The Key (A Fairytale) - Chapter 4: Nothing Left To Lose (Part 3)

Just then a villager walked out from behind a tree with the long, heavy blade of a razor sharp coconut cutter loosely hanging in his hand. One of the soldiers laughed and drew his sword.

Behind him, two other villagers, a boy and a woman, emerged with their blades, and the other warrior drew his sword, with the two soldiers standing back to back.

The first villager then whistled, and within moments, there was a flurry of activity in the bush, as ten other villagers ran out, crouched low with their blades ready. It wasn't the sharp, long knives that were so intimidating, or the villagers' strong, taut bodies; it was their eyes. They reflected no fear, as if this was just another task to perform, like cutting down coconuts, with no particular interest, but with deadly efficiency. There is a feeling of finality when eyes of these kinds meet; you know the talking is over, and the next move will be a fatal one . . . for somebody.

The soldiers stood motionless, as the confidence visibly drained from their faces, knowing that the slightest move would unleash a blood bath. I smiled, because I knew exactly what these cowards would do. They were interested only in the reward, this was not something they truly believed in, and as such, were not willing to risk their lives for.

The tension increased when Conqueror slowly walked out of the forest toward the two warriors with blood spackled on his front hoofs. The two looked at Conqueror, then back at the villagers, and ever so slowly and carefully sheathed their swords. Without a word, they mounted their horses and rode off.

After the villagers silently bowed to us and melted back into the forest, I said to a John, "Why didn't you let me kill them? They will just be back to try again."

"You are now seeking the key," he said, "and as a key seeker, it will be far better that you are killed than to kill. Please believe me in this and trust my guidance."

"Let me explain what is going on here," I insisted.

He smiled his infectious smile, but held his hand up, "Not necessary," he said, "that is that and this is this, and now we go on!"

He seemed to be completely unconcerned with danger as if it wasn't important, and as we continued walking along as if nothing had happened, a John said, "Now, since you are officially a key seeker, don't think you can relax and sit around. You will be working harder than you have ever worked in your life because it is now your duty to refine your mind and make yourself worthy of the respect and support of these generous villagers. This hard work will be internal, involving observations of the mind, not external, as is work in the world where we merely use the mind. It is called the inner work and will be your chief occupation as a key seeker. An outsider, who sees you sitting in the forest, practicing the inner work, will think you are merely sitting there doing nothing, but internally; you are sharpening your weapons and preparing yourself to face the Dragon of Atta. Don't be fooled, this work will be the most difficult thing you have ever attempted, but if done properly and for some time, it will assure you of your key."

It sounded easy, sitting around in the forest. However, I was beginning to trust a John, and when he said that something would be difficult; I was inclined to believe him.

"Villagers are busy with family life and have little time to practice the inner work, so they rely on us to reveal the spiritual world that we discover, and then connect it to their lives. They know that those inclined toward the inner work and actively practice it are trustworthy, and the villagers look up to them as examples of sincere commitment toward higher ideals. Surprisingly enough, however, some exceptionally gifted villagers have actually found the key while fulfilling the responsibities of family life! You can never know by looking at poor farmers toiling in the rice fields how advanced they might be. Everything depends on their past life experiences and their goals in this life. Never trust outward appearances, what is inside is the only thing that counts."

As we walked past a village, the little man pointed and said, "We will go there tomorrow morning at exactly sunrise, when the people who just rescued us will be waiting to offer us food."

These villagers became acquainted with a John as he came and went on his journeys, developing a special affection for him over the years and always looking up to him as an example of goodness and honesty - and apparently protecting him.

"You had better behave yourself if you are going to follow the demanding code of a key seeker," cautioned a John. "Keep in mind that if you agree to this very strict discipline, you will find your key much faster, but remember, the rules are always voluntary, and you may walk away at any time."

"I'm ready to give it a try!" I exclaimed, not knowing what I was getting myself into. He began by simply stressing the importance of associating with only like-minded people and living with fellow key seekers during this beginning phase of the quest. He warned that continual contact with those of limited spiritual consciousness; those shackled to the narrow interests of worldly pleasures, will impede progress. Then he mentioned a few of the two hundred and twenty seven rules that key seekers keep: I couldn't steal, kill (not only humans but animals and insects as well!), indulge in sexual activities, lie, or drink wine. I could not touch gold, silver, or a woman! I was not allowed to eat more than once a day (and it had to be before noon), and I could only eat food that we had begged for that morning; I wasn't allowed to save or store food up, and when I did eat, it had to be quickly, not leisurely.

A John claimed that this life of dependency and discipline was necessary in order to calm the passions; passions that can blind one so severely that the key can never be found. He promised that once I found the key and became as key "keeper" rather than a key "seeker," I could then throw out the rules and go back into the world doing as I pleased, for my actions would then be naturally virtuous. The rules at that point would simply be reflections of how a key keeper naturally lives his life.

No regimen would be required because the world would no longer have the power to influence his or her mind, and therefore everything could be welcomed. He claimed that since nothing adheres to the mind of those who find the key, no injury is possible to anybody or anything that encounters them. It's all reflected back, with nothing grasped and nothing rejected as if the mind was a great mirror. There would be no attachment and no aversion, as the key keeper makes simple arrangements for the body's requirements - working when necessary, eating when hungry, sleeping when tired and following his heart. When he had mentioned that I should only associate with like-minded people and live with fellow key seekers during this beginning phase of my quest, it made me realize that I actually did feel more comfortable with him than with Maradin and her fiancé, and I could readily understand that the company one kept was truly indicative of one's motives.

"I renounce everything for the key!" I announced. "I have already abandoned more than most men would accumulate in a thousand lifetimes, so this is no frivolous pastime for me. I thirst for the happiness this key promises and I will make any sacrifice necessary."

Conqueror looked back into the forest. I knew him well enough to know that every move he made meant something. Danger was afoot, and I could not stay with a John much longer; I was only jeopardizing his life. (To be continued)