My Heavenly Realms Capers

[Guest guest]

My Heavenly Realms Capers

 

By Pete

 

When I stepped off the heavenly realm machine, I saw the Enlightened

Samurai sitting in the Zen garden. I had constructed the machine with

parts from an old motorcycle, and a virus infected PC. It was a

noisy, ugly looking thing, but it worked. I kept it in my garage, and

even then, the neighbors complained of the noise, and demanded to

know why I gunned the bike so often.

 

The Samurai, startled by the roar of the machine, came toward me

scowling. " What in Hell's name is that contraction? "

 

" It's my heavenly realm machine. It transports me from Earth to the

Heavenly Realm and back. "

 

" Did you have to make it that ugly? " he asked with a sneer. " Look at

my armor it's a masterpiece. Japanese make all useful things

beautiful. "

 

" Yes, I can see the intricate workmanship. Very nice reds and yellows

too. But why do you need to wear an armor if you are already dead? "

 

" I'm not wearing it, you're just seeing it. "

 

" Is it a real armor then, or just an appearance? "

 

" Please spare me the philosophy. " he said with disgust.

 

" Are you not enlightened, why should a question bother an enlightened

being? "

 

" Yes, I am enlightened. " he said.

 

" Who is this `you', whom is enlightened? "

 

" Another silly Advaita question from you, and your head will be off. "

His hand closed over the pommel of his sword.

 

" Is that sword real or I'm just seeing it? "

 

" As real, or unreal as your head, but it would do the job. " he said

pulling it out.

 

It was truly a beautiful blade— gracefully curved, it reflected

light with rich silvery hues. But, I couldn't relish its perfection,

having it aimed at my neck. " How did you become enlightened? " I asked

to change the subject.

 

As I had hoped, he seethed his sword.

 

" It happened on my last battle. We were charging the enemy, when

their archers let their arrows fly. This always had been a

particularly unnerving moment of the battle for me. But that morning,

for some reason, the noise of ten thousand arrows flying, sounded

incredibly cheerful. As singing nightingales, they soared an blotted

the sky. I realized it wasn't me who watched and delighted in that

spectacle, but something infinite and eternal, something that

couldn't die. I stopped running and watched in fascination as those

black birds reached their apex and dived, their blood thirsty beaks

ready to strike.

I heard the deadly rain clatter on helmets, and armors, I heard the

slight thud they made when piercing flesh, and the drumming of metal

boring into trees and the frozen soil. I was drunk with joy, and

dropping my sword , I walked away.

 

" Then what? What does an enlightened samurai do for the rest of his

life?

 

" I walked toward the mountains that were a smoky blue outline in the

distance. I found a cave and sat in meditation. Soon I ascended

through all the jhanas and entered Nirvana. "

 

I felt tempted to ask him whom was this, who had attained Nirvana,

but remembering the sword, I kept my mouth shut. " So what did you do

after coming out of your trance? "

 

" I never did. That night I froze to death, and found myself here. "

 

" Hmm! That was unfortunate, you could have taught other samurai. "

 

What difference, would it have made? They are all dead and gone now. "

 

" You are still here. "

 

" No, I'm not. It just seem that way to you. "

 

" Am I here? " I asked.

 

" Good question! " He gave a belly laugh and walked away.

 

" Could you send Osho out, please. I would like a word with him. "

 

" Coming Up. He yelled, and laughed again. "

[Guest guest]

> " Yes, I can see the intricate workmanship. Very nice reds and

yellows

> too. But why do you need to wear an armor if you are already dead? "

>

> " I'm not wearing it, you're just seeing it. "

>

> " Is it a real armor then, or just an appearance? "

>

> " Please spare me the philosophy. " he said with disgust.

 

 

:-)

Great story!

 

sk