Later that day Awareness is sitting on the Wall of Contemplation looking out over The Vast Ocean of Limitless Possibilities and Unlimited Opportunities pondering the things that Wisdom spoke of in the class. What is my purpose? Awareness thinks to himself. Why don’t I know my purpose? How could I live so long without even considering my purpose? This is a strange and wonderful life. There is so much to know. After hearing Wisdom lecture I now realize how little I do know. But one thing I know for sure. I will be doing everything I can think of to find out what my purpose is.
“That is a wonderful revelation!” Wisdom exclaims smiling as she startles Awareness.
“Because,” Wisdom answers, “I know if I were sitting on this wall looking out over The Vast Ocean of Limitless Possibilities and Unlimited Opportunities and were thinking about what I had just heard. I would be receiving the same revelation.”
“You know you DO ask such good questions”. Wisdom praises Awareness. “Where did you learn how to do that?”
Awareness looks surprised. “I guess I learned it from Curiosity. I just met him today in class. He asked me what my purpose is. I told him I wasn’t conscious of having one. Then he asked me more questions”.
“Curiosity is very good at that”. Wisdom mused. “He has been instructed in asking questions all his life. You have a good example in him. You must never be afraid to ask questions. That is how you begin to find your purpose”.
“But what IS my purpose?” Awareness asks.
“Good question,” Wisdom smiles. “I’ll see you later”. Wisdom walks off and then replies over her shoulder as she strolls away. “Keep asking questions.”
Outside the University Building there is an open courtyard named The Patio of Companions. In the center is a large beautiful fountain whose name is The Spring of Living Waters. All around this fountain and throughout the courtyard the students gather to fellowship and discuss their studies. This morning like all mornings in the Land of New Beginnings it is a beautiful crystal clear day. The sound of bluebirds chirping can be heard from a distance. There is a soft fresh breeze blowing in the air, just soft enough to gently rustle the hair of the lovely maidens caressing their books but not strong enough to blow a single hair out of place.
Awareness sits on the wall of the fountain gently stirring the waters as he talks with Curiosity.
“How did you know what to ask me yesterday?” Awareness asks.
“How did I know what?” Curiosity returns the question.
“You know. What is my purpose?” Awareness recants.
“Well, I knew from reading the syllabus that the topic of the class is ‘Discovering Your Purpose’.” Curiosity replies. “I was curious what your purpose was so I asked.”
“It sure surprised me”. Awareness says with relief. “I thought you were some kind of prognosticator.”
Curiosity laughs. “No, my gift is asking questions.”
Just then two of the King’s guards march up to Awareness and Curiosity and ask. “Which one of you two is Awareness?
“I am,” Awareness answers.
“You have been summoned to appear before the court of Origin immediately”. The older guard commands.
“What is this all about?” Curiosity asks.
“Royal business,” The younger guard says abruptly. “Step aside.” He then looks at Awareness sternly.
Awareness looks at Curiosity with confusion and then steps between the two guards and the three proceed to the Palace.
The three stand before the Thrones of Origin, Amazing Grace and Victor waiting quietly to be addressed by the king.
Origin smiles at Awareness.
Awareness nervously acknowledges the King’s smile.
Origin introduces the young man to his family. “This is Awareness. How are you feeling young man?”
Awareness bows politely “Very well Your Majesty.”
Amazing Grace and Victor smile.
Origin motions to the two guards. “You may take your leave.” The guards bow and withdraw.
Origin then turns His attention back to Awareness. “I have an assignment for you young man.”
Awareness looks surprised and puzzled.
“I AM sending you on a mission to Castle Glade,” Origin continues. “We are at war with King My Way. He has invaded Castle Glade and has taken it unrightfully and we must rescue it and its inhabitants. Your mission is vital to our goals.”
Awareness is overcome with anxiety. “But Your Highness I am just a young man and I know nothing of war.”
“All wars are fought by young men who know nothing of war, Awareness,” Origins says calmly.
“But Your Majesty, I have heard that Castle Glade is consumed by darkness and I believe that it is my responsibility to inform you that I am afraid of the dark.” Awareness explains.
Origin smiles, with the amusement of a parent, at the childlike honestly of Awareness, but also understands that his fears are quite legitimate. He motions to His guard and the guard walks off. Origin then speaks to Awareness. “I am going to give you two servants to take with you. They will remain with you throughout the time that you will be in the castle.”
A bright light comes into the court that makes the morning light seem like twilight. Yet its brightness does not hurt their eyes. Two Beings of Light walk forward escorted by two guards. They flank Awareness on both sides.
