TheworksofJamesRedfield
TheCelestineProphecyTheCelestineProphecy:AnExperientialGuide(withCarolAdrienne)TheTenthInsight:HoldingtheVisionTheTenthInsight:AnExperientialGuide(withCarolAdrienne)TheCelestineVision:LivingtheNewSpiritualAwarenessTheSecretofShambhala:InSearchoftheEleventhInsightGodandtheEvolvingUniverse:TheNextStepinPersonalEvolution(withSylviaTimbersandMichaelMurphy)TheTwelfthInsight:TheHourofDecision
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedbyanypersonorentity,includinginternetsearchenginesorretailers,inanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingprinting,photocopying(exceptunderthestatutoryexceptionsprovisionsoftheAustralianCopyrightAct1968),recording,scanningorbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystemwithoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofRandomHouseAustralia.Anyunauthoriseddistributionoruseofthistextmaybeadirectinfringementoftheauthor’sandpublisher’srightsandthoseresponsiblemaybeliableinlawaccordingly.
TheTwelfthInsight
ePubISBN9781864711684KindleISBN9781864711707
ABantambookPublishedbyRandomHouseAustraliaPtyLtdLevel3,100PacificHighway,NorthSydneyNSW2060www.randomhouse.com.au
FirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesbyGrandCentralPublishing,adivisionofHachetteBookGroup,Inc.in2011ThiseditionpublishedinAustraliabyBantamin2011
Copyright©JamesRedfield2011
Themoralrightoftheauthorhasbeenasserted.
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedbyanypersonorentity,includinginternetsearchenginesorretailers,inanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying(exceptunderthestatutoryexceptionsprovisionsoftheAustralianCopyrightAct1968),recording,scanningorbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystemwithoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofRandomHouseAustralia.
AddressesforcompanieswithintheRandomHouseGroupcanbefoundatwww.randomhouse.com.au/offices
NationalLibraryofAustraliaCataloguing-in-PublicationEntry
Redfield,JamesThetwelfthinsight
ISBN9781864711684(pbk)
SpirituallifeSelf-actualisation(Psychology)
813.54
CoverdesignbyScott&Nix
ForKaelynnandMckenna
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’mingratitudeformanypeoplewhoinsomewaycontributedtothisbook.Firstandforemost,Iwouldliketothankthemanyindividualsworldwide,existingacrossallreligions,whokeeptheideaofanauthenticspiritualconsciousnessaliveandthriving.Itisyourquietfortitudethatisliterallysavingtheday.
Also,specialmentiongoestoLarryDosseyforhisbookThePowerofPremonitions.Hesomehowalwaysproducesalandmarkworkjustwhenitistimetopopularizeastepforwardinhumanawareness.ThankstoDr.RussellBlaylock,wholeadsthefightagainstdangerouschemicaladditivesinourfood.AndMichaelMurphy,whoholdsthespaceforsomanywhoseektobridgethegreathumandividesofourtime:firsttheColdWar,andnowReligiousandCulturalIntolerance.AlsoI’dliketoacknowledgetheworkofCarlJohanCallemanandJohnMajorJenkinsconcerningtheMayanCalendar.AndasincerethanksgoestoPhilCousineauforhisbrilliantanalysisofcomparativereligiousthought.
Closertohome,ImustsaymanythankstoLarryKirshbaum,andmypublisherJamieRaab,whograspedthevisionandhelpedtoshapeitsideas;tothemanypeopleatGrandCentralPublishingwhohelpturnamanuscriptintoabook;toKellyLeavitt,whoseartfuleyealwaystracksforimpactandcomprehension;toAlbertClaytonGaulden,forhiscosmologicaltiming;andtoLarryMiller,whosemanyconversationshavesparkedmythinking.Also,thankstoSteveMaraboli,whoseBetterTodaycommunityisaprimeexampleoftheemergingTwelfthInsight.
Mostofall,I’dliketoexpressgratitudeandlovetomywife,Salle,whosesupportanddeepinsightnurturedmyspiritalongtheway.
CONTENTS
CoverTheworksofJamesRedfield
TitlePageCopyrightImprintPageDedication
AcknowledgementsEpigraph
SUSTAININGSYNCHRONICITY
CONSCIOUSCONVERSATION
MOVINGINTOALIGNMENT
RECOGNIZINGIDEOLOGY
THEGODCONNECTION
THEGREATCOMMISSIONING
THEARTOFTUNINGIN
THEONENESSINTENTION
OPENINGTOPERCEPTION
WHATHEAVENKNOWS
THERISETOINFLUENCE
THERETURN
EPILOGUE
Visitcelestinevision.comRandomHouse
Inatimeofuniversaldeceit,truth-tellingbecomesarevolutionaryact.
—GEORGEORWELL
SUSTAININGSYNCHRONICITY
Iturnedontothefreewayandhitcruisecontrol,tryingtoeaseupabit.TherewasplentyoftimetomeetWilattheairport.SoIforcedmyselftorelaxandtakeintheautumnsunshineandtherollingsouthernhills.Nottomentiontheflocksofcrowsslinkingalongtheshouldersofthehighway.
Thecrows,Iknew,wereagoodsign,evenifIhadbeenbattlingwiththemallsummer.Infolklore,theirpresenceindicatesmysteryandanimpendingrendezvouswithone’sowndestiny.Somesaytheywillevenleadyoutosuchamoment,ifyouchancetofollowthemlongenough.
Unfortunately,theywillalsoshowupintheearlymorningstoeattheyoungpeaplantsinyourbackyardgarden—unless,ofcourse,youmakeadeal.Theylaughatscarecrowsandshotguns.Butifyougivethemtheirownrowofplantsneartheforest,theywilltendtoleavetherestalone.
Justthen,asinglecrowflewoverthecarandoutinfrontofme.ThenturnedcompletelyaroundandheadedbackthewayI’dcome.Itriedtofollowitintherearviewmirror,butallIcouldseewasadarkblueSUVaboutahundredyardsback.
Thinkingnothingofthevehicle,Icontinuedtowatchthescenery,takinginadeepbreathandhittinganotherlevelofrelaxation.Aroadtrip,Ithought,nothinglikeit.Iwonderedhowmanypeople,inhowmanyplaces,wereexperiencingthisexactkindofmoment—gettingawayfromthestressofanunsureworld,justtoseewhatmighthappen.
Only,inmycase,Iwasalsolookingforsomething.Formonthsnow,Ihadbeenrunningintototalstrangersalltalkingaboutthesamething:thesecretreleaseofanold,unnamedDocument.Supposedly,ithadcomefromacoalitionrepresentingtheworld’sreligioustraditions,andwordofitwasalreadywidespread,atleastamongthosewithanearforsuchthings.Yetnooneseemedtohaveanydetails.Rumorhaditthatitwasnowbeingreleasedaheadofschedule,outofnecessity.
Forme,therumorswerebothintriguingandslightlyhumorous.Theideaofacoalitionamongthereligioustraditionswashardlynew,butithadalwaysproventobeallbutimpossibleinreality.Thedifferencesinbeliefswerejusttoogreat.Andintheend,eachtraditionwantedtoprevailovertheothers.
Infact,Ihadbeenreadytodismisstherumorswhensomethingelsehadoccurred:IreceivedafaxfromWil.Hesentmetwotranslatedpages,ostensiblyfromthisoldDocument.InthemarginofthefirstpagewasanotationinWil’shandwritingsaying,“ThishasbothHebrewandArabicorigins.”
AsIreadthepages,itseemedtobeatreatmentofmoderntimes,proclaimingthatsomethingimportantwasgoingtobeginintheseconddecadeofthetwenty-firstcentury.Igrimacedatthedate,thinkingitmightbeonemoreend-of-the-worldprophecy—anotherinalonglineofdoomsdaypredictionsmisinterpretingeverythingfromtheMayanCalendartoNostradamustoRevelation.AllshoutingtotheendsoftheEarth:“Haven’tyouheard,theworldisendingin2012!”
Foryearsnow,themediahadbeenpushingthe“endtimes”scenario,andpeople,thoughworried,alsoseemeddeeplyintrigued.Thebigquestionwaswhy?Whatcouldbecausingthisfascination?IsitjusttheexcitementoverbeingaliveattheprecisetimetheMayanCalendarisscheduledtoend?Orwasitsomethingelse?Maybe,justmaybe,ourfascinationwiththeendrevealedalatentintuition,increasinglynoticeable,thatsomethingbetterwasabouttobeborn.
ThemoreIreadofWil’sfax,themorethepagesbegantocarryakindofnuminousattraction.Thestylewasupbeatandvaguelyfamiliarinsomeway,andtheauthentictonewasconfirmedwhenIsawasecondnotationfromWilonthelastpage.“Thiscamefromafriend,”hehadscribbled.“It’sforreal.”
Ilookedoverattheverysamefaxpageslyingonthepassengerseatbesideme.Lightfromtheafternoonsunflickeredoverthem.Wil’swrittencomment,Iknew,meantthattheoriginalwas,atleastinhismind,wellfounded—andprobablyextendedthemessageofwhathadalwaysbeenhissingularobsession:theoldCelestineProphecythathadbeendiscoveredinPeru.
ThethoughtspawnedafloodofmemoriesasIrecalledhowquicklywordoftheFirstNineInsightsofthisProphecyhadcirculatedaroundtheplanet.Why?Becausetheymadesenseinaworldtooshallowandmaterialistic.ThemessageofthisProphecywasclear.Beingspiritualismorethanmerelybelievinginsomedeityintheabstract.Itentailsthediscoveryofanother,entirelydifferentdimensionoflife,onethatoperatessolelyinaspiritualmanner.
Onceonemakesthisdiscovery,onerealizestheuniverseisfilledwithallsortsoffortuitousencounters,intuitions,andmysteriouscoincidences,allpointingtoahigherpurposebehindourlives,andinfact,behindallofhumanhistory.Theonlyquestion,then,fortheseekerwhowakesuptothisrealityishowdoesthismysteriousworldreallyoperate,andhowdoesonebegintoengageitssecrets.
Inthosedays,Iknew,somethinghadpoppedinhumanconsciousnessandhadleddirectlytotwomoreInsights:aTenthandEleventh.TheTenthdelvedintothemysteryoftheAfterlifeandchronicledadecadelongfocusonHeavenanditsinhabitants,foreverdispelling,alongtheway,anage-oldrepressionofdeathandwhathappensafterward.Oncethatblockwaslifted,anexplorationofeverythingspiritualseemedtobegin.
QuicklycamethenextInsight:theEleventh,bornofacollectiveknowingthatweareallheretoparticipateinsomeasyetundefinedagenda—aPlanofsomekind.Itinvolvedthediscoveryofhowtomanifestourdeepestdreamsandtolifttheworldtoitsideal.Intheyearsthatfollowed,thisintuitiongrewintoallsortsoftheoriesaboutSecretsandPrayerPowerandLawsofAttraction,theoriesthatseemedrightbutnotquitecomplete.
Thosetheories,Iknew,broughtusuptorecenttimesandlasteduntilthematerialbottomfelloutfromunderallofus—intheformofaworldwidefinancialcollapse.Afterthat,wefacedmoreimmediatematters,suchaspersonalsolvencyandnotlettingthedoomsayerstakeustoofarintofear.Wewerestillawake,andwestillwantedmorespiritualanswers.Butfromthenon,thoseanswershadtobepracticalaswell.Theyhadtoworkintherealworld,nomatterhowmysteriousthatworldturnedouttobe.
Ifeltasmilecomingup….HowinterestingthatWilhadfoundthesewritingsnow.HehadlongpredictedtheemergenceofanotherInsight,theTwelfth—whichhefeltwouldsignalafinalrevelationforhumanity,pickingupwheretheEleventhhadleftoff.Iwondered,wouldtheTwelfthfinallyshowushowto“live”thisspiritualknowledgeatagreaterlevel?Wouldthischangebegintousherinthisnew,moreidealworldweseemedtosensewascoming?
Iknewwewouldhavetowaitandsee.WilhadsaidonlytomeethimattheairportandfromtherewewouldheadtoCairo,ifitworkedout.Ifitworkedout?Whatdidhemeanbythat?
Adeerdashingacrossthefreewaybrokemyrumination,andItappedthebrakestoslowdown.Thebigdoeranfullspeedacrosssixlanesandjumpedthefenceontheotherside.Adeerwasalsoagoodsign,asymbolofattentionandalertness.
AsIlookedoutatthehillsthen,theirfallcolorsnowbathedinthelightofanamber-tintedsunset,IrealizedIfeltexactlythatway:morealertandalive.Allthesethoughtshadsomehowinducedagreaterenergylevelinme,liftingmetoaplacewhereIwasattendingtoeverydetail—thesunset,thelandscape
whizzingby,thethoughtsenteringmymind—asthougheverythingwassuddenlymoreimportantsomehow.Anotherhugesmilespontaneouslyerupted.ThiswasastateofmindI’dexperiencedmanytimes
before.Andeverytimeithappened,itcaughtmetotallybysurprise—surpriseinonewayoveritssuddenoccurrence,andinanotherwayoverwhyIhadeverlostitinthefirstplace,itseemedsorightandnatural.
Thereweremanynamesforthisexperience—theZone,HeightenedPerception,andmyfavorite,SynchronisticFlow—allnamesseekingtocaptureitscentralcharacteristic:asuddenelevationinone’sexperience,whereinwetranscendtheordinaryandfindahighermeaningintheflowofevents.ThisSynchronisticperception“centers”usinsomewayandfeelsbeyondwhatcouldbeexpectedfrompurechance—asthoughahigher“destiny”isunfolding.
Suddenly,abuildingcomingupontherightcaughtmyeye.ItwasalittlesportsbarcalledthePubthatWilhadpointedoutyearsagoashavinggoodeatsandhomemadepies.Ihadpasseditmanytimesbuthadneverstopped.Plentyoftimenow,Ithought.Whynotgrababitehereandavoidtheairportfood?Itooktheexitandheadeddowntheramp.TheSUVbehindmealsotooktheturn.
Afterparkingunderagiganticoaktreeinthefadinglight,Iwalkedinside,findingtheplacefullofpeople.Couplestalkedaroundthebar,andfamilieswithkidsatecasuallyatsixorseventablesinthemiddleoftheroom.Myeyesimmediatelyfixedontwowomensittingatatableagainstthefarwall.Theywereleaningtowardeachotherandtalkingintensely.AsImademywayinthatdirection,Inoticedasmalltableopenbesidethem.
WhenIsatdown,theyoungerofthetwowomenglancedatmeforamomentandthenturnedbacktoherfriend.
“TheFirstIntegration,”shesaid,“suggeststhere’sawaytokeeptheSynchronicitygoing.ButIdon’thavealloftheDocument.Moreofthesewritingsexistsomewhere.Ihavetofindthem.”
Myenergysurgedagain.WasshetalkingaboutthesameDocument?Thewomanspeakingwaswearingjeansandcomfortablehikingshoes,andaroundherneckwasdrapedamulticoloredscarf.Asshespoke,shekeptpushingherblonde,taperedbangsbehindherears.Icaughtthefaintscentofroseperfume.
AsIwatchedher,Ifeltanoddattraction,whichshockedme.Shelookedaroundinstinctivelyandcaughtmestaring,makingdeepeyecontact.Iquicklyturnedaway.WhenIglancedback,ashort,stockymanwalkeduptohertable,surprisingthetwowomenandcreatingaroundofsmilesandhugs.Thewomanwiththescarfgavehimseveraltypedpages,whichhesilentlyread.IpretendedtolookoverthemenuasIwaited,sensingallthemorethatsomethingimportantwashappening.
“WhyareyougoingtoArizona?”themanasked.“Becauseitkeepscomingtomind,overandoveragain,”shereplied.“Ihavetogowithit.”Ilistenedintently.AllofthepeopleatthetableseemedtobeatthesamelevelofflowthatIwas.“Ihavetounderstandwhymymothercontactedme,”thewomancontinued.“Thesewritingsare
goingtotellme.Iknowit.”“Soyou’releavingrightaway?”themanasked.“Yes,tonight,”shereplied.“Justfollowyourintuition,”themaninterjected.“Synchronicityseemstobehappeningforyou.But
becareful.Whoknowswho’slookingforthisinformation?”Icouldn’tstanditanylonger.Iwasabouttosaysomethingtothemwhenalarge,muscularmanata
tablenearminemumbled,“Whatacrock!”“W-w-what?”Istammered.
Henoddedtowardthewomenandwhispered,“Whatthey’resaying.Whatabunchofbull!”Foramoment,Ididn’tknowhowtorespond.Hewastallandaboutforty-five,withunrulybrown
hairandafrownonhisface,leaningtowardmeinhischair.Heshookhishead.“Thisisgoingtobethedeathofourcivilization,thiskindofmagicalthinking.”Jeez,Ithought,askeptic.Ididn’thavetimeforthis.Hewasreadingmyface.“What?Youagreewiththem?”Ijustlookedaway,tryingtohearwhatthewomanwassaying,buthescootedhischaircloser.“Intuitionisamyth!”hesaidfirmly.“It’sbeendisprovedmanytimes.Thoughtsarejustnervefirings
inthebrainreflectingwhateveryouthinkyouknowaboutyourenvironment.AndDoctorJung’scrapaboutSynchronicityisjusttheactofseeingwhatyouwanttoseeintherandomeventsoftheworld.Iknow.I’mascientist.”
Hegrinnedslightly,seeminglypleasedthatheknewtheoriginofthetheoryofSynchronicity.I,ontheotherhand,wasgettingmoreirritated.
“Look,”Isaid,“I’drathernottalkaboutit.”Iturnedtolistenagainbutitwastoolate.Thewomanandherfriendswereupandwalkingtoward
thedoor.Theskepticgavemeasmirkandthengotupandwalkedoutaswell.Ithoughtaboutfollowingthembutdecidedagainstit,concernedI’dlooklikeastalkerorsomething.Isatbackdown.Themomenthadbeenlost.
AsIsatthere,IknewtheenergyIhadmarshaledinthecarhadtotallyvanished.Inowfeltflatanduninspired.Ievenpondered,fleetingly,whethertheskepticmightbecorrectinhisassessment,butquicklyshookofftheidea.Toomuchhadoccurredinmylifeformetobelievethatnow.Morelikely,whatIthoughthadhappened,hadhappened.IwasonthevergeoffindingoutmoreabouttheDocumentwhenIwasbushwhackedbythebaneofmylife:askepticouttodebunkeverythingspiritual.
ImighthavegoneoninmyfunkhadInotsuddenlynoticedanindividualstaringatmefromthecorneroftheroomnearthedoor.Hewasdressedinabrownleatherjacketandhadshorthair.Apairofsunglasseshungfromhisshirtpocket.Whenoureyesmet,hesteppedbehindagroupofpeoplebunchedupatthebar.
Carefully,Ilookedaroundtheroomandcaughttwomorepeoplelookingatme,alldressedinvaryingcasualattirebutsportingthesamemonotonalstare.TheyalsolookedawaywhenIsawthem.
Great,Ithought.Thesewereprofessionaloperativesofsomekind.Igotupandeasedtowardtherestroom.Noneofthemreacted.Walkingpastitdownasmallhallway,IfoundwhatIwashopingfor,abackdoor.Iwalkedouttothepoorlylitparkinglot,seeingnoone.Then,asIgotclosertomyvehicle,afigureduckedbehindapaneltruck.WhenIstartedwalkingagain,thepersonbegantowalkaswell,anglingtocutmeoff.
Istoppedandhestopped,andthenIsawsomethingfamiliarinhisposture.ItwasWil!WhenIgottohim,hepulledmedownandlookedbackatthePub.
“Whatareyouintohere,myfriend?”heaskedinhiscustomaryhalf-humoroustone.“Idon’tknow,”Iblurted.“Isawseveralpeoplewatchingmeinside.Whatareyoudoinghere,Wil?”Inoticedforthefirsttimethathewascarryingalargetrekkingbackpack.Henoddedtowardmyvehicle.“I’lltellyoulater.That’syourCruiser,right?Let’sgetoutofhere.
I’lldrive.”Asweenteredtheautomobile,Ilookedoveratthefarendoftheparkinglotandspottedthewoman
withthescarfstandingwithseveralothers.Shockingly,onewastheskeptic.Iwantedtocontinuewatching,butIsawsomethingbeyondthemthatstartledmeevenmore.The
blueSUVIhadnoticedbehindmeearlierwasparkedahundredfeetaway,nearabackfence.Evenatthisdistance,Icouldseetwomensittinginthefrontseats.
Igrimaced.Ishouldhaveknown.AsIwatchedbehindus,Wildroveustothefreewayandturnednorth.Nooneseemedtobe
following.“WhydidyoucomeheretothePub?”Iaskedagain.“Justahunch,”hesaid.“Ididn’tknowhowelseIcouldfindyou.Ibegantoseepeoplewatchingme,
too,soIdidn’twanttouseacell.Afriendwasdrivingmetotheairport,andIrememberedthisplaceandthoughtyoumighthavestopped.Whenwefoundyourcar,Ihadhimdropmeoff.”
Helookedcloselyatme.“Whataboutyou?Whydidyoudecidetostophere?”“IsawthePubfromthefreewayandrememberedyoupointingitout.Ithoughtitwouldbeagood
placetograbsomefood….”Hesmiledatmeknowingly.WebothknewitwaspureSynchronicity.AsIlookedathim,Inoticed
thathehadagedwellinthepastfewyearssinceIhadseenhim.Thereweremorelinesinhistannedface,buthismovementsandvoicemadehimseemlikeamanmuchyounger.Hiseyesstillsparkledwithalertness.
“TherearemorepeoplelookingforthisdocumentthanIthought,”hemused.“Bettertellmeeverythingthat’shappenedtoyou.”
Aswetravelednorth,Irelayedallofit:theideasthatcametomewhiledriving,theblueSUV,thesuddenflowofSynchronicity,andeverydetailofwhatI’dexperiencedatthepub—especiallythepartwheretheskepticbroughtmedownandthemenwereobservingme.
WhenIfinished,Ididn’twaitforhimtocomment.Iaskedhimaboutthesurveillance.“Idon’tknowwhotheyare,”hesaid.“IstartedtohavethefeelingIwasbeingobservedafewdays
ago.Thenyesterday,Isawoneortwoofthematadistance.They’reverygood.”Inodded,feelingnervous.Iliftedthepagesoftranslationbymylegandasked,“Whosentthisto
you?”“AfriendwholivesinEgypt,”Wilreplied,“oneoftheforemostexpertsinancienttexts.I’veknown
himalongtime,andwhenwetalkedbyphonehesaidit’sunquestionablyauthenticandprobablydatesbacktothefourthorfifthcentury.HewassentonlythefirstpartoftheDocument,alreadytranslated,buthethinksitreferstoourcurrenttimeperiod,justliketheoldProphecydid.”
Weexchangedglances.“There’smore,”Wilcontinued.“TheDocumentsayswe’reinsomekindofaracehere.Myfriend
saidthesefragmentsarepoppingupallovertheworld.Apparently,whoeverisreleasingthisDocumentissendingselectedpartstovariouspeoplewithsomeendinmind.That’sallIknow.MyfriendandIweredisconnectedinthemiddleofthecall.Ihaven’tbeenabletoreachhimsince.”
Mymindwasabuzz.ThewomanIsawatthePubhadapartoftheDocumentandwasgoingtoArizona.ButwhereinArizona?Wassheindanger?Werewe?
Therealityofthesituationwassinkingin.TheDocumentwasfascinating,butwehadjustseenthatsomeoneofficialalsohadaninterestaswell.Weretheytryingtorestrictaccesstoit?Howfarwouldtheygo?Apangoffearrushedthroughme.
“Well,IguessourtriptoEgyptisoff,”Isaid,lookingforhumor.Wilgrinnedforamoment.“Ihadafeelingwemightbegoingsomewhereelse.”Suddenly,helookedhardintotherearviewmirror.BehinduswasanotherSUV,alongwayback.“Ithinkthisone’sfollowingus,”hesaid.
AtthispointWilbeganaseriesofstrategicmoves.First,heaskedtoborrowmysmartphoneandpulledupthemapofthelocalarea,turnedthephoneoff,andpulledoutthebattery.Thenhesloweddown,whichmadetheSUVslowdownaswellinordertokeepitsdistancebehindus.Afteraminute,Willquicklyspedup,amovethatopenedalotmorespacebetweenusandtheSUVandallowedWiltotakethenextexitunseen.
Hetookanimmediaterightontoasmallpavedroad,thenaleftontoagravelroadthatIknewwouldn’thavebeenonthemap.
“Howdidyouknowaboutthisroad?”Iasked.Heshotmealookbutsaidnothing.Theoldroadwasfullofpotholesandruts,butiteventuallyled
toanotherpavedroadthatinturntookusbacktothefreewayagain,aboutfivemilesfarthernorth.Whenwehittherampitbecameclearthatthefreewaybehinduswascompletelybackedup.Wecouldseebluelightsandafiretruckparkedatthepointofcongestion.
Wilspeddowntherampandontowhatwasanalmostemptyroad.Everyoneelsebehindus,includingthoseintheSUV,wascompletelyblocked.
IwasstaringatWil.InthepastIhadseenhimdomanythings,butnothingthisrapid.“Howdidyouknowtomakeallthoseturns?”Iasked.Helookedatmeandaskedinreturn,“HowdidyouknowtostopatthePubsothatwecouldconnect
witheachotherlater?”“Okay,”Iacknowledged.“Intuition.Butwhatyoudidseemedsofast.I’veneverdoneanythinglike
that.”Lightfromtheoncomingcarssweptoverhisface.“I’vebeentalkingtopeoplewhohaveseen
differentpartsofthisDocument.Itdescribesmanyabilitieshumanshaven’tdevelopedyet.That’swhatthisDocumentseemstobeallabout.Eachpartisdevotedtowhatitcallsthe‘Integration’ofspiritualknowledge,anditrefersdirectlytotheinsightsoftheoldProphecy.”
“Waitaminute,”Isaid.“ThatwouldmeantheauthorofthisDocument,whoeveritwas,hadtohaveknownabouttheProphecy,waybackthen.”
“Yeah.”Ithinkit’ssomekindofcompanionpiece,likeaguide.MyfriendsaidthereareelevenpartsofthisDocumentfloatingaroundoutthere,eachdevotedtoaparticularIntegrationofknowledge.AndittalksaboutaTwelfth….”
“ItrevealswhattheTwelfthInsightis?”Iasked.“Apparently,butnooneseemstohavethatpartyet,oratleastnooneistalkingaboutit.The
DocumentsaysthateachIntegrationmustbeactualizdinorder,oneaftertheother,beginningwiththeFirst:learningtosustainSynchronicity.”
Hepausedandlookedatme,adding,“Thathasalwaysbeenaproblem.”Iknewwhathewasgettingat.EveryoneglimpsesSynchronicity.Thechallenge,justasinmycase,
wastosustaintheexperienceandkeeptheflowgoing.OfallthedifficultieswithSynchronicity,thiswastheonemostpeoplevoiced.Synchronisticexperienceseemedtocomeintoourlivesalmostasatease,stayawhile,andthenend.
Turningaround,Igazedbehindusagaintochecktheroad,findingitstillclear.Iremainednervous.“I’mnotsureIwanttogetinvolvedwiththisDocument,Wil.Itmaybetoodangerous.”Henodded.“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”“Iwanttogotoapolicestationandgetthesepeopleoffofus.MaybeIcanhelpgetthewordout
afterthecontentsareknown.”“Whatifthatdoesn’thappen?AndtheTwelfthisneverfound?”Ilookedathimandsmiled.We’dbeenthoughalotinthepast,andWilhadneversteeredmewrong.
Iwantedtohearwhathehadtosay.“Look,”hecontinued.“Allthatwe’vediscovered,thewholesearchforthetruthaboutspiritual
experience,itmaybecomingdowntothismoment.Youdecide,butatleastletmetellyouwhat’satstake.”
Wilslowedthecarandexitedthefreeway,sayinghewantedtoconcentrate.Henoticedalittlesideroadjustofftherampandbackedinandturnedthelightsoff.
“TheDocumentspeaksverydirectly,”hebegan.“Itsaysthatduringthecurrentperiodofhistory,theeasymateriallifewillgetharder,withwidespreadfinancialandsocialdisruption.Yetitproclaimsthatallthechallengesareevokinganevengreaterspiritualawakeninginus,wherewecanrealizemanynewabilitiesandperceptions.
“Buteachofushastomakeadecision.Willweembracethisdeeperspirituality,orgointofearandforeboding?Itisachallengeofcourage,butalsoofpracticality.Insomesense,eventsareforcingustoputourbeliefsintoaction.Theonlywaytosurvivethelevelofturmoilwearefacingintheworldistopursuelifeinadifferentway.
“ItsaysthefirstabilitythatwillmanifestisourbeingabletosustainSynchronisticFlow.Whenthemysteriouscoincidencescomemorefrequently,we’lleventuallylearnthatweareguided,evenprotected,fromthedangersofthishistoricalperiod.”
Hepausedandcaughtmyeyeinthedimlight.“There’smore.TheDocumentsaysthatthoseofus,earlyon,whodiscoverhowtosustainthisflowandintegratethisknowledgewillmakeiteasierforotherstoopenuptoitlater,justbecauseoftheinfluencewehave.
“Butontheotherhand,iftoomanyofusfailtomoveforwardinthisregard,theknowledgemightnotbeactualizedatallandcouldbelosttohistory.”
“Itsaysthat?”“Yes,exactlythat.”Hesmiledatmeinasympatheticway.“That’showimportantitis,”hecontinued.“Yetweallhavetomakeourownindividualchoices.”“Tellmemore.”“TheDocumentfocusesontheSynchronisticexperiencefirst,”Wilcontinued,“becauseitisthe
phenomenonthatleadseachofusforward.Ifwemakethisexperiencemoreconsistent,thenwerealizeourlivesaretryingtotakeoffinadestineddirection.Wefeelmorealive.”
Exactly,Ithought.Morealive.I’dusedthatexactexpressionearliertodescribemyownexperience.AndbecauseIhadjustbeenthinkingofthereleaseoftheDocument,IknewthemeetingwasbeyondchancewhenIsawthewomenandheardtheirconversation.Iwasmeanttobetheresomehow.Then,ofcourse,theskepticappearedandtheexperiencewaslost.Icouldfeelmyenergydropevennow,justthinkingaboutit.
