The Legend of the 33rd Sage - Chapter 22

Today's chapter is all about creativity; which I believe is the single most important reason we have incarnated into the earthplane at this time. In some of my other blogs I talk about how to create, but I want to talk for a moment about why it is so important.

Each one of us is an individual expression of the God Force and as such it is our role to express that uniqueness in our own special way. Not everyone of us will be artists, writers or inventors, but each one of us has inside ourselves something unique that we need to express. Your challenge is to find that one thing that for you is an expression of your creativity. Don't stop until you find it, it will be worth the journey. Some of us find that early in life and if you were so blessed, good luck to you. For many it will be something that will have expressed itself in our childhood but for many it was crushed by a word or two from people who did not understand our need to create.

For me it has taken many years to discover that I love to tell stories. With the benefit of hindsight it is easy to see what I loved doing, but living through it was more difficult. I wrote my first stories at about about ten and eleven and then I was molested and overnight I became quite dyslexic and for the next twenty years had great difficulty with reading and writing. Don't feel sorry for me because it was this trauma that forced me to be more creative in the way I lived. It forced me to improve as a verbal communicator and the only way I could share informations was through stories or the use of my voice. It was not until my thirties that I could read and thank goodness for computers which have allowed me to write. Even today when I write by hand my brain switches off and I cannot remember what I was trying to say, but with a computer I can write and share my love of the world and my stories.

I hope each and everyone of you can find that within you that creative aspect that is crying out for nurturing. As Joseph Campbell said, "Follow your bliss.'

Chapter  22 - The Gift

"What are you going to create my son?" They were weird words to use, to start one of their teaching sessions. Firstly because it was unusual for anyone other than the Emperor to call Heng, my son and secondly the young man would usually sit and listen to a teaching. This was a change in the dynamic between them.

Heng did not know what to say. He took a deep breath, held it for a moment and then expelled it slowly, allowing the many thoughts in his brain the space to disappear. There when they were all gone, was one thought, or feeling, he was not quite sure which would not fall away. He looked deeper into the thought/feeling only to discover that it was a vision of him painting in the form of the Taoist Artist. He watched his inner self as it sat before nature staring at the mountains in the distance. He sat there, appearing to just be looking, but Heng could feel the inner painter was doing far more than that. As he sat with the feelings he could sense that the inner painter was becoming one with the elements of nature that surrounded him. He had not bothered to pick up his brush because he knew the brush would only be used once he connected with the spirit of nature that sat beautifully before him. Even when he connected with nature he would still not paint, because to paint what he saw was only copying nature and she was much deeper than that. It was only when his own inner truth came forward that he would even bother to pick up his brush and then it could be an hour or more before any paint would touch the canvas and when it did there would a flow about it; there was no hurry, for the artist's truth would show itself in the simplicity and the beauty of the painting his real self created.

He watched in his mind's eye as the future Heng created beautiful landscapes; landscapes which were filled with the essence of the Tao. He went into the mind of the future Heng and he noticed there was great emptiness; not an emptiness from a life not well lived but an emptiness from someone who had learned detachment. The future Heng  was empty because he was open to what life had to offer; he was open to the spontaneity of life.

Heng withdrew from his inner world and turned his attention towards the sage. He was not capable of words and was overcome by the experience. He continued to stare vacantly at the sage in the hope that he could help him.

Huo was surprised that the young prince had been able to go so deep when he asked what he was going to create. The young prince was obviously very in touch with his inner truth and it would be easy to instruct him in the ways of Taoist painting. Huo was not a painter but he understood the Tao; he also understood that the energy from past painters was still available and by learning to model geniuses from the past Heng could not only learn to paint but also learn how to go deep within and see the essence of what he was painting.
"Master how do I go from where I am now to what I saw in my meditation. I can barely hold a brush and at best only copy what I see.

"Heng, just like you were able to go into a meditation and connect with your future self, you are also able to go within and connect with all the great artists. All their genius is still available. When you go back to the palace find a painting that you like, then find out as much as you can about the artist and his techniques. Take time to look into his heart and see what feelings they bring up in you; start to experience what the artist experienced. After you have an understanding of the artist then go into a meditation and ask the artist to share his or her knowledge with you. Then go and find something to paint and allow the inner subtle feelings to be your guide."

