Brother Jason Eddy
Registered User
Light
He made his way through the forest in a calm but determined manner. The full moon sent rays of light shooting between the branches of the trees that stood like massive guardians of the worn path that he now found himself on. He had no idea where he was going or even why. He had left his safe-haven only hours before with only the clothes on his back and a feeling that he was “supposed to goâ€. He entered a small grassy clearing and took a moment to rest. For the first time, he realized just how cold he was. As he exhaled each breath, it formed a small cloud that appeared for a few seconds and then disappeared into the cool air around him. He looked to the sky and was comforted to see the starry canopy above him that he so often looked to for guidance. Like a page covered in mathematical equations, he knew that the answers were there and that one day the stars in the heavens would provide him with the answers that he so desperately sought. After a few moments of quiet reflection, he made his way towards the forest on the far side of the clearing. As he inched closer he realized that there was a large wall surrounding this part of the forest. He looked from left to right but could see no break in the wall in either direction. Before him was a massive wooden door. He attempted to open the door only to find it locked. He was again compelled to take action and could not explain why. With a fierce determination, he rapped on the door with three distinct knocks. The three knocks were returned as the sounds seemed to echo through the forest. With that the door opened and he stepped into the forest not knowing what was next. This part of the forest was not familiar to him and the trees did not allow the moon to light his path as it had in the beginning of his journey. Though somewhat scared and hesitant, he slowly began to fall back on his other senses. He listened for every little sound in the forest, including his own in an effort to better navigate his way. He was more keenly aware of the ground beneath his feet and moved more carefully over the roots that emerged from the damp bed of pine needles and sticks. As he continued his journey his mind was filled with questions about the purpose of this journey. After only a few short steps, he felt compelled to kneel down and pray for guidance. After praying he rose to his feet and out of the blackness that stretched out before him, he was met with an unfamiliar yet comforting sound. It was as if the forest was whispering wise counsel into his ear and he soon found himself moving forward without fear of any danger. As he moved in the direction of his newfound “guide†he could not help but feel that he was actually walking in a circle. Perhaps following the wall that he had seen moments before in some sort of circular motion. This was reinforced by sounds that he could hear as he passed certain points along the wall. The sound of wood meeting with stone painted a picture of the branches of swaying trees tapping the stone wall that surrounded him as he passed by. As he progressed along his path his thoughts returned to the question of “what am I seeking?†Perhaps, he thought, he had already found what he had been seeking. Perhaps it was right in front of him. He stopped in his tracks and knelt down. He had stopped directly in front of what felt like a large tree stump. He now knew what it was that he was seeking. Light. So strong was the revelation that he actually said it aloud, “Lightâ€. As he did he was startled by a loud cracking sound as the trees that had blocked out the moon gave way to the growing winds. In an instant, light flooded the forest and he realized for the first time that he was not alone. He had not been alone since entering these woods. As he looked into the eyes of the men standing on both sides of him, stretching from East to West, he realized that they were there to help him in this journey. He could see in their faces that they too had taken this journey. He knew that he was now among Brothers.
He made his way through the forest in a calm but determined manner. The full moon sent rays of light shooting between the branches of the trees that stood like massive guardians of the worn path that he now found himself on. He had no idea where he was going or even why. He had left his safe-haven only hours before with only the clothes on his back and a feeling that he was “supposed to goâ€. He entered a small grassy clearing and took a moment to rest. For the first time, he realized just how cold he was. As he exhaled each breath, it formed a small cloud that appeared for a few seconds and then disappeared into the cool air around him. He looked to the sky and was comforted to see the starry canopy above him that he so often looked to for guidance. Like a page covered in mathematical equations, he knew that the answers were there and that one day the stars in the heavens would provide him with the answers that he so desperately sought. After a few moments of quiet reflection, he made his way towards the forest on the far side of the clearing. As he inched closer he realized that there was a large wall surrounding this part of the forest. He looked from left to right but could see no break in the wall in either direction. Before him was a massive wooden door. He attempted to open the door only to find it locked. He was again compelled to take action and could not explain why. With a fierce determination, he rapped on the door with three distinct knocks. The three knocks were returned as the sounds seemed to echo through the forest. With that the door opened and he stepped into the forest not knowing what was next. This part of the forest was not familiar to him and the trees did not allow the moon to light his path as it had in the beginning of his journey. Though somewhat scared and hesitant, he slowly began to fall back on his other senses. He listened for every little sound in the forest, including his own in an effort to better navigate his way. He was more keenly aware of the ground beneath his feet and moved more carefully over the roots that emerged from the damp bed of pine needles and sticks. As he continued his journey his mind was filled with questions about the purpose of this journey. After only a few short steps, he felt compelled to kneel down and pray for guidance. After praying he rose to his feet and out of the blackness that stretched out before him, he was met with an unfamiliar yet comforting sound. It was as if the forest was whispering wise counsel into his ear and he soon found himself moving forward without fear of any danger. As he moved in the direction of his newfound “guide†he could not help but feel that he was actually walking in a circle. Perhaps following the wall that he had seen moments before in some sort of circular motion. This was reinforced by sounds that he could hear as he passed certain points along the wall. The sound of wood meeting with stone painted a picture of the branches of swaying trees tapping the stone wall that surrounded him as he passed by. As he progressed along his path his thoughts returned to the question of “what am I seeking?†Perhaps, he thought, he had already found what he had been seeking. Perhaps it was right in front of him. He stopped in his tracks and knelt down. He had stopped directly in front of what felt like a large tree stump. He now knew what it was that he was seeking. Light. So strong was the revelation that he actually said it aloud, “Lightâ€. As he did he was startled by a loud cracking sound as the trees that had blocked out the moon gave way to the growing winds. In an instant, light flooded the forest and he realized for the first time that he was not alone. He had not been alone since entering these woods. As he looked into the eyes of the men standing on both sides of him, stretching from East to West, he realized that they were there to help him in this journey. He could see in their faces that they too had taken this journey. He knew that he was now among Brothers.
