being

The young prince had been coming to the Forest of K'an for almost two years and his paintings were becoming renowned throughout the kingdom. The sage had noticed in the last couple of months, that as his fame grew, so also did the young man's arrogance. It seemed that whenever they spoke the prince thought he knew more about everything than the sage. The sage did not judge the arrogance, but he did wonder what was underneath; for he knew that arrogance often came out of fear.

It was no longer appropriate for him to tell the young man what to do, for he had come to that point in the teachings when it was important for the prince to take control of his own teaching and to open up to his Higher Self. The sage knew that could never happen while he was arrogant; for to be able to connect with the Higher Self you needed a lightness of being, with the ego no longer blocking the way.

What was the sage to do?

In the end he left it to the Tao to handle; for he knew that by opening to the wisdom of the Tao, an opportunity would arise from which they both could grow.
It was late summer when the Tao sent forward them the opportunity. The sage would welcome the opportunity; he understood that his life was alway about new beginnings. I cannot say the same for the Prince who was now resisting any new experiences or any new teachings. He thought because he could see the life in things through his painting, he had reached the ultimate teaching, but that was merely his ego, which had become comfortable with the recognition it was receiving.

This day the prince wanted to go deeper in the forest to paint.
The sage could feel in an inner part of himself that it was not a good idea, for the weather, the heat and the wind were giving him signs that were not positive. He tried to talk the young prince out of going on, what he knew would be foolhardy, but the prince would hear none of it and ordered the sage to come with him.
In the end the sage agreed, 'It would be as it would be," he thought to himself.
They were deep in the woods and the prince was congratulating himself on capturing the essence of the forest in his painting. He had even painted himself into the picture and against the Taoist tradition his portrait took up more than a third of the landscape. His arrogance was getting more and more out of control.

The sage heard a crackling sound and immediately knew that his element, the element of fire was very active. For a moment he drew deep within himself, fearing his own  lack of balance had drawn the fire to them, just like it had done to his parents in the past. He need not have worried. When he went deep within, all he saw was the smiling and proud faces of his parents. He nodded to them and then came back into the outer world. By this time the crackling had become louder and the smell of smoke surrounded them.
He looked to the prince who seemed oblivious to what was happening. He called out to him and got no response. He called louder and still nothing. He struck the young man across the back with his walking stick. The young prince turned with a look of anger on his face, the like of which the sage had never seen. Heng was about to strike the sage when he smelt the smoke and heard the flames which had almost reached them. His anger turned to fear and he started to tremble.

The sage surveyed the area and could see they were surrounded by a ring of fire. They only had seconds to make a decision as the fire rushed towards them.
"Let's make a run for it," said the prince his fears clouding his thinking.
The sage touched him gently on the arm but you would think he had been stuck by a spear; so much energy had been transferred to him. The prince took a deep breath and began to relax. He could still see no way out, but at least he was back in control of his mind.

The sage went deep within and he could see them walking through the fire, not one lick of the flame touching their bodies. The sage knew with his conscious mind it was impossible and his ego was already telling him that he was mad and would die in the flames. He turned to the prince. "We have to close our eyes and walk through the flames. If we align to the element of fire then we will not be killed by it or because of it."
"Your mad," said the prince, "If we close our eyes and walk through the fire we will surely die."

"If you can let go of your fear of death and embrace life. If you can respect the elements and become the element of fire then you will be safe. Trust me."

The young prince did not know what to believe, was this a trick by the sage to punish him or was it a plan that had been hatched by someone who wanted his throne. All manner of thoughts passed through his mind; they were all fears, fear of death, fear of loss and the fear of being burnt. Just as his mind was about to go into overwhelm he took a deep breath and stilled himself for a moment. The sage had never harmed him; in fact everything the sage had done for him had only increased in him the person he was becoming. It wasn't the sage that was trying to trick him, it was his own ego.
He did as the sage suggested. He closed his eyes and imagined becoming one with the element of fire. At first nothing happened, but when he gave thanks to the fire for its teaching everything began to change. He could see himself becoming the fire, not as an intellectual exercise; he could feel the element of fire rising up from within him. He knew in that moment that the fire would not hurt him. With his eyes still closed he reached out and took the hand of the sage and walked into the flames.

He could feel the warmth of the fire brush his face as he moved through the flames. Twenty meters further on and he experienced a whisp of cooler air caress his cheeks. He opened his eyes to see they had gone beyond the fire. He looked down at his clothes and apart from one small burnt patch, neither his clothes or his body had been burnt in the fire.

He looked into the eyes of the sage, "I am sorry that I let my ego take control of me. I had forgotten for a moment that you were a gift from the Tao; a gift that the Tao could have just as easily taken away from me." Heng hugged the old sage. It was the hug of one friend for another; they had become for the first time equals. It was a defining moment in the young prince's life; the moment when his ego was no longer in charge. He was now free to become the person he was destined to become.

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My new book the 33rd Sage and the Initiate is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and many other wonderful bookstores and online sellers. If you want to read more about 'The 33rd Sage and the Initiate,' have a look at my website on www.the33rdsage.com or my translatable blog at http://33rdsage.blogspot.com.au/

The Legend of the 33rd Sage - Chapter 23

Chapter 23 - The Cycle of Life

Heng was excited when he arrived at the Sage's house. He wanted to tell him about meeting and studying in the inner worlds with Master Chang, but of course the sage was not there. The young prince was coming from ego and the how special he was, rather than from the spontaneous sense of connection with the Tao.

Heng's ego took it as a personal affront that the sage was not waiting for him when he arrived. In a bluster he walked from the house to the Lake of Li. Surely the sage would be waiting for the prince by the lake. He waived away his royal carriage and took his paint, brushes and canvas to the lake. When he arrived the sage was nowhere to be seen.

Angry, the prince sat on his log waiting impatiently for his teacher to appear. It had only been minutes but in his mind it had seemed like hours. Why was the sage treating a prince in such a way; surely he would have to be punished for his disrespect? The prince was working himself up into such an agitated state, when all of a sudden he saw the sage on a small boat in the middle of the lake.