"But I can't. I do not have the skills of a master painter."
"Heng that is just your ego speaking. All of us come here to learn how to be creative. It is the greatest gift that we are given by the Tao or the Godforce; the ability to create something unique. It is uncomfortable to go beyond the ego's laziness and fears, but to create you need to discipline yourself and move beyond the ego. If you want to be like the painter you saw in your meditation you must discipline yourself. It will take time and many of your early paintings will just be copies of what you see, but with openness and discipline and trust in the inner self, you will see a spark of your own creativity begin to come alive in the paintings.
"Creativity is not about perfection; creativity is about finding the truth within you. Don't copy what you see - paint the essence - when you model a master don't copy what they did but find the essence that is in you and paint that."
And so the discipline began; each morning in the palace Heng would rise early from his bed and go and sit in front of one of the many beautiful paintings that adorned the palace walls. In the beginning it felt foolish sitting in front of these master paintings, because many times nothing happened, but then one morning in the third week of the discipline he was sure he heard something. It was like a voice other than his was whispering into his ears. He listened very deeply. At first it sounded like the words being transported by water which was distorting what he was hearing. He immediately understood that it was his own ego that was getting in the way, so he closed his eyes and went deep within himself.
In his minds eye a picture began to appear, but it was more than a picture, it was like another world existed in his inner being. There in this other world was Heng and the painter Master Chang. Heng bowed to the Master and said, "Teach me."

Master Chang sat in a lotus position in front of a canvas. Off in the distance were mountains surrounded by valleys filled with forests and a magical lake. When Heng looked deeper he understood that the master had taken him to the Forest of K'an and the lake was the Magical Lake of Li.
For a long time Master Chang sat there enjoying the view of the landscape before him. Then he began to paint. Heng watched as the master's brush almost skipped over the canvas and each brush stroke that was left behind seemed to have a life of its own; each stroke giving life to the landscape that stood before them. Master Chang continued to paint, but then a separate part of him began to communicate with Heng. "The landscape painting is one which evokes a feeling of peace, harmony and a mystical union with nature. The artist is looking to connect with the landscape and allow it to give up some of its secrets, expressing the movement of animals, the majesty of the mountains and the ethereal nature of the water. Great art occurs when the artist is in some way a co-creator of life with the Great Tao. When you are painting become the mountain; send an aspect of yourself in the mountain and become the mountain; feel it's feelings and share its story. Then and only then begin to paint the story; the story that you and the mountain have created together. The key is to allow the inner you the space to create from your own truth. In this was way you create something unique; something that adds to the greatness of the infinite 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 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 20

Chapter  20 - Wu Wei

"Today my prince we are going to talk about Wu Wei or as some would call it the Action of non-action. Wu Wei is a simple state of being in which your actions are quite effortless and are aligned to flow of the elemental cycles in nature. It is about going with the flow; so that without even trying, you are able to respond to whatever situations you find yourself in.

"Lao Tzu through the Tao Te Ching introduced us to his ideal of the enlightened leader, who, by embodying the principles of Wu Wei, is able to rule in a way that creates happiness and prosperity for his country's inhabitants. That is one of the reasons your father the Emperor sent you to me, so that one day when you are the Emperor that you can be an enlightened leader."

"But what of you sage, you understand these teachings and yet you are not a leader but have chosen to live in the forest?"
"That is a good question, but there is more than one way to practice Wu Wei. Because of who you chose to be born to you chose life one way and I chose another. I have chosen to withdraw from society to live the life of a hermit, wandering through the meadows and forests, meditating and learning the ways of nature so that I can have deeper understanding of the Tao.

"Lao Tzu called the practice of Wu Wei as the highest form of Virtue. It is a practice that is not premeditated, but arises spontaneously. In verse 38 of the Tao Te Ching he tells us:
'The highest virtue is to act without a sense of self
The highest kindness is to give without a condition
The highest justice is to see without a preference'

'When Tao is lost one must learn the rules of Virtue
When virtue is lost, the rules of Kindness
When kindness is lost, the rules of Justice
When justice is lost, the rules of Conduct'
(Translated by Jonathan Star)

"As you find your alignment with the Tao, with the rhythms of the elements inside and outside of yourself, your actions will quite naturally be of the highest benefit of all concerned. You will have become the embodiment of Wu Wei, the Action of non-action, as well as Wu Nien, the Thought of non-thought and Wu Hsin, the Mind of non-mind. You will have realized your place in the universe and your connection to the Tao. Knowing this connection, you will offer thoughts, words and actions that do no harm, do not infringe on others and that are spontaneously virtuous."

