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- The Key (A Fairytale) - Chapter 4: Nothing Left To Lose (Part 3) - by Submitted on May 06, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockJust 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 ...
Views: 745 - The Key (A Fairytale) - Chapter 4: Nothing Left To Lose (Part 6) - by Submitted on May 14, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockI found the dog lying almost dead near the path. A crossbow arrow, a type not used by the villagers, had silenced him. Somebody was after me, and apparently wanted the bounty all for himself. My instincts told me to slowly back away and move toward the denser part of the forest, but just as I ...
Views: 799 - The Key (A Fairytale) - Chapter 4: Nothing Left To Lose (Part 7) - by Submitted on May 19, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockI thought you were going to the community," a John said, his eyebrows Raised. "Yes, yes, I am on my way," Moosawa stammered, looking surprised. "But isn't it in the other direction," a John inquired." "Of course, I should have known that," said Moosawa. A John tried to ease the key seekers ...
Views: 717 - The Key (A Fairytale) - Chapter 5: Fertile Soil (Part 1) - by Submitted on May 19, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThe auspicious night finally arrived, accompanied by a brilliant moon playing in a deep, black sky that was busily spewing out its myriad diamonds. A silvery-white glow suffused the entire forest as we made our way to the meadow under this immense canopy of stars, and only the bubbling of a ...
Views: 750 - The Key (A Fairytale) - Chapter 6: Skeletons and Snakes (Part 1) - by Submitted on May 26, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWe made our way through a peaceful countryside where we were always given the utmost courtesy and respect from the villagers. There were many days; however, when we didn't run across any villages and were forced to fast (a John was very strict about not picking and eating fruits and coconuts, or ...
Views: 773 - The Key (A Fairytale) - Chapter 6: Skeletons and Snakes (Part 3) - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockMy breathing became labored, and as the poison worked its way into my heart, I wished that I had begun my quest when I was much younger, before the wars. I also wished I had paid more attention to the robed man who warned me to sweep the path! When key seekers speak, it is never for conversation ...
Views: 766 - The Key (A Fairytale) - Chapter 7: A Step Above Oblivion (Part 1) - by Submitted on Jun 02, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock"In the moments before death," a John began, "your whole life will flash before you and you will be able to see each separate moment simultaneously, noticing where you did well and where there is room for improvement. The reason that this only takes a fraction of a moment, which is a complete ...
Views: 963 - The Key (A Fairytale) - Chapter 7: A Step Above Oblivion (Part 4) - by Submitted on Jun 11, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThis I didn't want to hear. But knowing that it was best to follow a John's advice, I made my way to the cliff and carefully peered over the edge staying as far back as I could. There, one hundred feet below were teeth-like jagged rocks that would impale anyone unfortunate enough to fall from ...
Views: 789 - The Key (A Fairytale) - The Final Chapter (Part 2) A Promise To Keep - by Submitted on Aug 24, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock"Trying to change this ‘I thought' requires trying to change something very ingrained," cautioned Weepasa. "It involves the destruction of ‘ourselves' because this ‘I', this ‘Me' is mixed up with our every thought and emotion. We can never put aside this ‘I' thought ...
Views: 860 - The Key (A Fairytale) - The Final Chapter (Part 3) A Promise To Keep - by Submitted on Aug 26, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock"What now, my ‘king,'" he greeted me sarcastically, his face expressing his obvious exasperation. "I have been experiencing unusual wisdom, and wondered what I should do?" "The wisdom you have experienced and are now telling me about is dead and gone. Do you see that? The truth can only ...
Views: 847 - The Key (A Fairytale) - The Final Chapter (Part 4) A Promise To Keep - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockI resignedly went back to my training, somewhat relieved, but in my heart, I knew this whole episode with Weepasa was simply my mind trying to squirm out of the inevitable – the constant mindfulness he insisted would be required. In time, I was able to see that these questions were not ...
Views: 847 - The Key (A Fairytale) - The Final Chapter (Part 5) A Promise To Keep - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockSuddenly, I found myself in a mist, and through the mist, I dimly made out what appeared to be a cave. As I moved closer, my perfected insight revealed exactly what it was – the den of the Great Dragon of Atta. Three of the dragon's guards lie dead and decomposing at the entrance, obviously ...