Heng looked across the lake to the sage and noticed how small he looked in comparison to the Lake and the Forest which surrounded him. It reminded him of what Master Chang had told him about landscape painting, 'No lordly position should be given to humans in a landscape painting, because it is in nature that we find symbolic values and universally harmony. A human is no more important than a blade of grass or a tree, they are only a part of what makes up the Great Tao; so they should never overwhelm the image.'

With the sun shining down on the lake and the sage bobbling on its surface the young prince dropped his anger and looked deeper into the picture before him. Nature had come alive for him. The forest around the lake moved under the influence of the air as it was warmed and moved by the sun. The lake itself never stopped moving and it was teeming with life. At first he watched the fish swimming around the edges and then he could see the wind stirring up the water and creating small waves which were driving the sage's boat forward. The boat was at the mercy of the seasons, but the sage did not seem to mind and reveled in the freedom that nature provided.

Off in the distance Heng looked towards the Great Mountains standing above the Forest of K'an, like sentinels protecting its family underneath. Heng sent his feelings into the mountains and what returned was such a mystical understanding of nature and the millions of years that the mountains had been there. His only reaction was to cry as he was so overwhelmed by the feelings of love which was returned from the mountains. He felt like the mountains were honored by him for painting them.

He reached for a brush and began to paint; his brush flowing in weird lines across the surface of the canvas. Had he set out to copy the vista before him he would have painted a small section at a time, but here he was with longer more flowing brushstrokes which seemed to encompass the whole canvass. His ego wanted to pull back and paint in small sections; it was afraid of the unknown, but the real Heng, the eternal, immortal and infinite being was reveling in the freedom his inner creative self was allowing him. It did not matter what the painting looked like; for it was an expression of his inner self's connection with the Tao of nature. He was not even really look at the painting, but rather allowing the brush to follow the feelings which were coming from deep within.

He had not even noticed that the sage had pulled his boat up onto the bank and was walking towards him, so engrossed was he in the painting.

The sage stood behind Heng and watched as he painted. The young prince was almost in a trance as his brush danced across the canvas in concert with his inner feelings and pictures. It was a beauty to behold; for a moment the sage allowed jealousy to exist in his being; it was only for a moment, as the Sage's ego did not understand that his own creativity had nothing to do with painting, but the ego hates to lose in anything.

Huo waited while the Heng completed his painting. He was immediately struck by the sense of life in the painting. It was a little naive, in technique, when compared to some of the great works had seen on his journey, but Huo could not help but to be drawn into its honesty. The painting was alive with the Tao, the force and beauty of nature showing through in the colors and the brush strokes.

The beauty of the Tao as reflected in the painting sent Huo deeper into himself; so deep that his own creativity came through the words that followed as once again became the teacher. "Watch nature it is your greatest teacher; it moves and flows and moves again. Watch as the seasons change; there is much movement and such a wonderful array of changing colors. To learn about the Tao you need to watch nature. Just as you did with the painting, you need to look below the surface to see what is happening. In winter when everything appears to be stuck and frozen, you only have to look beyond the surface to see the potential of things to come. For it is in the winter that nature readies itself for the spring. Winter may seem harsh but underneath there is much beauty. In the spring when the snow thaws you will begin to see the livingness of things and the abundance of growth. As the season changes to summer we begin to see the harvest and with it the warmth and the summer storms. This in turn gives way to the autumn when what is no longer required falls away ready to begin the cycle again. Nature is your greatest teacher. Because it does not fear death it can be itself in all it's glory, without having to worry about the future.

"Within everything there is a cycle of life. If your life seems to be getting a little stale or you are losing energy over something then return to nature and you will see that nothing ever stays the same. After spending time within nature, many times what was seeming stuck or boring will often seem reenergized. If not then it may be time to walk away, but before doing so, look underneath the surface to find that it is not your ego that is scared to go deeper or you may find yourself always at the beginning."

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My new book the 33rd Sage and the Initiate is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and many other wonderful bookstores and online sellers. If you want to read more about 'The 33rd Sage and the Initiate,' have a look at my website on www.the33rdsage.com or my translatable blog at http://33rdsage.blogspot.com.au/

The Legend of the 33rd Sage - Chapter 21

Hello everyone,

We are almost two thirds of the way through the 'Legend of the 33rd Sage and the Way of the Initiate.' I would like to thank a few of my readers who have asked me questions through my facebook page for the 33rd Sage and also through the contact button on my websites. Also I would love to know if people are finding the concept in each chapter easy to understand or would you like more information. I have tried to explain all the concepts through the story while at the same time simplifying them. The road to the Initiate although not easy should not be complex. It starts with a lightness of being, a kindness towards others and the realization that we are all Eternal, Immortal and Infinite. I have been lucky to have some amazing teachers along the way and I hoped that by sharing some of these teachings in a story format that it can resonate deeply within your being. I would recommend that once you have read through all the chapters that you may want to start from the beginning again as it will seem almost like the teachings have change, but the truth is that you have changed. It is the part that I love the most. In my first novel 'The 33rd Sage,' a story about nature and the Elements I cannot count how many times readers said that the story was different each time they read it. Anyway if there is anything you want me to explain further, just leave me a comment.
The comments I have received and will receive will determine where I go with the story in my second, third and future drafts.
Thanks again for reading.
Blessings and Peace and may your life be illuminated.

Chapter  21 - The Sacred Way

"Master," said Heng, "What is it that makes the Lake of Li and the Forest of K'an sacred. When we walk through the forest you walk as if you are in a Pagoda and when  you sit by the lake you do it with such great reverence for its water. It is like you are looking  at a god."

Huo crossed the fingers of both hands over each other and took what could only be described as reverential pose. "My son everything in life is sacred. But to answer your question; we make something sacred by focusing our attention on it. The Lake of Li has been revered for many years by the people and the animals of the forest because it is what has given them life, one generation after another. The monks of my order revere it because for them water is the closest thing they have on earth that is representative of the Tao. Of course the Tao is in everything. It is just that water seems to represent the concepts in many of the Taoist teachings. To make something sacred is to put your focused attention on it."

