?Of course you know,? he replied. ?Most people know, but they know in their heads, not in their hearts. Knowing that way is not true knowing. You were only aware of such things. Today, your awareness changed to genuine knowing. Again, let me emphasize that awareness comes from the head and knowing comes from the heart. When you really know something, you feel it deeply. And as to why it took so long, it is your nature to test various possibilities until you come up with the one that really works for you. Some people do it quickly, others take a little more time.?
?All these years, Gideon, I've been living on the out-skirts of life, almost like the proverbial prodigal son in a far country. I have been partaking of the crumbs that fall from the table instead of realizing that the table was set for me. Today it's different. I have returned from the far country. I am home.?
?But you never were in a far country, John,? he answered. ?You were always here. Wherever you go,you are always here. All you have to do is realize this and do the best you can with what you have at the time. This is one of the great secrets of life: live joyously in the present moment. As the Zen Master would say,?When you work, work. When you play, play.? Whatever you are doing, do it with a joyful heart.?
It felt so good being there. I stood up and stretched. My entire being seemed recharged with a new energy. Gideon sat complacently, observing me with a pleased expression.
?Race you to the house,? I yelled at him as I took off. A few minutes later, arriving at my doorstep panting,I checked behind me for Gideon but couldn't find him.
Perhaps he was still sitting on the bench. Then I heard his chuckle. There on the porch, sitting as calmly as you please, was Gideon examining a rose he held outstretched in his right hand.
?How did you get here before me?? I asked. ?I didn't see you pass me.?
He grinned as he replied, ?There are better ways of getting to places than running or rushing. Remember? I was always here. So were you.? He stood up, handed me the rose, waved good-bye and left. I stood there watching him as he strode away.
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?It's a beautiful morning and I just wanted to keep you company for a while,? he said.
I took it for granted that he wanted to speak with me. ?Well,? I said, ?what good word do you have for me today?? ?First of all,my congratulations on the insights you gained this morning. I hadn't planned on seeing you for a few days, but the energy generated by your thoughts made me want to celebrate with you. I couldn't wait. You've done extremely well.?
?What do you mean?? I asked somewhat startled.
?Walking is a fine exercise, but it's much more than that. Though it benefits you physically, it also has an enormous impact on the mind and spirit. Nature is a great healer and teacher. By being with the trees and clouds, you were able, in your quiet, reflective moments to taste a bit of what we mean by ?oneness with All That Is.? You have discovered, in a very short time, what you were trying to recapture and understand for years.? He smiled.
?Yesterday, if you recall, you were worried and concerned about many situations in your life. Our entire conversation revolved around the unfortunate things that had happened to you and how you so desired to improve your lot in life. You were replaying old tapes, and the sound of the past prevented you from hearing the music of the present. Your focus was so intense on making a living that you could not see how to make a life. Today, that's different.?
Although I knew that he was referring to my change of perception, I still wanted to hear him explain; as if by listening to his words, I would further confirm what I already knew. We stopped for a while and sat on a bench under a large tree. I carefully listened as he continued in a low voice. ?You see, John, when you ceased worrying about your difficulties, you withdrew your energy from them. At the same time, you switched your focus to the things that were going well for you. By doing that, you changed the very way you looked at your world. Whenever you change the way you look at problems, the problems themselves start to change.?
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John Harricharan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Religion and Web Development. Lecturer, entrepreneur and MBA business consultant, John Harricharan is the author of the award-winning book, "When You Can Walk on Water, Take the Boat."