A nightly moon shimmers its reflection upon the subtle ripples of a pool deep within a beautiful forest, what is it that it sees, perhaps a life that is beginning to know its journey ahead, that once it had not perceived in the chaotic labyrinth of suffering.
One step begins at the middle of a road of life, a multitude of paths leading to every conceivable future, which is the one to travel on. A realization cones over the traveler, the moon and sun show no preference to where there are beams of light without thought, to all they impart warmth for those who take the path without fear. The traveler steps forward on the path then finds a monster and other obstacles, finding he has no skill to go forward, then finds other paths blocked, his thoughts in confusion, emotions on fire, every road seems to burn. For centuries he moves not at all, thoughts whirling in anger unable to step beyond the confines of nation, patriotism and social customs, or even limited skill. With struggle, skills become acquired, each movement created in hell on a path of needles as each obstacle is overcome, the mists dissipate, the maze dissolves and some paths become clear, now the journey starts.
By some design of the gods perhaps the traveler’s first mentor is the spiritual power of life, words come of the future, then as a guide to change the travelers inner spiritual structure, emotions of fire and hate wash away, the waves spread themselves across the shore, storm has dissipated, remains of a rain, droplets from leaf, spirit to thought.
Awaken to a path that is clear, walk ahead in slow steps and as you go on, one shall come to mirror the self that has been sought, this newly acquired guiding mentor will bring an
Finding a path of choosing scattered foliage being pushed aside with almost no end, thoughts come in discontinuing the journey, an infinite forest, islands of sunlight peek through the canopy of dense growth of centuries, nothing ending. Then a rest in an ocean of trees, a great rock is climbed, above an endless foliage a compass is made in spirit, so more onto the journey ahead. As fatigue embraces the traveler, a moon full in the nightly skies, the moon goddess speaks words of both encouragement and endurance, her words unleash a burning light up beyond all until nothing can be done, each step is impossible. Then on a distant horizon glowing sentinels come to aid the traveler and suddenly twirling fire embers embrace his thoughts, imparting wisdom that the journey is true and to go on is the right path, for each step in mind discourages, the last hill is crossed, all is silence, only the goal in mind, finally a house to the night, warmth is there and so is the rest in solitude, then a meal is served, then a dream. Morning is a renewal of spirit, being born out of the furnaces of hell, rain becomes the companion of the continued journey, only now these waters from heaven have washed away the ancient hardships, breezes wrapped around the traveler, the sun is up ahead. The waters are calm in a pool, the traveler no longer sees an old self, only the embracement of all eternity that once thought only the nation was important somehow untrue, the true nation is within the travelers spirit and where ever the traveler is, the nation and home is imparted, not in a place but in the tranquility of the unending moon reflected upon a path that never shall end.
Robert J. Matsunaga