"But why Master, why do we need to make things sacred?"
That was the second time the young man had called Huo Master. It was a strange way to be addressed by the son of the Emperor; who at any moment could have him thrown him in prison or had him beheaded. Although Huo did not think of such things he understood that life is what it is; there was no bad or good only actions of lesser and greater energy. He took the title of master as a sign of respect from the young man who had changed greatly in their time together. Occasionally when the higher self allowed it he saw picture of the future when the young man would become a mighty leader and loved by all his people. It was still a way off and their was still much he needed to teach him in their time together.
He thought for a while about Heng's question; he knew what he wanted to say but the words were not forthcoming. He stilled himself for a moment and looked within, imagining that the old sage was still teaching him. What would he have said? What words and thoughts would he have to offer.

"Out of sacredness and humility comes gratitude and out of gratitudes comes the keys to the kingdom. For he that is grateful more will be given," were the words that fell from his lips.

The young man understood; the words passed his intellectual mind and touched him deeply in his heart. As the student he had made these teachings sacred. Before coming to the Forest of K'an, each month, to learn and listen to the teachings by the magical Lake of Li, the young man gave blessings to the Tao for what he was about to receive from the sage. When he first came he was the son of the Emperor, but now he saw himself as the student of a wise man. By treating every action and word that the sage had shared with him as sacred, he gave it power and it enlightened his own life when he came back into the palace. There was not a day that went by when one of the teachings would not come to help him in his daily life. He originally came to the forest to please his father, but now he was beginning to understand why his father wanted him to spend a week a month outside the luxury of the palace; it was not to toughen him up for the future that was to come. It was for him to understand his people and to be a leader who would put his people before himself when he made decisions.

He had been privileged to be born the son of the Emperor but to him that was given much, much was expected. He was humbled before the teachings he was receiving from the sage; humbled and grateful. What he did not expect was the wave of emotions that were now overcoming him. He looked towards his master who just smiled, for he knew what was happening, but he would say nothing as this feeling could only be experienced; there were no words for when one was truly connected to the Tao. In the first instance he knew the young man would be overcome with a wave of emotions, but that would soon change and more would be given; for the young man understood that sacredness was the way to the Tao.

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My new book the 33rd Sage and the Initiate is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and many other wonderful bookstores and online sellers. If you want to read more about 'The 33rd Sage and the Initiate,' have a look at my website on www.the33rdsage.com or my translatable blog at http://33rdsage.blogspot.com.au/

The Legend of the 33rd Sage - Chapter 19

Chapter 19 - The Eternal Power

After twelve months, one full cycle of the seasons, the carriage arrived as normal. The Emperor's son rushed out of the carriage and over to Huo who was waiting outside his house. He went straight to Huo and wrapped his arms around the Sage's neck and gave him a hug. Looking from the carriage the Emperor's wife Empress Li was shocked at the informality.  Stepping down from the carriage she was about to make a comment when she recognized that Huo was the young man who had saved the life of her son years before. Any thought of punishment or reprimand fell away as she knew that her son was in the safest of hands.

The boy rushed into the old house to get his writing implements to start his days study, not even caring to say goodbye to his mother.

Huo smiled and gave a short bow to the Empress.
"It should me bowing to you," she said, "For not only did you save the life of my son Heng, but now you are teaching him things I could only dream about. In the year he has been coming to you he has come back a calmer and kinder person."
"The boy has done all the work himself empress, I have been there only to guide him on his way. He has learnt very quickly to connect with his own inner power and when the day comes he will make a great leader."

The boy returned with his writing implements. "I am ready."
His excitement was palpable, which made the Empress and Huo both laugh.
"Heng, said the Empress, "Go and wait my son the sage will be with you in a moment."

The young boy walked the short distance to the Lake of Li and waited for the sage to appear. While he waited he practiced the martial art techniques that the sage had given him; techniques which were never meant to be used in anger, but techniques which would increase the connection to the boy's inner self and allow the power stored there to come up from within.

While he was waiting Huo and the Empress talked like old friends, discussing the training of her son, matters of the court and the beauty of nature. It was Huo who brought up the beauty of nature because he could see in the Empress a deep sadness and he hoped, looking at and talking about the beauty of the natural world would allow her some beauty in her own life.

The young sage sent a molecule into the Empress, not as an infringement, but to try an understand more about her sadness. He was not going to infringe by asking her directly, but if the beauty of nature allowed a space where she could open up to him then he would help her in anyway he could. He was going to teach her son about using his internal power, so it seemed only natural for the Tao to offer him an opportunity to practice connecting with his own inner power; so that he could speak from a sense of knowing.

When the molecule of feeling returned he could sense that there was trouble with the Emperor. What the trouble was he did not pry further. It was enough that she had difficulty. He turned slightly using only his peripheral vision and he could see that her aura was all over the place and it some areas it looked quite grimy and dark. He immediately sent her energy from within himself; not to fix her problem, but to offer extra energy for a moment to help her deal with it. He understood the wonderful energy of the Tao was not about pushing yourself onto others but allowing them a space to pull them towards you. Although the word pull was not correct; it was more that as your energy grew others were drawn to it.

The Empress sighed very deeply. A sigh so deep that it could be heard and felt by the animals and other beings in the forest. Huo looked around to see energy coming from the trees, plants, animals and unseen beings of the forest into the heart of the Empress.

Huo led the Empress next to an old tree and asked her to sit with her back against it. She gave him a confused look, but trusted him enough to follow his instructions.

The moment her back touched the tree she sensed a rush of energy race through her body and in a few seconds she was calmer and could see more clearly than she had in years.
The sage sat quietly with her as she allowed the tears to escape from her eyes. Next came the sobs as her heart opened to the energy it had received from the Forest of K'an. While her heart was open she could see the problems with the Emperor; they were nothing to do with his love for her which was as strong as ever. The problem lay in the Empire itself, for the Emperor had to decide whether to fight with the people of the north or agree to a peace pact, which would not only see his power diminished, but also cost his people financially.

The sage could see all this. He could also see both futures through his own inner feelings as each future had an energy to it. He sent the light of the Tao from his own heart directly into the heart of the Empress. She experienced another great rush of energy and in that moment she saw the answer to the Emperor's problems. She knew that she could not tell her husband what to do, but a women has ways of influencing that a man will never know. Being closer to the Tao a woman finds it easier to connect with her own inner power, the power to pull to you what you need.