Wilseemedtonotice.“WhenweenteraflowofSynchronicity,clarityandalivenessiswhatweget.Whenwefalloutoftheflow,itiswhatwelose.
“Thepointis,wehavetheopportunitynowtofinallyreachahigherclarityaboutnotjustthephenomenonofSynchronicity,butalsoaboutourentirespiritualnature.Andifwedon’t,thenallourfutures,andthefuturesofourchildren,couldgoinanentirelydifferentdirection.”
Hepausedasacarmovedalongtheroadinfrontofus.Itpassedusandseemedtobeofnoconcern.“Sotheideaisthis:wefindthepiecesofthisDocument,oneatatime.Eachpartbuildsuponthe
previousone,sotheyintegrateseamlesslytogether,yieldingbothagreaterunderstandingandahigherconsciousness,andallthesenewabilities.
“TheDocumentsayswhenweintegratealleleven,wegetthefinaldownload:theTwelfth.Afterthat,we’llunderstandnotjustthefullpictureofspiritualityinthislife,butwe’llbeableliveitmostof
thetime.”Anothercarwentby.“Butagain,”Wilcontinued,“theFirstIntegrationgetsthewholethinggoing,becauseitinvolves
learninghowtostayintheflowofSynchronicitythatwillleadusforward.”“WhatdoesitsayaboutstayinginSynchronisticFlow?”Iasked.“Itsaysallwehavetodoislearntoremember.”“Rememberwhat?”“Thatthisflowispossible!Thatitexists!Inthepast,whenyoufirstreadtheInsightsofthe
Prophecy,andwewereallthinkingandtalkingaboutSynchronicity,didn’titseemtohappenalot?Well,thatwasliterallybecausewehadtheexpectationofitinmind.That’sallittakes.Allyouhavetodoisremembertoremember.”
Ihadtothinkaboutthisforamoment.Wasitthatsimple?Earlier,asIwasdrivingtothePub,IcertainlyletgoandbeganthinkingabouttherealityofSynchronicity.Andyes,Isuddenlyfellrightintoit.
“Inpractice,”Wilclarified,“itboilsdowntoconsciouslyexpectingthenextSynchronicitytocome,whichmeansweshouldgointoapostureof‘expectantalertness,’amoodthat’snotthateasyrightnow,becausewealwaysthinkwe’rebehind,withtoomuchtodo.Butstayinginthisstateofalertnesshelpsusimmediately,becauseithastheeffectof‘slowingdown’time.”
Iknewthatwasexactlytrue.Anytimeyouareexpectingsomethingandwantittohurryupandhappen,ittakesforevertoarrive.Timedoesseemtoslowdown.
“Slowingdowntimeisagoodthingrightnow,”headded,“becausesomanyofusfeeloverwhelmedbyproblemscomingatusatlightspeed.Themorewecansloweverythingdown—andwaitonaSynchronisticeventtoshowustheway—theeasierlifeistohandle.
“So,tobegin,wehavetoputastickynoteonthebathroommirror,ortellafriendtocallusfirstthinginthemorning,anythingtoremindourselvestosetupanexpectationforSynchronicityfirstthingeachday.Eventually,itbecomesahabit.Andonceallthemysteriouscoincidencesarehappeningandourdestinyseemstobeunfolding,allthatisleftistostayinthatflow.”
Hepauseddramatically.“Andtodothat,”hewenton,“wehavetolearntocommunicatewhat’sgoingonwithustoothers.”“What?”“ThinkaboutwhathappenswhenwelosetheFlow,”heexplained.“Doesn’titoccurbecausewehit
somesituationwherewehavetointeractwithotherswhoaren’tinaflow,andwhocan’treadilyseethemeaningsweareseeing?Theeffectistoknockusoutofitaltogether.”
Ithoughtaboutwhathappenedtomewiththeskeptic.Itwascertainlytrueinthatcase.“WhenI’mintheflow,”Isaid,“Iusuallytrytogetawayfrommostpeople,sotheycan’tknockme
outofit.”“Iknow,”Wilsaidinamockaccusatorytone.“Areyousaying,”Iasked,“thatIshouldhavetakenthetimetotalkwiththatskeptic,eventhough
that’snotwhatIwantedtodo?”“No,I’msuggestingthatyoushouldhavebeenopenandtruthfulwithhim,maybeaskinghimtowait
aminutewhileyoutalkedtothepeopleatthetable.Hewasneedlingyou,butyoudidn’tloseyourflowbecauseofhim.Youlostitbecauseyoudidn’tfindawaytohonestlycommunicatewhoyouwereandwhatyouweredoing.”
“Idon’tthinkhewasinterestedinhearinganythingfromme.”“You’remissingthepoint.I’mnottellingyoutodefendyourselfortoconvincehimofanything.You
justhavetogivehimthetruthofthesituationasyouseeit,withthemainpurposebeingtokeepyourselfcenteredintheflow.Ifhe’dwalkedawayorthoughtyouwererude,sobeit,butyouwouldhaveheldyourflow.”
Againhepauseddramatically,thensaid,“Andbyhandlingitthatway,youwouldhavealsostayedopentowhetherhehadsomeinformationforyou!YouknowfromtheoldProphecyinPeruthatyoumusttreathisperceivedinterruptionnotasathreatbutasapotentialSynchronicityitself—inthelongrun,perhapsbeingofequalimportancetowhatyouwerelearningfromthewoman.”
Thereminderbothjoltedandinvigoratedmeatthesametime.IfIwasgettingallthisright,thentellingthetruthofone’ssituation,whateverithappenedtobe,kepttheflowgoing—andprimarilybecauseitkeptonecenteredintheclarityofone’sowndeeperlifeexperience.Again,Ihadtoquestionwhetheritcouldbethissimple.
WhenIvoicedthequestiontoWil,hechuckledandsaid,“It’sassimpleandashardasthat.AndifyouwanttofollowthroughwithfindingtheIntegrations,youhavetostartbyconcentratingontellingtheabsolutetruth,toyourselfandothers,aboutwhatishappeningtoyou—nomatterhowesotericitgets.”
AsIcontinuedtothink,Wilstartedthecarandpulledontothefreewayagain.Afterashortdistance,hemovedintotheleftlanetoavoidacarparkedontherightshoulder.Insidewasthesilhouetteofalonedriver.Lightflickeredacrosshisface.
“That’shim!”Istammered,notquitebelievingit.“TheskepticatthePub.That’shim.”Willookedback.“Areyousure?”“Yes.”Aswewatched,themanpulledontothefreewayandtookthefirstexithecameto.Wilglanced
questioninglyatme.“What?”Iasked.“Youlooklikeyou’remoreintheflownow.Perhapsyou’rebeinggivenanotherchance.”“Youmeantotalkwithhim?”“Well,”Wilsaid,lookingatthedash,“youwantedtoknowwherethewomanyousawwasgoing.
Andyousaidhewastalkingtoherintheparkinglot.Weneedgas,sowecouldgobackandfindhim.”IlookedatWilandnodded,notexactlylikingit.“Okay,I’min.ButI’mnotsureI’llknowwhatto
saytothisguy.”“Justtellhimthetruth,”Wilsaid,“thatyoubelievemeaningfulcoincidencesarereal,andoccurfor
areason…andthisisthesecondtimeyou’vecrossedpathswithhim.”
CONSCIOUSCONVERSATION
Weturnedaroundandtookthesameexitandpulleduptoahuge,well-littruckstop.Adozentruckswerelinedupbehindamainbuildingthathousedarestaurant,showers,andstore.Onlyafewcarswereatthegasolinepumps.Theskeptic’sbrownrentalwasoneofthem.
“Remember,”Wiloffered,“carrytheattitudeofexpectingSynchronicityallthewayintotheconversation.Ilikethemovieanalogy.SynchronisticFlowfeelsasthoughyouareslowingdownandincreasingyourfeelingthatyouarethecenter,orstar,ofyourownunfoldingmovie.Keepthiscenteredclarityandyou’llknowwhattosay.”
WilsmiledandpulledtheCruiseruptoapumpdirectlyacrossfromtheskeptic,thenmadeonemorecomment.
“TheDocumentsays,”headded,“thatifyoucommittoholdingyourtruth,itincludesalltheideasthatcomeupintuitivelytosaytohim,evenifyou’veneverthoughtoftheideasbefore.”
InoddedandgotoutandbeganputtinggasintheCruiser,feelingthatnuminoussensationagain,asthoughthiswasgoingtobeanimmenselyimportantconversationforeverythingthatwasgoingtohappenlater.
Theskepticwasdirectlyacrossfromme,busyfuelinghisownvehicle.Finally,hespottedmeandlaughedoutloud.
“Well,it’stheloverofcoincidences,”hesaid.“WhataSynchronicitythisis!”“Maybe,”Isaid.“Wepassedyoubackonthefreeway,andweturnedaroundtotalktoyou.”Icouldn’tquitebelievethatIhadstartedoffthatdirectly,butitdidseemtohelpmestaycentered.“Andwhatdoyouthinkwehavetotalkabout?”heasked.Histonewassarcastic,yetsemifriendly,andIsuddenlyrealizedhewasspeakinginthejousting
stylefavoredbyscientists,amodeoftalkingthatismorelikeafriendlydebate.Thekeyelementofthisstyleistotakegreatcarenottoinadvertentlyconfirmsomeideaortheoryheldbytheotherparty.IntheworldofScience,toaffirmacolleague’spositionisneversomethingtobetakenlightly.Ithastobeearned.Sotheideaistobeveryskepticalatfirstandtocheckoutwhetherthepersoniscarryingtheproperscientificattitude.
Iftheotherpartycrossesthelineandtakesapositionthatispoorlythoughtoutortoospeculative,thentheconversationisoverimmediately.Ontheotherhand,iftheotherpersonisbeinglogicalandtentativewithhispronouncements,thenthedebatecangoon.Ihadalwaysthoughtcommunicatinginthismannerwasboringandtimeconsuming,butIknewIcoulddoit.
“Idon’tknow,”Ireplied,“whetherwehaveanythingtotalkaboutornot.Iguesswe’llhavetosee.I’mtryingtomakecontactwiththewomanwesawbackatthePub.ShewastalkingaboutanoldDocument,andInoticedyouspeakingwithheroutside,later.DidshetellyouwhereinArizonashewasgoing?”
“What’syourinterestinthisdocument?”heaskedguardedly.“I’minterestedinwhatitsaysaboutspirituality.”Helookedatmesharply.“Youthinkit’sgoingtoconfirmyourideasaboutSynchronicity?”
“Thepartwehavehasalreadydonethat.”Heshookhishead.“Iwouldn’tgivethiskindofwritingtoomuchweight.Thebestitcoulddoisadd
toourknowledgeofsomeancientpeople’smythologyandsuperstition.”“Yeah,butyoucancomparewhatitsaystoyourownexperienceandgofromthere.”“Inordertodowhat?”“Toidentifyphenomenatobeinvestigatedthatmayhavebeenmissedbefore.”Hegazedatmequestioningly.“Look,”Isaid,“Ibelievethatthere’smoretotheUniversethanastrictlyskepticalattitudeallows
intoexperience.Sometimesyouhavetobracketyourskepticismlongenoughtofullyexperienceanewphenomenon.Don’tyoueverwonderifthereissomethingrealanduniversalbehindpeople’sspiritualexperiences?”
Hegavemeahintofasmile.Iwasn’tconvincinghim,butIcouldtellhelikedmytact.“WeneedScience,”Iadded.“Butweneedittolookateverything.”“WhatdoyouknowofScience?”heasked,givingmeasuperiorlook.“Scienceisaveryprecise
processwhereindividualsexploreanddrawconclusionsaboutthenatureoftheworldaroundthem.Anditsactivityisveryprecise:onescientistsuggeststhatsomethinginnatureworksacertainway,andotherscientiststrytorefutethathypothesiswithotherfactstheythinkaretrue.Slowly,consensusisreachedabouttheissue.Inturn,thisconclusionaboutrealityisreplacedwithsomethingthatisevenmoretrue,andsoon.That’showscientificfact,andtheresultingsocialrealitythatflowsfromit,isestablished.It’saprecise,orderlyprocess.”
Helookedawayandadded,“Atleastthat’sthewayit’ssupposedtowork.”“Whatdoyoumean?”Iasked.“Well,latelyalotofcorruptionhashappened:moneyedinterestssuchasbigpharmaceutical
companiesandfoodprocessorshavetakenoverthemedicalschoolsanduniversitydepartmentswithbiggrants,andnowtheygettheresultstheywantfromstudies.Otherindustriesdothesamething,buthealthandfoodaretheworst.It’spitiful.”
IthoughtofthewritingsofDr.RussellBlaylock,whotalksaboutwhydangerousadditivesstillremaininourfood,thenrealizedsomethinginaflash:thisskepticI’mtalkingtoisanidealist.
Somethingelsecameintomymindtosay,andIrecalledWilstressingthatsuchideashadtobevoiced.
“Look,”Istated,“maybethekeyisheighteningpublicawarenessofthescientificprocess,andthenapplyingittoeverypartofourworld.WhatifthisdocumentisrightaboutSynchronicitybeingapartofthenaturalorderofthings?Shouldn’titbeinvestigatedwiththesamevigorasastarorbacteria?”
SomethingaboutwhatIsaidirritatedhim,andhetookthegasnozzleoutofhiscarandslammeditbackinitsplaceatthepump.
“W-w-whatI’msaying,”hestammered,“isthatsomethinglikethisdocumentcan’tbetrusted.Synchronicityistoosubjective.TheproblemwithSciencenowisthattheemphasisonbasictruthisbeinglost.Oncewestartallowingtoomuchspeculationorcorruption,theculturecanslipintofantasythinkingandevendelusionarymovements.”
Hewaslookingatmehard.“Don’tyouseethatcivilizationishangingbyathread?Itonlytakessomanypeoplelosingagriponthebasiclawsofnaturetounderminelogicalthinkingandscientificallyestablishedrealityaltogether.Andifthathappenswefallbackintosuperstitionandanewdarkage.”
Inoddedandsaid,“Butwhatifascienceofspiritualitycouldbelogicalandorderly?”Hedidn’tanswer.Insteadheshookhisheadandwalkedintothebuildingtopay.Wilwasstillseated
behindthewheelandsmilingatme.Hehadheardtheentireconversationthroughtheopencarwindow.“Aren’tyougoingtogetintothis?”Iasked.“Nope,”hesaid.“Ithinkit’syourstofinish.”
Whenthescientistcameoutofthebuilding,Iapproachedhimagain.“Look,”Isaid,“you’reright.Noonewantsanewdarkage.Butletmeposetheissueinanother
way:whatwouldittakeforscientistslikeyoutobeabletostudyspiritualphenomenainawaythatisorderlyandlogical?”
Foralongmomentheseemedtobegenuinelyconsideringmyquestion.“Idon’tknow….Wewouldhavetodiscoversomethinglikethenaturallawsofspirituality—”
Hestoppedandshookhishead,thenwavedmeoff.“Listen,”hesaid.“Ireallydon’thavetimeforanymorespeculation.Believeme,noneofthisis
goingtohappen.”Inoddedandthenintroducedmyself.HeshookmyhandandsaidhisnamewasDr.JohnColeman.“Enjoyedtheconversation,”Isaid.“MaybeI’llseeyouanothertime.”Hechuckledatthatandthensaid,“Thewomanyouwereaskingabout…hernameisRachelBanks.
ShewasgoingtoatownnorthofPhoenix,alittleplacecalledSedona.”
Isatupstraightinthepassengerseat,strugglingtowakeup.Aswedrovealong,sunlightfrombehinduswasjustbeginningtofillthecar,andthesweetsmellofOklahomafarmlandfilledmynostrils.Wilnoddedwhenhesawmestirring,thenimmediatelylookedbackattheroad,appearingtobedeepinthought.
Whichwasfinewithme;Iwastalkedout.BecausewebothknewSedonawell,WilandIhadconversedlateintothenightaswetraveledwest.Foryears,thetownhadbeenahotbedofspiritualthought,asitwassituatedinthefamousredrockhillsofNativeAmericanlore.Becausetheenergywassostrongthere,itwasclaimedbysomethatthetownhadmorehousesofworship,newagecenters,andartistspersquaremilethananyplaceinAmerica.
ThequestionthathadmostintrigueduslastnightconcernedRachel’smotivations.WhywereherintuitionspointingtoSedona?Wasitbecauseonewouldlikelyfindmorepeopletalkingaboutsuchwritingsthere?Orwasitbecauseonecouldunderstandesotericinformationingeneralatadeeperleveljustbybeinginthosehills—thefamous“Sedonaeffect”?
Ishookoffthethoughts.AllIwantedtodoatthispointwaslookoutatthelandscape.WehadtraveledfromthemountainsofGeorgiaandTennesseetotheflatlandsofOklahoma,andnowtheskywasbigandblueinthemorninglight.MunchingonnutsandapplesthatWilhadpackedforbreakfast,Iwatchedthescenerygobyforawhile.
WhenIawakenedfully,Inoticedtwoneatstacksofpagesontopofthedashboardinfrontofme.IlookedoveratWil,figuringhehadplacedthestacksinfrontofmeforareason.Hekepthiseyesontheroadbutliftedoneeyebrow,whichmademechuckle.Ireachedover,grabbedthestackontheleft,andbegantoread.
ThepagesdescribedtheFirstIntegrationalmostexactlyasWilhadrelayeditearlier,andthenreiteratedthatonceSynchronicitywasbeingsustained,oneshouldbeonhighalert—foritwasthatmysteriousflowthatwouldrevealtheotherIntegrations.
Readingon,theDocumentdividedthetwelvetotalIntegrationsintotwogroups.ItcalledthefirstfiveIntegrationsthe“Foundation”ofspiritualconsciousness,andtheremainderitcalledthe“RisetoSacredInfluence.”
RisetoInfluence?Ihadnoideawhatthatmeant,butIrememberedthatWilhadsaidthoseofuspursuingtheIntegrationsnowwouldmakeiteasierforotherstodosolaterbecauseofsomekindofmysteriousinfluence.
Comingtotheendofthefirststack,Ipickeduptheotherstackoftext,whichbegantoaddressthe
SecondIntegration.Thisstepupinconsciousnessbegins,itsaid,whenwerealizethathumanconversation,regardlessofthesubject,isalwaysanexchangeofoutlook,orworldview—andthusisthebasicmechanismofhumanevolution,takingusfromonehistoricallevelofknowledgetothenext.
Whenhumaninteractionisdonewhileincentered,Synchronistictruth,thisprocessofexchangingworldviewsisliftedintofullconsciousness.ItcalledthismoreawareinteractionConsciousConversation.
IlookedoveratWilagainandsaid,“ConsciousConversation.Doyouknowwhatthismeansexactly?”
HelookedatmeasthoughIwaskidding.“It’swhatyouwereengaginginwhenyoutalkedwithColeman—onlytherewasonepartmissing.”
“Whatwasthat?”Iasked.Henoddedformetoreadon,andintheverynextpassage,theDocumentsaidthelevelof
conversation,andtheconsciousnessoftheparticipants,areelevatedwhenbothpeopleareawareofthe“historicalcontext”surroundingtheinterchange.
IlookedbackatWil.“Soit’sreferringtothesecondInsightoftheoldCelestineProphecy?”“That’sright,”hereplied.“DoyourememberwhattheSecondInsightis?”“Yeah,”Isaid,“Ithinkso.”Ilookedaway,myminddriftingintoanintensecontemplationofthequestion.TheSecondInsight
wasessentiallyanunderstandingofthelongerhistoryofWesternsociety,inparticularthepsychologicalshiftthathappenedatthebeginningoftheModern,secularage.Inessence,itmarkedanawakeninginconsciousness—onewe’vebeenhavingtroubleholdingontoeversince.
TheoldProphecyhadpredictedwewouldonedaybeabletokeepthislongerhistoryfullyinmindasasurroundingcontextforourdailyactivities.Andwhenwecould,thishistoricalunderstanding,initself,wouldcompletelychangeourindividuallives.Itwouldkeepusfullyawaketothespiritualsideofexistence.
TheModernworldview,Iknew,hadbegunjustafterthefallofthedarkMedievalperiodofhistory.Inthosetimes,therewasnoscienceintheWest,noindependentthoughttospeakof,andverylittleknowledgeofnaturalcauses.ThemenofthepowerfulCatholicChurchruledpeople’smindsanddecreedthatalltheeventswenowcallnaturaloperatedsolelythroughthehandofGod—includingbirth,allthechallengesoflifeandillnesses,death,andwhatcameafter,HeavenorHell.ThechurchmendeclaredthemselvestheonlyinterpretersofGod’swill.Andtheyfoughthardforcenturiestodisallowanychallengetothisauthority.
ButthentheRenaissancebegan,motivatedbyanincreasingdistrustofthechurchmenandagrowingawarenessthatourrealknowledgeoftheworldarounduswaswoefullyincomplete.Otherinfluencesquicklyfollowed:theinventionoftheprintingpress,agreaterawarenessofthephilosophiesoftheancientGreeks,andthediscoveriesoftheearlyastronomerssuchasCopernicusandGalileo,whichcontradictedtheastronomyespousedbythechurchmen.
WhentheProtestantReformationoccurred—adirectrejectionofPapalauthority—thestructuresoftheMedievalworldbegantocompletelybreakdown,andwiththem,theestablishedrealityofthepeople.
Preciselyhere,Iknew,waswheretheModernagebegan.Forcenturies,thechurchmenhaddictatedastrictlytheologicalpurposeforexistenceandfornaturalevents.Andthenthatpictureoflifehadsystematicallyeroded,leavinghumansinastateofdeepexistentialuncertainty,especiallyconcerningtheirspirituality.Ifthechurchmen,whohadalwaysdictatedthefactsofspiritualreality,werewrong,thenwhatwasright?
Theoptimisticthinkersofthatdayhadasolution.WewouldfollowthemodeloftheancientGreeks,theysaid.WewouldcommissionSciencetogooutandinvestigatethissuddenlynewworldwefoundourselvesin.Andintheenthusiasmoftheday,everythingwasonthetable,includingourdeepestspiritual
questions,suchasWhyarewehere?Whathappensafterdeath?Andisthereaplananddestinyforhumankind?
Withthisnewmandate,Sciencewassenttolookattheworldobjectivelyandtoreportback.Overthecenturiesitwonderfullymappedthephysicalrealitiesofnature,fromthemovementofgalaxiesandplanetstothebiologyofourbodies,thedynamicsofweathersystems,andthesecretsoffoodproduction.Butitdidnotquicklyreturnwithanobjectiveanalysisofourspiritualsituation.
Atthiscrucialpoint,wemadeacriticalpsychologicaldecision.Intheabsenceofexistentialanswers,wedecidedtoturnourattentiontosomethingelseinthemeantime.Whilewewerewaiting,wewouldfocusonsettlingintothisnewworldofours,devotingourselvestothebettermentofhumankind.Weabatedouruncertaintybystrivingtomakeoursecularworldmoreabundantandsecure.
Andthat’swhatwedid,creatinginthefollowingcenturiesthegreatestsurgeinmaterialabundancetheworldhadeverseen.Butevenasweputourenergiestobetteringourphysicalcircumstances,waitingaswewereforthehigherquestionstobeanswered,Scienceitselfwaspushingthathighermandatefurtherintothedistance.
Infact,asthecenturiesproceeded,Sciencebegantopondersuchquestionslessandless.Inasense,theseinquirieshadbecomeavictimofScience’ssuccessinthephysicalrealm.Themoreitsucceededinexplainingtheouterworld—andcreatednewtechnologiesthatincreasedthepopulation’slevelofsecurity—thelessimportantspiritualquestionsbecame.Letthereligionsfightitoutoverthelargerissues,scientistsbegantothink.We’llsticktothephysicalworld.
BythetimethetheoriesofIsaacNewtonwerefilteringthroughScience,thedismissalwasalmostcomplete.Newtonestablishedthemathematicsthatdefinedtheuniverseasoperatingstrictlyonitsown,followingbasicmechanicallaws,inacompletelypredictablemanner—likeagiantmachine.Now,theUniversecouldberegardedfromacompletelysecularperspective.Goddidn’tmovethestarsinthesky.Gravitydid.
TheModern,secular,materialisticworldviewhadbeenbornand,pushedbyScience,wasexportedaroundtheplanet.TheideaofGod,orofadeeperspiritualexperienceforthatmatter,nowseemednotonlyunnecessarybutunlikelyaswell.Andasfortheinnerevidenceforaspiritualreality—higherstatesofconsciousness,Synchronicity,premonitionsandintuitiveguidance,Afterlifeexperiences—thesecouldallbewrittenoffaspathologicalhallucinationorreligiousdelusionandremovedfromthedebatecompletely.Evenmanyreligiousinstitutions,sufferingfromdiminishedattendance,becameevermoreorientedtowardsecular,socialactivitiesratherthantowardanydiscussionofrealspiritualexperience.
Andasscienceandotherinstitutionswent,sodidtheindividual.Theworldseemedsonormalandmanageableandcertainthatsuchhigherquestioningnolongerseemedvalidanditbegantobepushedoutofeverydayconsciousnessaswell.
Justworkhard,wetoldourselves,andfocusonbetteringyourlife.Enjoyallthefrillsandgoodiesofmodernexistence.Forgetaboutwhetherknowingthepurposeoflifemightgiveyouhigherguidancealongtheway,orbringmoreenlightenedrelationshipswithothers.Juststayfocusedontheeverydaystuffandyou’llfeelfine,rightuptotheend.Ifevertheprospectofdeathraisesitsuglyhead,orquestionssqueezeintoyourmindaboutwhathappensafter,justgetbusywiththesecularactionagainuntilthethoughtsarelostinthedin.
Preciselyhere,Iknew,wecouldseetherealpsychologicaltruthofourlongerhistory.WehadlaunchedSciencetogooutanddiscoverthetruthofourspiritualexistence,andwhenitdidn’treturn,wededicatedourselvestoimprovingourearthlyconditions.Andthen,gradually,everyoneforgotwhatwewerewaitingfor.Slowly,ourpreoccupationwiththesecularworldbecameafull-fledged,psychologicalobsession.
Andlikeanyobsessivebehaviordesignedtorepresssomething—inourcase,themissinganswersaboutthetruepurposeoflife—ittakesevermorefrenziedactivitytokeepfromrememberingwhathaunts
us.BythetimetheModernworldviewpeaked,sometimeinthelatertwentiethcentury,suchobsessive
behaviorhadmadethecareersofdozensofexistentialpsychologists,whomappedoutthevastvarietyofwayswekeptourselvesfromwakingup:compulsiveworking,shopping,decorating,arranging,eating,gambling,drugging,sexing,smoking,running,exercising,gossiping,celebrityandsportswatching,andtheendlesssearchforpersonalrecognitionfromothers—ourfifteenminutesoffame.
Theseobsessionscouldbefoundeverywhere.Andtheyincluded,especiallyinrecentyears,themostironiccompulsionofall:religiousfanaticism,wherepeoplekeptthemselvesasleeptorealspiritualexperiencebyconcentratingonlyonthedoctrinesandtrappingsofaparticularreligion—eventothepointofviolentlyattemptingtoforcetheseassumptionsoneveryoneelse.
Then,thankfully,astheyearsprogressed,weslowlybegantowakeup.Overthepastfewdecades,something,indeed,hadpoppedinthecollectivehumanpsyche.Why?Perhapsitwastheinherentinabilityofrepressiontoendure,ormaybeitwasthesteadyinfluenceofthehumanpotentialtheoristsoftheseventiesandeighties.Anotherreasoncouldhavebeenthesheerweightofnumbersofthebabyboomgeneration,comingtopeakinfluenceinthenineties—andquestioning,astheydid,allaspectsofhumanculture.Certainly,theoldProphecyfoundinPeruhadsomelevelofinfluenceaswell.
Inanycase,ourpreoccupationwiththemateriallifebegantocollapse.Likedrowningmenreachingthesurface,webegantogaspfortheairofhighermeaning.Sincethen,infitsandstarts,morepeoplehaveglimpsedanewworldofwonderaroundthem.Asalargerculture,webegan,finally,todiscovertheexperienceofSynchronicity.
Thisreawakening,Iknew,wastherealhistoricalcontextsurroundingourcurrentlives.Wearewakingupfromoursecularobsessionandtakingupwhereweleftoff.Wewanttoknowourtruespiritualsituationonthisplanet.Andwhilethosestillobsessedwiththesecularmightdeclaresuchaquestimpossible,intuitionsaysotherwise.
Suddenly,IrealizedWilwasstaringatme.Hehadbeendrivingalong,waitingpatientlyformyreverietobeover.WhenImethiseyes,hehumorouslylookedathiswatch,makingmelaughoutloud.
“Sorry,”Isaid.“It’sthewaymymindworks.”Henodded.“SoIpresumeyourememberedtheSecondInsight?”“Yeah.”“Whatdiditsayaboutamoretruthfulhistoricalcontextsurroundingourinteraction?”“Itsayswe’rewakingupfromafive-hundred-year-longpreoccupationwiththematerialandsecular
world,wantingtoknowwhatlifeisreallyabout.”Wilbeamed.“That’sright.AndtheDocumentsaysanyonewhosustainsSynchronicity,and
remembersthecontextofawakening,willbeguidedintoaflowofConsciousConversation.Andhencewillbecomepartofaworldwideconsensus-buildingprocesstodiscoverthetruthofourspiritualnature.”
IlookedatWil.“Won’tthattakeforever?”Insteadofresponding,henoddedtowardtherestoftheDocumentinmyhand.WhenIbeganreading,
IrealizedIhadonlyonepageleft,whichwastornoffatthebottomandcontainedonlyoneparagraph.ItsaidthateachpersonwhoholdsthetruthofhisSynchronisticjourney,whilelisteningforthetruthinanother’sjourney,helpstobuildanew,moretruthfulworldview.Andbecauseofthishonoringofevolvingtruth,thatpersonexudesaspecialinfluenceontheworld.Allwehadtodowaskeepourenergyup.