Views: 958 - The Key (A Fairytale) - The Final Chapter (Part 6) A Promise To Keep - by Submitted on Aug 31, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockOne evening on the outskirts of the Kingdom of Ayatana, an old man in rags with one eye, leading a lame white horse, came upon an old beggar who lay dying by the side of the road. The old man gently sat the beggar up, and holding him up in his arms, gave him some water. But the beggar could not ...
Views: 818 - The Key (A Fairytale) - The Final Chapter: A Promise To Keep (Part 1) - by Submitted on Aug 22, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock"What is troubling my great king now," Weepasa inquired with a disinterested look on his face, as he carefully peeled a mango. "There are many things I have learned throughout my travels, but some of my questions have never been answered," I complained, "and they are now a constant burden." ...
Views: 938 - The Key (A Fairytale) Blue Shadows - Chapter 8: (Part 1) - by Submitted on Jun 15, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThis group of men had become my family, and leaving them was difficult. I went through the motions of following the schedule for the next few days, but halfheartedly, faced with the reality of striking out on my own again with Conqueror, my solitary companion, and once more following a restless ...
Views: 790 - The Key (A Fairytale) Blue Shadows — Chapter 8: (Part 2) - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock"Surface happiness comes and goes," A John continued, "no different than breathing in and breathing out. We cannot breathe in always, we must eventually breathe out. The deeper happiness, however, is constant. If we are continuously lost in the surface happiness, and the temporary pleasure it ...
Views: 789 - The Key (A Fairytale) Chapter 13 - When The Dust Blows Away? (Part 4) - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockI threw myself into my practice of investigation, and did exactly as Weeja instructed, alternating between the Calms and Investigation for the next two months, but I was having problems. I investigated my body and mind tirelessly by observing the various contacts with my senses, then I watched ...
Views: 856 - The Key (A Fairytale) Chapter 13 — When The Dust Blows Away? (Part 1) - by Submitted on Aug 03, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWe walked across great plains and countless farm fields framed against pristine days of clear morning skies, yellow-white days and nights filled with endless stars. Eventually the plains gave way to forests, and as we continued our trek, we soon could see the tangled jungle ahead. Before long, ...
Views: 803 - The Key (A Fairytale) Chapter 13 — When The Dust Blows Away? (Part 2) - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThe routine in the community was delightful, and I immediately felt comfortable with these men and their shaved heads. Conqueror roamed freely among the key seekers who took an immediate liking to the crippled, old horse, spoiling him with rice and honey cakes they saved from their meals, which ...
Views: 871 - The Key (A Fairytale) Chapter 13 — When The Dust Blows Away? (Part 3) - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWeeja apparently felt that he was making a crucial point as he repeated it to make certain we understood: " Contact is that instant when a sound touches my ear or a sight touches my eye. This contact lasts but an instant because right after the moment of contact, a feeling arises; desire, ...
Views: 855 - The Key (A Fairytale) Chapter 13 — When The Dust Blows Away? (Part 5) - by Submitted on Aug 12, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock"Everybody knows that you are here," he said, putting up a good front. "Killing me will do you no good." Expressing no emotion, I calmly asked, "Why would I want to kill you?" "You know why. You are a threat to the king and I know that you are here," he haughtily replied. "But I am the ...
Views: 906 - The Key (A Fairytale) Chapter 14 - Seven Days (Part 2) - by Submitted on Aug 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockFinally, I knew that I couldn't jump and reluctantly made my way back to the old man's room and stood there in front of everybody, pathetically defeated. Weepasa laughed heartily, "Well, you actually do have some wisdom to go along with your tiny bit of compassion. Good! You cannot train with ...
Views: 884 - The Key (A Fairytale) Chapter 14 — Seven Days (Part 1) - by Submitted on Aug 15, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockConqueror, my mystical horse, was not getting any younger. He had lived well beyond a normal lifespan and I wondered how many trips he could still make. Was that old, robed man, who brought an enchanted colt to the Kingdom of Ayatana those many years ago, the sorcerer? Of course, he was, and he ...
Views: 853 - The Key (A Fairytale) Chapter 14 — Seven Days (Part 3) - by Submitted on Aug 19, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWhen I entered Weepasa's room the next morning, he asked me to sit down and immediately began talking about insight, "Insight results from a concentrated mind that is aware of everything it comes in contact with, but it clings to nothing. Insight is not a focused concentration centered the ...