Huo watched as her aura changed from dark and grimy to clear and tighter around her body. She no longer needed the power from him and the forest and these were withdrawn without a change in her energy. Her energy was no longer blocked and she was naturally drawing her energy from that place deep within where it is available for anyone who is open to it.

After a little encouragement from his wife to meditate on his problems the Emperor went within and visualized the problem, only to discover that it was not a problem but a greater opportunity for his people and the generations to come. By not going with the thoughts of the Ego, but by going deep into his inner-self he allowed his higher self to show him the opportunity that lay before him.

History may not be kind to him but his dynasty lasted over a thousand years and his people were well fed and well educated; he made changes only a wise man could have made, for he understood the power of non-action. A power that most men never get to understand, but a power of infinite energy.

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My new book the 33rd Sage and the Initiate is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and many other wonderful bookstores and online sellers. If you want to read more about 'The 33rd Sage and the Initiate,' have a look at my website on www.the33rdsage.com or my translatable blog at http://33rdsage.blogspot.com.au/

The Legend of the 33rd Sage - Chapter 18

Chapter 18 - Beauty of the Elements

Over the next few days Huo made a home for himself in an abandoned shack which was within walking distance from the Lake of Li. In the house were some writing equipment and as the Winter Solstice approached Huo began to write about his experiences with the old sage. He hoped to hand it on some day to someone who needed the teaching, as much as he did; someone who might not be lucky enough to have a real sage to be taught by.

It was while writing about one of the old man's teachings that there was a noise outside of horses and a carriage. Huo put down his writing brush and went outside. There pulled up outside the house was one of the Emperor's carriages.
Waiting by the carriage door to greet his new guest, Huo was surprised that it was the Emperor himself who stepped down from the carriage.
Huo bowed politely, looking and downward not wanting to show disrespect by looking directly into the eyes of the Emperor.
"Young monk," Said the Emperor, "I am looking for an old sage who used to live in this house. Do you know his whereabouts?
Huo smiled, "Your Highness the old sage Chung Fu is many months walk from here in a Pagoda. Can I be of any assistance?"

The Emperor was angry for a moment and then he remembered the techniques he was taught by the old sage and allowed the anger to drop away. "That is unfortunate. I was wanting him to come to my palace and teach my son in the way of the Tao as he taught me many years ago."
"Your highness, I can go forth and find him but it may take many months before we return."

The Emperor who had been taught by the old sage went deep inside his feelings. The same energy was still there, as when he left the palace. He knew the energy of the old sage was still around, but why would his inner feelings prompt him to make the journey if the old man was no longer there? In his inner feelings he saw a picture of his son being taught by the young monk. "Young monk what is your name," asked the Emperor.
"I am called Huo, my lord."

"Huo I would like you to come to the palace and teach my son about the Tao, about nature and an old teaching the Sage gave to me called the Elements of Man."
The young man was taken back. It would be an Honour to teach the young prince, but surely the old sage would be a better teacher.

And so it was decided Huo would teach the son of the Emperor in the way of the Tao. Although after some discussion it was decided that the boy would come to love in the forest with the young monk. For one week out of every month the Emperor's son would stay with Huo where he would be taught and then he would go back to the palace to practice what he had been taught.

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It was the day of the Winter Solstice when Huo and the Emperor's son stopped by a frozen lake, a lake called the ‘Lake of Li,’ the lake of purification. In the week of their training the young boy tried on many occasions to use the power of his position over the young monk, but Huo would not allow him. When they were in the forest Huo was the teacher and the son of the Emperor was his student. The young boy soon realized that it was useless to try and use his power over the sage. In fact in the week he had become to love the monk almost as much as his father. There was a kindness to him that the boy had never experienced before and an inner strength that he wanted to learn more about.
Huo sat on a tree stump and Emperor's son sat on a fallen log. He looked into Huo's eyes and saw the reflection of the lake. He turned towards the lake and watched as its little waves lapped at the shore. Out in the centre, there appeared to be no movement, but he knew what was true. Crystals of snow began to fall. He opened his mouth allowing the snowflakes to land gently on his tongue. The moment they touched the heat of his tongue, they relinquished their life to nourish his thirst.
"There is life within everything,” said Huo. “It is just that some of us do not have the eyes to see."
"The seasons are but a reflection of man himself. If you watch them and listen for each Elements story, then you will understand everyone you come into contact with.
"The Element of Fire is the time of Winter; it is the time of greatest potential; the promise of things to come; the new growth, the new idea, the germination of the seed. Within this Element there is a stark landscape. The trees are bare; there is little life to be seen; there are few if any birds and most animals are not to be seen. But underneath the cold exterior is the inner warmth of germination. It is a time of great sensitivity to the moving sun, for in the sun is the fire and the light which is the key to appreciating this Element. The Winter is a time of imagining and anticipation.

"In relationships it warms the other Elements; it is calmed or doused by Water; fanned or starved by Air; allowed a solid footing or suffocated by Earth; and consumed by itself. Two Fire Elements together without a generous helping of the other Elements is like watching a bush fire in action. The colour of Fire is red and the shape is the triangle. Just imagine for a moment the effect when a triangle pushes its way into your space and you can get some idea what happens when first coming into contact with the Element of Fire. Beyond the sharp point is a gentleness and passion that is hard to ignore.

"The Element of Water is the season of Spring. It is the time when the snow melts and the water begins to flow. For spring is the custodian of new growth. It is the nurturer of young animals and children. It is the archetypal mother. The ice gives up itself to the softness. The triangle of Fire becomes the circle of Spring. There are no sharp edges to endanger any young one. The Spring is the time of water; initially flowing, babbling, cleansing, always allowing growth, and then growing still, reflecting. Like the mother hen, it allows the chicks to grow but ever-present in times of need. Like the moon, it is a reflection, allowing the tides and the movement of water. Spring is the protector; it allows vulnerable life forms to emerge into a world of colour and beauty, nurtured by motherhood. It is a time when the Water/emotions allow the young to learn in a caring protected environment. It is the time of outer beauty. The symbol of the Spring, Water, seeks the lowest level and nourishes all.

