The Mountain Shadow

‘But what specific sacred texts do you refer to in your analysis, master-ji?’

‘Our common humanity is the sacred text of the peaceful human heart,’ Idriss said. ‘And we have only just begun to write it.’

‘And how does the expression of these positive characteristics lead us to purpose?’ Ambitious challenged.

‘We humans are born with the capacity to accumulate non-evolutionary knowledge, and the capacity to shape our behaviour as animals,’ Idriss said, reaching for a glass of water. ‘Which are very difficult things for other animals to do, but are very easy for us, thanks to the Divine.’

‘Can you be specific about this non-evolutionary knowledge, master-ji?’ Doubtful asked. ‘This is a term I am not familiar with.’

‘Things that we know, that we don’t have to know, in order to survive. Extra knowledge, about everything.’

‘We know things,’ Ambitious said. ‘That is hardly a revelation. And we can shape our behaviour. Where do you see purpose in this, master-ji?’

‘Without either one of those things,’ Idriss continued, ‘we could not claim to have a destiny. But with both of them in place, the fact of our destiny is undeniable.’

‘How, master-ji?’

‘We are not apes forever. We can change ourselves. We are changing, all the time. We will discover most of the laws of everything, and we will control our evolution. That is destiny controlling DNA, rather than DNA controlling destiny, as it did forever, until now.’

‘Can you define destiny?’ Ambitious demanded.

‘Destiny is the treasure we find in the awareness of death.’

‘Oh, yes!’ Karla shouted. ‘Sorry!’

‘Perhaps it is time,’ Idriss suggested, ‘that we take a break, and refresh ourselves for the challenge.’

The students rose to escort the sages to their cave. The sages walked away, frowning their thoughts.

Idriss looked around as Silvano offered his arm. He found Karla’s eyes, and smiled at us.

‘Glad you’re here, Karla,’ he said, as he walked back to his cave with Silvano. ‘So nice to see you two together.’

‘You know,’ Vinson said when we were alone. ‘I think I’m getting the hang of this. You’re on to something with the T-shirts, Karla. You’re keeping notes, Randall, right?’

‘Meticulous notes, Mr Vinson.’

‘I’d like to see those later, if it’s okay.’

‘Me too,’ Karla said.

‘Me three,’ I agreed.

‘I’m so happy we have that settled,’ Didier said. ‘Now, will someone please open the bar. My soul may be improved, but mind is screaming for mercy.’

Chapter Eighty

Doubtful had a question, after the contest resumed, but Idriss raised a soft hand of insistence, silencing everyone, and pushed on to the horizon of his thought.

‘So far as I can see,’ he said quietly, his raised hand like a trident made from pure patience, ‘we are the only species with the capacity to be more than we are, perhaps even more than we dream we are, and the potential to get wherever it is that we choose to go.’

He stopped for a moment.

‘Why do we let the few push the many to compete and consume and fight?’ Idriss said. ‘When will we demand peace, as passionately as we demand freedom?’

Sudden tears fell into his upturned palms, resting in his lap.

‘Forgive me,’ he said, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands.

‘Great sage,’ Let Me See said, crying sympathy with him. ‘We are all drawn here today by the power of love. Let us remain happy in our spiritual endeavours.’

Idriss laughed, clearing his eyes of moonstone tears.

‘That is a semantic error, great teacher,’ he said, composed again. ‘Love has no power, because it can only be freely given.’

‘Very well then,’ Let Me See smiled, ‘what is Power?’

‘Power influences or directs people or processes,’ Idriss said. ‘Power is a measure of control, and is always connected to authority. Power is fear, submitting to greed. There is no fear and there is no greed in love, just as there is no authority or control, which is why it is beyond illusions of power.’

‘But what about the power of healing?’ Grumpy asked. ‘Do you deny that?’

‘That is the energy of healing, master-ji. Every healer knows that there is no power in it, but that the energy is abundant. Energy is the process. Power is the attempt to influence, direct or control the process.’

‘Even the power of prayer, master-ji?’ Ambitious asked. ‘Is there no such thing?’

‘There is the spiritual energy of prayer,’ Idriss replied, ‘just as there is the spiritual energy of love, and both are reservoirs of grace, but there is no power. Energy is the process, and power is the attempt to control the process.’

Vinson was wriggling to speak.

‘Power bad, energy good,’ he whispered to Karla. ‘Absolute power corrupts.’

‘Very good, Stuart,’ Karla whispered happily.

‘Let us smoke again for a while,’ Idriss said to the sages.

‘Very good, Idriss,’ Didier whispered more happily, and the assembly relaxed, while the sages and my French friend sated themselves.

‘Shall I continue?’ Idriss asked, when the sages were high enough to get down to metaphysics again.

‘Certainly,’ the sages replied.