The young man now understood why the Emperor had made a peace pact with the people's of the north. His father was wiser than he ever gave him credit for. He had listened to the dissenters within the court, who had said he was weak to give into them, but of course none of them had the courage to say these things within earshot of the Emperor.

The young man understood that the Emperor had used to concept of Wu Wei in dealing with his problems. The young prince went deep within himself to see what was the next steep that he should take. In his mind's he saw himself hugging his father, something he had not done of late, now that he was young man. It was something that he would remedy when he arrived back at the palace.

The sage smiled to himself. His own practice of Wu Wei had not only led to the teaching of the Emperor, the Empress and their son, it had also led to a better life for many thousands of people. He gave thanks to the Tao before hugging the young man and sending him back to the palace.

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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 17

Chapter 17 - Purification

It was nearing the end of Autumn when Huo entered the Forest of K'an. The moment his feet touched the earth, inside the forest, he felt energized; a pulse of energy shooting through his body. He had the sense that he was home, even though he had never been here in his life. He stood in an opening and allowed his feeling self to connect with the Forest and the Lake. The feeling that returned was one of serenity and tranquility. The whole area felt wonderful but there was a spot to the west of him which had a higher energy than anywhere else. He walked off in that direction. After breaking through a row of trees he could see the Lake of Li before him. His final few steps to the lake were done in such a sacred way that anybody watching him would have though he was in a monastery or Pagoda. Each time his foot struck the earth there was a deep connection.

He thought of his parents and tears streamed from his eyes; if they could only see him now, but in his heart he knew they could and like him they were eternal, immortal and infinite. This lifetime was just a brief flash of an infinite light which burned through him.
Once he reached the waters edge, he stopped for a brief moment and sat on a large rock. He instantly felt the old sage; this was obviously the rock the old man used to teach his students from. Tears again escaped the safety of his eyes. He had lived a wonderful life and it had taught him many things. It was time for him to give back some of the beauty that had been shared with him. He was not sure how he would do it or where. The only thing he did know was that he was here to be purified by the Lake of Li; to allow its special waters to wash over and purify him; clear him of any emotion he was still storing in his body, for the next part of his journey required him to be cleansed.

Huo removed his tatty clothes and put them by the base of the rock. For the longest time he sat naked staring into the Lake of the Li, but really he was staring into himself and the journey through life which had brought him to this moment. There were wonderful times spent with his parents and of course with the old sage, but between these times there was such a lot of pain. Firstly from losing his parents and in the bullying he received from the other children and some of their parents after he was disfigured in the fire. The fire he had caused because of his love of flames. As a child he was fascinated by fire, not so much for the burning properties or it's destructive powers it was its ability to throw light which had him enthralled. He would sit for hours when the others were asleep playing with candles trying to create different shapes and effects by changing the direction of the light. Just like his name which meant Fire; he was fascinated by all aspects of the flames which licked the air and moved in the breeze, until that one fateful evening when it all went wrong.

He was still not sure exactly what happened. He had been playing with the candle when he had become overcome by sleep. The next thing he remembered was being carried out of the house through smoke and flames. He had not even realized that he had been burned because he had gone into shock and felt numb. The numbness became depression when he found out his parents had died in the fire. It was then that he suppressed the feelings; feelings which were now coming back in gigantic waves. His grief was so strong that he threw himself in the Lake of Li, not caring at that moment whether he lived or died.

His body drifted down into the depths of the lake. The love he felt for his parents mixing with the grief and pain he felt for causing their deaths. The waters of the Lake were bringing up every emotion he had ever suppressed and he was forced to feel everyone of them. It was painful and yet fascinating; he watched as some emotions were attached to experiences that seemed so insignificant and yet for some reason they had mattered greatly. It was a word here, a thought there, an off the cuff remark by a passer by; it was amazing what he had let affect him and for the most part his conscious self had not been aware of it. In the purification by the Lake of Li, Huo began to understand the power of the subconscious mind to direct our lives and create lives that we would not consciously choose, but choose we did as our subconscious minds created the world from its limited perspective.

Time seemed to stand still as Huo floated on the bottom of the lake. It was as if the bottom of the lake represented the bottom of his subconscious mind, as he cleared the last dregs of the thoughts which had trapped him under the control of the subconscious mind.

At that moment when he was given the choice between passing over to higher self or life, he chose life; he felt deep in his being that there was much he still needed and wanted to do in this lifetime.