"In relationships Water is disturbed by Air; it makes earth soft, then impassable; its passions are warmed by Fire, but too much and the kettle boils and Water floods or drowns itself." Huo picked up a piece of ice and blew his hot breath across it. At first nothing happened and then the ice melted and the water began to move across the palm of his hand. He kept breathing heavily and the water cascaded from his hand, drops falling in different directions.

As the Emperor's son watched, he began to understand the change from Winter to Spring and then onto Summer. Huo sat quietly, allowing him time to reflect on what he had seen and heard.

They were surrounded by the Winter, but in a few months all that would change and begin to move again, for the outward beauty of the Spring to reappear.
The winter sun stood high in the sky. The Emperor's son took a long draw on his herbal tea and took in the essence of the Winter. Only the warming sun and their own bodies shivering, as clouds passed in front of the sun, broke the stillness. The strong flavour of Huo's herbal tea cleared his head and made the boy more aware of the Elements around him. It was Winter, the time of Fire, but the Elements were still there in abundance, but this was not there time; it was if they had all bowed to the Fire, to the Winter. Even the cup of tea he was drinking was made up of all the Elements. Mystics had talked about everything being a combination of the four Elements. The son of the Emperor had laughed at this simplistic explanation, but sitting here with the Elements and watching them exist in all of Nature, he was not so sure the current understanding was any better.
Huo finished his tea, placed the cup next to his feet on the ground, and sat upright. He rolled his eyes and the words flowed again from an infinite source.

The Emperor's son wondered whether the waters of the lake of Li were more than just a body of water. Could they be an inspiration for the Sage's teachings? When they arrived with the sun rising, it was if the four Elements came together as one at the shore of the lake. Was it the lake itself that gave the teachings the beauty the young boy was experiencing.

"The Element of Air is the time of the Summer. When we look at the Summer we see the time of the summer holidays, the time when we are rewarded for the previous six months. For Fire is the germination; the Water is the moving and growing and the Air is the time of the harvest. You reap in the Summer what you have sown for the rest of the year. It is a time for counting, for storing, for distribution of the harvest of the wealth that has been gained. It is the time for creating order and for storing to create abundance in the future. It is the time of strength and maturity; when the young leave their nest. Its symbol is the oval for it is the extension of the circle; it is the culmination and the distortion of what the time of Water has to offer. It is not as sharp as the time of Fire or as gentle as the time of Water. It is the time of order and logical thinking. It is not the time of creation but one of extension, of best use of what we have. Its colour is yellow, which is the colour that stimulates the intellect. The earth is parched by Air and the summer storm is dramatic and merciless.

"The Air in relationship affects all the Elements. From stillness, a gentle blow to a powerful northerly, it touches all the other Elements. It dries and disturbs the Earth; disturbs, feeds or starves Fire; it disturbs Water. Air is unaffected by all but itself. Withhold Air from us for only a few minutes and we are all dead. On some level the Air element's know this and it leads those with a strong ego to see themselves as quite superior.

"The Earth Element's time is the Autumn. It is the time after the harvest, when all the work has been done and energy begins to diminish. It is the time of brilliant colours emerging, as if they are Nature’s last denial of the end about to come. It is visual, exciting and dramatic. It is the time when the old falls away to allow space for the new. The autumn leaves fall to the earth to allow fertiliser for the new growth that is to come. The bear eats ravenously and stores fat for the Winter. It is a time of relaxation and review as the end draws near. The colour of Earth is green and the symbol is the square.
    "The Earth in relationships; it suffocates Fire; causes Water to lose clarity; is disturbed by Air and joins together with itself..."
    The sage released his being from the inner worlds. "So much of what I teach you is obvious if you could still your mind chatter and observe what goes on around you. The Elements are present in every day living. They are not some mystical art, which you spend twenty years unfolding and cannot use, in your daily life. The Elements are ever present and their teachings come to you every day in a million ways. There are no books to study other than the book of life. As in any real teaching, you never stop learning; there is a gradual unfoldment from within.

“When you leave here and go back to the palace you would do well to sit and listen. Be in the world, but not of it. Be a detached observer, then you will see how the Elements are in all things. You will see how the other Elemental types need the solid base of Earth if they themselves are to function in a balance. In its most meagre existence, Earth can stabilise the activities of Air and Fire and at the same time give Water a supportive resting-place. Too much Earth and everything becomes bogged down; too little, and everything is without real substance. The visions of Fire are only visions if the substance of Earth does not impact them.
  "When you encounter the Elements in the coming months, know that the dominant element is not only their strength but also their weakness. Fire is passion and inspiration but too bigger flame, or a flame not tempered by the other Elements; either dies quickly or destroys all in its path. From the single flame to the inferno; Fire is both boon and a horror.
    "The greatest function of Water is to allow the movement of our emotions. A light covering of Water on the other Elements provides a gentle shower of caring and feelings. Deeper water allows us a deeper spiritual insight and a greater understanding of our feelings; for Water cannot hide; its feelings are always felt. When Water becomes the torrent, passing its point of balance it drowns everything in its emotions. Water cannot be ignored. It can be dammed up or diverted for a short time, but it will always flow to the lowest level. To ignore it, is to walk around with your eyes closed. Just like all the Elements there is a fine line between too much and too little. To each there is a season when they are and need to be dominant.
    "Air makes breathing possible. Without air we could not communicate; there could be no exchange of thought. We use Air to communicate our inspirations; our Fire.
    "I will finish this lesson by reiterating that we all choose what Element we are, so that we can best express who we are and learn what lessons we have chosen to live in this lifetime. What you are learning is a tool that you can use throughout your life whatever path you choose to take. As a communicator it will allow you to talk directly to that person’s Element, so as to be understood. And, conversely, it allows you to understand not only what the person is saying, but also where they are coming from. There will come a day when, within a few moments, you will truly know anyone you come into contact with."

In the months ahead Huo would teach the young boy about nature, the elements and the Tao. For seven days each month the young man would be brought from the palace to live in the old house with Huo, the young Sage. As the teaching continued the young sage grew into the Master Sage that Chung Fu always knew he would become.