Iperkedup,thinkingagainoftheDocument’sreferencetothelastgroupofIntegrationswewould
discoverasaRisetoInfluence.IlookedbackoveratWil.“It’sthecenteringofourselvesintruththatcreatestheInfluence,isn’tit?”Henodded.“We’llfindoutoncewediscovertherestofthisIntegration.”Indeed.Ihadnodoubt.WewereonlyontheSecondIntegration,yeteverythingwasoccurringjustas
theDocumenthadsaiditwould.TheFirstIntegrationshowedusthatexpectingSynchronicityandtellingtheabsolutetruthtootherskeptthesemysteriouscoincidencescoming.AndnowtheSecondIntegrationseemedtobesayingthatifeveryonewasdoingthat,andthusstayingawake,wewoulddiscoverwhatweneededtoknow.Theonlythingsmentionedthatweren’tfullyclarifiedyetweretheideaofinfluenceandthecrypticremarkabout“keepingourenergyup.”
Suddenly,WilwaspullingtheCruiserovertothesideoftheroad.“It’syourturntodrive,”hesaid.
Allmorning,Idrovewest.Thebigskyhadstayedblue,andthesunshinevivid,overhundredsofmilesofwheatfieldsandpastureland.ForhoursIjustgazedoutontheflathorizonuntil,atonepoint,Ifeltmyselfgetslightlyboredandhungry.
Justbeforenoon,IstoppedataroadsidegasstationandfilleduptheCruiserwithgas.Unabletoresist,IboughtapackagedapplepiefromthecounterandateitslowlyasIdrove.Ittastedreallygood,maybetoogood.WithintwentyminutesmyheadbegantohurtandIfeltasuddendropinenergy.Thefunklastedforseveralhours.WhenWilfinallywokeup,ItoldhimwhatI’ddone.
“Letmegetthisstraight,”hesaid.“You,thediscipleofBlaylock,ateamass-processedpierightofftheshelf.Youknowbetterthanthat.”
IknewhewastalkingabouttheproblemwithglutamatesthatBlaylockrailedagainst.Glutamates,MSG-typesubstancesresultingfromtheprocessingofvariousproteinsandoils,areoftenaddedtoprocessedfoods,mainlybecausethey,likeMSGitself,aretasteenhancers.Theydon’thaveatastethemselves,butthefirstbitesendsimmediatesignalstothebrainthatyouareeatingthetastiestthingintheworld,despitewhatareprobablyverybadingredients.
Thefoodindustrysaysthey’renotharmful,butaccordingtosomeexperts,glutamateshavebeenprovedtoinflamethebrainanddisruptotherorgans,contributingtoamyriadofmoderndiseasessuchasdiabetes,Alzheimer’s,andespeciallyobesity.
“Letmeguessthesymptoms,”Wilsaid.“Maybealittlenaggingheadache,tiredeyes,lowenergy,absolutelynoinspirationtodoanything.Allforasmallinitialhitoftasteeuphoria.”
Heshookhishead.“EatingisoneofthemostobsessivethingswedointheModernworld.Ifyourparticularfeel-gooddistractionisfood,itbydefinitionhastotastereallygood,becauseotherwiseitwon’tgiveyouthatpacifiedandsatisfiedfeelingthatcomeswhenglutamatereceptorsinthebrainareactivated.Thefoodmakersfindawaytoartificiallydothatforyouwithglutamates.
“Thebigproblem,”hewenton,“isnotjustthehealthimpact.It’showitaffectsyourconsciousness.Youcan’tkeepyourenergyupandstayalertspirituallyifyouaredrugged.”
Hestoppedandlookedatme.“What?”Iasked.“TheDocumentstatesthatkeepingourenergyupisimportanttodevelopinginfluence.”“Yeah,Iremember.”Heglancedoverandcaughtmyeye.“Foodisthefirstlevelofenergyweallowintoour
consciousness,soit’sbasictointegratingahighermasteryoverlife.Andtheironicthingisthatrealfood,thekindthat’sorganicandpure,andfreshlypicked,stimulatesthosesamereceptorsinthebrain,andgivesusjustasmuchnaturaleuphoria—withoutbringingusdownlater.Didyouknowthatmostpeople
havenevertastedafresh-pickedorganicvegetable?Mostofwhatwebuyinregularstoresisweeksoldandstonedead.”
Atjustthismoment,Wilabruptlystoppedtalkingandwasstaringatthetopofanexitrampwewerepassing.Heshookhishead.
“What’swrong?”Iasked.“TherewasanSUVparkedatthatlastexit.Ithappenedlastnightaswell.”“Youthinkthey’restillfollowingus?”“Notfollowingus,justobserving.Theymustbetrackinguswithasatelliteorsomething.”“What?Thatwouldmeanthesepeoplearehighlyconnectedwiththegovernment.”“That’sright.Butatleasttheydon’tseemtowanttodetainus.Theycouldhavedonethatanytime
afterdaylight.Theyjustwanttoknowwherewearegoingforsomereason.”IlookedWilintheeyes.“Youthinkit’stheDocumentthey’reinterestedin?”Henodded.“Looksthatway.”Fortherestoftheday,wedidn’ttalkmuch.Iperiodicallyfeltanxiousaboutoursafety,buteachtime
Imanagedtoshrugitoffandrecovermywaiting-for-Synchronicityattitude.Atthispoint,IfelttherewasnoalternativetopursuingthisDocument,atleastforawhilelonger.TheonlyeffectIsawonWilwasthathebecamehypervigilantaboutfindingcleanfood.
“Yougettingpoisoned,”hesaidtome,“wasareminder.”Everytimewestoppedforgas,he’daskforthelocationoforganicfoodstoresandfarmer’s
markets,andwewereabletoshopatseveral.Ateachmealtime,we’dexitatatruckstopandfireupthelightweightpropanecookerWilcarriedinhispack.Infifteenminuteswe’dhaveenoughsteamedvegetablesforagreat,nutritiousmeal.Aftertwenty-fourhoursofthis,Ifeltincrediblyenergizedandclearthinking.Icouldevenseewithgreateracuity.
BynightfallwewereinAlbuquerque,whereweeasedintoanenclosedgarageownedbyafriendofWil’sandhadthevehicleandallourbelongingsscannedforsurveillancedevices.Everythingwasclean.Afterward,wespentthenightatasmallhotelnearby,whichwepaidforincash,androseearlythenextmorningtodrivetoArizona.
Atmidday,webegantonoticethevehiclesagain,andbymidafternoon,wetooktheexittoSedona,drivingrightbyoneoftheSUVssittinginplainsight.
“Theywantustoseethem,”Wilcommented.“Whoarethesepeople?”Iasked.“Idon’tknow.Butyoucanbetthatsoonerorlaterthey’regoingtotellus.”Ijustshookmyheadandtriedtofocusontheredrockhillsweweredrivingthrough.Enteringthe
Sedonaareawasalwaysareminderthatsomeplacesarepurepowerspots.Ifyou’reclearenoughtosenseit,drivingthroughthelittletownofOakCreek,andthenupintoSedonaproper,isajourneyintoahigherworld.
Itfeelslikepurealivenessandclarity,andasyougazeoutatthespectacularhillsandformationssurroundingthesmalltown,youimmediatelyfeelachangeinyourperception.Everythingaroundyoustandsoutmore,andtheSynchronicityliterallyexplodesinfrequency,justbyvirtueofbeinginthisplace.
Wedroveslowlyalongthemainstreetleadinguptown,lookingaroundatthepeopleonthesidewalks.Thereseemedtobealotoftouristsandlocals,andjudgingfromtheirdressanddemeanor,peoplefromoutoftownwhoweren’ttourists.Theylookedlikeserioustrekkerswho,likeus,were
lookingforsomething.Forawhilewecruisedarounduptownseeingwhatmighthappen,andforamoment,IfeltasthoughIwasabouttorunintosomeoneofimportance.Yetnothingoccurred.
Sinceourfoodhadrunout,IsuggestedwedrivewesttowardthesinkingsunandstopattheNewFrontierGroceryforasalad.Whenwearrived,insteadofparking,Wiljustletmeout,tellingmehewantedtogolookforsomeHopifriendsofhiswholivedinthearea.IwentinandorderedmysaladandoneforWiltogo,thensatdownatatableinthecornertoeat.
Ihadalmostfinishedwhensomeonecaughtmyeyeatthedoor—itwasColeman.Hehadn’tindicatedhewascomingtoSedonawhenwetalkedatthetruckstop.Butherehewas,walkingstraightovertome,likeamanonamission.
“Isawyoucomein,”hesaid,pullingsomeloosepapersoutofhisbriefcase.“Haveyouseenthis?It’spartoftheDocumentyou’vebeentalkingabout.”
Iquicklylookeditover,andindeeditwasthesamepassagesabouttheSecondIntegrationI’dreadearlier,butitincludedtenmorepagesIhadn’tseenbefore.
“Wheredidyougetthis?”Heshookhisheadandsmiledinamazement.“Ihadn’tbeenheretenminuteslastnightwhenIran
intoyourlady,Rachel.”“She’snotmylady,”Iprotested.“Itwasjustamannerofspeaking.Anyway,we’restayingatthesamehotel.Thenlater,Icamedown
tothelobbytogetacupofcoffeeandoverheardtwopeopletalking.WhenIgotcloser,IrealizedtheyweretalkingaboutthisDocument.
“Iwalkedupandintroducedmyself,anditturnsouttheyarescientists.Doyoubelievethat?Andtheywerediscussingtheveryquestionyouposedearlier:howrealscientistscouldstudythetopicofspirituality.Andthat’snotall.TheyhadthefirstandsecondpartsoftheDocumentwiththemandwererelatingittoanoldProphecythatbecameknownyearsago.”
Helaughedoutloud.“Youthinkmymindwasblownorwhat?ThemoreItalkedtotheseguys,themorewefoundwehadincommon.Wealltooktooneanotherimmediatelyandwounduptalkinghalfthenight.Andguesswhat?Earlythismorning,wehikedoutintothedesert,andIgotit!IunderstandthatSynchronicityisreal,andhowtosustainit,andthatwe’rewakinguptosystematicallyexploreourspiritualnatureagain.TheygavemeacopyoftheSecondIntegration.Iwasn’tsurprisedwhenIsawyouagain.”
Hewasfullofenergy,talkingninetymilesanhourabouthavingallthisSynchronicity.Ichuckled.ThiswasthetypicalSedonaeffectthateveryonetalksabout.
“Goahead,”hesaid.“Readit.”IstartedwhereIhadleftoffwithWil’scopy,findingthatitcontinuedonthesamepoint,emphasizing
theimportanceofConsciousConversationforbringinginanewconsensusaboutspiritualexperience.“Doyouseewhatthisissaying?”heinterrupted.“It’snotusingtheprecisewords,butmynew
scientistfriendsandIagree.Itcallsforapplyingthescientificmethodtoourindividualsearchforspiritualtruth.Everythingitsaystodoiswhatgoodscientistsdoalready.
“Thisprocesshasyieldedallthebasiclawsofphysicalreality,fromThalestoNewtontoEinstein,andIseenowhowitcanbeappliedtotheinnerexperienceofspirituality.Forinstance,considerthephenomenonofSynchronicity.Becauseitfeelsthesameforeveryone,wecandiscussitandcomparenotesandreachconsensusabouthowitworks.”
Iwasjustlistening,notbelievingIwastalkingtothesameperson.Eventhebasicexpressionsonhisfaceweredifferent.Insteadofcontinuingtofrownanddebunkspirituality,hehadexperiencedsomethinghecouldn’texplainfromhisoldpointofview,andhadsnappedawake,justthatquickly.
“Listen,”hesaid.“Iowemyinterestinallthistoyou.IfIhadn’tsaidsomethingtoyouatthePub,orifyouhadn’taskedhowSciencemightinvestigateSynchronicityandspirituality,Imightneverhaveseen
thetruthofit.Iwasn’tevenintendingtocometoSedonauntilItalkedtoyouatthegasstation.”Hesmiledatme,thencontinued.“Youknow,Ihaven’tbeenverysuccessfulasascientist.Icouldn’t
keepmymouthshut.IwasfiredfromMITbecauseofmyoppositiontocommercialinterestsbuyingparticularoutcomesofstudies.Buttheideaofengaginginamethodofinquirythat’shonestanddedicatedtotruth,that’swhatI’vealwaysbeenabout.You’vereallyhadaninfluenceonme.”
Influence,Ithought,thatwordagain.HenoddedtowardthepagesIwasstillholding.“Andthislastpart,itfitsexactlywithsomething
I’vebeenfascinatedwithforalongtime,asthoughthatpartofmylifewaspreparingmeforallthis.”Igavehimapuzzledlook.“TheDocumentspeaks,”hesaid,“ofsomethingImmanuelKantadvocatedcenturiesagowithhis
ideaofacategoricalimperative.”Inodded.IknewalittlebitaboutKant.Hewasthefatherofaphilosophycalledphenomenology,
whichessentiallycalledforthinkerstosuspendtheirordinarywayoflookingatagivenphenomenoninnatureinordertoseeitinafreshway.Infact,I’dusedhistermbracketingassumptionswithColemanearlier.I’devenheardoftheimperativeidea—livingandconductingyourselfasifotherpeoplewouldbecompelledtoliveandbelievetheexactsamewayasyou—because,saidKant,thatistheexactinfluenceweactuallyhaveonthem.
“DoestheDocumenttalkaboutallthis?”Iasked.“No,notinKant’sterms,”hereplied.“Butit’ssayingthesamething.Everyonehastonotonlybe
honestbuttentativeintheirbeliefsbeforemakinggreatproclamations,otherwisewecanbepullingothersinthewrongdirection,justbythismysteriousinfluencewehaveonthem.TheDocumentsaysthatwehavetocometogripswiththefactthatourpersonalrealityiscontagious.”
Hepausedandlookedatme.“Itsayseachofusmustfirstandforemost‘provetoourselves’thatourconclusionsaboutspiritualityactuallyworkbeforewepassthemalongastruth.Andbecauseweareaddingspiritualknowledgetooursecularreality,weshoulduse‘logicfirst’asweproceed.”
Heleanedclosertomeandhushedhisvoice.“YouknowtherearealotofscrewballideasfloatingaroundhereinSedona.”
Ilaughed.Hewasright,ofcourse,andsomeofthesecrazyideaswerebeingpushedbyoutrightcharlatans,outjusttomakemoney.But,asColemanwaslearning,theeffectoftheplaceitself,thehillsandstreamsandoverallbeauty,wasasgenuineasthelightofday.
“Italsosays,”Colemancontinued,“thatwhenwefeelconvincedinsidethatourspiritualexperiencesarereal,thenwemustlivethemfullyandopenlyandtelleveryoneaboutthem,becauseiftherereallyisaninfluence—andIbelievethereis—thenithelpseveryonegettoahigherlevelofexperiencefaster.”
Hewassuddenlyonhisfeet.“Keepthistranslation,”hesaid.“Imadecopies.”“Holdon,”Isaid.“Howdoyouthinkthisconsciouswayofconsensusmakingisgoingtounfold?”“Itwillcometogetherlikeanyotherscientificconsensus.First,therewillbeever-largerareasof
agreement,ascommonexperiencesarediscussedandfoundtobethesameforeveryone.Thenthesewillcoalesceintostilllargerprinciples,aswithNewton’sandEinstein’stheoriesaboutthesecularworld.Eventually,we’llarriveatcertainlawsgoverningthewholething:thebasic,naturallawsofspirituality.”
Withoutsayinganythingelse,hescribbledhiscellphonenumberonthetoppageoftheDocument,gavemeawink,andboundedoutthedoor.
WhenWilpickedmeup,Iwasstretchedoutonabenchnearagroveoffragrantjunipers,enjoyingthefirstpinkstreaksofsunset.AsIclimbedintotheCruiser,thesunsankbelowsomethincloudsnearthe
horizonline,turningintoaredblazethatnowcoloredthecloudswithstreaksoforangeanddarkamber.Thebeautyofthemomentwasstriking.Everythingaroundus—thesculpturedpeaksofthe
surroundinghills,thesmallbusinessesacrossthestreet,andeverycloudinthesky—wascastinapleasantgoldenaura.Peoplewerestoppingonthesidewalksandpullingtheircarstothesideoftheroadjusttowatch.
AnothermagicalSedonasunset,IthoughtasIlookedoveratWilinthedriver’sseat.Hegrinnedbackatme,andIsuggestedwedriveovertotheAirportVortextowatchthedramaticfinalethere.Wilnoddedinagreementandintenminuteswewereclimbingarockformationnearthevortexthatwasshapedlikeacircularpyramid.Atthetop,itflattenedoutintoonecrowningareaofrockaboutfortyfeetindiameter.
Foralongtimewejustwatchedandsoakeduptheenergyofthelight.Icouldn’thelpthinkingmoreaboutthemythologyofSedona.Allaroundthearea,manybelieve,arespeciallocationsthathaveaparticularupliftingeffectonpeople.Somearelargevortexesliketheonehere.Halfadozenorsoofthesehavebeenmarkedandidentified.
ButlegendhasitthatnotonlydothesemajorvortexesdottheSedonalandscape,butother,smallerplacesofpowerarehiddenaboutinthesurroundingravinesandmesasaswell,waitingforthecasualhikerwhochancestositdownnearby.Asthemythologygoes,thereisapersonalvortexwaitingforeveryonewhojourneystoSedona,aspotofourownwhereeachofuscanbeliftedupintoconsciousnessandintoagreaterdestiny.Allyouhavetodoishikearounduntilyoufindit.
Iwondered,giventhelifeclarityColemanwassuddenlydisplaying,ifhehadalreadystumbleduponhis.
Ismiledandlookedoutatthehorizonagain.HereattheAirportVortexthefeelingisaboutlettinggoofallone’sconcernsandsoakingupwhatcanonlybedescribedasasupportive,healingenergy,asenseofbeingtotallycontentandsafe.Ileanedbackontherocks,feelingmyselflettinggotoit—wantingtobenowhereelsebesideshere,inthismoment,baskingintheglow.
Wewatchedthesunsinkbeneaththehorizonanddisappear,sendingoutamoreyellowishlight,andthenapalegray.IlookedoveratWil.Henoddedandgotup,andwestarteddownthehill.Aswewalked,ItoldWillaboutseeingColemanandreadingtherestoftheSecondIntegration.
“ImetwithmyHopifriends,”hereplied.“TheyshowedmetherestoftheSecondaswell.”“Whatdoyouthinkaboutthisideaofbuildinganewconsensusaboutspirituality?Colemansaidit
waswhathewasmeanttodo.”Wilstoppedandpulledmetotheedgeofthetrailasagroupofpeopleheadinguptheslopewalked
pastus.Severalofthemlookedusover,asifwonderingwhetherseeingusherewasaSynchronicity.Wesmiledbackandnodded,andtheywalkedon.
“Ithinkthatmanypeopleknow,”hesaid,“thatsomehowSynchronicityiscallingustogethertodosomethinghistorical.Theworldisamess,butwecanfixitifwestayalertandkeepourhistoricalcontextinmind.Wehavetostayawakeandhelpeachotherstayawake.”
Wilwaslookingatmewithdetermination,andinthatmoment,IfeltafullelevationintotheclarityoftheSecondIntegration.Howmanypeopleoutthere,Iwondered,havenoticedthesamequickening?WerewealreadyinfluencingoneanothertowakeuptoConsciousConversationandtoKant’smysteriousinfluence?Andifso,wherewouldourconsciousnessgonext?
“WhatabouttheThirdIntegration?”Iasked.“HadyourHopifriendsheardanythingaboutit?”Henodded,abigsmileeruptingonhisface.“Yes,theyknewitwell,althoughtheydidn’thaveany
copieswiththem.ItsaysthatwhenpeopleinanyculturebegintowakeupandholdConscious
Conversation,theyquicklyfindthekeyspiritual‘principles’builtintothefabricoftheUniverse.”“Really?”Icommented.“Colemanguessedthat.Hesaidwewoulddiscoverthelawsofour
spiritualnature.Didyourfriendstellyouaboutit?”Wilbeganwalkingdownthehillagain.“Yeah.TheThirdsaystheselawshavealreadybeen
discovered.Andinordertogoforward,weonlyhavetoprovethemoutinourownlivesandthencomeinto‘Alignment’withthem.Italsosaysinthistimeperiod,wewillhaveextramotivationtodojustthat.”
“Whatkindofmotivation?”“WehavetocomeintoAlignment,”herepeated,“becauseit’stheonlywaytoavoidsomethingelse:
aquickeningKarma.”
MOVINGINTOALIGNMENT
IwokeuptoWiltappingonmyhotelroomdoor.WehaddriventotheBellRockInnandcheckedin,andIhadturnedinbeforeeleven,expectinganearlydeparturebutnotthisearly.Iglancedattheclockbythebed:oneA.M.
“Wakeup,”WilwaswhisperingthoughthedoorasIopenedit.Hurryingin,hehandedmealargepackandsomenewclothesandboots.
“What’sallthisfor?”Iasked,stillgroggy.WilmovedovertothewindowandlookeddowntowardtheparkinglotwheremyCruiserwas
parked.“Takealook,”hesaid,pointing.Istrainedtoseeinthefaintlight.“What?”“Ourfriendsareback.ThereonthestreetbehindyourCruiser.”Ittookafewseconds,butfinallyIspottedanSUVwellhiddenamongsometrees.Severalmenwere
gatheredtogetherbesideit.Onewasonaradio,lookingtowardus.“Yeah.Iseethem.”Wilshookhishead.“Lookstomelikethey’reabouttodosomething.Putonthenewstuff,andleave
yourotherclothesandbootsintheroom.Someonemayhaveplacedalocatoronussincewe’vebeenhere.”
“Waitaminute,”Isaid.“It’sthemiddleofthenight.Whatareyouthinkingweshoulddo?”“Wehavetolosethemagain,whichmeanswemustleaveyourvehiclehere.Don’tworry.The
Hopiswillkeepaneyeonit.Rumorhasitthere’sagroupofpeoplecampedwayupBoyntonCanyonwhohavemoreoftheDocument.WeneedtogetourhandsontheThirdandFourthIntegrationsassoonaspossible,andwedon’twanttochancebeingdetained.Weneedtogetdeepintothewilderness.”
WilwashelpingmepackmynewstuffandinspectingeverythingelseIwasplacinginthepack.IknewtheBoyntonarea,whichwasknownasasacredplaceandheldmanyNativeAmericanruins.Ihadtriedtohikeitseveraltimesbuthadalwaysdecidedtoreturnafteronlyashortwalk.Somethingaboutitseemedspooky.
“That’satightcanyoninplaces,”Isaid.“Wegetupinthereandwe’retrapped.”Hegavemeoneofthosedeterminedlooks.“Therearewaysout,ifyouknowwheretheyare.”IknewWilwellenoughtoknowthiswasn’tahumorousmoment.Fromthelookonhisface,hewas
leavingmycourseofactioncompletelytome.Icouldcomeornot.Andhewouldbeperfectlyfineleavingmerighthere.
“TheHopisconsiderthiscanyonaplaceofpurification,”hefinallysaid.“ItmaybejustthelocationtounderstandAlignmentandKarma.”
Ilookedathimamomentmore,notingthathehadmentionedKarmaasecondtime,thensaid,“Okay,let’sgo.”
Wegatheredtherestofourthingsandsneakedoutthebackdoorandacrosstheedgeofthedarkparkinglotintosometrees.ThenWilledusthroughtheshadowsintoanotherlot,whereanolddiesel
Mercedesthatsmelledlikepeanutoilwaswaitingforus.Thecarwasdrivenbyasmall,muscularmanwithlongblackhair.Climbinginasquietlyaspossible,Istruggledtoaccountforthesmell.Finally,itcametome.Thecarwasrunningonbiofuelmadefromrecycledcommercialfryingoil.
“ThisisWolf,”Wilsaid,introducingmetothedriver.“HeismylongtimeHopifriend.”Wolfappearedtobeaboutfiftyyearsofage,exceptforhiseyes,whichlookedmuchyoungerand
werelightamberincolorandverypiercing,exactlylikethoseofarealwolf.Hegavemeasmileandnodded.
NoonetalkedasWolfdroveusdownafewstreetsandthendoubledbackseveraltimestocheckifanyonewasfollowing.Weevenstoppedforawhile,turningthecarlightsoff,justtobesure.Wheneverythingseemedsafe,wetookaroadthatwovethroughasectionofhouses,andthenenteredthemainroadheadingwestoutoftown.
“Bettergetcentered,”Wilsaid,andlookedaway.Iknewexactlywhathemeant.Itookabreathandremindedmyselfofwherewewereintheprocess.
ExpectingSynchronicitywasnowfullyingrainedinme,soIfocusedonkeepingthetruthofourlongercontextfullyinmind.Immediately,Ifeltmoreawakeandalert,rightontheedgeofunfoldingevents.
Afterafewmoremiles,WolfslowlypulleduptotheBoyntonCanyontrailhead.Tooursurprise,dozensofcarswereparkedallalongtheroad.WilandWolfglancedateachother.Aswewerecollectingourgear,Wilhandedmeaflashlightandtoldmetowatchforrattlesnakes.
Wolflaughedandthenwalkedcloser.“Remember,”hewhispered,“canyonsareforpurification,butmountainsareforfindingVision.”Iwantedtoaskhimwhathemeant,butWilwasmotioningformetofollowhim.AsWolfdrove
away,weheadedintothecanyon.Afteraboutamile,ImovedclosertoWilandasked,“Istherealargermountainnearhere?”
Wilstoppedinhistracksandturnedtofaceme.“Whydoyouask?”“SomethingWolfsaid.”“There’salargewildernesscalledSecretMountainafewmilesnorth.”Hewalkedaheadagain,thenturnedandadded:“OneaspectofWolfyoushouldknowabout—he
oftenknowswhat’sgoingtohappen.”IhadheardofSecretMountainbutknewonlyofitsgenerallocation.Onethingforsure,the
wildernessitwaspartofwashuge.IfiguredwewouldhavetowaittoknowwhatWolfhadmeant,andsurprisingly,Iwascontenttodoso.Ishouldhavebeenapprehensiveaboutoursuddenflightintothewild,butthedeeperwepenetratedintothewilderness,themoreenergizedIfelt.AndinsteadofthespookyfeelingIhadexperiencedthelasttimeIwasinBoynton,Iwasnowfeelingtheoppositeemotion—asenseofbeingathomesomehow,andtrustingthatwhatevermighthappenherewasgoingtobebeneficial.
Wewerenowwalkingthroughanareaofjuniperandmesquiteinterspersedwithhugeredbouldersandoutcroppings.Askyofbrilliantstarsmadetheflashlightsalmostunnecessary.
“Why,”IaskedWil,“dotheHopisbelievethisplaceenhancespurification?”“Becauseofitsimpact.Itrepelsanyonewhoisn’treadyforabreakthroughofsomekind.Butwhen
youareready,thepowerofthisplacehelpsyou.”“Youmeanenergeticallyhelps?”“Yes.Accordingtolegend,ifyougofarenoughinhere,sayatleastacoupleofmiles,itinevitably
testsyourassumptionsaboutlifeandinspiresareanalysisofhowyouforgeyourwayinthisworld.Again,itmakesperfectsensethatwearebeingledintothiscanyontostudytheLawsofSpirituality.
“Allthisisupforpeoplebecauseoftheeconomicdownturn.Duringthematerialage,wetendedtothinkwewerecreatingoursubsistencewithourknowledgeandreason,thecommonassumptionbeingthatifyouusedyourheadandworkedhard,youcouldprosperinlife.
“Butinreality,everyoneknowsthereareintangiblesatworkindeterminingwhohassuccess.Youcanbeequallyaslogicalandhardworkingasthenextpersonandnotdoaswell.There’salwaysbeenanunknownfactorconcerningwhoisfortunateandwhoisn’tinthislife,andwe’reabouttofigureitout.”
Hestoppedsuddenlyandgazedouttowardaflatareaabovethetrailtotheright.“Let’sgoupthere,”hesaid,“andsetupcampandsleepforalittlewhilebeforedawn.”Wemadeourwayuptothelocation,andinjustafewminuteswehadbothtentsupandthefood
baggedandropedinatreetoprotectit.Afterward,anotherquestioncametomind.“SoyouthinkthemissingfactoristhisAlignmentthing?”Henodded.“AccordingtomyHopifriends,theThirdIntegrationsaysthatduringatimeoftransition
suchaswe’rein,wheneconomiesarefalteringandpeopleareactingcrazy,we’llallbeshownanewwayofgettingourworldlyneedsmet.”
Wilwasalreadyclimbingintohistent.“Let’sseewhathappenstomorrow.”
Thenextmorning,IwasawakenedbytreelimbsbreakingoutsideandWilyelling.Ipulledonmybootsandlookedthroughthetentflap.Itwasbarelydaylight,andWilwasrunningtowardthetreewhereourfoodwastied.WhenIgotthere,Icouldseethelimbwasbrokenandthebagcontainingourprovisionswasmissing.
“Didyouseeher?”Wilasked,pointinguptheslope.“Shewasbig.”“Icouldn’tsee,”Iresponded.Welookedarounduntilwefoundsomelargetracks.“Strange,”Iadded.“Ididn’tthinkthereweremanybigbearsaroundhereanymore.”Closebywereseveralfreeze-driedmealsthathadfallenoutofthesackasthebearhaddraggedit
away.“Wecouldtrackher,”Isaid,pickingthemup,“andtrytorecoupsomeofthefood.”WiljustlookedatmeandIknewwhathewasthinking.Notagoodidea.Weweren’tarmed,andthat
wasaverylargebear.Perhapssheevenhadayoungcub.WemadeourwaybacktothetentsandWilgotouthiscookerandbeganpreparingoneofthemeals.
Achillwasintheairnow,andalightrainwasfalling.“Thequestion,”Wilsaid,“iswhattodo?Withnofood,wehaveadecisiontomake.Wemighthave
tobeinthiswildernessformanydays.Weneedprovisions.Ontheotherhand,ifwegobacktogetthem,wemightrunintothoseguysfollowingus.”
“Whatchoicedowehave?”Iasked.“Wecouldjustkeepgoing.Letthisplayout.”Iwasresisting.“Wecan’tstayupherewithoutfood.”Wiljustlookedatme.“Well,it’sachallenge,butisn’tthesamethinghappeningoutthereinthe
world?Thinkaboutit.Millionsofpeopleareexperiencingthissamesituation.Theygointoworkonedayandhearthey’refired,andsuddenly,nomoremoneyforfood.They’reinthissamesituationwe’reinnow,onlyworse.”