Views: 897 - The Key (A Fairytale) Chapter 14 — Seven Days (Part 4) - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock"There is only one way that my training can be taken to heart," Weepasa warned, "and that is if mindfulness is uninterrupted each wakeful moment of each day. Do you understand what I have just said? Each wakeful moment of the day! Initially you will feel lost and confused because when your mind ...
Views: 869 - The Key (A Fairytale) Goodbye, My Son - Chapter 11: (Part 1) - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockConqueror limped stiffly but was always eager to begin a new journey, loving the spontaneity of adventure as much as I did. Occasional wafts of warm air greeted us as we made our way down the mountain persuading me to take off my fur wrap and tie it to the horse. I wasn't sure where we were ...
Views: 832 - The Key (A Fairytale) Goodbye, My Son - Chapter 11: (Part 3) - by Submitted on Jul 21, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWe walked from village to village for two years, and eventually reached a thriving village at the foot of a high, snow-capped mountain. According to my water-stained map, this village was only a few kilometers from the mysterious cave. I located the village elder and told him of my intentions ...
Views: 809 - The Key (A Fairytale) Goodbye, My Son — Chapter 11: (Part 2) - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockConqueror and I remained at our vantage point in the foothills until the weather exhausted itself. With the floods beginning to melt into the countryside, and with no signs of my enemies from the north, our journey to the far country and the cave resumed as we headed for lower ground. Each ...
Views: 721 - The Key (A Fairytale) Goodbye, My Son — Chapter 11: (Part 4) - by Submitted on Jul 26, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockMiraculously, I was still alive when I woke up, having slept well. I lit my lamp to see what the monster was up to, and could see the beast slowly licking some tiger bones. It was carefully watching me out of the corner of its eye, and it was perplexed. Last night brought up things that were ...
Views: 803 - The Key (A Fairytale) Goodbye, My Son — Chapter 11: (Part 5) - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockAt that exact moment, a young couple from the village was coincidently walking down the path with some food they had prepared for me. When they saw me emerge from the cave with this creature from hell, they were understandably horrified and dove into the bushes, as they had never seen such a ...
Views: 853 - The Key (A Fairytale) Only A Mild Interest- Chapter 10: (Part 3) - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockI turned around and walked slowly to the stables. Conqueror knew that it was time to once again leave. We just began walking down the mountain when a soldier appeared without warning and raised his crossbow. The great horse saw him before I did and began running as I swung on to Conqueror's ...
Views: 743 - The Key (A Fairytale) Only A Mild Interest— Chapter 10: (Part 1) - by Submitted on Jul 05, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockSahmad began the secret instructions, "Close your eye and pay close attention so that you can precisely remember these directions. They are complicated but essential, and any deviation could prove disastrous. And remeber; opening the centers should be done every time you begin your inner work. ...
Views: 815 - The Key (A Fairytale) Only A Mild Interest— Chapter 10: (Part 2) - by Submitted on Jul 09, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockSahmad dispatched one of his attendants to summon a physician, while another stayed behind as an interpreter. Sahmad then instructed me to lie down, and he lit two large cones of incense, carefully placing them on my bare chest. He told me to concentrate on the pain that would soon come, as the ...
Views: 786 - The Key (A Fairytale) Unexpected Surprises — Chapter 12: (Part 1) - by Submitted on Jul 31, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockI was quiet for a moment so that the man, so self-assured and strong willed and not accustomed to acknowledging the need for help, could reflect on his admissions. I then said, "There are some who must move on, and others who are afraid to move, as our attempted escapes enslave us either way. ...
Views: 736 - The Key (A Fairytale) Unexpected Surprises — Chapter 12: (Part 2) - by Submitted on Aug 02, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockAs the man slowly walked away, I faced my own future as well, and I entered the subdued and inviting cave; I had a lot of work to do. I was already adept at the Four Material Calms of - applied and sustained concentration, rapture, equanimity and bliss, and equanimity and mindfulness – but I ...
Views: 736 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 1: One More Journey (Part 1) - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThe sound of pacing reverberated throughout the high spire, echoing along the halls of the upper chambers. I stopped pacing long enough to gaze longingly at the valley below, slowly, from one end to the other, this precious kingdom that would be mine someday. Everyone looked small and ...
Views: 691 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 1: One More Journey (Part 2) - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockMy father timidly put his hand on my shoulder. "I am sorry that I have not been able to make you happy, Son. I have tried. Lord I have tried." He looked into my eyes searching for some kind of recognition, but I gave him none. "It's just that since your mother died," he continued, "I have been ...