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My new book the 33rd Sage and the Initiate is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and many other wonderful bookstores and online sellers. If you want to read more about 'The 33rd Sage and the Initiate,' have a look at my website on www.the33rdsage.com or my translatable blog at http://33rdsage.blogspot.com.au/

The Legend of the 33rd Sage - Chapter 11

Chapter 11 - I Am That I Am

Over the next couple of years the old sage and his apprentice travelled all over the countryside stopping every now an again where the sage would heal people or teach children about nature and the Elements.

It was during one of these stays in the village of Te Dang when the old sage asked the young man to begin teaching the children about the inner self. For the old sage knew that to master a subject one needed to teach it to others, to allow the teaching to come from within and be expressed as an aspect of the young man in the outer world.
The young man had been nervous all day. In the years he had spent with the old sage he had always been the student, never the teacher, although from time to time he would aid the old sage in his healing of the sick, but he never led anything; always in support. This would be the first time he would take the lead. It was exciting and yet at the same time daunting. He had watched the old man engage with his audience in a matter of seconds and although he sometimes spoke to hundreds it always looked like he was speaking to each one of them individually.

How could he ever be like that? The old man had a magic about him; the magic of the Initiate. He never put himself above anyone. He never engaged anyone in an argument. He never foisted his opinion on anyone, preferring to only answer questions as they were asked. He always accepted without question what each day would bring. He never asked for anything but his needs were always provided.

He remembered back to the day when his pack and the dragonfly pendant were stolen. It had been a horrible day and yet as he looked back on it, it was one of the best teachings he had ever received. Since that day he had become the observer and like the old sage he was now taking each day as it came.

As he relived that day he tried to remember what the old sage had taught him. What had the old sage said; he was having difficulty remembering. Huo took a deep breath, held it for a moment and in seconds he could feel the calmness and all knowing of the Initiate come around him. In his minds eye he could now see the old sage sitting in a meditation.
All at once he opened his eyes and words fell from his mouth although he still seemed to be in a deep trance. The words that fell from his lips were from a deep part of the old sage, in a voice which was very different from the Sage's normal voice. "It is important that you believe that you are already the Initiate and that you have this power within you. You need to make it a part of the your now and not off in some distance future. You need to create the Initiate within, before it can express itself in the outer world. It is in the mirror worlds of the inner self where all creation takes place. What happens in the outer world is but a mirror to what you have created within. If you want to understand what you are creating with your thoughts and feelings all you have to do is look at what is happening in the outer world. If you do not like what is happening then you need to change what you are feeling and thinking. To be the Initiate you have to be able to believe in a life that you cannot hear, touch or taste, but a life that you will eventually begin to feel. It is strange that by believing and opening yourself up to being the the Initiate and walking the way of the Initiate that something inside you opens up to the possibility.

"As you walk the path you will begin to understand that the love that comes from the Tao or God is impartial. Although this energy does not care what you do with your life, it is possible to direct the energy and create whatever you want in your life. I do not mean that if you have a wishy washy thought that you want something that it will come into your life because it won't. You first have to create the feeling of already having it in the inner worlds and then this energy will be expressed and delivered in the outer world and the godforce will manifest what you already believe is yours."

Huo felt reenergized. The words of the old sage coursed through his entire being and then out into the audience before him. Children who were loud and raucous only minutes before were sitting quietly waiting for the young man to speak. "Let me tell you a story," said the young man and the children hung on his every word. "It is the story of a young boy  who was taken in and became an apprentice to an old sage. The old sage taught him about nature and the seasons. He taught him how to connect with the animals and become their friend. He taught him how to sit in the forest and connect with his inner self and to understand that everything in the universe was connected."

As he went deeper into the story and the teachings he received from the old sage he could see the connection he was having with his young students. Their eyes started to bulge as they took in everything he said and even more than that they could take in everything he felt. In many cases they could not understand what he was saying with their logical minds, especially the younger ones, but on some level they all understood.
As Huo was talking a picture began to form in his mind. He continued to teach the children, but a deeper part of himself was focused on the picture which was building in his mind. It was a scene from what looked like the future. As he focused deeper he could see himself as the old sage and following behind him were a number of apprentices, but the landscape was different and this certainly was not China and many of his apprentices were definitely not Chinese. He went deeper into the picture with his feelings and he knew it to be true. Was he creating this future because of his belief in being the initiate or was he growing into a life that was predestined?

Those thoughts and feelings disappeared as he put his attention back on the children before him. He may have had a glimpse of his future but it was what he was doing in the present that would determine what he would become.

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My new book the 33rd Sage and the Initiate is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and many other wonderful bookstores and online sellers. If you want to read more about 'The 33rd Sage and the Initiate,' have a look at my website on www.the33rdsage.com or my translatable blog at http://33rdsage.blogspot.com.au/

The Legend of the 33rd Sage - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 To be Connected you need to Detach