“Buthowwillweeat?AresomeofyourHopifriendsupheresomewhere?”“No,”hesaid.“They’realreadylookingfortheFourthIntegrationfartherupnorth.We’llhaveto
relyongettingfoodfromstrangers.”Isquinted.“Thatmightnotbeeasy.”“No,butagain,inrealityisn’tthatwhatweallhavetocounton?We’reallinbusinesssomewhere,
aren’twe?Evenifweworkforthegovernment,ifothersdon’tbuywhatwe’reselling,ornolongerneed
ourservice,wecan’tsurvive.Sotosomeextentweallhavetobefortunate.IftheUniversedoesn’tsmileonyou,ifyou’renotlucky,thenyou’reinbigtrouble.Intimeslikethese,especially,wecometorealizewearesolelydependentonstrangersshowingupto,ineffect,giveusfood.”
I’dneverhaditputthatstarkly,butIknewWilwasright.Cuttothebone,we’reallalwaysatthemercyofothers.
“Soitfigures,”Wilcontinued,“thattherearesomeesotericrulesworkingbehindthescenesdeterminingwhetherpeoplearegoingtoshowupornot—rulesthatwecanfigureoutandgetintoalignmentwith.I’mtellingyouthisbecauseitisexactlywhattheThirdIntegrationsays.”
“Okay,”Isaid,“thenlet’sseehowitplaysout.”Withinminutes,wehadconsumedthestew,putthetentsandwaterinourpacks,andheadedupthe
trail.Afterawhile,Willookedbackatme.“There’ssomethingelse.Rememberthatothercultureshaveawakenedinhistoryinthesameway
wearenow.Thesecultureshavealwaysbeensmallerandsomewhatisolated,buttheyhavealwaysdiscoveredthesamebasicspiritualprinciplesthatoperateinthisUniverse.”
Iranupbesidehim.“SoyouaresuretheThirdisgoingtotelluswhatthelawsare?”“Yes,thebasiclawsareknown.TheHopitoldmesomeoftheseprincipleshaveaspectsthataren’t
fullycompleteyet,andofcourse,theyhavetoabsolutelybeprovenoutinone’sownlifebeforetheycanbebelievable.Butyes,weknowwhatthebasiclawsare,beginningwiththeonewe’vealreadybeenusing.”
“Whatisthat?”“TheLawofTruth.WeusedittokeepourSynchronicitygoing,anditgovernsthesituationwhenwe
swaptruthsinConsciousConversation.Justrememberthatit’seasytostayintruthwhentheSynchronicityisflowingtohelpyou.It’smuchhardertomaintainthehabitwhentheeconomicstakesgethigh.”
Suddenly,inthedistance,Isawtwopeoplewalkingalongthetrailinfrontofus.“Therearesomepeopleupthere,”IsaidtoWil.Wespedupuntilwecouldseethemclearly.Twomenwerewalkingtogether,dressedinhikinggear
andfloppyhatsandbearinglarge,expensivepacks.IlookedoveratWil.“Whatdoyouthink?”Heshrugged.“Theylookokaytome.Idon’tthinkthere’sanythingtoworryabout.”“Okay,”Isaid,feelingforsomereasonIshouldhandlethematter.“I’llgoaheadandtalktothem
aboutbuyingsomefood.”WillookedslightlysurprisedthatItooktheinitiative,butsmiledandnodded.Campers,Iknew,wereusuallyextremelyfriendlyandhelpful.Iwassurethat,aslongasIdidn’t
appearthreatening,theywouldsharesomeoftheirfood.WhenIreachedthemtheybothturnedaround.Igavethemabigsmileandintroducedmyself,andtheytoldmetheirnameswerePaulandDavidfromCalifornia.IknewimmediatelythattheyweretouristsandprobablyknewnothingabouttheDocument.
Atfirsttheyseemedveryfriendly,butjustasIgatheredmythoughtstobringuptheissueoffood,theylookedatmesuspiciouslyandbeganbackingaway.
“Listen,somethinghashappened,”Isaid.“Weweresupposedtobringsomefoodtofriendscampinguphere,andourfoodwasstolen.It’sreallyimportantthatwegetthererightaway.”Iwaspullingmywalletfrommybackpocket.“IwashopingyoumighthaveextrafoodIcouldbuy.”
“Wehavetogetmoving,”Paulsaid,fidgeting.Andhisfriend,David,addedquickly,“Thereareparkrangersonthistrailallthetime.I’msureonewillcomealonganyminute.”
Bothofthemwerealmostrunningupthetrailnow,lookingbackasiftheythoughtImightgivechase.Theyhurriedaheaduntiltheywerecompletelyoutofsight.
Wilcameupbehindmewithaperplexedlookonhisface.
“Thatdidn’tlooklikeitwentwell,”hesaid.“Whathappened?”Iwasjustasconfusedandtoldhimeverywordoftheconversation.Hewasshakinghishead,
smiling.WhenIgottothepartwhereIhadtoldthemourfoodhadbeenstolenandweneededmoretotaketosomefriends,Wilgrimacednoticeably.IfeltembarrassedbutrationalizedthefibbysayingIwasafraidtheywouldthinkwewerecrazyorunstable,sincewehadn’tjusthikedouttogetmorefood.
Wilstaredatme,remainingsilent,stillshakinghisheadindisbelief.Atthesametime,IrealizedhowweakandnervousIhadbecome.Ihadlostallmycenteredclarity.
“Wewerejusttalkingabouttellingthetruth,”Wilsaid.“IguessIoutsmartedmyself,”Ireplied.“Itreallybroughtmedown.”Helookedatmesympathetically.“Onceyouelevateyourclarityandenergyinanauthenticway,then
it’sprettydramaticwhathappenswhenyoulieaboutsomething.It’sanimmediatecrash.”Imovedoverandsatdownonarock,andWilsatbesideme.“Look,”headded.“It’sthecanyon.Itaccelerateseverything.Itdoesn’tfeelgood,butwhathappened
isahelpfulSynchronicityjustthesame.Youjusthavetoseewhatit’sshowingyou.DuringtheModernage,we’vebeenbendingthetruthforourobsessivepersonalgain,ortofurthersomepoliticalend.That’swhy,aswewakeup,weseecorruptionandgreedeverywhere.
“Butasyoucansee,athigherlevelsofconsciousnessthere’snosuchthingasalieoradistortionthatisokay.TheLawofTruthisabsolute.Ifwedon’tstayhonest,toourbestawareness,ithurtseveryone:usindividually,becauseitcollapsesourenergyandclarity;andothersbecausewefailtogivethemthebenefitofourtruthandpositiveinfluence.”
HewasupandheadingdownthetrailagainandIfollowedalong.“Thisbringsus,”hesaid,“tothenextspiritualprincipletheHopistoldmeabout:theLawof
Connection.”
Justatthatmoment,wecaughtsightofacrowdofpeopleinfrontofus.Walkingcloser,werealizedeveryonewaslookinginonedirection,fartherintothecanyon.Thenweheardtheobjectoftheirattention:thesoundofahelicopterinthedistance.
Wilgavemealook,andweeasedupslowlytowheretheotherswere.Fromherewecouldseethechopperhoveringonlyseveralhundredyardsahead.Itstayedthereafewmomentsmore,thenslowlydescendedtothegroundandcutitsengines.
Willeanedoverandwhispered,“Thatisn’tatouristhelicopter.It’smilitary.”Someofthepeoplewhoseemedliketouristsbegantowalkcasuallyupthetrailagain.Buttwo
groupsheldback:usandagroupofaboutadozenmen,allofdifferingculturalbackgrounds.SomewereclearlyEuropeansandAmericans,butjudgingfromtheirspeakingpatterns,mostofthemseemedtobefromoutofthecountry,probablytheMiddleEast.Astheymovedaround,Isawtwowomenwiththemaswell.
Oneofthewomenturnedtofaceus,andIrecognizedherimmediately.ItwasRachel,thewomanI’dseenatthePub.ShewalkedawaythenandbegantalkingtotheotherwomaninwhatsoundedlikeHebrew.AsIwatched,IsuddenlyfeltarushofemotiontowardRachelsimilartotheoneIhadfeltbefore.
IquicklylookedawayjustasWilgrabbedmyshoulder.ManyofthemeninRachel’sgrouphadspotteduslookingatthemandwerestaringhardinourdirection.
“Let’swalkon,”Wilwhispered.Weheadeddeeperintothecanyon,wantingtoputsomedistancebetweenthemenandus.Outofthe
cornerofmyeyeIcouldseethemglaringatusaswewalked.Finally,whenwewereoutofsight
completely,Wildartedoffthetrailtotheright.“Ithinkweshouldgetoffthistrail,”hesaid,andledusstraightuptheslopeaboutahundredyards,
whereweduckedbehindalargerockoutcropping.Oncethere,Ifeltmorehidden,yetwecouldstillseesomeofthemaintraildownbelowthroughthescrubpinesandjunipers.Theeasternwallofthecanyontoweredbehindus.
ItoldWilI’dseenRachel.“Really,”hesaid.“Thatwasher,huh?Iwonderwhothosepeopleareshe’swith.”“Theylookednonetoofriendly,”Iremarked.Wewaitedthereforalongtimeasmorepeoplecamewalkingdownthetrail.Therewasnomore
noisefromthehelicopter,soIfigureditmuststillbesittingwhereitlanded.Thequestionwas,whowasinit?Andwherearetheynow?Wasitthesamegroupthathadbeenfollowingus?
Finally,Wilsaid,“Look,IthinkyouhavetounderstandwhattheHopistoldmeabouttheLawofConnection.”
“Okay.”“Yousaidthosetwoguysyouaskedforfoodearlierhadstartedtobackawayfromyouevenbefore
youbegantalking.”“That’sright.”“Doyouhaveanyideawhy?”“Notreally.”“ItwasbecauseoftheConnectionwehavewithoneanother.It’sbuiltintoourbrains.TheDocument
saysthatbecausewe’reallconnected,wesensewhatothersarefeelingandthinking.AsweprogressthroughtheIntegrations,itsayswewilldevelopthissenseevenmore.Buteveryonealreadyhasthisbasicperception.”
“AreyoutellingmetheycouldtellIwasn’tgoingtogivethemtheexactstory?Myintentwasn’ttoharmthem.Iwantedtogivethemmoneyfortheirfood.Ijustleftoutsomeofthedetails.”
Heshookhishead.“It’snotthattheyknewwhatyouweredoingexactly.Theycouldfeelwhatyouwerefeeling,andasthelieyouwerecontemplatingbroughtyoudown,theyfeltthatdrainthemselves,andthusbecamemoreconfusedandunclear—whichwasanunconscioussignaltothemthatsomethingwaswrong,andthatyouwereprobablyuptonogood.Sotheybackedaway.”
Hepausedamomentasiftolethiswordssinkin.“Andthissensitivity,”Wilwenton,“increasesasourconsciousnessincreases.Humanityisreaching
thepointwhereyou’dbetternotlie,evenalittlebit,becauseifyoudo,therewillbemorepeopleeverydaywhowillbeabletosenseit.Lyingisjustnotgoingtoworkmuchlonger.”
Wewereinterruptedagainaswenoticedothergroupswalkingbyonthemaintrailbelowus.“Alotofpeoplearecomingintothecanyon,”Wilsaid,suddenlyconcerned.“Andmanyofthemare
packedforlong-termcamping,probablyallwithoutpermits.Eventually,they’regoingtodrawtheattentionoftheparkrangers.We’dbetterfindoutwhatwecanbeforetheyshowup.Timetomove.”
Hegavemeaseriouslook.“Keepyoureyesopen.Watcheverythingthathappens.”Wecarefullywalkeddowntothetrailagain.TherewasnosignofRachelorthegroupshewaswith.
Aswewalkedslowlyforwardintotheheartofthecanyon,webegantonoticepeoplesittingaroundtalkingeverywhere.Wefoundaspotoutofthewayandstopped.
“Listen,”Wilsaid.“IfeelIshouldwalkupaheadaloneandseeifanyoneknowswhatthathelicopterisabout.Ifyou’llwatchthepacks,I’llgodothat,andberightback.”
Inoddedandsatdown.StayingherewasfinewithmesinceIwantedtothinkmoreabouttheLawofConnection.Ifthiswasatrueprincipleofourspirituality,itmeantthatitwasthesameforallofus.HowfarcouldwedevelopthisConnectionwitheachother,Iwondered.Wouldweeventuallybecometelepathic?Foralongtime,Iponderedwhatthatwouldbelike.
Suddenly,Iheardsomeonewalkingupbehindmeandturnedaroundtoseeanupbeatmanofaboutthirtysmilingandofferingmehishand.
“I’mJeff,”hesaid.“How’sitgoing?”Ishookhandswithhimandintroducedmyself.Atfirst,Ifeltaslightdownturninmyenergy,butthe
morehetalkedenthusiasticallyabouthowbeautifuleverythingwasinthecanyon,themoreIbegantothinkhewasokay.
Atonepoint,IevenaskedhimifheknewanythingabouttheDocument,buthesaidhewasn’tawareofit.AfterwetalkedabitmoreaboutSedona,hesaid,“Iseeyouhaveaknife.IwonderifIcouldborrowitforafewminutes.”Hewaspointingtowardmybeltatmyprizedeight-inchhuntingknifethatIalwayscarriedinthewoods.
“We’resettingupcampoverthere,”hecontinued,“andIjustneeditforafewminutestocutsomerope.”
Ilookedthroughsomemesquiteandsawtwomenandawomaninthatdirectionputtingupatent.FiguringhewouldbeclosewhereIcouldobservehim,Itookofftheknifeandgaveittohiminthescabbard—thenwatchedashewalkedbackandbeganworkingwiththetwopeople.
Afreshbreezewasblowingup,andItookabreath.Themorningrainhadclearedandthesunwasbeamingdown.Slowly,Ifeltmyselfrecoveringmylostenergyandnoticedhowbeautifulthisparticularareawas.Smallpinetreesandjunipersdottedtheentirecanyonfloor.
JustthenWilcamebackandsatdownbesideme.“Nooneseemstoknowwhatthechopperisdoing,”hesaid.“Ikeptmydistancefromit,butIcould
seeitwasempty.Andit’sdefinitelymilitary.”Hewassittingonhispack.“Let’sjustwaithereforawhile.”Ismiled.“Youcouldtellmeaboutthenextspirituallaw.”AsWilformulatedasentence,Iagainlookedovertowardthecampsitewherethemanhadbeen
working,onlytofindthathewasnowheretobeseen.Ijumpedupandrantothecampsiteandaskedthecouplewherehewas.Theytoldmetheydidn’tknow,thathewasn’treallypartoftheirparty.
“Hejustcameuptotalk,”thewomansaid.“Heofferedtogoborrowaknifeforus,tohelpuscutsomerope.Heseemedtobealittledownonhisluck.”
IwasabouttogolookforhimwhenWilcameup,andIquicklyfilledhimin.“Hestoleyourknife?”Wilremarked,alookofwonderandamazementonhisface,asifsomething
importanthadhappened.Ibrusheditoffandproceededtolookallaroundthearea.Therewasnosignofhimanywhere.Afterabouttwentyminutes,Ireturnedtowherethepackswere,findingWilsittingpatiently,waitingforme.
“I’vehadthatknifealongtime,”Isaid,sittingdownnexttohim.“Well,”Wiloffered,tryingnottogrin,“youwantedtoseehowallthiswouldplayout.”Iwasinnomoodforanalysis.Ijustwantedmyknifeback,butWilwaspersistent.“Rightbeforeyou
sawtheguywasgone,didn’tyouaskmewhatthenextlawwas?”Iremainedsilent,stillsulking.“Well,”hecontinued,“it’stheLawofKarma.”
Itwaspastnoon,andWilhadleftagain,tellingmehewasgoingtolookforfood.ForalongtimeIjustsataround,wonderingwhatkindofpurificationwasgoingonhereinthiscanyon.Then,aboutthetimeIwasreadytogolookforhim,IsawWilcomingback.Hesatdownandlookedoveratme.
“Findsomefood?”Iasked.“Yeah,alittlebit.IhadlunchwithsomepeopleImet.Iwantedtobringyousomebuttherewasn’t
enough.”Ijustlookedathim.“Whyshouldn’tIfindfood?”heresponded.“IhavegoodKarma!”Hewasusinganoverlydramatic
tonetohisvoice,thenburstintolaughter,barelyabletocontrolhimself.AsusualwithWil,hishumorwassocontagiousIcouldn’thelpbutlaugh,too.“Okay,”Isaid.“WhatdidtheHopitellyouaboutKarma?”Instantly,hewasserious.“TheDocumentsaysthatit’sreal,andinourtime,itrespondstoour
actionsmorequicklythaneverbefore.”“SoI’mtheposterchildforit.”“Well,takealookatwhathashappened.Youtriedtostealfoodfromsomeone,andthatcreateda
karmicresponsefromtheUniversethatresultedinsomeguystealingyourknife.”Ibeganresistingagain.“Whatabouthim?Maybehe’sjustaserialthief.”“Maybe,ormaybehe’saniceguyandhedecidedtomoveupthetrailsomewhereorgobackto
town,andhejustforgottogivebackyourknife.Eitherway,youhavetoaskwhythishappenedtoyourightnow,justwhenwe’retalkingaboutallthisandrightafteryoutriedtostealfromsomeone.”
“Waitaminute.Stopsayingthat.Iwasn’ttryingtostealfromanyone.”“No?Didn’tyoutellalieinordertotrytomanipulatesomeoneoutofhisfood?Tryingtodoitand
doingitisthesamethingkarmically.”“TheDocumentsaysthat?”Henoddedandthenstaredatmeforalongtime.“Look,”hefinallyadded.“Theselawsseemhardtobelievebecausewe’veallbeentrainedtothink
theUniverseonlyhasphysicallaws.Andthereasonpeopleareslowtoputthistogetheristhatweallshadethetruthattimes,especiallyinbusiness,ortosaveface,andweallhavethingshappentousthatarebad.Sothereseemstobenorelationshipbetweenthetwo.Wethinkitdoesn’tmatterifweliealittlebit,becausebadthingshappentoeveryoneanyway.”
Helookedatmehard.“ButaccordingtotheDocument,thatisn’ttrue,andanyonecanproveittohimselfbyjustbeingobservant.BecauseKarmaisspeedingup,theconsequencesfromanuntruthfulmanipulationcomebackveryquickly.”
“Butwhyisitspeedingup?”Hestopped.“Idon’tknow.IaskedtheHopisthesamequestion,buttheysaidtheDocumentdidn’t
say.TheyonlyhinteditmaybepartoftheenergythattheCalendarispointingto.”“YoumeantheMayanCalendar?WhatdotheHopiknowofthat?”“TheclassicalMayawereNativeAmericans,too,youknow.”“Anyway,”Wilcontinued,“proveittoyourself.TheDocumentsaysthatwhenenoughofusrealize
thisisthewayKarmaworks,it’sgoingtoleadtoaneweraofIntegritytoreplacethecorruptionwehavenow.
“Andthere’smore.It’simportanttoseethattheLawofKarmaisdesignednotforpunishment,buttoaffectapositivecorrection.Itapparentlyworksthisway:theUniverseissetupspirituallytosupportandencourageourspiritualgrowth.Ifyoucenteryourselfintruth,thenyourSynchronicitywillsoar.Ifyouparticipateinuntruth,thenyoudrawintoyourlifeapersonwhodoesthesamethingtoyou,againnotaspunishmentbuttoshowyouhowitfeels,soyoucanmovebacktowardtruth.
“Whathappens,”Iasked,“ifwedon’tgetthemessage?”“TheDocumentsaystheresponseofKarmagetsmoreextremeinanefforttogetourattention,
something,again,thatwecanalsoprovetoourselvesatthismomentinhistory.Allwehavetodoispayattentiontowhathappensinrelationtoourownbehavior.”
“Okay,whatifoneisrandomlyselectedandmurderedbyaserialkiller?Isthatpaybackforsomethingwedidearlier?”
“No.Remember,Karmahasnothingtodowithpayback.Itreflectsbacktoyouwhatyou’redoing.Ifyouareanarmedrobber,forinstance,youarestandingfortheuntruththatsaysthatbehaviorisokay.It’sthesameasalieordeceptiontogetthemoney,onlyworse.Andyouwillhavemoneytakenfromyoutoshowyouhowitfeels,soyoucanchange.TheproblemisthatsomepeoplejustusetheKarmaasanexcusetokeepthesamebehaviorgoing,thinkingeveryoneisdoingittome,whyshouldn’tIdoittothemaswell?They’remissingthefactthattheyarebeingshownsomethingsotheycanchange.
“Whensomeonebecomesthevictimofaserialkiller,unlessthepersonisaserialkillerhimself,it’samatterofbeinginthewrongplaceatthewrongtime.It’stheresultofchance,notKarma,andhappensbecauseofthecurrentstateoftheworld’simperfection.Weknowpsychologicallyandgeneticallywhat’sgoingonwithserialkillers,fromstudiesofchildhoodtraumaandgenetics.Intheideal,someonewouldhavenoticedthesefactorsandintervenedwiththepersonearly,sohewouldn’thavebeenabletohurtanyone.Unfortunately,wejustaren’tenlightenedenoughtoinstitutethosekindsofinterventionsyet.Hopefully,onedaywewillbe.”
“Iguess,untilthen,wehavetohopewe’relucky.”“Yeah,atleastuntilwecanmovethroughtheIntegrationsenoughtorealizewecanbe‘protected.’”“Whatdoyoumean,protected?”Willeanedtowardme.“MyHopifriendstoldmethatthesekindsofrandomaccidentsandmishaps
aren’tsupposedtohappen.TheDocumentsaysthat,asspiritualconsciousnessrises,wewilllearnhowtodetectthehunchesandpremonitionsthatallowustoavoidimpendingaccidentsandattacks.Theysaidwe’llgettothatlevelattheFourthandFifthIntegrations.”
Abruptly,weheardtheraspyenginesofseveralATVscomingupthetrailbehindus.Inthetimeittooktograbourpacksandduckintothethickerbrush,theyweredrivingup.
“ThoseareParkServicefour-wheelers,”Wilshouted,leadingusfartheruptheslopeawayfromthenoise.Aswehurriedaway,wecouldseepeoplescurryingforcovereverywhere.Oncenearthecanyonwall,wesawtwomenupaheadattemptingtoclimbthesteepfaceofawallofrock.
“They’resportclimbers,”Wilsaid,urgingmealong.“Theyprobablyhavepermits.”Suddenly,aswewatched,oneoftheirropeanchorsrippedoutoftherock,flippingoneofthe
climbersupsidedownandthreateningtodrophimfiftyfeettothejaggedrocksbelow.Thenanotheranchorbrokefreeanddroppedhimanothertenfeet.Hescreamedinterror.
Withoutthinking,Idashedtowardthecliff.Thesecondclimberwaspointingfranticallytowardsomethingonthegroundneartheirtent.Iimmediatelysawafulllengthofextrarope.Ipickeditup,thenquicklymademywayuptherockandoutonaledgetowithintenfeetofthehelplessclimber.
Ithrewhisbuddytheendoftheropeandheknewexactlywhattodo.Heputtheendthroughasolidlyhammeredanchornearhim,pulleditthrough,andloweredtheendtohisfriend—who,despitehispanic,wasabletotieitaroundhimself.Afterthat,allIhadtodowasholdmyendoftheropetightlytosecurehimfromfallinganyfarther.Afteraminute,hewasabletocuthimselfloosefromtheotherropes.WiththehelpofWil,Iloweredthemansafelytotheground.
Aswegatheredupourstuff,thetraumatizedclimberwassoupsethewasunableeventotalk.Hisfriendgavehimsomewaterandspokewithhimprivatelyforaminute,thenpulledustotheside.Wecouldhearthefour-wheelersalloverthecanyonfloorbelowus,buttheclimberseemednottonotice.
“Ifyouhadn’tcomeby,”hesaid,“Idon’tknowwhatmighthavehappened.I’vegottogethimbacktoSedona.Iwishtherewassomewaytorepayyou.”
WilandIglancedateachother.ThenItoldthemthetruthofoursituation,thatweneededfood.
“Well,”theclimbersaid,“wecansurehelpwiththat.Weweregoingtostayhereforfourdays,butmyfriendistooshaken.Hewantstoleavetomorrow.Wehavelotsoffoodyoucanhave.”
Afterpackingthefood,welefthurriedlytowardthenortheastandfoundanotherplacewherewecouldhideintherocks.Fromtherewehadanevenbetterviewofthecanyonfloor,wherepeoplewerebeingdetainedorturnedaroundbytherangers.IlookedhardforthegroupRachelwaswithbutcouldn’tseeanyofthem.
“Weshouldstayhereforawhile,”Wilsaid,“untilallthisdiesdown.”Hewasstillgivingmethatlookofastonishmentoverwhathadoccurred.
“Iknow.Iknow.Allthismeanssomething,”Ireplied.“Meanssomething?It’sthemostpointedrunofSynchronicityI’veeverseen.Rememberwhenwe
weredrivingawayfromthePubandImadeallthosemovestolosethecarbehindme,andyouthoughtthespeedoftheSynchronicitywasamazing?Well,you’renowoperatingatjustthatlevelofspeed.
“Thinkaboutit.YouwereshowntheLawofTruthwhenyoutriedtomanipulateforfood.YouwererejectedbythetouristsinaperfectillustrationoftheLawofConnection.Then,rightafter,youhadsomethingstolenfromyou,throughsimilarfalsepretenses,illustratingtheLawofKarma.Andnowyou’vejustsecuredourfood,whichiswhatyouweretryingtodoallalong.”
Ilookedathim,notquitegettingthelastone.“Don’tyousee?”hepressed.“Youaidedthosepeoplebyintuitingimmediatelyhowyoucouldbest
help.Itcametoyouhowtohelp,andyoudidit,fast.”Iknewhewasright.Ididn’treallyeventhinkmuchabouttheactions.Somehow,Ijustknew.“It’scalledtheLawofService.Andagain,it’sbuiltintothewaytheUniverseoperatesandhowour
mindsaredesigned.Wesomehowknowwhatothersaroundusneed,andwhenweactinresponse,wefallintoalignmentwiththislaw.Allyouhavetodoisthink,‘HowcanIbeofservice?’Andsomethingwillalwayscometoyou.Alltheresourcesyouneedwillbeprovidedinordertohelp,andyou’llfeellikeyou’realwaysintherightplaceattherighttimetomakeadifference.”
Hepausedforamomentandthenasked,“DoyouseenowwhattheThirdIntegrationis,intotal?It’sallaboutgettingintoAlignment.Andagain,youprovedittoyourself.Youplayeditoutrighthereinthiscanyon.Andanyoneelsewhoobservessincerelycanseeitjustasclearlyinhisorherownlife.
“It’sthenextstepinourawakening.LikeIsaid,duringthismaterialage,wehavegrowntothinkalittlelying,alittleshadingofthetruth,isokay,evenexpected.It’sadog-eat-dogworld,right?Salespeoplearetrainedtopracticeshadingthetruth.Politiciansgetelecteddoingit.Contractswithfineprintareawayoflife.
“Yetthinkabouttheworldrightnow.Corruptionsareimmediatelyfoundout.Scandalseruptdaily.Theswindlersgetswindled.ThisiswhathappenswhenmostofthecultureisbombardedwithaKarmathatiscomingfasterandfaster.It’stheretoshowustheimperfectionsowecandosomethingaboutit.
“Butonceyoubeginlivingthebesttruthyouknowandseethatbeingofservicetoothersandsettingagoodexamplearethebestthingsyoucandoforyourself,well,everythingchanges.YoumoveintoAlignmentwiththewaytheUniverseisdesignedtooperate.Youstopmanipulating,andsoyounolongerdrawmanipulatorsintoyourlife.
“Infact,theoppositeoccurs.WhenyouseekAlignmentandthinkhowtobeofservice,youbegintodrawpeopleintoyourlifewhoaretheretohelpyou.AndthenyourSynchronicityandyourdreamsreallytakeoff.
“Wheneveryonegetsthis,thehumanworldwillimmediatelychange.Businesseswillchangehowtheyoperate.DoingbusinessinAlignmentmeansalwaystellingthetruthaboutyourproductsandalways
beingservice-minded.Andifyoudo,otherswhoneedwhatyouofferwillshowupmysteriously.”IhadneverseenWilthisexcitedbefore.Ithoughtabouttheideaoftithingandaskedhimaboutit.“That’sjustpartofbeingofservice,”hesaid.“Moneyisonlyaformofstoredenergy,anditfollows
thecurrentsofKarmainone’slife.Ifyoumanipulateformoney,yougetmanipulatedoutofmoney—orsuddenlyhaveawaveofbreakdownsandunexpectedexpenses.Tithingisawaytorighttheshipquickly.Insteadofspendingeverydime,denyyourselfalittleandsavetenpercentofyourincomeonemonth.
“Thenjustwaitforanintuitionofwhomtogiveitto.You’llgetone.Someonewhoneedsanangelwillcrossyourpath,andyou’llgetthethrillofhavingthemeanstobeofservice.Andagain,itwilljustacceleratetheflowofhelpcomingbacktoyou.You’llgetmoreopportunitiestobesuccessful.”
Hestoppedandlookedatme.“I’veneverknownanyonewhotithedinthisspiritwhodidn’tprovetothemselvesthatitworks.”
Foralongmoment,WilandIjustlookedateachother.IknewhewasfeelingthesamesensationIwas:anotherriseinconsciousnessandenergy.WehadfullyintegratedtheThirdstep,andaddedonemorepiecetothepuzzleofspiritualreality—Alignment.
“DidtheHopis,”Iaskedfinally,“sayanythingaboutthenextIntegration,theFourth?”Wilnodded,hisfaceturningserious.“TheysaidtheFourthIntegrationisperhapsthemostimportant
partof‘thefoundation,’becauseitwillshowuswhatisfullyatstake.Oncewe’reabletostayinAlignment,intruth,wewillseehowpervasivesomesystemsofuntruthareintheworld.
“Wecan’tgoforwarduntilweunderstandthesegrowingideologiesandseehowdangerouslytheyarepolarizing.Onlythenwillweknowhowtoseparateourselvesfromthisuntruth…andbreakthroughtoaplacewherewecanstanduptoit.”
