THE THREE PATHS
By
-Daniel-
©
Though we be apart,
we are but a heartbeat away.
I have come to share a Truth
upon this blessed day.
Many lifetimes ago, there lived three friends who vowed
to climb the snow-capped mountain that they might sit
at the feet of the Master who lived there and learn of
His Wisdom.
And as they traveled along together, they came upon
three separate paths, all leading to the mountain's
crest and to the Teacher of Wisdom.
The first path led straight up the mountain.
It was the shortest way, but it perilously steep
and fraught with danger.
The second path twisted and turned up through
a narrow rocky canyon;
and the third path encircled the mountain,
ever gently spiraling its climb to the summit.
And after much debate among the three friends as
to the proper path to walk, it was decided that they would
each go their own way, for they could not agree.
And after seven days, the one who climbed the straight, steep
path arrived exhausted and bleeding from wounds suffered
along the way and he sat at the feet of the Master and
waited in silence for the arrival of this friends.
And after seven weeks, the second friend, who had traveled
the winding canyon path, arrived distraught from the confusing,
stressful journey and he too sat at the Master's feet and waited
for the one who had chosen to walk the spiral path around
the mountain.
And after seven months the final wayfarer arrived,
filled with the light of an inner peace.
And as he took his place at the Master's feet, the two that
had come before him became angry that they should wait
so long and suffer so much, while his journey had
been a blessing of ease and joy.
And again they argued as to which path was the correct
way to the Master of Wisdom and each turned to the
Teacher that they might learn the Truth.
And the Master asked of the first traveler what he
had learned on his chosen journey.
And he who had suffered the most answered:
"I learned that Life can be very short and its way
hard to endure.
I stumbled and fell along the pathway and suffered
the wounds caused by my own fall;
and for every step forward, I paid the price of two.
Master, did I choose the correct path to come to You?"
And the Master answered through the tears of Compassion:
"Yes beloved one, yours was the right path to walk."
And then the Master asked of the second traveler
what he had learned on his journey.
And he who had been distraught with confusion answered:
"I learned that the path through Life cannot always
be foreseen, nor will it always lead you in the
direction of your own desires.
There were times when I thought that I knew the way,
only to find the path had changed its course and it
continued to lead me to and fro and from experience
to experience, until I found myself standing in
Your Presence.
Master, did I choose the correct path to come to You?"
And the Master answered with the voice of Understanding:
"Yes beloved one, yours was the right path to walk."
And the Master asked of the third traveler what
he had learned on his journey.
And he who was joyous and calm answered:
"I learned that if you walk through Life with Patience
as your traveling companion, the journey becomes
not a burden to bear but rather a wonder to behold.
The path is straight and the climb is gentle when
Love is used to light your way.
Master, did I choose the correct path to come to You?"
And the Master answered with the joyous smile of Love:
"Yes beloved one, yours was the right path to walk."
And so it was, that the three friends bowed their heads
in humble reverence, for at last they knew the
Eternal Truth.