"You have had enough excitement for one day, so we will set up camp for the night. You collect some wood and I will get some water from the stream so that I can prepare tonight's meal."
The young man only nodded. It had been a tough day. When he woke this morning and found himself on his own, he panicked. He thought he was alone again, but this time many miles away from the village where he lived. Of course living in the village had been no life, for most of the time, because of his disfigurement, he felt like he was on his own, but he had got used to that way of living. Although he know understood that he was not really living, merely waiting to get older and die the slow horrible death of boredom which he had become accustomed to as his life. There was a moment when he woke when he would have been happy to have gone back to that life. What had happened? It was hard to describe, in fact he could not describe it. There was a moment when he went deep within himself and felt connected to all things. It was while he was going with the feelings that led him to the old sage. It was a strange feeling. In the moment he knew where the old sage was, there was a feeling of joy, such as he had never experienced before in his life. At first he thought the joy was caused by knowing that he would be safe, but on reflection he realized that it was deeper than that. The joy came from knowing that he was truly connected to all things. He had glimpses of it in the few days he had travelled with the old man. He thought the old sage was the reason he had received these glimpses but know he knew that he was the source of this connection to all things.
"How is the wood coming along Huo?"
The young man looked up into the face of the old sage, which was creased with a smile. "You deliberately left me this morning? You knew what what would happen?"
The old sage sat down beside the young man, for it was no longer right to call him a boy, for he had grown so much in the last few days. Not so much physically, although there had even been some changes there, he had grown up spiritually and emotionally. The young man had seen beyond the veil and the energy from beyond was now increasingly flowing through him and giving him insights that would have been impossible with his mindset only a couple of days before.
"Let me tell you a story. 'In Old China an emperor stood upon a very high hill. Spread through the valley below him was all of his great army. He could see where a battle would be fought and where the other armies waited. He had developed an intricate system of commands for the generals and officers of his army and the battle began
'The emperor could signal to the right, and the right would attack. He could signal to the left, and the left would attack, or the middle. With another signal, each would retreat then attack again. The battle went on for hours. When the emperor saw a weakness he sent troops to that area and eventually they overcame the other army.'
"This analogy fits your conscious and subconscious minds. Your conscious mind is the emperor and your subconscious, the army, does not see what is going on. When we are talking of healing, what we are really talking about is the subconscious mind. For it is our beliefs that we store in the subconscious mind which determines our future. The subconscious mind is a wonderful, natural force. It is how we exist in this world. It allows us to have memories of past situations and it is the place where the conscious mind implants all it's beliefs and knowledge. This can can either be a positive or negative experience. If we place in our subconscious the thought that the world and it's people are filled with great beauty, then that is what we will see. On the other hand if we focus on the pain and suffering in the world all we will see is pain and suffering.
"When we incarnate into our bodies before birth or shortly after. What is it that incarnates? Some have called it the Soul others have called it the Subconscious and I would guess that if you look into many of the religions it will be known by many other names. For me I will call it the Subconscious. It is my belief that our higher self sends off aspects of itself in the form of the Subconscious to inhabit a body to increase its experiences in this plane. When the subconscious takes residence in the vehicle it is blank and has no knowledge of other lives or of the Higher Self. This is done so that when it incarnates it comes without any knowledge, so that it can work through the issues that it came here to experience. It is not a hit and miss exercise, as the higher self and the aspect which incarnates understands what are the probabilities for it in the first thirteen years of its life. It understands the parents weaknesses and strengths; it understand the culture it is being born into and it understand what is happening on the world at this time. Yes for it's own experience it chooses to live in a village, in a palace or in a slum. It is only our misunderstanding of the wonderful opportunity that we call life, that we judge people for where they are born, the colour of their skin, their culture and their parenting. Mark my words it is the choice of the incarnated to where and when they choose to incarnate and it is only our lack of understanding that makes us judge others to be different or less than we are."
Huo had a million questions; it seemed like the old man was taking his mind and stretching in a hundred different directions at once. Before he could ask a question the old sage was stretching his mind and beliefs in more directions.
"When we incarnate," said the old sage, "we even choose what Element we will incarnate into as this elemental bias will allow us the best opportunity to experience what we came to earth to experience. When people start to learn about the Elements or deeper understandings of the Subconscious mind it is because they are ready for it. It is time for them to go beyond their Subconscious Mind.
"But what is there to go beyond and how do we do it? Although our subconscious is an empty book when we arrive it comes programmed with our elemental perspective. We have even chosen what health and disease patterns we will experience. Incarnation into the Earth-plane is all about experiences; whether we are human, animal, plant or mineral. If you are attracted to these teachings then you have done at least six lifetimes as human and many in all the other dimensions.
"Even before your were born your subconscious was taking in impressions from your world. The Subconscious mind takes in everything; hundreds of thousands of inputs every minute. Before you start feeling guilty for the garbage that you have fed yourself or been fed by your parents or the world around you. Stop for a moment, breathe and understand that with regards to yourself you can become like the Emperor in our story and start to take control of your Subconscious mind through the Conscious Mind. You choose all the crap that the world has given you. You understood what you were coming here to experience; you chose it; there are no victims. This is one concept that I have had the most difficulty understanding as I watch people in pain and suffering."
Huo was trying take in everything the old sage was telling him. But surely it wasn't possible. Why would he have chosen to lose his parent's in a fire? He looked down at his withered arm; 'why would anyone choose that,' he asked himself? He turned his attention to the old sage. "Why would anyone choose to go through the things that I have been through?"
"That is the reason that you are with me. To find out who you really are, why you have chosen to incarnate into the world at this time and then go beyond it." The old sage went quiet for a few minutes, allowing the young man time to digest everything he had said.
"The subconscious mind has the ability to create in your world whatever you program into it and whatever you program into it is what you will get in return. The key if you want to change your life is to start taking care with what you program into your subconscious.
"Begin today by becoming the observer. Watch how you respond to people and situations. When you meet someone new do you react positively or negatively and why?
"When you get angry. Why are you angry, is it something they did or are you projecting your weakness onto them? Often I find it is when we meet someone who shows what we don't like about ourselves or a weakness we have that we react.
"Over the next few days observe your reaction to everything; take your awareness outside of yourself and watch yourself. If you are reacting negatively to something don't stop yourself but observe and try to understand why.

"If something makes you sad - why?
If you judge something or someone - why?
If you are fearful - why?

"Don't be too tough on yourself; just observe; as you begin to become the observer you start to understand why you respond and then you can rise beyond it. Sometimes it can be a great challenge when you have believed these things for many years. Remember you are here to go beyond your Subconscious mind and have it work for you. It is time to understand your Element and then go beyond it to the Element of Ether.
"We live in amazing times when all of us have the opportunity to be the creative essence we were meant to be. It is your duty to find out what it is that you are meant to do in this life. This is what your apprenticeship is all about. It is called the Way of the Initiate, but by know I hope you have realized that it is an inner journey; a journey few have the courage to make. Let's eat."And so as the sun set, the sage and his apprentice enjoyed the bounty provided by the elements. It was a quiet dinner as they journeyed within to reflect on the day.

**********

A special for all my followers, friends and blog readers. My publisher has offered a special either through my website or amazon of the ebook version of The 33rd Sage at $3.99. Take advantage of the offer. Apart from being a modern fable it is filled with teachings that you or your family can use for the rest of your life. Who knows if you are open to the possibilities an old Chinese Sage might just wander into your life?

Go to my website http://www.33rdsage.com/index.html and click on buy the book for this special offer to my friends or go to Amazon.