RECOGNIZINGIDEOLOGY
Westayedintherocks,watchingeverythingthatwashappeningdownatthetrail.Ourplanwastohidethereuntildarkandthenfigureoutwheretogonext.FromWil’sdescription,itsoundedasthoughtheFourthIntegrationmightbechallengingandmoredangerous.Maybeitwastheeffectofthecanyon,buttheprospectofdangerdidn’tdisturbmeasbefore.Iwasfullyintothejourneynow.IputouttheexpectationformoreSynchronicityandheldthecontextthatwewerediscoveringtherealityofhumanspirituality,vowingtostayinAlignment.
Suddenly,Wilsatup,strainingtolookuptheslopetowardthecanyonwall.Agroupofpeoplewerewalkingaboutahundredyardsaway,headingfarthernortheast.Astheymovedthroughagroveofsmallpines,wesawitwasthegroupthatincludedRachel.Shewasnexttolastinline.
AsIwatchedher,sheimmediatelystoppedandlookeddownthehillinourdirection.Althoughunabletoseeus,sheseemedtobesensingwewereobservingher.Atallmanwithabeard,walkingbehindher,saidsomethingandpushedherforwardpointedly.
IlookedoveratWil.“Didyouseethat?She’sbeingheldagainstherwill.”“Looksthatway,”Wilresponded.IcouldtellheknewtherewassomelinkbetweenRachelandmyself.“Listen,”hesaid,“IthinkIshouldgouptherealoneandseeifIcangetcloseenoughtoheartheir
conversations.They’llseeusifwebothgo.”IknewWilhadbeentrainedinsurveillance,soInoddedinagreement.Wilwaslighteninghispack,handingmesomeofthefood.“IfIdon’tcomebackbynightfall,”hesaid,“I’llfindyoulater.Okay?”Heslippedovertherocksandheadeduptheslope.ForalongwhileIjustgazedinthatdirection,
catchingsightofhimafewtimesashecreptbetweentheoutcroppingsandtrees.Thenhewasgone.Afterafewminutes,someonetalkingdownbythetrailattractedmyattention.Fourrangerswere
walkinginmydirection.Igrabbedmypackandslippedaroundtherocksintheoppositedirection,hopingtomakemywaybacktowardtheclifffacewheretheclimbershadbeen.
Suddenly,someonegrabbedmyarmandjerkedmetoastandstill,sendingmypackflyingaheadofmeandcausingmetolosemyfooting.Alargemanwithsunglassesandtrekkingpantsstareddownatme.Anothermanwalkedupfrombehindhimandleanedforward,thenpolitelyliftedmetomyfeet.
“Rememberme?”themansaidinaBritishaccent.“Where’syourfriend,WilsonJames?”IimmediatelyrememberedhimastheblondmanwhohadbeenobservingmeatthePub.“Willeft,”Ireplied.Therangerscameup,andthemangavethemalook.Theynoddedandheadedbackdownthehill
again.“Nomatter,”themancontinued.“Youtwoareprettyslippery,butIwantyoutoknowwewishyou
noharm.We’retryingtohelpyou.”Hepulledmeoveraboutfivefeettowheretheotherscouldn’thear.“Wedon’thavemuchtime.But
I’mgoingtotellyousomething.Youmustlistenverycarefully.Weknowaboutthereleaseofthis
Document,andweknowyou’relookingfortherestofit.We’reveryinterestedinwhatithastosay,andwewantyoutokeepsearchingandtelluseverythingthatyoufindout.”
Hegavemealookthatwasonlyslightlymenacing.“Whoareyou?”Iasked.“Whoareyouworkingfor?”Hesmiled.“Let’sjustsayI’mspeakingforagroupthatexistsatthehighestlevelsofeveryWestern
government.”Iwasstrugglingtoholdontomyclarity.“Whatcouldyoupossiblywantwithanesotericdocument
likethis?It’saboutspirituality.”Helookedatmealongmoment,perhapsawarethathecouldnotwinmeoverwithoutgivingme
moreinformation.“Iwanttotrustyou,”hesaid.“Thisreleaseaboutspiritualityisoccurringatatimewhenthewar
betweenreligionsisourmostdangerousproblem.Anddon’tbefooled.That’swhatitis,awarbetweenthosehavingprimarilyonereligiousviewintheWest,andthosecountries,primarilyintheEast,thathaveanotherview.Thiswarmayseemquieteronsomefronts,butunderneath,thetensionsareaccelerating.Wehavethebestmindsworkingforus,andthey’reallconvincedweareonadownhillslidetowardtotaldestruction.
“Theproblemissimple.It’stheoldissueoftheCycleofRevenge.Everytimewekilloneoftheirs,tenmorejointhefight.Andeverytimetheykilloneofours,there’sacallinhighplacestodosomethingmoredrastictoprotectourselves.Thereisnomiddlegroundhere.Andtheworstisyettocome.Thewholeconflictisabouttogonuclear.”
Hesteppedtowardme.“DoyouknowthereligiousaffiliationofthePresidentofIran?He’samemberofasectcalledTwelvers.TheybelievethatArmageddon,thewarthatisprophesiedtodestroytheworldinthelastdays,isagoodthing—becausetheythinkwhenitapproaches,theirversionofaMessiah,whotheycalltheirTwelfthImam,willcomeoutfromtheclouds,vanquishalltheirenemies,andthencreateanidealworldbasedontheirbeliefs.
“Justtoshowyouhowcrazyitisoutthere,wefindsimilarviewsamongJudeo-ChristianfanaticsintheWest.TheyalsothinkthatArmageddonisdesirable,sincetheybelieveitwillbringforththeirMessiahfigurestolikewisedefeattheirenemies.Somepeopleinbothcampsseemtothinkitistheirdutytoactuallybringaboutthisgreatwar.
“Thiskindoffanaticismseemstoreflectagrowingtendencytogiveuponthisworld.Peopleeverywherearehangingontotheirreligiousdoctrinesatallcost,thinkingtherestoftheworldisgoinginsane.Andthey’rehopingGodwillintervenetoendthemisery.”
Helookedgenuinelyworried.“Don’tyouthink,”hecontinued,“thatit’sstrangehowtheIraniansaretalking,evenaftereverything
theIsraelishavetried?Iranismuchfurtheralonginitsnuclearcapabilitythananyonethinks.Andmanyofitsbasesarefarunderground.That’swhyevenbombingattacksdon’tdeterthem.Someanalyststhinktheyalreadyhavenukesnow,andthey’rejustworkingonthedeliverysystems.”
Hereachedoverandhandedmemypack.“Idon’tclaimtoknowwhat’sinthisDocumentyou’restudying.Itseemslikeabunchoftalktomesofar.ButweknowthereputationofWilsonJames.IfthisDocumenthasarealsolution,wewanttoknowaboutit.”
Hegavemeaseriouslookandadded,“Otherwisemeasuresaregoingtobetakenbyourgroupthatnooneisgoingtolike.”
Inspiteofthethreat,Ibegantothinkhewasbeingsincerewithme.“Don’tworryaboutgettingintouchwithus,”hereplied.“We’llfindyou.Wehavepeopleinevery
departmentofyourgovernment,sowehaveeverythingweneedtokeepupwithyou.”Hepausedandlookedatmeforalongmoment.“There’sonemorething.Thisgivingupontheworldisnotjusthappeninginreligiouscircles.It’s
happeninginthepoliticalrealmaswell.BothLeftandRightarequicklypolarizingintomoredangerousgroups,whoalsothinktheworldiscollapsing,andthustheyarejustifiedintheirextremeaction.Itisanotherreasonwemighthavetoact.Soyouwanttomakesureyoualignwithusinthismatter.”
Withthat,heshookmyhandforcefullyandtoldmehisnamewasColonelPeterson,thenreachedintoasatchelonthegroundandpulledoutsomepapers.
“Here’spartofthetranslatedDocumentwefound,”hesaid,walkingaway.“TheThirdandFourthIntegrations.Someofthepeopleweinterviewedtoldusmoreofitwasrumoredtobenorthofhere,nearalargermountain.”
Foralongtime,Ijusthuddledthereamongtherocks,myheadbuzzingfromallthis.Thesunwasnowblockedbyanotherthicklayerofclouds,andanominouscoolwindbegantoblowfromthenorth.Iopenedmypackandpulledoutawindbreaker.Now,atleast,weknewwhowasfollowingus.Andifhewascorrectaboutthegeopoliticalsituationandpeoplegivinguponthisworld,maybethiswaswhytheDocumenthadbeenreleasedatthistime.
Iwonderedsuddenly,intheinterestoftruth,whetherIshouldhavetoldPetersonaboutthemenwhoseemedtobeholdingRachelagainstherwill.Probablynot,Ifigured,sinceIdidn’tknowforsureifthatassumptionwastrue.IthoughtforamomentaboutreadingsomeofthetwoIntegrationsPetersonhadgivenme,butIfoundIcouldn’tconcentrate.Iwasgettingantsy—Ihadtodosomething.
Finally,IdecidedtomoveaheadinthedirectionWilhadtraveled.“ExpectSynchronicity,”Iremindedmyselfoutloud.“Andstaycenteredinthetruthofwhatyou’re
doing,andinAlignment.”IproceededcarefullyupthecanyonuntilInoticedanothertrailthatboretotherightthrougharocky
gaptowardthenortheast.Thetraillookedtoberarelyusedoverall,butitcontaineddozensoffreshhumantracks.Followingthem,IproceededtoanotherlargemoundofredrockwhereIcouldsurveytheflatsfarthertothenorth.
Aboutaquartermileahead,Icouldseeasmallclearingwheremanypeopleseemedtobecamped.ItwasjustacrossthelineintotheareaWil,andnowPeterson,hadtalkedabout:theSecretMountainWilderness.Themultiridgedmountaintoweredinthedistance.Camping,Iknew,wasexpresslyforbiddeninthiswilderness.Whoeverallthosepeoplewereintheclearing,theirpartywasn’tgoingtolastverylong.
Asagrayduskdescended,Ihikeddowntheslopeandintotheflats.Heretheterrainwaslessrockyandmuchmoregreen,dottedwithlargeareasofjunipers,andlargeoaks.SeveralrabbitsflushedfromtherocksasIwalked.
WhenIreachedtheclearing,Icouldn’tquitebelievehowmanypeoplewerethere.FromwhereIstood,Icouldseeatleasttwoacresfilledwithcampers.Dozensofpeoplewerewalkingaround.Itwasasthoughsomeonehadorganizedamusicfestivalofsixtypeopletwomilesoutinthedesert,inaspotwhereeveryonehadtohiketo.Inreality,itseemedtobeatotallyspontaneousgathering,bornofrumorandadesiretofindoutabouttheDocument.
Thelargerrealityofwhatmightbeoccurringstruckme.Ostensibly,thepiecesofthesewritingshadbeendispersedallovertheworld.Wassomethinglikethisgatheringhappeninginmanyotherplaces,allatthesametime?
Suddenly,Icouldhearthelowwhineofafour-wheelerfarbackinthedistancetowardthecanyon,andIknewtherangerswereabouttomovethisway.Hurryingahead,Ipickedoutaspotneartheeastsideoftheclearing,figuringIcouldmakeaquickgetawayintothejuniperswhentherangerscame.Aroundmewastheglowofeightortencampfires.
Icookedupsomesouponthestoveandateit,waitingforcompletedarkness,andthenIventuredouttoseeifWilwashere,orRachel.ForhalfanhourorsoIwalkedaround,glancingatthepeopleandlisteningtotheirconversationsabouttheDocument.Differentgroupsweretradingcopiesandtalking
abouttheirexperienceswithConsciousConversation.Forthemostpart,IwasaheadintheIntegrationscomparedtothoseIwaslisteningto,andIdidn’t
feeltheurgetoengageanyone.Iwantedtocruisearoundfirstandseewhowashere.Afteralongtime,Ihadcompletelycheckedoutmostofthesites,exceptforseverallargergroupsnearthesouthernedgeofthecampingarea.Thefirstoneincludedatleasttwentypeople,allcampedtogether.
Inthecenterofthegroup,asmallgascampinglanternhungfromatree,floodingtheareawithanoddyellowlight,likethebuglightsyouseeonporchesoutinthecountry.Mothsanddragonflieseerilycircledthelantern.
AsIwalkedcloser,Ialmostranintoanothermanwhowasenteringthecampatthesametime.Weactuallyhadtostoptoavoidcrashingintoeachother.Ipaused,wonderingifthismeetingwasaSynchronicity.
“Excuseme,”hesaid,inafriendlymanner.“That’sokay,”Ireplied.Hegavemeasecondlook.“Hey,IsawyoubackatBoynton.Youmustbelookingforthe
translations.”“Yeah,that’sright.”“Wheredidyoucomeinfrom?”Icouldtellhewassizingmeupforsomereason.“Georgia,”Isaid.HeintroducedhimselfasRobert,fromIdaho.“FromGeorgia,huh?”hecommented.“Somepeopleinourgrouparefromthere.Wehaveallofthe
translationsthroughtheThirdIntegration.”Atthatmoment,anothermanwalkedupandhandedhimacupofcoffee,andRobertaskedmeifI
wantedone.“Sure,”Ireplied,certainnowthatIwasbeingshownsomethingimportanthere.Wewalkedovertothefireandsatdown,andIwashandedacupofcoffeethatwasveryhotand
smelledwonderful.“It’sterrificthatthisDocumentiscomingoutnow,”Robertsaid.“Thecountryisingreatdanger.
Maybethiswillgetpeoplemotivated.I’mprettysurethegovernmentwillbedeclaringmartiallawprettysoon,andpeopleneedtobeprepared.Thefirstthingthey’lldoistakeupallthegunsandmanybooks.”
ItwasbecomingclearthatIwastalkingtosomeoneontheextremeRightpolitically.“Waitaminute,”Isaidcasually.“Noneofthatcanhappen.Thereareconstitutionalsafeguards.”“Areyoukidding?”hereacted.“OneortwomoreLeftistjudges,andthatwon’tbethecase
anymore.Thingsareoutofcontrol.Thecountrywegrewupinisbeingchanged.Wehavetodosomethingnow.WethinktheDocumentisgoingtocallforarealrebellionagainsttheLeftists.”
“What?”Isaidforcefully.“Ican’tseeanyonegettingtheideaofarebellionfromthisDocument—maybeamoreenlightenedCentrism.Haveyoureadit?”
“Muchofit,”hesaidloudly.“Ourpeoplearestudyingitmorecloselynow.They’llletusknowaboutthedetails.Youmaynotbelieveit,butthingsareabouttodegeneratequickly.Youhadbetterdecidewhoyouwanttosidewithwhenithappens.”
Severalotherpeopleinthegroupheardhimandbegantowalktowardus.“Everyonehastowakeup,”hewenton.“TheLeftistsareslowlyunderminingtheConstitutionby
overregulating.They’retakingadvantageofthisfinancialcrisistoconsolidatepower.”Hestoppedandlookedhardatme.“Ithinkyou’reoverstatingrealityhere,”Isaid.“TherewasaswingtotheLeftthatoccurredduring
thecrisis,whenmoreofasafetynetandconsumerprotectionweredemanded.Butifanything,there’sbeenaturnintheotherdirectionsincethen.”
Hesuddenlysteppedbackandbegantolookatmewithmoresuspicion.
“Well,boys,”hesaidtotheothers,“IthinkwehaveaLeftyrighthere.”BeforeIcouldrespond,severalotherpeoplejumpedinwiththeirownthoughtsonthesubject,
basicallyechoingthefirstman’spointofviewandarrogantlyemphasizingmynaïveté.Astheycontinued,Ibegantofeelslightlyconfusedandoffcenterandnolongerwantedtoarguewiththem.
SomuchforthisbeingaSynchronicity,Ithought.Besttoleavenow.“Look,”Isaid,walkingaway.“Everythingyouaresayingcanbedebated,butyou’renotopento
that.Thereisanothersidetoalltheseissues.”Isetthecoffeecupdownonarock.Robertwaslaughingnow,butsomeoftheothersweregivingmeintimidatinglooks.“Youbetterwakeup,”oneofthemyelled.“YoupeopleontheLeftareruiningthiscountry,and
we’renotgoingtostandforitmuchlonger.We’dratherhavethecorporationstakeoverthanyouidiots.”
Walkingbacktothetent,Icouldfeelmyclarityofmindfinallycomingbacktome.IhadnoideathattheextremeRightwouldhaveaninterestinthisDocument,ifindeeditwasagenuineinterest.Morelikelytheywerejusttryingtouseitfortheirownpurposes.Mostupsettingofallwasthefactthatmyenergyhadcollapsed.IfeltIhadheldontoamorerationalviewwiththem,whichIconsideredmosttruthful,butIhaddefinitelybeenaffectedbytheverbalonslaught.
Thenitdawnedonme.Thesepeoplewerecontrollers,inthesamesensethattheOldProphecyhaddescribedthemintheFourthInsight.WehadcometotheFourthIntegration—soofcourseIwouldberunningintocontrollers!
AstheProphecyhadshown,controllerswerenotinterestedintruth,andonlymarginallymotivatedbyoutcomes.Whattheywantedaboveallwasthefeelingofpowerthatcomesfromdominatingothers.Inordertodothis,theymakeupanyfactsnecessarytothrowtheotherpersonoffbalanceandunderminehisself-confidence.Andifthecontrollingwassuccessful,thevictimswouldeventuallylosetheircenteredclarityaltogetherandbegintodefertothecontrollers’opinions—which,ofcourse,wouldgivethecontrollersahitofenergyandpowerfromtheothers’attention.Controllingisobsessivebehavior,usedtopushawayinsecurity.
ThistypeofcontrollingisthechiefcharacteristicofthosebothLeftandRight,whohaveaprimarilyideologicalapproachtopolitics.Theydon’twanttodebatetheissues.Theywantonlytoshoutdowntheoppositionandwin.TheoldProphecypredictedthatthisselfishinsecuritycouldberesolvedonlywhenonefoundtruesecurity:aspiritualconnectioninside,whereseekingthetruthandbeingofserviceweremoreimportantthanwinning.
Shakingofftheexperience,IcontinuedtolookaroundforanysignofRachelandWilbutsawnooneIrecognized.IwasabouttoheadbacktothetentwhenIheardsomeonetalkinginaloudvoiceinacampsitetomyright.Ilookedaroundandtriedtoseethroughthedim,flickeringlight.Thenightwasnowdrapedinaslightfog-likehazefromthesmokeofthecampfires.
Finally,Ispottedfourorfivepeoplestandinginagroup,illuminatedbyalargecampfire.Twomenwereopposingeachotherinaheatedinterchange.Oneofthemwasshouting,andtheothermanwas…Coleman!
IwassogladtoseehimthatIrushedoverandstoodjusttotherightofhimforsupport.“You’reoneofthoseRight-wingers,”theloudmansaid,wavingafingeratColeman.“Ifyou
weren’t,youwouldn’tbetalkinglikethis.”Colemanshookhishead.“I’monlysayingthatittakesabalance.Somepeoplewantbiggovernment
totallyregulatingeverythingandotherswantbigcorporateinfluenceandverylittleregulation.Ithinkthebestpositionisrightinthemiddle,withjustenoughregulationtoprovideadequateconsumerprotection.”
Hisopponentwasn’tlistening,goingoffonatiradeabouthowthosewerejustcodewordsfor
Right-wingintentionstoundermineprogramsforpeople.HecalledColemanafascistextremistouttocontroltheeconomiesoftheworldandoppressanyonewhowasn’trich.
Atthatmoment,alightbulbwentoffinmyhead.WewerenowseeingthereverseofwhatI’dexperiencedearlier.WhenItriedtodiscusspoliticswiththeRight-wingguyfromamoremoderateposition,hecalledmeaLeftist.AndnowIwaswitnessingamanontheextremeLeft—becauseColemanwasalsocomingfromamoderateposition—accusingColemanofbeingfromtheextremeRight.
Bothextremistswereusingthesametactic.Ifsomeonedisagreedwiththemevenslightly,theyweresimplypushedintotheoppositeextremecategory—sotheycouldbedismissedanddehumanizedandnottakenseriously.Thatway,eachside—farLeftandRight—couldjustifytheirownextremebehavior.Eachthoughtofthemselvesasthegoodguyshavingtofighttosavecivilizationfromasoullessenemy.
Astheothermancontinuedtoshout,Colemangavemeanexasperatedlookandnoddedthatweshouldleave.
“Whereareyougoing,Right-winger?”oneoftheothermenshouted.“Youaren’tgoingtowin.Ifwehavetoinstalladictator,we’lldoit.Youaren’tgoingtowin!”
Oncewewereoutofsight,ColemanstoppedandpulledacopyoftheFourthIntegrationfromhispack.
“Weneedtotalk,”hesaid.
AswewalkedbacktowhereIhadsetupcamp,Igushedouteverythingthathadhappened,includingexperiencingtheThirdIntegration,seeingRachelandthestrangegroupshewaswith,andlisteningtothefarRightguyactingjustasirrationalastheguyColemanwasarguingwithontheLeft.
Colemanlistenedandbusiedhimselfwithpickingupsomedeadmesquitelimbs.SeveraltimeshepausedtotellmehehadhadsimilarexperienceswiththeThirdIntegration,notfromlosinghisfoodbutfrombeingaloneandlosinghiswayandseekinghelpfromothers.Wewerebothatthesameplace:inAlignmentandbeginningtoseektheFourth.
Whenwearrived,IusedsomestarterwoodWilhadplacedinmypacktobuildasmallfire,listeningatthesametimeforanysoundsthatmightindicaterangerswereapproaching.
Colemanwaswatchingme,growingmoreexcited.“HaveyouseenwhattheDocumentsaysabouttheFourthyet?”
“Notyet.”“We’reseeingallthisforareason!TheDocumentsaysthatduringthetransitionfromamaterial
worldviewtoamorespiritualone,civilityisthefirstthingthatgoesoutthewindow.Thoseholdingontotheoldworldviewoftenbegintoclingtotheirobsessionswithevergreaterferocity,untiltheirbeliefsbecomeanideology,asystemofideasthataren’tbasedontruthanylonger.Itisbasedontheperceivedideathatthereisanenemyouttherethreateningtheworld.Andinsuchadiresituation,theyfeelitisokaytogiveupontruthfuldemocraticdebateandlegalprocedures.
“ThepoliticalLeftandRightarebothmovingtotheextremebecauseeachthinksthethreatissogreatfromtheothersidethatextrememeasuresneedtobetaken.Andofcourse,it’sallself-reinforcing.Whenpeopleexaggeratethefacts,theyabandontruth,andthentheLawofKarmakicksin,andeachsidedrawsintheiroppositeswhoarelyingaswell,andtheyjustfaneachother’sflames.
“What’sworse,”hewenton,“isthatthoseinthemiddle—aswejustsaw—areconstantlyaccusedofbeingextremebybothsides,sograduallyeveryonetendstobepushedtowardtheextremeoppositepoles.”
Hepokedthefirewithastick.“TheDocumentsaysthedangerliesinthisincreasingpolarizationofpoliticalthought,withmorepeoplemovingtotheextremeseveryday.Thisisaverydangeroussituation.
Eithersidecanbecomeviolentordespotic.TheDocumentsaysthoseinAlignmentmustfindawaytostanduptothoseinextremeideologiesbycreatinganew,enlightenedcenter,devotedtothetruth.Itsaysthisisespeciallytruewhenconfrontingreligiousideology.”
Ijustlookedathim.“Iwasveryinterested,”hesaid,“whenyouweretellingmeaboutthegroupRachelwaswith.”“Whyisthat?”“BecausetheDocumentsaysreligiousideologywillalsobeincreasinginourtime.Inthisperiod
wheremanypeoplewantanopendiscussionaboutspiritualitysowecanbuildaconsensusaboutourspiritualnature,manyinestablishedreligionswillbegintofeelthreatened.Andinanefforttodefendtheirdoctrine,theywillmovetoextremesaswell,eventothepointofgivingupandwishingfortheendoftheworld.”
IrememberedwhatColonelPetersonhadtoldme.“You’retalkingabouttheend-timespeople,”Isaid.“ThosewishingforArmageddon.”“Yes.”
Justatthismoment,thelowwhineoffour-wheelersinterruptedourconversation.Theywerestillfarawaybutwerebearingdownonusatafastpace.Peopleeverywherewerehurryingtobreakdowntheirtentsandgathertheirbelongings.
“We’dbettergetoutofhere!”Isaid,jumpingupandloadingmypack.“I’llgetmytentandberightback,”hesaid,rushingintothedarkness.Justthen,Iwasjoltedbyawoman’sscreamaboutfiftyfeetaway.Severalmenwithbigflashlights
hadgrabbedherandwerelookingallthroughherbelongings.Severalmoremenwereheadingmyway.Withnootherchoice,Istuffedeverythingintomypackandranintothedarkness.Alloverthearea
now,Icouldseemenwithflashlightssearchingthroughpeople’scampsites,obviouslylookingforsomething.IcrouchedlowasonegroupofmenrushedintoacamplessthanthirtyfeetfromwhereIwashiding.Beamsfromtheirlightssweptoverme.
“Letushaveyourtranslations,”oneofthemensaidinanArabicaccent.AnothershoutedtoanassociateinwhatwasclearlycontinentalIndian.IrecognizedoneofthemenasbelongingtothegroupholdingRachel.Hewasthetallmanwithabeard.
Nowthefour-wheelerswereonus,andthemenquicklyscattered,theflashlightssuddenlygoingdark.Imovedawayfromtherangers,lookingaroundasbestIcouldforanysignofColeman.Finally,Ihidamongsomerocksaboutahundredyardsaway.Dozensofrangerswereherdingpeopleintogroupsandmovingthemoutoftheclearing.Iheadedfarthernorth.
Afteraboutanhour,Ifroze.Someoneseemedtobecreepingtowardmefromtheleft.Thesoundstopped,andIbackedawayintheotherdirectionandrightintothegraspofalonefigurewhopushedahandgunintomyribs.Iwaswrestledtothegroundbyanotherman,andoneofthebigflashlightspoppedoninmyface.
Theypulledmealongforaboutahalfmilefarthertowardthenorthintoanareaofthickpines,wheremorethantwentypeoplemetus.Asmallcampfireflickeredlightoverthescene.ThiswastherestofthegroupthathadRachel.
Amanwhoseemedtobetheleadercameoverandgazedatmeforalongmoment.Hewasthicklybuilt,haddarkhairthatwasgraying,andwasdressedinmilitaryfatigues.Heshookhisheadandturnedaway.Itookadeepbreath,tryingtokeepmywitsaboutmeandstayoutofpanic.Afterall,Itoldmyself,Rachelhadbeenwiththesepeopleforawhile,andshehadn’tlookedtooupsetearlier.
Ontheotherhand,theyhadjustcomeintotheclearingandhadterrifiedeveryone,apparently
lookingforpartsoftheDocument.Icouldseefoldersandloosepapersstackednearalonecactus.Onemanwalkedoverandbegansearchingthroughmypack,easilyfindingmycopies.
Suddenly,twootherpeopleemergedfromthedarkness.OnewasRachelandtheotherwasanArabmaleofaboutthirty-fivewhowasattiredinmoreformalArabdress.Rachelmovedcloserandsawme,oureyesmeetingforjustaninstantbeforeourviewwasblocked.
Theleaderthenwalkedoverandcasuallysatdowninfrontofme.“WherearetherestofyourDocuments?”heasked.ItwasthesamemanI’dheardspeakingwitha
continentalIndianaccent.Iwasdeterminedtostaycenteredandtobetruthfulorsaynothing.“That’sallIhave,”Isaid.HegavemewhatIcouldonlydescribeasaserenesmile.“Okay,myfriend,thenwheremightwe
findtherestofthisartifact?”“Idon’tknow.Onehastobeguidedtoit.”“Andyou,areyouguidedbyColonelPeterson?”Iwasstunned,whichmadetheleader’seyeslightup.Hewasobviouslypleasedwithhimselfthathe
knewofthecolonel’sexistence.“Oh,yes,”headded,“Iknowallabouthisgroup.AndIwantyoutotellmeallyouknowabout
him.”“That’seasy,”Isaid.“Ionlymethimforthefirsttimeearliertoday,andIdon’tknowanythingabout
him,exceptthathe’sinterestedinwhatthisDocumenthastosay,justasyouapparentlyare.”“Yes,we’restudyingitrightnow,”theleadersaid.HiseyestellinglyglancedatRachel,whowas
sittingbesidethestackofpapers.“Sowhataboutyou?”Iasked.“WhatdoyouthinkaboutthisDocument?”Heseemedtobeamused
thatIwoulddaretoaskaquestioninthiscircumstance.“Ithasnothingtotellus,”heasserted.“Wealreadyhavethetruth.”Heturnedandbegantalkingtothewell-dressedmanwhowaswithRachel.HecalledhimAdjar.Atthatmoment,Rachellookeddirectlyintomyeyes,whichwassooverwhelmingIhadtoshiftmy
gaze.Theconnectionwasn’tromantic—atleastIthoughtitwasn’t.Butitwasdefinitelyunusual,andIfeltitatdepthsIhadnoideahowtoexplain.AsIlookedatherwithmyperipheralvision,Irealizedshewastryingtocommunicatesomething.
Cooperate,sheseemedtobesayingwithhereyes.Don’tmakewaves.Whichthrewmeintoaquandary.Tostayclear,Ihadtoremaincenteredandaware,andtodothatIhadtotellthetruthasIknewit.Iwouldhavetophrasemytruthfulcommentsinawaythatwouldkeepmeoutoftroublewiththisguy.
Theleaderwaswalkingbacktowardme.“Thisideaofideology,”hesaid.“Itreferstopeoplewhoarelivingliesandknowit,yes?Likethose
wholieandstealformoney,likeyoupeopleintheWest.”HelookedcloselytoseeifIwasgoingtodefendModernlife,butthethoughtcametometogoin
anotherdirection.“IthinktheDocumentispointing,”Isaid,“tothosepeoplewhohavesetideasaboutrealityand
aren’topentoanydiscussionaboutit.Theystopgrowingandjustrepeatthepast.Theyaren’tconsciousintheirconversation.”
“LikePeterson?”“Well,Idon’tknow.”“Youknow!”Forthefirsttimehelookedfullymenacing,andIknewIwasontrickygroundhere.“Okay,”Isaid.“Ithinkheistryingtofindawaytostopthewaroverreligionbeforeit’stoolate.”Helookedasthoughhewastryingtocontrolaninneroutrage.“Heonlywantspowerforhimself,”hesaid.“Besides,thewarcannotbestopped.Itisdestined.I
thinkyouaretryingtodeceiveme.”Withthatheturnedawayagain.Rachelwasstaringatme,cautioningmetobecareful.TheleaderlookedatAdjar.“Setaguardoverthemallnight.”AdjarnoddedtotwoothermenwholiftedmeupandhadmesitbyRachel,thenhesaidsomethingto
theotherwomaninHebrew.Shemovedovertoarockabouttenfeetawaytowatchus,anUzimachinepistolinherlap.HecalledherHira.