Views: 847 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 1: One More Journey (Part 3) - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockMy first stop was the coliseum where the king's army was training. These were hardened, career soldiers, all experienced in killing and tough as nails. I dismounted and walked deliberately up to the commander of all the forces. He was the strongest and most feared, and he was sharp as well, and ...
Views: 727 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 1: One More Journey (Part 4) - by Submitted on Apr 08, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockMy campaign rained death and destruction upon the realm for fourteen long years. I was a young man when I first led my troops into battle, but now I was a seasoned warrior, feared throughout the land, and although the war had cost me an eye, and countless friends including my general, victory ...
Views: 719 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 1: One More Journey (Part 5) - by Submitted on Apr 10, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockHe guided me down the narrow, winding stairs into the bowels of the abysmal caverns where rats ran freely and the stone floors were awash with slime. Coughing and moaning oozed from hidden chambers as we made our way through this hell that could only be described as the most horrendous nightmare ...
Views: 773 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 2: Ariya (Part 1) - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockNo friendly moon was there to light this unfamiliar path; only a pitch-black night, so dark and foreboding that I could not see my hand in front of my face. Even Conqueror's sharp eyes soon lost the trail, forcing me to dismount and wrestle through heavy, wet vines, and walk on tangled roots and ...
Views: 1205 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 2: Ariya (Part 2) - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockA tremendous exhilaration began rising inside of me, as I watched Ariya disappear into the treetops. All of my unanswered questions now faded into the background. The appearance of this mystical being, whatever she was, liberated me to the point that I was ready to forge ahead with reckless ...
Views: 1096 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 2: Ariya (Part 3) - by Submitted on Apr 16, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockMy admiration for Ariya was growing; this diminutive being that took me under her wing. And as I listened to her strange voice that appeared in my mind, her words became even stranger. She said that some believe that when life ends, there is nothing, just an unconscious, eternal sleep. Others ...
Views: 1130 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 2: Ariya (Part 4) - by Submitted on Apr 18, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockA few weeks passed by with no further sign of Ariya, as I continued this strange quest for a mystical key. I didn't know where I was going, or perhaps I did. At any rate, one morning while I was wading through a flooded area after a heavy thunderstorm, I found myself sinking. The more I ...
Views: 849 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 2: Ariya (Part 5) - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWeeks drifted by with no sign of Ariya, or anybody else for that matter, but the silence was eerie, compelling me to look over my shoulder more often now. I was back where my enemies might find me, and my life was definitely in grave danger. They knew that I was still alive. One morning just ...
Views: 833 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 3: Broken Wings (Part 1) - by Submitted on Apr 20, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockSeveral weeks after the meeting with Ariya, we were making our way across a meadow when we unexpectedly ran across the most charming yellow cottage one could imagine. Nestled in the wood line behind a gorgeous flower garden with carefully tended vegetable patches on both sides, the cottage ...
Views: 809 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 3: Broken Wings (Part 4) - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockConqueror was lying motionless next to the black horse. I saw immediatelty that their injuries would eventually prove fatal, but only after many long days of agony . . . and I could never let that happen. I retrieved the fiance's knife, as the black horse continued to struggle trying to get up ...
Views: 802 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 3: Broken Wings (Part 5) - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock"What do you mean, ‘mistaken identity?' Was Maradin lying about who she was?" "In an indirect way, yes, she was lying without knowing it. You see; it was not Maradin that you were in love with; the real object of your affection was something deep inside of her cleverly disguised as Maradin. ...
Views: 779 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 3: Broken Wings (Part 6) - by Submitted on May 01, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock"Now King, I'll ease your curiosity a bit. Listen closely. The Great Weapons you will master through this inner work are three: A concentrated mind, an investigative mind, and an insightful mind. Concentration is your sword. Investigation is the skill of wielding the sword. Insight is the ...
Views: 756 - The Key (A Fairytale) — Chapter 4: Nothing Left To Lose (Part 2) - by Submitted on May 03, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock. . . And so began a ten-year friendship with this little man and his constant grin, as we wandered the forest together in search of the elusive key. "I know where to find plants and insects to eat," I said, trying to be helpful. A John shook his head in disagreement, "Those who are ...
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