Take a look at my Book Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeNMGhfwtdg

The 33rd Sage is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Watersons, Xlibris and a number of online book stores.

Twitter @GeofSpalding
Official Author Blog - the33rdsage.authorsxpress.com/
Translatable Author Blog - 33rdsage.blogspot.com.au/

Website www.33rdsage.com

The Legend of the 33rd Sage - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Flow

The boy woke after sleeping for eighteen hours, with little or no memory of what had happened the day before. After waking he stretched both arms above his head as if to welcome in the day; little realizing that his partially paralyzed left arm was no longer paralyzed, there was still some scarring but during the night it was as if the withered muscle in his shoulder had come back to life. The healing had begun; there was no need for the old sage to acknowledge the changes, for that would be living in the past and there was only the now. He would one day teach Huo about the reality of time, but for the moment he would just allow him to exist in this point and time. The healing had occurred because he had begun to release the pain from the fire; a pain that he had caused himself but there was time enough later for revelations.

The old sage greeted this young apprentice, "From this time forward Huo we will rise at 4 a.m. and walk in the dark and allow our energy to go forth in the day before the animals in the forest or the people in the villages wake and fill the day with their energy. Each day we will let our feelings lead the way. We will rise in silence and stay silent for the first hour of our walk. As part of this exercise I would like you to silently ask the Tao a question you want answered in that day. If you are open to it the answer will come to you in any one of a hundred different ways. It could be a word or vision that comes around your subconscious mind, an answer from nature or someone we meet along the path; be open and the answer will come. Having the courage to give yourself over to the beauty of the higher self allows your life to enter into the dynamic spontaneity of the flow of the universe. It is about taking life as you find it rather than force it into you preconceived notion of the world. By giving the infinity within you credence you empower that same infinity to come into and be a part of your life. Let's now be silent for the next hour while we let spirit be our guide."

The young boy packed up his pack, put the long staff through it and tossed it over his shoulder. There was much he did not understand about the old sage. If there was one thing he was sure about, it was that his life would never be the same again. Until this journey with the old sage much of his time was spent talking to the elders of the village because they were the only one's that did not seem to be scared of his looks. He would sit and talk with them for hours. Most of them were uneducated and simple people, but if you delved deep enough you would find that they had a deep understanding of the cycles within nature and a knowledge of human nature that could not be found in the few books the village possessed. Each of the elders was like their own little library of information and Huo had consumed whatever they taught him. Even as a young boy he was well versed in the art of fishing and carpentry and his understanding of farming was not too shabby either. 'Not too shabby,' he laughed at that last thought because if he had a mirror he would have looked pretty shabby in his worn out clothes.

What question would he ask the Tao to answer? He mulled over that for about an hour, although for the most part it was at the back of his mind while he enjoyed the bounties of nature. It was cold when they first started out, but he loved the cold; in many ways it allowed him to bring forth his own nature. Even as a very young child he had a way of bringing up the fire from within his own being. He was never cold, even on the coldest winter night. All he had to do was imagine a fire and then he could draw the heat of the fire to himself. It was as if at will he could heat himself from within. Of course the ability was a two edge sword and this ability had been at the heart of the fire that had killed his parents. He had learnt early on that the element of Fire was either a boon or a curse depending on how you used it; he wondered momentarily about the other elements, but that soon passed and the element of fire; his element returned. For the first two years after the fire he stopped using the techniques until he realized that it was not the Fire that was the problem and that he would need to be careful when he used the element because he never wanted anybody to suffer at his hands again.

While walking silently and looking back on his life to date, he felt a gentle wind come around him; she caressed him with her icy fingers, not yet touched by the morning sun. He stopped for a moment to fully experience the wind when he realized that the wind was coming from within him. He reached out his hand and watched as the feeling of the wind, from within, wrapped itself around his fingers and then up his arm, until it came all the way up to his head and gently caressed his face. He looked deeply into the energy which surrounded him and knew at that moment that he was the wind. He was not sure yet whether he had created the wind or if he had become one with the wind. It did not matter for in that moment he realized that the illusion of separation no longer held him in her grasp. He had only been with a the sage a few days but in many ways he seemed years older than the young boy who left the village. He had seen the energy behind the form and no longer would he feel separate from anyone.

He took a moment to sit by himself and experience the connection with all things. First it was the Elements dancing around and through him, then it was the forest and the animals who were becoming active, not only could he seem them all he could feel them all and he had become them. It was then that it struck him. Tears began to escape from his eyes as he realized; if he were connected to everything then he was still connected to his parents and he began to understand what the old man had meant when he said "Nothing ever dies."

With tears streaming down his face he realized that the Tao had not only given him the answer to his question, it had done more than that and allowed him to see a deeper connection;  a connection he had with everyone and every thing that had existed or will exist. The concept was too much for his young mind which was being stretched in a thousand different directions.

He looked across at the old sage who was watching the young man with an enigmatic smile on his face. "Welcome to the flow, it is something you will never be able to describe, for to describe it puts barriers around something that is infinite. It is like trying to hold an ocean in a tea cup. The beauty of the flow is to experience it and to know that you are always connected. Now let's take 24 minutes to meditate and reflect on the lessons we have both received this morning."
The young man and the old sage put aside their packs and sat with their backs touching an old tree as they reflected quietly on what they had experienced that morning. Each in their own world, but both connected in ways they were yet to understand.

**********

A special for all my followers, friends and blog readers. My publisher has offered a special either through my website or amazon of the ebook version of The 33rd Sage at $3.99. Take advantage of the offer. Apart from being a modern fable it is filled with teachings that you or your family can use for the rest of your life. Who knows if you are open to the possibilities an old Chinese Sage might just wander into your life?

Go to my website http://www.33rdsage.com/index.html and click on buy the book for this special offer to my friends or go to Amazon.

Take a look at my Book Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeNMGhfwtdg

The 33rd Sage is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Watersons, Xlibris and a number of online book stores.

Twitter @GeofSpalding
Official Author Blog - the33rdsage.authorsxpress.com/
Translatable Author Blog - 33rdsage.blogspot.com.au/

Website www.33rdsage.com