“These will be your loyal servants,” Origin explains. “This is Enlightenment,” indicating the Being of Light at Awareness’s left, “and this is Illumination,” indicating the Being of Light at his right.
“They will escort you as you walk through the castle,” Origin continues, “so you will NEVER experience the night … only the day.”
Awareness still looks bothered.
“What’s wrong now, young man?” Origin asks.
Awareness searches for courage to speak.
“I have heard that King My Way has many accurate marksmen, snipers that lay in wait for any strangers that might find their way into the castle or escape the king’s imprisonment. What protection would I have? My servants of light will not offer me protection from them.
Victor calls out generously, “Here Awareness, take with you My Presence.”
Awareness looks at Victor with puzzlement, thinking within, what good will THAT do?
Victor lets out a loud yell. He then claps his hands together in a kingly manner. “MY PRESENCE!”
Suddenly there is a sound of metal echoing throughout the court. The sound becomes louder and louder. Awareness strains to see what might be making the sound but it is coming from behind the huge columns that block his view. And then from around the column walks a suit of armor towards the direction of Awareness and stops directly in front of him. It snaps to attention and opens up like two doors opening up to a grand ballroom. Awareness leans forward to look into the armor but there is nothing inside.“Step inside Awareness” Victor says.
Awareness reluctantly steps into the suit and turns around and it immediately closes around him. It fits like a glove. Although it is made of metal it moves as easily as fluid and feels as soft as cotton. Awareness feels secure. And with Enlightenment and Illumination to light his way he is beginning to get excited about his mission.
“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Victor asks smiling.
Awareness gets so caught up in the suit of armor he has forgotten where he is at and with whom he is with. He turns to face Victor and smiles. “Yes Sir”.
Origin clears his throat. “Now back to business”.
Awareness snaps to attention.
“Now, your mission will be to go into Castle Glade and find the Wounded Child, Innocence.”
“Yes sir, but what will I do when I find him?”. Awareness asks Origin.
“You will know that once you find him,” Origin smiles. “For now take your leave and prepare for your journey. After seven days I will contact you and your mission will begin. You may consult only with Wisdom. Tell no others of your mission. Now go and prepare.”
Awareness bows and takes his leave.
Today will be the last time Awareness will be attending his class. He wants to get all he can before he goes on his mission. This whole idea of purpose needs to be cleared up. Perhaps he can find something he can take with him that will help him fulfill his mission. Mission… two days ago he didn’t even know he had a purpose and now he is on a mission. It is almost more that he can handle. As Awareness sits in the lecture hall all alone he tries to tie all the loose ends together. Suddenly the bell rings and the other students begin to file into the lecture hall. As the class begins to fill up Awareness does not even notice Curiosity enter. Curiosity sets his books on the desk next to Awareness and with excitement he leans forward into Awareness and asks.
“What did Origin want?”
“I can’t say.” Awareness says trying to avoid the subject.
Curiosity becomes more interested. “Wow! It must be REALLY important if you can’t say. You must be going on a mission. I wonder what it is.”
“I can’t say!” Awareness repeats.
Just then Wisdom walks in and sets her things on her desk. She takes off her cape and hangs it around the back of her chair. Today she is dressed in a beautiful soft blue dress that resembles the color of the sky just outside. Her hair is up and she is wearing a pair of teardrop crystal earrings that dangle gently from her lobs. She begins pacing back and forth in front of her desk across the entire length of the lecture hall. The students watch the process much like a slow motion tennis match as their eyes follow Wisdom. As she paces she begins to speak as if she is trying to formulate an idea.
“To the magnitude that we have beauty in this world there is ugliness. To the extent that we have goodness we also have evil. To the degree that have light we equally have dark. To the standard that we have right so there is wrong. Contrasting the powerful there is the weak, converse to the rich there is the poor, adverse to the intelligent is the illiterate, and opposing the hero is the coward. Throughout our universe we have these distinctions.Awareness speaks out impulsively. “Why?”
The class is surprised by the interruption. How dare Awareness interrupt Wisdom!
Wisdom stops her pacing and turns to Awareness with patience and answers, “Balance.”
Awareness ignores the class as if he and Wisdom were the only two present, “Why?”
Wisdom smiles, “Balance is necessary.”
Awareness persists. “Why?”
Wisdom’s smile becomes broader. “You simply can’t have one without the other.”
Awareness refuses to receive the answer, “But why is that?”
Trite, who is sitting in the furthest row of the class, high in the last tier, yells out impatiently, “Why! Why! Why! Why has a black hole in his belly and there has NEVER been an answer that can satisfy him!”
The entire class roars with laughter.
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