IleanedovertowardRachelandnoticedherroseperfumeagain,whichinthissettingmadeherseemotherworldly,orangel-like.
“Whoarethesepeople?”Iwhispered.“I’vebeenwiththemawhile,”shesaidquietly,“andIstilldon’tknowmuchaboutthem.They
mostlybelongtoArabicsects,buttheyhaveWesternerswiththem,too,JewsandChristiansfromallover.TheonlyconnectionIcanseeisthattheyareallintoend-timesProphecy.Theleader’snameisAnish.He’stheonewhoholdsthemalltogether.”
IquicklytoldherwhatPetersonhadsaidaboutreligiousextremistsdesiringArmageddon.Shethoughtforamoment.“IknowAnishisplanningsomething.Ijustdon’tknowwhatitis.They
callthemselvesApocalyptics.”“Andtheywon’tletyouleave?”“Ihaven’tpressedtheissue.TheymademeagreetohelpthemunderstandtheDocument,although
onlyafewofthemarecomprehendingit.”SheglancedoveratAdjarwhoquicklylookedaway.ItookabreathandthentoldRachelaboutthementerrifyingthecampersattheclearing.“Iwasthinkingtheymightbeforcingpeopletogiveuptheircopies,”shesaid.Shelookedatme,tryingtofindmyeyesagain.“HowfarhaveyougottenwiththeIntegrations?”“I’mthroughtheThirdandsomeoftheFourth.”“Soyougettheproblemwithpolarizingideologies,andthedisregardofmoderateviews?”“Yes.”Sheseemedtolightup.“Well,theconclusionoftheFourthisrevealing.Itsaysthereisonlyone
solutiontotheproblemofpeoplewhoarelostinideologies.TheDocumentsaysthoseofusinAlignment,holdingacentralpositionoftruth,havetoreachthem.”
“Whatdoesthatmean?”“ItexplainsthatenoughofushavetomovethroughtheIntegrationsuntilwehaveenoughinfluenceto
persuadethem,beforeit’stoolate,thatAlignmentistheonlyway.Peoplecanchangeintheblinkofaneye.”
“Araceagainsttime,”Isaid.Shegavemeapuzzledlook.“JustsomethingafriendtoldmewhenIfirstheardabouttheDocument.”
Atthismoment,theleader,Anish,walkedupandsaidsomethingtoAdjar.Thenhegavemealonglook.HeseemedtogrowirritatedthatIwasreturninghisstare.Hestormedover.
“Whoareyoutolookintomyeyes?”heyelled.“Showdeference!Youarehere,alive,bothofyou,becauseIallowit.Whenyounolongerserveourcause,Icandispensewithyouinaninstant.”Hesnappedhisfingerstoillustratethepoint.
Then,strangely,hisdemeanorbecamecalmagain,andhesmiled.“Tomorrow,youwilltellmeeverythingyouknow.”
Heglaredonemoretimeatbothofusandwalkedoff.Thethreatwasconvincing,andIfeltmyenergyplummet.Rachellookedatmehard.Sheglancedat
ourguard,Hira,whoreturnedherlookwithconcern.Hirajumpeddownfromtherockwithamazingathleticease,readyforwhateverwasgoingtohappen.Rachelnoddedather.
IrealizedthenthatRachelmusthavedevelopedafriendshipwiththiswomanwiththeUzi.Infact,RachelseemedtohaveaConnectionwithbothHiraandAdjar.Aftershewassurehewasn’tcomingback,Rachelleanedoveragain,stillsearchingformyeyes.
“There’sonelastthingintheFourth,”shesaid.“Allofusmustadmitthatwecan’tmarshalenoughinfluenceonourowntostanduptosuchpeople.Itsayswehavetobreakthroughtoalargerpartofourselves…andfindour‘protection.’”
THEGODCONNECTION
Isatalone,staringatthedyingfire.Thewell-dressedArabman,Adjar,hadreturnedandtalkedforalongtimewithRachelastheygatheredupthecopiesoftheDocument.
Afterward,hesupervisedasIerectedmytent,thenescortedRacheltoherowntent,leavingmealoneexceptforHira,ourguard,andthreeextremistswhoweresittingtogetheronthefarsideofthecamp.Occasionally,themenwouldburstintomutedlaughterastheysmokedcigarettesandtookturnsdrinkingfromabottleofwine.
Mymindwasspinningoverthesituation.Myenergyhadcrashed,andIhadnoideawhattodo.IthoughtmomentarilyoftheDocument’sideaoffindingProtectionbutfoundnohelp.Whateverwasintendedbythatwordwouldremainamysteryuntilsomethinghappenedinmyexperiencetogiveitmeaning.Untilthenitwasjustonemoreabstractterm.
LookingagainatHira,IfiguredIcouldmakearunforitandperhapsgetaway,butthatmovewouldleaveRachelherealone,andIwasn’tgoingtoabandonher.Hiralookedaroundsuddenlyandstaredhardatme,andwhenoureyesmet,herlookshiftedintosomethingakintocuriosityorinquisitiveness,butonlyforaninstant.
Somethinginherlookmademefeelbetter,andIthoughtabouttryingtospeakwithherbutdecidedagainstit.Thedayhadbeenlong,andinspiteofthefear,anirresistiblefatiguewasdescendingonme.ForafewminutesIlookedoutintothenightandtriedtoconjureupanexpectationofSynchronicity.ThenIcrawledintomytent,literallyunabletostayconscious.WherewasWil?Iwondered.AndColeman?
Iwasawakenedbythemuffledsoundofconversationoutsidemytent.Atfirst,IthoughtIwasdreaming,butthenIheardRachel’svoicedistinctly.Iglancedatmywatch.Itwasanhourbeforedawn.
“Don’tyousee?”shesaidinaloudwhisper.“Wehavetofigureouthowtobridgeourdifferences.”IpeakedthroughthetentflapandcouldseeRacheloutsidebythefire.Adjarwassittingacrossfrom
her.Therestofthecampwasdarkandsilent.Hirawasnolongerontherock.Rachaelwaspressing.“Spiritualitycannotbeforced.Peoplemustdiscoveritforthemselves.”Hewasshakinghishead.“Whatwebelieveisthatculturemustbeshapedandkeptspiritual.The
spiritualrulesmustbemaintainedbythoseincharge.Otherwise,ourpeoplewouldbespoiledandlazy.Lookattheindecencyanddegradationofyourmoviesandmusic.Andyouholdupyourcorruptpoliticsassomethingtobeproudof?”
“Look,”sheargued,“Idon’tlikepartsofourculture,either.Butfreedomisimportant,formenandwomen.WhatiftheDocumentiscorrect?Youunderstandwhatitsays.You’veexperiencedtheAlignment.Whatifpeopleeverywherecouldlearntopracticeaspiritualitythatestablishesthedisciplineyouspeakof,butisvoluntaryandengagedinbecauseofthethrilloftheexperience?”
Suddenly,HirareturnedwithanalarmedlookandbeganspeakingtoRachelinHebrew.Adjarlookedasthoughhewantedtostrikeher,butheturnedandwalkedafewpacesawayindisgust.
Ipushedthroughthetentflapthenandstartledthemall.RachelshotmealookofgraveconcernandwalkedovertoAdjar.
“SomeoftheothershaveopeneduptoHira,”RachelwhisperedtoAdjar.“Anishissayinghe’snotgoingtoletusgo!Youhavetohelpusgetaway!”
Adjarsaidnothing.“YouknowwhattheDocumentissaying,”Rachelpressed.“Itsayswecanexperiencea
Breakthroughofsomekind.Wehavetofigureoutwhatthatis.Itcouldleadtoaresolutionbetweenbothsides.WhatifArmageddondoesn’thavetohappen?”
Adjarturnedawayagain,asthoughunderterriblestress.Finally,hesaid,“Okay.Getyourbelongings.”HiraranuptoRachel,hergunhangingfromhershoulder,pointedtoherself,andsaidsomething,
whichseemedtomeanshewasgoingwithus.Rachelturnedandlookedatme,smilingasthoughthoroughlyastoundedthatherpleahadbeen
granted.Iwhirledaroundandbegandismantlingmytentasquietlyaspossible.Withinminutes,thethreeofuswerecarefullywalkingtothenorth.Behindus,Adjarwasstandingmotionlesswatchingusgo,thefirelightglisteningonhistallforehead.
“WhataboutAdjar?”IwhisperedtoRachel.Wewereclimbingupthesteep,woodedinclineinthedirectionofSecretMountain.
Shestoppedandlookedbackathim.“Idon’tknow,”shesaid.Rachelfoundabreakinasteepoutcroppingwherewecouldmakeourwaytotherightalongasmall
ridge.Suddenly,weheardaloudsequenceofyellsandarguingbehindusattheApocalyptics’camp,apparentlyatthediscoveryofourabsence.Icouldseethelargeflashlightscomeonagainandagroupofmenbeginheadingourway.
Wehurriedourpacetowardthenorth,everdeeperintotheSecretMountainWilderness.Thisarea,Iknew,wasatleastfortysquaremilesofroughterrain.Wewalkeduntilwellaftersunrise,andateachriseintheterrainwestoppedtorestandtocheckiftheextremistswerefollowingus.Eachtimewewouldseethemstillbacktherebutnotcatchingup.
Asthesunrosehigherinthesky,wequickenedourpaceuntilwecouldn’tseethemanymoreandthenpushedforwardintotheearlyafternoon,whenwevirtuallycollapsedfromexhaustion.Wesetupcamponariseofrocksurroundedbythickbushesexceptononeside,whichallowedusaviewdowntheridge.
Fortherestoftheday,weatecampstewandtookturnskeepingwatchandsleeping.Finally,weallgatheredontheedgeoftherockstowatchthesunset.Rachelsatdownbesideme,andHirasatafewpacesaway,watchingformovementandstillappearingverynervous.Asthesunsetunfolded,swirlingcirruscloudspickedupthelastofthelightandbegantolooklikelittlepinkAngels.
“Iguesstheywereprotectingusbackthere,”Rachelsaid.Inodded.“You’restillgoingtoneedthem!”Hirasuddenlyshouted.Ahundredyardsaway,agroupofsevenextremistswerejoggingupthehilltowardus.Someofthem
hadassaultweaponsontheirshoulders.“Comeon,”Isaid.“Wehavetogetoutofhere.”Inminuteswehadgrabbedeverythingandwererunninguptheslopetowardthetopofthemountain,
scalingrockyoutcroppingsandmakingourwaythroughthickclumpsoftrees.Hirahadmovedinfrontofusandwasdirectingtheroute.
“Letherlead,”Rachelsaidtome.“SheusedtobeintheIsraelimilitary.”WeweremakingourwayaroundoneofthetightledgeswhenmyfootsuddenlyslippedandIfelt
myselftopplingofftheedgetowardanotherspireofrocktwentyfeetbelow.AtthelastsecondIleapedtoaboulderabouttenfeetdownandslidtoaproneposition,scrapingmyarmonthejaggedrocks.
“Areyouallright?”Rachelwaswhisperingfromabove.Icouldseetherewasnowaybackuptoher.“Yeah,”Isaid,“butI’llhavetofindanotherwayup.I’llmeetyouaheadsomewhere.”Shenodded,andItookoff.Glancingbehindmeinthedescendingdarkness,Icouldseethe
flashlightsoftheApocalypticsflickeringonagainandbobbingupanddownastheyclosedinonus.Suddenly,asingleshotrangout,reverberatingagainstthemountaininaseriesofechoesthatchilledmysoul.
DespiteeverythingIcoulddo,myenergybegantofadeevenmore.Isoughttobolstermyconsciousnessbytellingmyselfhowimportantitwastomakeitthroughthis,tofindtheremainingIntegrations.IeventriedtoexpectSynchronicityagainandtosomehowseekProtection,butIknewfullwellthattherewasnooneouthereinthiswildernesstocometoouraid.
Iwasrunningthroughthedarknessnow,jumpingfrombouldertoboulder.Atonepoint,tomyhorror,IfoundIhadnowayforwardwithoutmovingbackdowntheslopeinadirectionclosertothebobbinglights.Worstofall,upahead,theslopeendedinasheerrockface.Iwouldhavetoclimbvirtuallystraightuptherockstogetaway.
Anothergunshotrangout,whichthrewmecompletelyintopanic.Itallseemedmeaninglessnow.Nowtherewasonlyfear,andthedesperatedesiretogetaway.
WhenIreachedtherockface,IchosethebestwayIcouldseeandclimbedformylife.Ateachledgeofrockreached,thelightsflickerederraticallyoverme,tellingmethemenwereclimbingaswell.Weretheyalreadysightinginonmewiththeirweapons?Thethoughtsentmeintoeverlargerwavesofpanicuntilthelevelwassimplyunbearable.Atthatmoment,Ibegantofeeltheresignationofimminentdeathdescendingonmelikeawetblanket,sappingmyremainingenergy.Mylegsbegantofeellikelead.
Thensuddenly,Iwasbuoyedbyamemory.Thisexactcircumstancehadhappenedtomebefore,yearsago,duringthesearchfortheProphecyinPeru.Iwasintheexactsamesituation,givingintodeathasarespitefromterror.Backthen,IhadopeneduptoaconsciousnessIhadn’texperiencedbeforeorsince.
Withthatthoughtinmind,Iregainedsomeofmybalanceandclimbedtothetopoftherockface.ThenIsqueezedthroughanarrowopeningbetweentwolargeoutcroppings,attemptingtofindawayuptomyright.Tomyshock,Ifoundmyselftotallyblockedoffandstymiedbyasheerdrop-offaheadofme.Again,justasinPeru.
Rocksslidingdowntheslopebehindmetoldmetheextremistswereclose.Myrubberylegsbegantofailagain,andIslumpedtotherocks.Againtheblanketofsurrenderbegantocoverme—onlythistimeIdidn’tfullyletgo.Apartofme,thepartthatrememberedtheexperienceinPeru,didn’tgivein.ImovedintoazonewhereIwasthepureobserver,thedetachedwitness,thereonlytowatchtheunfoldingdramathatwoulddeterminemyfate.
Takingabreath,Ilookedoutatmysurroundings,waiting,andthen,justasinPeru,somethingbegantochange.Withoutinvestment,Iwatchedasmyconsciousnesssuddenlyenlargedandreachedouttoeverythingaroundme,givingmeanoddfeelingoffamiliarity,asthoughIwasrecapturinganaturalpartofmyselfthathadbeenlost.
Instantly,myperceptionwasfilledwitheverythingIhadn’tnoticedbefore:Smallmothsandflyinginsectscircledaroundmyhead.Crickets,orperhapsgrasshoppers,sangtheirsongfromthetreesandrocks.Ibecameawareofalargebird,perhapsahawkorowl,awakenedbymyrudeintrusion,whichcriedoutandflewaway.Icouldheareachthumpofthewings,asifitwasflyingoffinslowmotion.
Aboveme,thesliverofmoonthathadguidedmywaywasnowhanginglowerinthesky.AsIlookedatit,Ifeltanotherexpansionofmybeing,oneIalsorememberedfrombefore.Nolongerwasit
merelyanartifactinthesky,two-dimensionalinitsappearance,likesomethingseenontelevision.Thissliverwasnowperceivedbytheobservingpartofmyselfinalargerway,sothatIknewinmy
perceptionthatthephasesofthemoonarereallyachangeinthewaythesun’slightreflectsoffthemoon’sround,three-dimensionalshape,hangingthereinspace.
Theperceptionstretchedmyawarenessevenmoretoincludenotjustthemoonbutthesunaswell,hanging,asitwas,underneathEarth’swesternhorizonandshininguponthemoon.TheeffectwastoextendmysenseofspacepastthelocalareaaroundtheledgeIwassittingon,outtothelargercosmosinalldirections—andnotjustovermyheadandtoeachside.IfeltitundermyfeetontheothersideofEarthaswell.
Withthat,everythingwassuddenlythrownintogreaterrelief,akindofsuperthree-dimensionalitythatenhancedthepresenceandrealnessofeverythinginmyperceptualfield,fromthesmallinsectsclosetomyfaceallthewaytothegalaxyofstarsbehindthemoon.IwaslookingateverythingfromthelargerperspectiveoftheentireUniverse.
Everythingaroundmecamealivewithanoverwhelmingbeautyandmajesty.Therocksandtreesvirtuallyglowedwithcoloraseveryreflectionoflightoutlinedtheircontoursandcreviceswithmulticoloredreflections.Thelargepinetreethatborderedtheledgetomyrightseemedtoexplodewithathousandvariationsofredandbluehighlights.
Asifpulledonbymygrowingsenseofbeauty,IthenfeltmyselfexpandattheemotionallevelintoaprofoundfeelingofloveandConnectionwitheverythingaroundme.Somethingintheareaofmyheartburstoutward,andIknewwithoutadoubtthatIwasnowhomeandcaredfor,andabsolutely—Icouldn’tbelieveit—Protected.
ForawhileImerelysoakeduptheemotion,butthenmyimageofmyselfasapersonbegantoshift.Somehow,inthismomentofeuphoria,thewitnesspartofmyselfcouldnowseealltheeventsofmylifeasonelongmovie.IcouldseealltheSynchronicities,allthethoughtsandideasthathadcometomeatjusttherightmomentinmypasttoguidemylifeforward—revealingnowahiddenpurposebehinditall.IcouldseethatallIhaddonecamefromatruthIhadcomeintotheworldtotell.ButIcouldalsoseethatmytruthwaspartofalarger,hiddentruth,aPlanforallofcreation.
Thisrecognitionliftedmeintostillanother,evenlargeremotionalopening.Thelove,theeuphoricsenseofbeingathome,ofbeinginvolvedinaUniverseofhigherpurpose,wereallstillthere.ButalongwithitwasrisingaprofoundsenseofappreciationforthisConnectionandsupport.ItwaslikesuddenlyrealizingthatsomeDivineforcehadbeenbehindmeallalong,withoutmyfullyknowingit—andnowwassuddenlyjumpingfrombehindthecurtain,yelling“Surprise!”
Onlyitwasmoredeeplyheartfeltthanthat.Tounderstand,atthislevelofillumination,thatIwaspartofsomethinglargerandolderandlongerwasalmostoverwhelminginitsimpact.
Andhere,inthismomentofappreciation,somethingelsealsoseemedtobeoccurring.IwassensingsomepersonalpointofConnectionfromwhichthisloveandbelongingemanated.Whatwasthis?WhenItriedtoanalyzeit,itsimplydisappearedaltogether.YetwhenIconcentratedonfeelingtheloveandwell-beingandappreciation,thereitwasagain.ItwasasifappreciationcompletedacircuitofConnectionsomehowandbroughtthepointofcontactcloser.
Foraverylongtime,Ijustsatthere,somehowfeelingeverythingatonce,theheightenedperception,theloveandwell-being,thesensethatthere’saPlantowardwhichweareallbeingguided,andfinally,thiselusivepointofConnectionIcouldn’tunderstand.Ididn’twanttomove.
Thenightskyhadvanishedinthefirstlightofdawn,andeverythingaroundmewasstandingoutevenmoreinvividcoloranddistinctiveness.Suddenly,Ifeltmyattentionbeingpulleddowntheslope.Gradually,IrealizedIwashearinghumanvoices.Ileapedtomyfeetsoeffortlesslyitamazedme.Mybodywasmovingdifferently,notjustwithmoreenergy,thoughthatwastrue,butalsowithmorecoordinationandprecision.Squeezingthroughthebouldersagain,Iquietlymovedbackdownthroughtherocks,realizingthevoiceswerecomingfromapointahundredfeetorsotomyright,behindsometrees.WhenIcamecloseIcouldheartheaccentsandknewitwastheApocalyptics.
Withoutfear,ImovedslowlytomyrightsothatIcouldlookdownonthem.Anishandthetallbeardedmanweretalkingloudly.BehindthemwereRachelandHira,andalargermansittingontheotherside.Whenheturned,IrealizeditwasColeman,andhelookedterrified.Anishandthebeardedmanwerearguingoverwhatshouldbedonewiththethreeprisoners.
“Theyknowwhatwe’regoingtodo,”thebeardedmansaid.“Toreleasethemwouldthreatenourproject.”
“Whatdotheyknow?”Anishsaid,glancingatRachel.“Nothingthatcanhurtus.Theendisapproachingandnoonecanstopit.”
Thebeardedmanlookedangered.“Wecan’tkeeptakingchanceslikethis.Whatarewedoinghereonthismountain,anyway?ThisidiotDocumentmeansnothing.Whyarewelookingformoreofit?WehavetogettoEgypt.”
Anishturnedhisback.“Ihavetoinsist,”thebeardedmansaidforcefully,“orwemustgoourownway.”Severalarmed
mensteppedforwardfrombehindhim.“No,no,”Anishsaid.“Ourcoalitionistooimportantforthat.”HelookedoveratRachelwithahint
ofpity.“Youdon’twanttodothis,”Rachelsaid.“TheDocumentwillexplaintheendtimes,whatallthe
Propheciesreallymean.Iknowit.Wecanallfindthetruthtogether.Itcouldbringpeace.”Atthismoment,Iunderstoodinaflashthatallofus—Rachel,Adjar,Hira,Coleman,myself,and
Wil,whereverhewas—werehereforareason.WewerepartofthePlan.Wewereintherightplacetointercedewiththeseextremistssomehow.Wecouldlearntoreachthem,astheFourthIntegrationsaid.Buthow?
Theideasuddenlycametometomovefarthertotherightandtrytocreatearockslidethatwouldn’thitanyonebutmightcreateenoughofadisturbancetoallowourgrouptoescape.IwasabouttodojustthatwhenIcaughtsightofsomeoneelseintheexactareaIhadinmind.Suddenly,ahugerockcascadeddowntowardthepines,jarringotherrocksloose,includingonethesizeofabathtub.Astheroarstarted,theApocalypticsbeganrunningintheoppositedirection.
IknewIsomehowhadtogetRachelandtheotherstoruntowardme,andIfeltmyselfspontaneouslygointoastateofintention,akintoprayer,onlyitwasn’tjustme.IcouldsomehowfeelaConnectiontomanyotherswhowerehelping.Whowerethey?
Almostoncue,RachelgrabbedHiraandranthroughsomerocksinmydirection.Asoureyesmet,Rachelslowedforamomentandseemedtostagger.Hirasawme,too,andgrabbedRachel’sarmtokeepfromstumbling.LasttoseemewasColeman,whoheldontotoarockforbalance.IcouldtelltheywerebeingliftedintothesameconsciousnessIwasin.
Rushingthroughtheblindingdustandconfusion,IgrabbedRachelandHiraandledthembackthewayI’dcome.Colemanwasrightbehindus.Rockswerecontinuingtocrashdowntheslope,andasweranIlookeduptowardthesourceofthelandslideandnoticedmovementagain.Ipulledallofthembehindanotheroutcroppingnearalargetree,wherewecouldn’tbeseen.Theyweresmilingupatme,feelingnoconcernaboutthedangers.
Abruptly,someonepeekedaroundthetreeandlookedatus—
Wil.Thesightofhimliftedmyawarenessevenhigher,andwhenhelookedatme,Iknewhewasalsointhesameconsciousnessastherestofus.
“Followme,”Isaidspontaneously.“Iknowwherewecango.”IquicklyledthembackuptotheoutcroppingwhereIwasearlierandthroughthenarrow
passagewayontotheledge.Rachel,Hira,andColemanstillseemedtobeconsumedbytheirstateofconsciousnessandfoundseparateplacestositdown.
WilandIwalkedbackoutsidetokeepwatch.“Youstartedthatrockslide,didn’tyou?”Iasked.Wilnodded.Ilaughed.“Ithoughtaboutcausingarockslidemyself,butyouthoughtofitfirst.”Helookedatmeandsaid,“Whoknows?Maybeyouthoughtofitfirst,andIheardyou.Orperhaps
wethoughtofitatthesametime.That’smyguess.”IknewhewasreferringtotheConnectionwenowallseemedtohavewithoneanother.Itookasteptowardhim.“Doyouthinktheseextremistswill…?”WilcompletedtherestofmythoughtbeforeIcouldgetitout:“Followus?Iwouldn’tbesurprised.”Hemadethecommentwithoutalarm,asthoughhehadn’tacareintheworld.Whichseemedodd
givenourcircumstances,untilIrealizedIfeltexactlythesameway.Wewerethinkingandactinginhyper-speed,doingwhatwehadtodo.Butpartofwhatwewerefeeling—thelove,beinghome,guidedbysomemysteriousintuition—wasdefinitelytheconstantsenseofbeinginvulnerable,asthoughnothingcouldhappenthatwewouldn’tbeabletohandleorbeguidedthrough.
Ilookedathim.“YoufeeltheProtection,too,don’tyou?”
Atthismoment,Isuddenlythoughttolookdownthehill.Wilwasalreadymovingpastmetodothesamething,climbinghigherontheoutcroppingtogetagoodview.Iwasrightbehindhim.Whenwegotinplace,wecouldseemovement.Asmallgroupofmenwereheadinguptowardus,weaponsinhand.
“Iknewit,”hesaid,rushingbacktotheledge.SodidI,Ithought,tryingtokeepupwithhim.Aswemovedthroughtheopening,somethingelsecametomind.WhenIwasoutontheledgethe
nightbefore,itwasdark.Maybetherewasawayofftheledgeanddownthehillinthatdirectionafterall.Whenwearrived,RachelwasalreadylookingovertheledgewithColeman,searchingforthatexactthing:anescaperoute.AllofourmindsseemedtobeworkingtogetherinsomekindofsuperConnection.
Colemanwasnowtotallyinsync.“Whatishappeningtous?”heasked,smiling.“IknewtheFifthwasabouthavingaBreakthrough,
butIneverexpected—”“JustconcentrateonthesenseofProtection,”Isaidinstinctively.Hisfacetoldmeheunderstood.“There’stheway,”Hirasaidabruptly.Shewaslookingovertherightsideoftheledge.“Wecan
dropdowntothenextrockandmovealongtheslopetotheright.”Imovedoverandlooked.“That’safifteen-footdrop!”“Youcandoit,”shesaid.Turningaround,Icouldseeeveryonegettingtheirgearready.Wilgavemea“let’sgo”look.Hirawasfirst,droppingherpackandthenjumpingbesideitlikeitwasnothing.Colemandropped
hisbelongingstoHiraandthencreptouttotheendoftheledgeandhungmomentarilybyhisarmsbeforedropping.Wildidthesamething.ThenRachelwalkedovertomeandItookherbythearmsandheldherovertheledge.AsIdidso,oureyeslockedintothedeepestConnectionI’deverexperienced,asthough
oursoulstouched.Iheldherthereforalongmomentandthendroppedhereasilytotheothers,beforejumpingdownas
well.AsIdropped,IthoughtofsomethingI’dlongforgotten.Allmylife,sinceIwasverysmall,I’dfallenperiodically,sometimesfromgreatheights.Once,whenonlythree,IthoughtIcouldflyand,withanaprontiedaroundmynecklikeaSupermancape,hadswandivedoffaneight-footretainingwall,landingunhurt.
Later,asayouth,Ihadclimbedatwenty-five-footextensionladderoveraconcretefloortohelpputupalight.ThefootoftheladdersuddenlykickedoutandIfelltheentiredistancetothefloor,landingontheladderprecisely,withmyhipandshouldereachhittingarungintheladdersoastobreakmyfall—theonlywaypossibletohavekeptfrombeingseriouslyinjured.Iwalkedawayunharmed.
Andfinally,I’dfallenincollege.Whileworkingasanelectrician,Ifellfromtheatticofashoppingcenterthroughtheceilingofajewelryshopbelow,landingsquarelyontopofaneight-footglassdisplaycaseandshatteringmywaythroughfourglassshelvesuntilIbouncedtothefloor.WhenIlanded,Icarefullyremoveddozensofswordlikeglassshardslyingallacrossmybodyandgotup—again,withoutascratch.
Duringeveryoneofthesefalls,timehadsloweddownandasenseofcertaintyhadsweptovermethateverythingwouldbeallright,thesamefeelingIwashavingnowasmyfeetlandedontherockbelow.IwonderedifIhadtunedinbackthen,somehowunconsciously,tothissamesenseofProtection.
HiraledthewayandwefoundaroutethattookusaroundalargeravineandbackdowntheeasternsideofSecretMountain.AsHirakeptupagoodpaceaheadofus,Inoticedshewasrockhardandmuscular,likeagymnast,andnowburstingwithenthusiasm.
“Don’tfallbehind,”shesaidatonepoint,butevenbeforeshespoke,everyoneofushadinstinctivelybeguntopickupthepace.
Afteraboutahalfmile,wehadcomedowntotheflatsnortheastofBoyntonCanyon.ThereIbegantogettired,andtheeuphoriaandclarityseemedtobewearingoff.Hirastoppedforaminute,allowingustocatchourbreath.Asshelookedatme,herfacewasdifferent,asifshewassuddenlyworriedagain.Ilookedattheothersandwasmetbynewfoundexpressionsofconcern.Clearly,everyonewascomingbacktonormalagain.Ilookedbackuptowardthemountain.
Withoutwarning,anothergunshotechoedacrossthedesert,throwingallofusintopanicagain.Wewereinthelastofagroupofsmalloutcroppingsbeforetheterrainopenedintoalarge,flatareaofmostlydesert.Wehuddledlowintherocks,facingadilemma.
BehindussomewhereweretheApocalyptics,andaheadofusweretwohundredyardsofopengroundbeforewereachedastandofjunipersthatwouldprovidesomecover.Wecouldeitherrunstraightacrossorgototheright,wherethickerpinesandrocksofferedmorecover.