Huo floated to the top and when he broke through the surface he felt purified; cleansed of all the emotions that were holding him back from living inside his infinite spirit. Once on the surface he swam back to the shore where he lay in the afternoon sun, replaying his life in his mind's eye. When he observed the moments when he was out of control, he noticed a recurring theme. Every time he went out of a balance it was caused by four emotions; anger at himself, judgement of others, frustration at not getting his needs met or moments when he could not control his surroundings.

As each memory came up he thanked it for its teaching and released it from his being. It was late in the afternoon when he had finally released all the unconscious hurt, pain and emotions. The Lake of Purification had done its job.

As the chill hit the air he dressed in his ragged old clothes, but they did not appear raggedy any more. It was as if by releasing the negativity he had stored stored in his body that his clothes had been renewed and even changed in colour. It was impossible but it did happen.

He sat on the rock in his new plum red robe, cinched by a plum red sash.

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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 16

Chapter 16 - Life is Sacred

Hello all,
Today we have almost reached the halfway point in the story and I thought it would be a good time for a chat. A few of my writing friends have questioned why I am willing to put out the first draft of my story knowing that the grammar, writing and the story itself are not even close to the final form. They said they would be too worried by the criticism.

If you have been reading this story you will understand that it is important to not only live your truth but also to not worry what others think of you. I have chosen to share this early version for two reasons. Firstly it is a good lesson for me not to worry what others think, although I will always listen to constructive criticism as I develop my story telling skills. Secondly I published this early draft on my translatable blog for my friends who do not speak english and the likelihood that it will never be published in their language.

Thanks for the chat now it's back to the story.
Blessings and Peace to you all.
Geof

Chapter 16 - Life is Sacred

Huo wandered through the countryside for many months with one goal in mind, to find the Forest of K'an and journey to the mystical Lake of Li. The old sage had talked often about this magical lake and the forest. Over the last two days he had found the Forest of K'an and now he was heading towards the lake. He knew intuitively where the lake was; he could feel her presence with every part of his being.

On the journey to find the lake he had many adventures and had met many strange people. The strangest being the badger that could talk; well, talk was not quite right but he could communicate with Huo in the most unusual way. It happened over a month ago when Huo first thought of finding the Lake of Li in the Forest of K'an. He had been sitting by a stream meditating when a picture of the Lake of Li came into his mind. He knew it was the Lake of Li because of the description that he had received from the old sage. He could even see the large rock that Chung Fu used to sit on when he was teaching his students. In the meditation Huo could imagine himself sitting on the rock and staring into the Lake of the Li. The more he stared, the more real the picture became; it was so real that if Huo had wanted to he could have transported himself there in an instant, but of course he was not yet aware that he had those abilities. He opened his eyes with the knowing that came from deep within that the next part of his journey would take him to the lake the old sage had talked so much about.

He returned to his camp to the find a badger, a big fat badger, fossicking through his pack, for what little food he had left. Years ago he would have become angry to lose the little food he had, but he was different now. He understood that the Tao gives and takes away. So rather than express his anger, he sat down on a log of wood and watched the badger, for the inner part of him knew that the badger had a message for him.

Badgers by nature were very independent and this one was no exception. The badger turned to look at Huo, but the look was brief and he went back to eating the food and destroying Huo's pack. He certainly was an individual. Huo knew that badgers were very different from most animals in the forest and they did not seem to care what humans and other animals thought about them.

Huo sent a molecule of himself into the badger and what returned did not surprise him. He could almost hear the badger talking to him.

"Walk your own path at your own pace. Don't defend yourself. You are what you are, so be proud of it. If someone attacks you don't defend, just walk away. You are an infinite spirit walking your own journey; be proud of yourself, but at the same time do not judge others because you do not know what their journey is, or where it will lead. You don't have to explain to anyone what you are doing. You are following your inner spirit and to explain it would be impossible; it will lead you in ways that you would not think possible."

Huo was not sure the words were coming from the animal or were just the workings of his own mind. It did not matter for the teaching was the same. It was time for him to go back into the world and take what he had learnt to the people who were drawn to him.

He looked down at the badger and offered thanks for its teaching. For its part the badger gave him, what appeared to be, a grin and then scurried off into the forest without any apology for destroying Huo's worldly goods.

No longer encumbered by any earthly goods Huo continued on his journey to the Lake of Li in the Forest of K'an.

                      **********

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/