Wilwasupahead,crawlingbacktome.“Areyouholdingyourcenteredness?”heasked.Ilookedathimandshookmyhead.“Justbarely.”“Remember,”hesaid,“thatwhatjustoccurredwasaBreakthrough,aglimpseofaconsciousness
thatwenowknowispossible.Butwe’llhavetoworkourwaybacktoit.”Justthen,severalmoreshotsrangout,strikingtherocksfiftyfeetaway.TheApocalypticsdidn’t
knowexactlywherewewere,buttheywerestillbehindus.EveryonewascrawlingovertoWilandme.“They’reshootingfromtheledgewherewewere,”Hirasaid,hervoiceshakingslightlynow.“Whatarewewaitingfor?”Rachelsaid.“Weshouldjustrunstraightacrosstothenexthill.”“Areyoucrazy?”Colemansaid.Hewaslookingupattheledge.“Icanseetwoorthreeofthem.All
withweapons.There’smorecovertotheright.Useyourlogic.”Ashetalked,animageofusrunningtotherightcrossedmymind,andthenmylevelofenergy
seemedtocrashevenmore.Ilookedattheroutestraightaheadanditseemedbetterforsomereason.I
wascertainthatgoinginthatdirectionwastherightoption.“Whatdoyouallthink?”Wilasked.“Ithinkweshouldgoforward,”Isaid.“What?”Colemansaid.“Notme.They’llcutusdown.”EveryonelookedatRachel.“Ithinkforward,”shesaid.Colemanshookhishead,thentookofftotheright,runningthroughthejunipersanddartingfromone
spotofcovertoanother.Secondslater,therestofusbeganrunningstraightacrosstheopenspace,spreadingoutthebestwecouldaswezigzagged.
Suddenly,ahailofbulletsrangoutinthedirectionofColeman.Lookingback,IcouldseethatsomeoftheApocalypticshadtakenapositiononthehilldirectlyabovehimandwerepouringfirestraightdowninhisdirection.Everyonewasslowingdown,lookingbackinhisdirection.
“Go!Go!”Wilshouted,justasthegunmenonthecliffopeneduponus.Bulletsbegantokickupsoiltoourleftandworktheirwaytowardus.Atthatmoment,IcaughtWil’seye,andforthefirsttimeeversawalookofresignationonhisfacethatwemightnotmakeit.AndthenIfeltagainthatsamefeelingwhilefallingasayouth,thateverythingwouldbeokay.
Suddenly,wecouldheartheroarofahelicopterflyingtowardus.Whenitwasalmostdirectlyoverhead,ittiltedinourdirection,andIcouldseeseveralmeninthebackcompartment.OneofthemwasPeterson.Herecognizedmeanddidadoubletake,justasseveralmoreshotscutupthegroundclosertous.Realizingwhatwashappening,Petersonbeganmotioningtothepilot,andthehelicopterspedaheadandbuzzedtheApocalypticsontheoverhang.Thefiringstopped.
“Let’sgo!”Wilyelled,andweallranuntilwecametothefirstredrocksofthenexthill.Oncethere,welookedasthehelicoptercircledtheextremistsafewmoretimesandthenleft.
“Howdidthechopperknowweneededhelp?”Hiraasked.“Theydidn’tknow,”Isaid.“Theyjusthappenedtobeflyingby.”Shegavemeapuzzledlook.“ItwasaSynchronicity,”Iclarified.“Wewereprotected.”
THEGREATCOMMISSIONING
Afterthreehoursoftoughhiking,wemadeittothefirstpavedroad.Earlier,wehadwaitedalongtimeforColeman,thinkinghemighttrytogetacrosstowherewewere.Weeventhoughtaboutgoingbacktolookforhimincasehewashurt,butwefoundourwayblockedbyahostofpolicecarsandForestServicejeepsracinginacloudofdusttowardthemountain.WewerealltiredandshakenexceptforWil,whowasbuoyantaboutwhathadhappened.
“Youknow,”hesaid,atonepoint,“allthathappenedwasshowingusexactlywhatweneededtosee.Ihaven’tseenagroupofpeoplespontaneouslyopenuptoanexperiencelikethatever.TheDocumentsayswecan’thandleviolentideologiesalone,thatweneedtohaveaBreakthroughandfindourProtection,andthat’sexactlywhathappened.”
Inodded,toofatiguedtocomment.“TherewillbeplentyoftimetorestinJerome,”headded.“AndIhaveafeelingColemanisokay.
We’llfindhim.”Jerome,Iknew,wasanoldminingtownwestofSedona,nowfavoredbyartists.“Whythere?”Iasked.Hegavemeasmile.“That’swheretheHopisarewaitingforus.”Withouttalkinganymore,wecaughtaridewitharanchertothenearestpayphonewhereWilcalled
Wolf,andwithinabouttwentyminutes,hearrivedinthesameMercedes.Asweallpiledin,hecaughtmyeyeandgrinnedatmydirtyclothes.
“Haveanyvisions?”heasked,snickering.Inodded,thencollapsedintothebackseat.Wolftookusuptothehillyminingtownandthenpastit
aboutamiletoasmallhomestead.Thehousewasadobe,coveredbyanewtinroofwithsolarpanelsbuiltin.Acrossfromitwasapolebarnandcorral,holdingthreewell-groomedhorses.Aflockofchickensscatteredaswedroveup.
WeweregreetedbytwootherNativeAmericans,anolderwomanofabouteightyandateenageboywholookedfifteen.Theyquicklyservedusahugemealofcornfritters,chicken,andguacamolewithonions.Inanhourwehadshowered,eaten,andsleepilyerectedourtents,barelysayinganything.Bysunsetwehadallturnedin.
Isleptwithoutdreaminganddidn’tawakenuntilarayofsunlightshonethroughtheflapofthetentandhitmyface.Achorusofbirdssanginthesmallcottonwoodsovermyhead.AsIpulledonmybootsandcrawledout,Isawafireandsatdownbesideit.Forthefirsttime,Inoticedthatthelandscapeslopedawayfromthehousetoanacre-sizepondborderedbyanotherverylargecottonwood.Severalcrowscawedfromarockyareabeyond.
Lookingoutatthelandscape,Ifeltasthoughthepastseveraldayshadbeenadream,andIwasbacktomyoldself.Ideeplyneededthecupofcoffeetheyoungboyhandedtome.
“What’syourname?”Iaskedhim.“Tommy,”hesaidinperfectEnglish.Inoddedtowardtheolderwomanwhowasstandingnearby.“Issheyourgrandmother?”“Yes.”“What’shername?”“Grandmother.”“That’sheronlyname?”Henodded.Justthenshecalledtohimandheranovertoherandhungontoherneck,beamingbackatme
proudly.Isweetenedmycoffeewithsomehoneyfromajarsittinginabasketnearthefireandthensippedit
slowly,notwantingtothinkaboutourexperiences.Iknewtherewouldbeplentyoftimeforthatlater.Rightnow,Iwantedonlytositandappreciatethesimplebeautyoftheplaceandfeelthenormalcyforawhile.Acrowsuddenlyflewoverthecorralandlandedonapostnearbytostareatme.Ishookmyheadandlookedaway.
“Upalready?”Rachelabruptlyaskedfrombehindme.Thetimbreofhervoicewasslightlydifferentfromwhenwewereonthemountain.
“Yeah,”Iresponded,standingup.Whenoureyesmet,Iblushedforsomereasonandavoidedhereyesagain,asifwehadjusthadaone-nightstandorsomething.
Shesatdownonaburlapcushionnearthefireandtheboyservedhercoffeeaswell.Reachingintohersweaterpocket,Rachelpulledoutadollarbill,whichheatfirstrefusedtotake,glancingathisgrandmother.Rachelinsistedandhesmiledwidelyandstuffeditintohisjeans.
AsIwatchedRachel,someofourexperiencesonthemountainforcedtheirwaybackintomyconsciousness,atleastintellectually.IknewI’dexperiencedwhatcouldonlybecalledaDivineConnection,andrealProtection,alongwithadeepinteractionwithRachelandtheothers.ButIknew,aswell,thatmuchmorehadoccurredthatIcouldn’trecall.
IrememberedWilsayingitwasaglimpseintowhatcouldbe,onethatwewouldhavetoworktoregain.Istilldidn’tknowwhatthatmeant.Afteramoment,Iletgoofallthethoughts,suddenlyfeelingvulnerable,andbegantoconsiderleaving.Mylogictoldmeenoughwasenough.Agroupofextremistshadjusttriedtokillus,andeventhoughwehadescaped,whytemptfateanylonger?
Suddenly,Rachelslidhercushionclosertomeandsaid,“Allthatoccurredbacktherewasimportant.”
“Really,”Ireplied,notsureIwantedtohearit.Shegavemeanupbeatlook.“TheDocumentsaysthattheopeningtotheGodConnectionhappens
muchmorefrequentlythanmostpeoplethink.It’salsostructuredintothenatureoftheUniverseandintohowourmindswork.”
Hersmilewasbeguiling,soIflowedwithhertrainofthoughtandconsideredtheworkofJungagain,wishingColemanwerehere.TheSwisspsychiatrist,Iknew,haddiscoveredmorethanthephenomenonofSynchronicity.Hewasalsofamousforhisnotionthatourbrainsandmindswerestructuredbyarchetypes.
Hethoughthumans,forinstance,wereabletolearntowalkwithoutthinkingabouteveryindividualmuscleinvolvedbecausethepatternofmusclecoordinationnecessaryforthisactivitywasalreadybuiltintothestructureofourbrains—containedinwhathecalledpreestablishedarchetypalpathwaysthatweregeneticallypasseddown.
Towalk,wehadonlytoseeotherswalkingandtryitourselves,whichfiredupthepatternofneuralpathwaysthathelpuslearntheactivityquickly.Becausethesepathwaysarebasicallythesameineveryone’sbrain,learningtowalkfeelsexactlythesametoallhumanbeings.
Jungarguedthatspiritualdevelopmentwasstructuredinthesamemanner,inalatentpathwaythatwaswaitingforustofireitup.Andagain,thisexperiencefeelsidenticalforallofus.
“Somuchhappenedyesterday,”Isaidfinally.“It’shardtogetahandleonit.AndIcan’tseemtogetbackthatfeelingwehadonthemountain.”
Shelookedatmewithexcitement.“Yes,buttheFifthIntegrationsayswedon’thavetorememberit.Wejusthavetokeeponintegratingtheremainingstepsandwe’llrisebackintoit—youknow,theRisetoInfluencetheDocumenttalksabout.Theonlypartoftheexperiencethatwecankeepnow,aspartoftheFifthIntegration,isthesenseofloveandprotection.”
“That’swhatWilsaid,”Iremarked,noddingforhertotellmemore.“TheFifthIntegrationiscompletingwhattheFourthsetup,”shecontinued.“Ifweintendtoholdthe
truthandstayinalignmentinthefaceofthemostdangerousideologicaluntruth,somethingopensinourbrainstohonorthat.Weknowwecan’tfacethiskindofdangerbyourselvesmerelywithourownstrengthofego.Noonecan.Yetthatrecognitionfiresupapathwaythat’salreadythere,andweexperienceaBreakthrough—onethatgivesusaDivineConnection,andthepremonitionsandSynchronicitynecessarytobeprotected.”
Inodded.ThefeelingofProtectionwascomingbacktome.Untilnow,horriblethingshappenedtopeopleatrandombecausewedidn’thavetheconsciousnessnecessarytohearthewarningsthatcouldsteerusclearofsuchdanger.
IftheDocumentwascorrect,Protectionseemedtobeanaturalpartofourinnatespiritualability,growing,Isupposed,outoftheLawofConnection.Withthisthought,animagecametomeofthefuture.Wouldhumanitysomedaybesoawareofourpremonitionsthatwewouldallknow,forinstance,toleaveacityforhighergroundjustbeforeatsunamiorearthquakearrived,justastheanimalsdo?
Rachelwasstaringatme.“Nextforus,”shesaid,“istobegintosystematicallyrecapturetheexperiencewefoundonthe
mountainsothatwecanbegintoliveiteveryday.We’reattheSixthIntegration.RemembertheProphecyfoundinPeru?We’regoingtodiscoveramission.”
Sheturnedalittle,tryingtolookintomyeyesagain.Ilingeredjustabitlongerinhergazebeforeturningaway.
Suddenly,Wolfwaspullinguptothehouseinhiscar,andwejumpedtoourfeettomeethim.Surprisingly,hehadColemanwithhim,andanothermaninthebackseatIcouldn’tsee.Wehurriedtothecarandfinallycaughtsightoftheman’sface.ItwasAdjar.
Wilcameoutofthehouse,andWolftoldushehadfoundColemanwiththeotherscientistsinSedona.He,too,hadescapedwhenthehelicopterhaddistractedtheextremists.AsforAdjar,someoftheotherHopisintownhadspottedhimatamedicalclinic.WolfsaidAdjarhadbeenabletoescapeafterbeinginterrogatedbytheextremists.
“Unfortunately,”Wolfadded,“eventhoughthepolicewerewellawareoftheextremists’presence,noneofthemwerecaught.”
“Didyouhearthat?”Hiraresponded.“Thatmeanstheycouldbecominguphererightnow.Wehavetodosomething.”
“Whatisthematterwithyou?”Adjarburstout.“Can’tyoujustbeatpeaceforamoment?”“That,comingfromyou!”Hirascreamed.“Youpeoplearethegreatdestroyersofpeace!”RachelimmediatelyrestrainedHira,andGrandmotherledAdjartowardthehouse.Forthefirst
time,IsawthatAdjarhadalargecutonhisforeheadandwasholdinghisarm.WilwaslookinghardatWolf.“Whereisthatplaceyoutoldmeabout?”heasked.“Downtherebythepond,”hesaid,nodding,“nearthelargetree.Wecallittheplaceofharmony.”“Good,”Wilreplied.“We’regoingtoneedalotofthat.”
Formostofthedaywerestedandateourmealsalone.Adjarnevercameoutofthehouse,andHirawasmostlysilentandreserved.Aftertellingmebrieflyabouthisexperienceofbeingcapturedbytheextremists,Colemansleptvirtuallythewholeday.Heseemeddistracted,asthoughhewasworkingonsomethingandhadtogothroughhisprocessbeforetellingmeaboutit.
Asforme,IwastotallyobsessedwiththeideathatourBreakthroughexperiencewasbuiltintoeachhumanbrain.Ifthisnotionwastrue,thenitmightmeanthatalltheIntegrationswerebuiltintothestructureofourbrainaswell,andhencewereinsomesensedestinedforallhumanity.IbusiedmyselfreviewingtheFourthandFifthpartsoftheDocument,whichcorrespondedexactlywithwhatIhadbeentold.
Aboutdusk,IturnedaroundandsawAdjarandHiratalkingwithWil.Atthebeginningofthediscussionsbothwereraisingtheirvoicesandturningtheirbacksoneachother.Towardtheend,however,thetwospoketogetherforafewminuteswithnorancor.Eventually,allthreewalkeddowntothebigcottonwoodandjoinedWolf,whowasthrowingwoodonalargebonfirebuiltinthecenterofacircleoflogs.IknewWilandWolfwereplanningsomething.Youcouldfeelit.Therewasapalpablesenseofexpectationintheair.
Iheadedthatwaymyself,andonthewayIwalkedbyRachel’stent.Shecameoutcarryingalittlejournalandsmilingatme,asthoughwe’dsetaspecifictimetogettogether.
“Iwantedtomakeafewnotes,”shesaid,wavingthebook.“Wilisgettingustogetherforsomething,”Icommented.Shegavemeacrypticsmileasthoughshealreadyknewwhatitwasbutwasn’tgoingtogiveit
away.Asweapproached,InoticedColemanwalkingupaswell,buthedidn’tlookatus.Igotthedistinct
feelingthathe,likemyself,wasthinkingdeeplyaboutoursharedexperience.Bythetimewereachedthefirecircle,itwasalmostdark,andeveryonewasthere:RachelandIwerelocatedononesideofthefire,withAdjar,Hira,andColemanontheotherside.
Wilwasstandingapart,asthoughhewasgoingtoaddressus,andWolfpositionedhimselfatonesideofthefire,holdingalongpolehe’dbeenusingtostoketheblaze.Grandmotherwasbehindallofus,directlyunderthecottonwood,makingextremelyslowdancingmoveswithherfeet.Tommywasbyherside.
Atthismoment,Wolftookhisstickandspreadthefireoutintoawiderarea,killingmostoftheflamesandsendingawhirlwindoftinysparksintotheair.ThenWilaskedustositdowninacircleacrossfromeachotheronthesixsmalllogssurroundingtheglowingcoals.
RacheltossedmeaglanceandmadeherwayovertositdownoppositeColeman.Andasithappened,HiraandAdjarsatdirectlyacrossfromeachother.Toolate,IrealizedIwastheoddmanout.Iwasabouttocommentwhen,tomysurprise,Tommywalkedup,andwithamaturitybeyondhisyearsraisedhiseyebrowsasiftoaskmypermissiontositacrossfromme.
“Ofcourse,”Isaid.Foralongtime,wejustalllookedatoneanother,thehotcoalscastingaredhueoverourfaces.It
wascompletelydarknow,andeventhoughwewerealllessthantwelvefeetfromthepersonacrossfromus,inthelowlightitwashardtobringeachother’sfacesintofocus.Itwasalmostasthoughwewerebeingforcedtojustlookatthepersonasawholeshape,withfewcuesfrombodylanguageorfacialexpressiontoguideourreactions.Settingupthefirethisway,Ithought,mustbeaHopipsychologicaldevice.
“Iwantedtogetyoualltogether,”Wilbegan,“becauseWolfwasabletofindtheSixthIntegration.Ialsoknowmanyofyouhavemadearrangementstoleave,soIwantedtotalktoyoubeforeyoudidso.
“TheDocumentsaysthatonceonehasexperiencedtheBreakthroughtoaGodConnection,thenone
hascompletedtheFoundationofSpirituality,aplateauofstableconsciousnessfromwhichwecanproceed,ifwewantto,withtheremainingIntegrations—ajourneyitcallsaRisetoSacredInfluence.
“TheDocumentdescribesthisriseasasystematicrecapturingofthefullDivineConnection,piecebypiece,asweelevateourconsciousnessbacktothathigherstate.ItculminateswiththediscoveryoftheTwelfthlevel,andatthispointwewillbeabletomaintainthisconsciousness.”
Wilpausedhereandlookedoutatus.“However,”hecontinued,“itsays,veryclearly,thatallthosearoundyouduringatimeof
Breakthrougharethereforanimportantreason.TheyrepresentagroupthatcanhelpyoumovemorerapidlythroughtheremainingIntegrations.AndaccordingtotheDocument,theyhaveanotherimportantpurposeaswell:togetheryoucanformwhatitcallsaTemplateofAgreement,whichservestheroleofagreeingonthetruthabouteachIntegrationandinfluencingotherswiththepowerofthatagreement.
“Thesetemplategroupsareveryimportantbecause,totheextentthattheyaremadeupofpeoplerepresentingdifferentreligioustraditions,theyacttocounteractandresolvethedangerouspolarizationandhatredgrowingbetweenreligiousextremistsintheworld.”
Wilwalkedclosertous.“Thetemplateshavesuchaneffectontheextremistsbecause,asweproceedthroughtheremainingIntegrationsandgrowininfluence,wewillbebeamingonecentraltruthouttotheworld:that,intheiressence,thereligionsareallpointingtothesameexperienceofGodConnectionthatmostofushavenowshared.Itisthiscommonexperience,oncerecognized,thatcanservetohelpreconcilethedifferencesbetweenreligionsandhelpthemcometounity.Truth,remember,iscontagious.”
Icouldn’tseetheirexpressionsentirely,butIcouldfeelthegrimacesonAdjar’sandHira’sfaces,andmaybeevenColeman’s.Thelastthingmanyofusseemedtowant,goingintothisgathering,wastohangaroundlongenoughtomakeitthroughtoday,muchlesslongenoughforsomekindofunificationtotakeplace.
Wilwaspausingagain,knowinghehadjustdroppedabomb-shelloneveryone.IlookedovertowardWolfandsworeIcouldfeelhimwink.
“Beforeyoumakeyourdecisionsinthisregard,”Wilwenton,“IwanttotellyouwhattheDocumentsaysisatstake.AswithearlierIntegrations,enoughpeopleintheworldmusttaketheseremainingstepsinorderfortheInfluencetobecomepowerfulenoughtocounteractthedangersthatarerapidlygrowingoutthere.Tonotactistosendoutanotherkindofcontagion,oneofgivingupontheworld.”
Thatdidit,Ithought.Nowallofuswereinthesamebind.Wemightwanttofleeandsaveourselves,butifwedid,thecontinuedpolarizationmightbringtheworldtodestruction.Inreality,thesituationhadbeenthesamesincetheFirstIntegration.Noneofushadanychoiceatall.
Aswelookedatoneanotherinsilence,InoticedHirawasfidgetinginherseat,asthoughsheknewsomethingthatwedidn’t.
Finally,sheshouted,“Ifthisisalltrue,whatarewedoingjusttalkingaboutit?Let’sgetgoingwiththis!They’restilloutthere.Weneedtofigureallthisout!”
ShelookedatRachel.“ThewholetimeIheardyouandAdjardiscussingtheDocumentsandexperiencingtheelevations,Iexperiencedthemwithyou.ButIdidn’ttellyousomethingimportantandneitherdidAdjar.Anishandtherestofthesepeoplealreadyhaveaplantodestroytheworld.Andthey’regoingtodoit!”
ShelookeddirectlyatAdjar.“YouknowwhatI’msayingistrue!Tellthem!”Adjargotupandlookedaway,andforamoment,Ithoughthewasgoingtojustwalkintothe
darkness.Instead,helookedbackatusandslowlysatdown.
“That’sright,”hesaid.“Theyhaveaplantoforcetheendoftime.Thegroupwewerewithiscomposedoftwoextremefactions,onelookingtotheMuslimtraditionofAllah,andthosefollowingtheWesternreligionsofGodorJehovah.Bothfactionsbelievethatbeforetheendtimescancome,certainhistoricalevents,outlinedinscripturalProphecy,mustfirsttakeplace.
“Eachsidealsobelievesthatwhentheseeventsoccur,theirrespectiveholymenwillreturntogatherupthetruebelievers,vanquishtheirenemies,andsetupacompletelyspiritualworldonEarthbasedontheirparticulardoctrine.
“Buttheirdominantbeliefisthatitistheirdutytobringaboutthesepropheticeventsassoonaspossible.Theyhavesuspendedtheirhatredinordertocooperatewithoneanother,atleastforawhile.TheycallthemselvesApocalyptics,andtheyhaveonestatedgoal:tobringaboutthislastwarthatwillmakeallthishappen—Armageddon.”
Icouldn’tbelievewhatIwashearing.AdjarwasdescribingthesamethreatthatPetersonhadwarnedof,onlythiswasworse:acoalitionofWesternandArabicgroupswhowereactivelyworkingtogethertoendtheworld.
Itallmadesensenow,thefactthatthegrouphadbothArabicandWesternmembers,andthattheywerearguingamongthemselvessomuch.Theyhadformedanuneasytrucetogooutandstartthelastwar,afterwhichtheywouldjustletthebestreligionwin,sotospeak,witheachsidethinkingtheirtraditionwouldbetheonetoprevail.
Ashetalked,IcouldfeelAdjarsoftening.He,too,knewnoneofushadachoice.Iftherewasawaytogainsomekindofinfluenceoverpeoplestuckinthiskindofideology,whowerecapableofdoingsuchincredibledamage,wehadtoatleasttry.
“Ioncebelieved,”Adjarcontinued,“thatthisworldwasdoomed,andI,too,wishedforthecomingoftheDivinesoastobringaboutanidealworldtoreplaceit.SoIjoinedtheApocalyptics.Butthisgrouphasnowdecidedtouseallviolencenecessarytoprotecttheirplanandprovokeatotalwar,andthatiswhyIhadtoleavethem.WhenIescapedfromthem,IalsoexperiencedaBreakthroughthatchangedeverythingforme.”
HelookedopenlyatHiraforthefirsttime,andIcouldsenseherrecallingmoreofherBreakthroughexperienceaswell.
“Itisthesamewithme,”shesaid.“ThecomingoftheDivinemusthappen.Andhumansmusthelpsomehow.Buttheendtimesshouldnotbepushedtooccurthroughviolence.IhadtorejectthewayoftheApocalypticsaswell.”
Suddenly,Irememberedsomething.Forsomereason,thetalkaboutGodinterveningtosavetheworldbroughtbackthemysteriouspointofConnectionIhadexperiencedonSecretMountain.Thememoryfloodedbackintomymind.Duringtheinflowofloveandeuphoria,Ihadexperiencedapoint,orsource,fromwhichtheloveseemedtobeflowing.IhadevenexperiencedaflashofknowingthattheendtimesProphecieshadanothermeaning,notyetunderstood.
“TheDocumentsays,”Wiloffered,“thatatemplategroupcan’tgoforwardunlessallthemembersrealizeitistheirtruemissiontobeinvolved.”
Therewassilenceaswelookedatoneanother,or,aswasthecaseinthelowlight,atoneanother’sforms—andmaybeatoneanother’sspirits.Slowly,Irealizedwewereallbeginningtocometogetheragain.IcouldfeelitintheexactsamewayIcouldfeelitonSecretMountain.AndTommyandAdjarwerenaturaladditions.
IlookedoveratWolf.WeretheseHopissosmarttheyknewhowtohelpmoveusbacktowardConnection…withafire?
Whatensuedwasaroundofmutualself-revealing,whereeachofusdescribedhowourspiritualjourneyhadbroughtustothismoment,andtoourpreferredreligioustradition.AdjartoldushewasschooledasaMuslimandinthepastfewyearshadbecomeinterestedintheProphecyoftheIslamicMessiahfigure,theTwelfthImam.AndHira,whohadlivedallherlifeinIsrael,saidshewasmostinterestedintheJewishutopiathatwouldbecreatedafterthearrivaloftheirexpectedMessiah.
ThencameRachel,whosaidshewasChristianinherbelief,butshehadstudiedendtimespropheciesaswell,especiallytheRapture—theideathatallbelieverswouldbeliftedupinaspiritualbodyandprotectedfromArmageddon.ShefounditmeaningfulthatmosttraditionshavesomeidealofaRapture-likeeventintheirownProphecies.
Tommyspokeupnext,lookingslightlynervous.HeglancedatGrandmotherandthensaidherepresentedtheNativepeoples’tradition,ashehadstudiedtheMayanProphecyandgrewupwithbothHopiandYaquiinfluences.Duringhisvisionquestlastyear,he,too,hadbeengivenaBreakthroughexperience.NowhewasmostfascinatedbytheMayanCalendar.ThisCalendarcouldalsobedescribed,hetoldus,asitselfanend-timesprophecy,becauseitcalledforanendofastageincreationandthebeginningofsomethingmoreideal.
“AccordingtotheMaya,”hesaid,“wewillenteratimewhenenlightenmentismorereadilyavailable,butitwillnotbeimposed.Wemustrealizethatthequestsharedbyallthosealivetodayistoaccesstheunknownpartofourselvesfromwhichthisconsciousnesssprings.”
Icouldn’tbelievemyears.I,likesomanyothers,hadintuitedthattheCalendarwaspointingtosomethingnewinhistory.Andherewasayoungmanprofessingtounderstanditwhowassayingthesamething.Ashetalked,IbegantofeelthatunderstandingtheCalendarwouldbeabigpartofthecomingIntegrations,especiallytheTwelfth.
WithTommy,allthemajortraditionswerecovered,exceptforEasternreligions.Everyonelookedaround.
“I’vealwaysleanedtowardtheEasternpath,”Wilabruptlysaid.Hethengaveusaclearsummaryofhislife,oneofadrivensearchforapracticalunderstandingofspiritualconsciousness.
NowtherewassilenceagainasalleyesmovedtoColeman.Hetoldusgenerallyabouthislifeandhismovementfromspiritualskeptictoexplorerofourdeepernature.Butwhenitcametoreligion,hejustshruggedhisshoulders.Everyoneseemedtoacceptthat,butIstillfelthewasthinkingaboutsomethinghedidn’twanttomentionyet.
WhenIfocusedagainonthegroup,Icouldfeelalleyeswereonme.“Ilovepartsofallofthereligions,”Iblurted.Willaughed,buttheotherswerequietatfirst,andthentheybeganchuckling,too,untilwewereall
laughingoutloud.Inthatmomentwecametogetherevenmore.WeweremovingtowardthatpeakConnectionwehadexperiencedonthemountain—withalmostthesameeaseofinteractionandspeaking.
“TheDocumentstates,”Wilfinallyadded,“thatoncethemembersofagroupexperiencetherealityofaDivineConnection,theyunderstandthatitisthesameforeveryone,regardlessofreligiousbackground.Andtheycanseeoneotherthingaswell:thateachreligionintheworldemphasizesonlyafewaspectsofthisexperience.Otherelementsareminimized,andstillothersareleftoutaltogether.
“Thinkaboutwhatthismeans!”hecontinued.“Amongallthereligions,theexperienceisadequatelycovered.Buttakenalone,eachreligionisincomplete.Therefore,whatisneededisforeachreligiontoteachwhatithascorrectaboutDivineConnectiontoalltheothers,andthenlearnfromtheotherswhatismissinginitsownteachings.
“Thisistheonlywaythewholeexperiencecanbeunderstoodandultimatelymadepartofhumanity’severydayreality.Thisisthepurposeofthetemplategroups—toreachaconsensusconcerningthisnaturalreconciliationofthereligions,foralltosee.
“Andremember,therearemanygroupsofthiskindcomingtogetheroutthere.Somewillhaveit
morerightthanothers.Butovertime,throughConsciousConversation,themosttruthfulreconciliationswillevolveinthepublicmindandbecomemorepowerfulintheirinfluenceonhumancultureasweallmovethroughtheremainingIntegrations.”
Wewereallfollowinghimcompletely,maintainingandevenbuildingontheenergylevel.Nowwewerenolongerjustmembersofvariousreligions.Wewereagroupofsoulswhohaddecidedtohelpmakehistory.
WhenIawakenedthenextmorning,myheadwasstillbuzzingfromtheexperienceofthenightbefore—especiallytherevelationthattheextremistgroupalreadyhadaplantostartArmageddon.Howmanytemplategroups,Iwondered,wouldittaketoreachtheseApocalypticsandotherslikethem?Athousand?Tenthousand?
AsIpushedmywayoutofthetent,Isawthattheotherswerealreadydrinkingcoffeeandwatchingacolorfuldawndanceacrossadarkbluesky.Iwalkedtowardthem,andwhenColemansawme,hedashedover,holdingseveralpagesoftheDocument.
“There’ssomethingelseintheSixthIntegration,”hesaid,pointingtowardaparticularpassage.“Righthereitsaysanothertraditionshouldbepartofthereconciliationofreligionaswell—onethatwouldengageinexploringspiritualitythroughalensthatstrivestobeasobjectiveaspossible.”
“Whomareyoutalkingabout?”Iaskedsleepily.“Usscientists!”hereplied.“Icanbringtheviewpointofthescientifictraditiontoourtemplate
group!”Manyoftheothershadheardwhathesaidandall,includingWil,werenoddingtheirheadsin
agreement.Colemanlookedatme.“Yeah,”Isaid,“ofcourse.”Bymidmorning,wehadeatenbreakfastandheadedbacktothecircleagain.Wolfhadrebuiltthe
fire,butsmallernow,justenoughtobreakthemorningchill.Foralongtime,westaredatoneanother,embracingthefeelingwe’dreachedthenightbefore.Then
Wilbegan.“TheDocumentdiscusses,”hesaid,“afewbasicagreementsthathavetobereachedbeforea
templategroupcanmoveforward,agreementsthatarekeyforthisprocesstobeeffective.Oneisthis:innowayshouldwethinkthattheadherentsofanyonetraditionshouldhavetogiveupbeliefinthevalidityoftheirchosenway—onlythattheymustseektointegratethebestoftherest.
“AndtheotheragreementisthatnooneshouldthinkoftheirpathastheonlywaytoDivineConnection.Remember,weallexperiencedthisBreakthroughdespitethedifferentreligiousperspectiveswebroughtwithus.TheConnectionoccurredbecausewewereinthesameplaceofwillingnessandneedtoopenuptoagreaterDivineConsciousness.”
WhatWilhadexpressedwasundeniablefact;wehadallexperiencedthesamebreakthrough,anditmeantthatthereweremanypaths,butonlyonedirectexperience.Foralongmoment,wealllookedatoneanotheragain,theanticipationpalpable.ThenWilsmiledandlookeddownattheDocument.
“Itsaystobegin,”hestated,“withafocusontheelementoftheGodExperiencethathasmostremainedinmemory.”
Wealljustwaitedtoseewhowouldspeakfirst.Theneveryone’seyesseemtofallonColeman.“Asascientist,”Colemanfinallysaid,“thefirstelementformeofthisConnectionwasasenseof
overridingwell-beingandlove,thefeelingofhavingrejoinedalostpartofmyself,andofbeingcaredforandprotected.”
Everyonewasnoddinginagreement.
“How,then,”Wilsaid,“wouldtherestofyoudescribethisloveandbelongingelementoftheGodConnection?”
“TheHolySpiritfilledus,”Rachelreplied.“Allahgaveushisguidance,”Adjarcommented.“Godrewardedourwork,”saidHira.EveryonelookedatTommy.“Spiritfilledtheworldanditcamealive!”hesaidwithapowerthatsurprisedeveryone.Colemanseemedtobethinkingagain.“Waitaminute.Thosearereligiousdescriptions.Weneedto
speakmorepreciselyabouttheactualexperienceofcominghometolove,anddiscernwhichtraditionemphasizesthisthemost.”
Rachelwasaboutreadytoburst.“Thereisonlyonetradition,”shesaid,“thatespeciallyemphasizesDivineLove:Christianity.I
knowthatthewordloveoftensoundshollow,andwefallshortinalwaysexpressinglove.Butwedobelievethat,ifwehumblyseekthisexperience,wecanmoveintoandfeelwhatwefeltonthemountain.Weareliftedaboveouroldlives,andallthemistakeswe’vemadearetranscended.Wearemadenewandmorewhole.
“Tome,thisexperiencefeltlikecominghome,wherewearefinallyfreefromallthosethingswewishwehadn’tdone.There’sasensethatwhenwereachthisConnection,wecanstartover.”
Noonespoke.Weallknewshewasright.Theloveandwell-beingwefeltdidfeellikeleavingthepastbehind.
“Weteachthatanyone,”shecontinued,“whowantstocomehomeandstartovercanfindthatexperience.Butitmeansrefutingtheideaofaneyeforaneye.AswesawonSecretMountain,atahigherconsciousness,there’snojustificationforaCycleofRevenge,nopossibilityofit.Thetruthisthatwehavetoalloweveryonetohavetheabilitytochange,toberedeemedintheblinkofaneye.”
Icouldn’tbelieveshewasaddressingtheCycleofRevenge.ColonelPetersonhadsaiditcouldn’tbeovercome.WasthereanothertraditionthatrefutedtheCycleofRevenge,eveniftheycouldn’tliveuptoit?
Finally,Adjarspoke.“Imustadmitthatourtraditiondoesnotemphasizethiselementofloveandforgiveness,notthewayweexperiencedit.Andourtraditiontoooftendoesholdontorevengeandpunishmentasbasicprinciples.Infact,IneverunderstoodforgivenessuntilourBreakthrough.Butwedohavepartsofourtradition,suchastheSufis,whosayessentiallythesamething—theyjustdonotreceivemuchattention.”
Severalotherpeoplethencommentedonthelittle-knownscripturesfoundwithintheirtraditionsthatlikewisepointedtothesameideaofloveandtranscendingthepast.
“So,”Wilsaid,“doweagreethatChristianityhasthebestemphasisonthiselementoftheGodExperience?Anemphasisthattheothers,tobeaccurateindescribingthisexperience,shouldintegrateaswell?”
Tommyspokeup.“Nativepeopleshavesometimesbeenfocusedonrevengeandenemies.IagreethatChristianityhasthemostemphasis.”
“Iagreeaswell,”Wilsaid.“Easternthoughtspeaksmoreintermsofbliss,butalsohascurrentsofteachingaboutloveandreconciliation.Buttransformationallove,intheChristiantradition,isthemostaccurate.”
Everyoneelsewasnoddinginagreement.“Okay,”Wilcontinued.“ButIhavetoraiseaquestionwetouchedonearlier.Rachel,I’llstartwith
you.Canyouacknowledgethatpeoplefromotherreligionscanreachthiseuphoricplacefromwithintheirowntradition?”
Shelookedathimwithtotalhonesty.“IhavetoadmitIhavealwayshadaproblemacceptingthat,
primarilybecauseofourscripture’sinjunctionthatnoonecomestoGodexceptthroughChrist.AndIknowothersherehavethesameexclusivefeelingabouttheirownpaths.”
Ilookedaround,sensingwehadreachedaroadblock.Themainchallengetoreligiousreconciliationhadbeenputsquarelyonthetablebeforeus.
Thenanideacametome,andwithoutthinkingIsaid,“ButRachel,youdobelievethat,atbaptism,ChristreunitedcompletelywithGod,right?AndbecameequalwithGodinthedoctrineoftheTrinity?”
Shenodded.“Wouldn’titmakesensethatifsomeonewassincerelysearchingforDivineConnectionandreally
foundit,eveniftheyneverknewofChrist,theywouldhavepassedalongthesamepathofexpandingconsciousnessthatChristdemonstrated?AndsowouldhavegonethroughChristinaway?Maybethat’swhatthescripturesactuallymean.”
Thegroupseemedstunnedatmyremark,andtheyalllookedatRachel.Shelookedatmeforalongmoment,thensmiled.“Yes,Inowthinkso,becauseafterourexperience,
IthinkthatConnectingisamatteroflettinggoandopeninguptoagreaterconsciousness.Therefore,Ithinkyouarecorrect,althoughitisbeliefandaffirmationthatgetsusstarted.”
NowRachel’sgazecenteredonHira,asiftoask,Willyougrantthatyourwayisnottheonlyway?Thatallothertraditionscanfindloveandredemption?
“Thiswholediscussionshakesme,”Hirasaid,returningherlook.“Likeallofyou,Iexperiencedaninnersecurityandsenseofbeinglovedandcaredfor,inspiteofeveryshortcoming.SoIwouldhavetosay,inlightofdirectexperience,mytraditionmustacknowledgethatinstantredemptioncantakeplace,andthatpeopleofotherfaithscanmoveintoConnectionwiththeoneGod.”
Shesmiled,adding:“Andthefactis,wehaveourownscripturesandprophetsthathavesaidmuchthesamething.”
ShestoppedandglancedatAdjar,whowaslookingbackatherincompleteacceptance.Wecouldallfeelathickwall,builtduringcenturiesofconflict,beginningtomeltaway.
“Iknowyourpeoplehavesuffered,too,”Adjarsaid.“AndIcangiveyouyourpath.ThereisonlyoneDivineConnection,anditisthesameforusallnomatterwhatpathwechoose,aslongasitislovingandgenuine.”
Forseveralminutes,wejustlookedatoneanotherandfelttherisingloveandConnection.Finally,Wilsaid,“Nowthereisanotherelementthatwehaveremembered:thesenseofpersonal
andcollectivemissionthatwefeltduringourBreakthrough,anexperiencethatledustoformthisgroup.WhichtraditionmostemphasizestheknowingnessthatwearehereonEarthtodosomethingimportant?”
Immediately,Hiraspokeup.“You’retalkingabouttheJudaictradition.WebelievethattobeinGod’sConnectionistobegivenaworktodo.TheConnectionwiththeDivinedoesn’tgiveusjustloveandforgiveness.Italsogivesusamissionthatweknowinourheartshastobedone.Idon’tknowabouttherestofyou,butonthemountain,Iexperiencedthecertainknowledgethatthereisaplan,andeachofusisapartofit.”
Everyonenodded,andseveralpeoplenotedthattheirtraditionsalsohadstrongscripturesthatgaveimportancetomission.Theyjustweren’temphasizedenough.
“Soweagree,”Wilasked,“thattheJudaictraditionisbestatemphasizingthepartoftheConnectionthatisarealizationofmission?”
Icouldtellthattheclarityaboutmission—reinforcedasitwaswithourdecisiontocreateaTemplateofAgreement—waselevatingourconsciousnessevenmore.WehadnowrecapturedthreeelementsofourDivineConnection:loveandallthatcomeswithit,Protectionandredemption.Andnowmission.Icouldseetheelevationoneveryface.
“Allwehadtodo,”Wilsaid,“inordertoholdtheFifthandSixthIntegrationswastorememberhowtheseelementsfeltandtoseektocomebacktothemiftheywerelost.IfwelosethisConnectionof
love,forinstance,it’sbecauseithasbeenreplacedbyoneoftheloweremotions.Seektoreturntolove,theprimaryemotionofConnection,andtheseotheremotionswilldropaway.Then,onceinlove,Protectionandmissioncometousaswell.Thekeygoingforwardistolisten.”
Wilputaspecialemphasisonthewordlisten,andIknewitwashiswayofhintingatthenextIntegration.
“DoyouknowanythingabouttheSeventhIntegration?”Iasked.Wilgaveusaknowinglook.“Wehaven’tfoundthatpartoftheDocumentyet,”Wilsaid,“butI’dbettheSeventhisabout
discoveringmoreoftheLawofConnection.Wehavetofindourfullpowersofintuitionandrealizeitishowweareguided.”
THEARTOFTUNINGIN
Asthesunbegantosinkinthewest,Isuddenlyfelttheurgetowalkdownthehillpastthepondtotherockyareathathadearlierattractedmeforsomereason.Wilhadendedourlastsessionveryabruptly—soquickly,infact,thatIhadtheeeriesensewemightbeleavingsoon,andIwantedtoseethispartofthehomesteadwhileIstillhadthechance.
AsIwalked,morethoughtsabouttheSeventhIntegrationcametomind.TheoldProphecyhadpredictedthat,atsomepoint,humanitywouldheightenitsperceptionofthoseinnerimpressionslongclassifiedasintuitions,hunches,andso-calledgutfeelings.Afteryearsofemphasizingrationalthoughtandlogicduringthedominanceofthematerialandsecularworldview,itpredictedwewouldfinallytakeseriouslythetreasureofinformationcomingfromtherighthemisphereofthebrain:thepartthatgaveusasenseofknowing,withoutbeingawareexactlyofhowweknew.
Atthismoment,Icaughtsightofalonefigurewalkingabouttwohundredyardstotheleftofme.ItwasTommy,walkingbacktowardthehomestead.Foraninstant,Ithoughtaboutturningaroundoryellingouttohim,becauseIwantedtoknowmoreabouttheMayanCalendar.YetforsomereasonIkeptwalking,certainnowthatIcamedownhereforareason.IfeltsureaSynchronicitywasabouttohappen.
Afterseveralminutes,Ienteredasandyareadottedwithpricklypearcactinexttoagroveoflargemesquitetrees.Withoutwarning,amansuddenlywalkedoutofthemesquite.Peterson!
Igrimaced.Thiswasn’twhatIwasexpecting.“Ineedtotalktoyou,”hesaid.“It’sserious.”Heglanceduptowardthehousetomakesurenooneelsewascoming,andheurgedmetofollow
himfartherintothegrove.“Doyouknowthoseextremistsarestilllookingforyou?”hesaid.“Wewerehopingthey’dleft,”Ireplied.“Someofthemdid,buttheyleftafewtosearchforyou.Doyouknowwhothesepeopleare?”Inodded.Hewasshakinghishead,worried.“Ittookusawhiletopiecetogetherwhatthey’retryingtodo.It’s
exactlywhatIwastalkingabout.They’reraisingthestakes.”“Whatareyougoingtodoaboutthem?”Iasked.Helookedaway.“Idon’tknow.WhatareyoulearningfromthisDocument?”Ithoughtforamomentaboutwhethertoanswer,thendecidedtojusttellthetruth.“TheDocumentis
describingawaytostoptheescalationofviolence.”“Thetemplates,”hesaid.Iwasstartled.“Soyou’reactuallyreadingthisthing.”“It’smyjob.”“Butdoyouunderstandwhatyou’rereading?Didyouseewewereprotected?”Hechuckled.“Isawyouwerelucky.Ifwehadn’tcomealong,youwouldn’thavemadeit.”“Idon’tthinkitwasluck,”Isaid.“Itdoesn’tmatter,”hepressed.“Listentome.Thingsareaccelerating,justlikeIsaidtheywould.
Evenwiththeactionthat’sbeentakenwithIran,nothinghaschanged.Iranisstillworkingonnukes.Wethinktheymayalreadyhavethecapabilitytogivethemtoterrorists.”
Ilookedathimhard.“IheardtheApocalypticsalreadyhaveaplantocreateawar.”Hestraightenedhissunglasses.“I’mstillhopingthiscrazyDocumentmightgiveusanotherwayout.
AsItoldyou,nooneisgoingtolikewhatwe’llhavetodotostopthisthreat.”Inthatmoment,IrealizedthatcontactingusandfollowingtheprogressoftheDocumentwas
somethinghewasdoingmuchmoreonhisownthanIhadthought.Andasweexchangedlooks,IcouldalsotellheknewIknew.
“I’mwayoutonalimbhere,”hesaid.“Andwe’rebothrunningoutoftime.”Helookedatmeasthoughaskingformoreinformation.SoIbegantodescribeasbestIcouldwhat
theBreakthroughonthemountainfeltlike,andtheideathattheTemplatesofUnderstandingcouldsomehowcreateawaveofinfluencethatmightdispeltheApocalyptics’intentions,althoughwedidn’tfullyunderstandhowtodoityet.
Heshookhishead,lookingatmeasthoughallwaslost.“That’swhatthisDocumentistalkingabout,somecrazyidealikethat?”Iknewhowhefelt.Fromtheperspectiveofthesecularworldview,itwouldseemillogicaland
silly.TherewasnowayonecouldjustreadthewordsoftheDocumentandunderstand,unlessonehadalsoencounteredtheexperiencesitwasdescribing.
“Listen,”Isaid,“Iknowitsoundscrazytoyou,butthere’sanesotericconnectionbetweenpeople.It’sarealinfluence.Ifthiscatcheson,itcouldwork.”
“Well,”hesaid,shakinghishead,“keeplooking.Andyou’dbetterdoitquickly.Itoldyou:measuresarebeingtakendomesticallyineveryWestern-leaningcountrytodealwiththisproblem.Andiftheplansgoforward,itwillhappenbeforeanyonerealizesit’sunderway.”
“Waitaminute,”Isaid.“Youactlikeyoucanjusttakeovernationsthathavealongtraditionofdemocracy.”
Helookedaway.“Unfortunately,it’snotthathard,especiallyduringdifficulteconomictimes.LookatVenezuela.Allyouhavetodoisgetamajorityofthepopulationhookedongovernmentsubsidies,andthenthreatentotakethemaway.They’llvoteforthepeoplewhopromisetotakecareofthem,especiallyifyouco-opttheworld’slargestcorporationsatthesametimeandgetthemtobuymediacompanies.
“YoujusthavetomakebothLeftandRightthinkyou’redoingittosupporttheirideology,theneveryonelookstheotherwaywhileyouhidethepowertodoitinbillsnobodyreads,andgraduallyplantyourownjudgesinkeyplaces.Onceyounationalizethepollingbooths,therestiseasy.Youjustwaitfortherighttime,therightemergency.”
Hiscertaintyatbeingabletopulloffsuchaploychilledme.Heseemedtorealizehe’dsaidtoomuchandquicklyreachedintoasatchelandpulledoutalargefolder.
“ThesearecopiesoftheSeventhIntegration,”hesaid,movingtoleave.Ireachedoutandtookthefolder.“Whereareyougettingthesecopies?”“ThisonewassenttotheofficeoftheCIAinLangley.Doyoubelievethat?Ifyouwerereleasing
partsofadocumentlikethis,wouldyousendonetothem?Imanagedtogetthemforwardedtomethroughafriendbeforeanyoneupstairsnoticed,thenranafullinvestigation.Itwentnowhere.Wedon’thaveacluewho’sdistributingthesetranslations.”
Heheadedfartherintothebushes.“YouhavefivemoredaystogivemesomeinformationIcanuse.”
IhurriedbacktothehousewhereIfoundColeman,Adjar,andHiragatheredaroundWil,alreadysensingsomethingwaswrong.RushinguptothemIrapidlyrelayedwhatPetersonhadsaid,includingthatthe
extremistswerestillhere,lookingforus.“Ithink,”Wilsaid,“thatweneedtoleaveassoonaswecan.”Adjarleanedin.“Andgowhere?HowwillweknowhowtoproceeduntilwefindtheSeventh
Integration?”IliftedupthefolderIhadtuckedundermyarm,whichsurprisedeveryone.TheygrinnedatmeasifIhadproducedamiracle,andtheneachtookacopytoread.“Where’sTommy?”IaskedWil,stillthinkingtheMayanCalendarwouldshedmorelightonallthis.“Hismothersentafriendtobringhimtoher.She’sinEgypt.”“What?Why?Isn’titdangerousthere?”“Iknowthepersonshesent,”Wilsaid.“He’sreliable.HesaidTommywasneeded.”Istoodup,feelingangry.Wilwalkedcloser.“Look,Tommyisnotanordinarychild.There’sanothertemplategrouptherethat
hismotherispartof.Tommy’sbeentherewithhermanytimesbefore.He’llbefine.”Inodded.“Where’sRachel?”“Shewentwiththem.”Ijustlookedathim,dumbfoundedandslightlydisoriented.Thingsweremovingtoofast.“Whywouldshedothat?”Iasked.“Shefeltthatshehadto.Andtherewasnotimetowaittosaygood-bye.”IwonderedagainwhyIhadn’tturnedaroundandcomebackwhenIhadseenTommy.YetifIhad,I
maynothaveseenPetersonandreceivedthecopiesoftheSeventhIntegration.IknewallthiswasjustmoreSynchronicity,movingusalong,butIdidn’tlikeit.
Wilwaslookingatthepages.“Let’sgetgoing,”hesaid.“Wehavetoreadthis!”Inodded,satdownbymytent,andbeganreading.TheDocumentopenedbysayingthat,inthis
Integration,wewouldseehowSynchronicityactuallyworked.MomentsofSynchronisticdiscovery,itwenton,feellikeweareinjusttherightplaceatjustthe
righttimetoreceiveimportantinformation.Yetifweobservemoreclosely,wecanseethattheseSynchronisticmomentsareprecededbyanintuitiveurgethatdirectsustogosomewhere,orsaysomething,thatresultsintheSynchronicity.Followingsuchguidancehashappenedallthroughhistoryatmomentsofgreatdiscoveryandaccomplishment.Butithashappenedmoreorlessunconsciously.
Itistime,theDocumentcontinued,towakeupandbringtheintuitivepartofSynchronicitymorefullyintoconsciousness.ThekeytodoingthisistobroadenourhabitofexpectingSynchronicitytoincludeexpectingtheintuitionsthatarepartofthisprocess.Andinordertodothat,wemustadequatelyidentifysuchguidancebylearningtodistinguishour“guiding”thoughtsfromordinary“egostrategy”thoughts.
IlookedoveratWil.“ThisissimilartowhatwassaidintheProphecyattheSeventhInsight.”“Readalittlefurther,”Wilreplied.“Itexplainshowtoactuallydoit.”Egothoughts,theDocumentclarified,arewordswesaytoourselvesaboutoursituationinorderto
logicallyassesshowtogetthingsdoneintheworld.Thesethoughtscomeupspontaneouslyfromyearsoflearning.
However,theDocumentsaysthatifweobserveclosely,wecanbegintodistinguishanotherkindofthought,onethatappearstobemorespontaneous.Itfeelsasifitmerelydropsintoourminds,usuallywithoutanydirectconnectiontologicalanalysis.Thesethoughtsoftencomewithanimageofusdoingsomething,orafeelingthaturgesustotakesomeactionthatwefeelinourstomachs.Thesearethoughtsthedocumentiscallingguidance.Oncefollowed,theyusuallyleadtoanimportantSynchronicity.
Ithoughtaboutthisforamoment.Thatisexactlyhowithappens.Howmanytimeswhenwesuddenlythinktocallanoldfriend,forinstance,doesthepersonsay,“Iwasjustthinkingaboutyou,”and
thenpresentaSynchronicityofsomekind?IlookedatWil,whopretendednottonoticebutgavemethehintofafrown.Iknewwhathewas
sayingtome:don’ttalk,hurryupandread.TherestofthepageswrappeduptheIntegrationbysaying,again,thatthekeytobecomingfully
consciousofthesethoughtsistostayasmuchaspossibleinthisstateofalertnessforthenextguidingintuitiontoarrive.Thekeywastonotletahunchoranimagegobywithoutatleastseriouslyconsideringit.Itdidreiterate,asbefore,thatsincewewereinatransition,addingspiritualabilitytoarational,logic-orientedworldview,weshoulduselogicfirstinfindingawaytoactontheintuition.
Onetipforbeingonthealertforaguidancewastoconstantlyaskyourself,“WhydidIthinkthatnow?”
Iputdownthepapers,realizingIalreadyaskedthatquestionofmyselffromtimetotime.HowdidIgetintothathabit?ThenIremembered:WilhadtoldmetodoitwhilewewereinPeru.
AsIreadon,theDocumentmentionedanothertechniquetousewhenoneneedsaguidingintuition,orhigherperspective,onagivensituationinahurry.Insteadofjustwaiting,onecanactivelyseekguidanceby“tuningin.”
Forinstance,whenfacingadecisionwhethertogosomewhereornot,wecanjustimagineourselvesalreadytravelingtotheplaceandarrivingthere.Thepointofthismethodistoseehoweasilythejourneycanbevisualized.Ifyoucanseeyourselfgoingthereeasily,thenthatmeansit’sagoodidea.Ifthedesiredimagesaredifficulttosee,orfailtoappearaltogether,weshouldtakeprecautionarymeasures.
TheDocumentreiteratedthatwhenweseetherightcourseofaction,thereisacorrespondingelevationinenergy,oran“urging”feeling,asthoughoneis“inspired”totaketheaction.
Istoppedandthoughtaboutthisprocessforamoment.Tuninginwasalreadypartoftheworldwidevocabulary.WhattheDocumentseemedtoberelayingisthatthereisamoreprecisewaythisartshouldbepracticed.
ReturningtotheDocument,Isawthatitmadeonelastpoint.Itsaidwecouldusethismethodtotuneintomanydifferentlifesituations,butwewouldnotdiscoverhowdeeplywecouldtunein,untilenoughpeoplereturnedtotheMount.
Thestatementthrewmeintodeepthought.Wasthatmeanttobetakenliterallyorwasitsymbolic?Andifitwasliteral,whatMount?Thereweredozensofmountainsmentionedinthesacredwritingsoftheworld.LookingoveratWil,Isawhehadplacedhispagesonhislapandwasgazingintothedistance.HiraandAdjarweredoingthesamethingnearby.WhenIcaughtsightofColeman,hewasslowlystrollingdowntowardthebigcottonwood,alsoappearingtobedeepinthought.Iimmediatelyknewwhattheyweredoing:theywereponderingourcurrentsituationandlookingforguidance.Theywerealreadytuningin.
Clearingmymind,Iattemptedtodothesamething,firstseeingifanythingjustpoppedintomymind.ForalongtimeIsimplylookedaroundthearea,lettingmyminddrift.Imusedabouthownicethishomesteadfelt,andhowsadIwouldbetoleaveit.ThenIthoughtaboutourgroup’sjointexperiencesonSecretMountain,andwhethertheMounttheDocumentmentionedmightbethatmountain.
Suddenly,Igottheimageofanotherplace,ahazy,veryrocky,mountainousregion.AndIwastherewithRachel!Whichgavemeablastofenergy.Barelyabletocontainmyexcitement,IlookedatWilagain,whoseemedtobewaitingformetofinish.
Hestoodupandcameovertome.IcaughtsightofColemanwalkingmywayaswell.HiraandAdjarwererightbehindhim.Soonwewereallstandinginacirclefacingoneanother.
“IknowwhatIneedtodo,”Wilsaid.“WestillhavenoideawheretheTwelfthpartofthis
Documenthasbeenreleased,ifanywhere.Soonerorlaterwe’regoingtohavetofindit.I’mgoingtomyfriend’splaceinCairotoseeifIcandiscoveraclue.”
Adjarsteppedforward.“I’mgoingbackhometoSaudiArabia.There’sanothermountaintherethathassomethingtodowithallthis.”
Alleyesthenfellonme.“IsawmyselfwithRachel,”Isaid.“Wherewasshegoing?”Wilgavemeabigsmile.“ShewenttothecityofSt.Katherine,Egypt,nearMountSinai!”Ijustlookedathimastheotherslaughed.Theenergywassoaring.TheDocumentsaidweallhadto
returntotheMount.Maybewewereallgoingtodifferentones.“Whataboutyou?”IaskedColeman.“Whereareyougoing?”“I’mgoingwithyou,”hereplied.“Areyousure?”“Look,allthisisnewtome.I’mtheonewhowentthewrongwaywhentheextremistswere
shootingatusfromtheridge,remember?Itriedtodiscernwhattodo,andallIsawwasmyselfwithyou,onanotherreallyrockymountainofsomekind.”Hesmiledandwinked.
IlookedoveratWil,amazedathowmuchourenergywaselevating.“Doyoufeelthis?”Iasked.“We’regettingtheSeventhIntegration,aren’twe?”Heshotmealook.“Yeah,andwe’vefeltitbefore!”Welookedatoneanother.Ofcourse.WewererecapturingthispartofourConnectiononSecret
Mountain.Wewerestuckinthisworldallalone.Wewereguided.Thefullmemorycamebacktome:thewayIspontaneouslyknewwhatIwasbeingledtodo,theexactmovestomake.
Hirasteppedforward.“Rememberthetemplate,”shesaid.“Wealsohavetocometoagreementaboutguidance.Obeying
Godistalkedaboutalotinourtradition.”“AlsointheChristiantradition,”Isaid,feelingasthoughIwasspeakingforRachel.“It’scalled
doingGod’swill.”Wilwasnodding.“InEasternthought,it’sbestexpressedinZen,asaflowinharmonywiththe
Divine.”“Yes,”Adjarsaid.“Butnotraditionpointstothisabilitymorethanmytradition.Wecallit
surrenderingtoGod.Itisthefoundationofourwholereligion.Theegomustbeputinitsproperplacebythedailyseekingofguidanceinprayer,manytimesdaily,sothatweactonlyinspirit!”
Hewasright,andweallknewit.IslamdidhavethestrongestemphasisonthispartofourConnection.
“Bytheway,”Hirasaid,“I’mgoingbacktoJerusalem.Ican’texplainit,butsomethingishappeningattheTempleMount,theplacewheretheruinsofDavid’stemplearelocated.”
Ifeltashiver.Iknewsomehowthatherintuitionwasdirectlyconnected,inawaywedidn’tyetunderstand,totheApocalyptics,andtotheirclandestineplantoendtheworld.
ForanhourIhelpedeveryonegetreadytoleave.WilhadmanagedtofindacharteroutofSedonaairporttoPhoenix,thenaflighttoNewYorkandCairo.AdjarandHiraweredrivingtoPhoenixandthenflyingtotheirrespectivedestinations.ColemanandIhaddecidedtostaythenightandthenleaveearlythenextmorning,primarilybecauseweneededalldaytotakecareofourcarsandmakearrangements.
Wolfhadsomehowsecuredcleancellphonesforallofus,andatonepointWilhandedthemout.“Thesewillhelpusstayconnected,”Wilhadsaid.“Butremember,textonly,novoice.Hereisalist
ofeveryone’snumbers.Committhemtomemoryandthendestroythelist.Everyonehasaphonenow
exceptRachelandTommy.Justusethephonesparingly.”IfollowedWilandhelpedtakedownhistent,uneasythathewasleavingagain.“Whatdoyouthinkisgoingtohappen?”Iasked.Helookedmeupanddown.“Ithinkwe’rebeginningadownhillrunnow.We’regoingtomove
throughtherestoftheseIntegrationsandfindtheTwelfth.Ijusthopealotofotherpeoplearedoingthesamethingoutthere.Nomatterwhathappens,justkeepgoing.I’llfindyouatSinai.”
WithinacoupleofminuteshewasloadedupanddrivingoffwithHira,Adjar,andWolf,givingmeonelastresolutewave.
“Hehasagreatguide,”Grandmothersuddenlysaidfrombehindme.Iturnedtofindherstandingseveralyardsaway,reachingoutwithacupofteasmellingofsageand
rosemary.“Thiswillhelpyouonyourpath,”shesaid.“Grandmother,”Ireplied,reachingforthetea,“youhelpedusgetstartedwithyourdance.”Shedidn’tanswerbutnoddedouttowardthedistanthorizon.Ifollowedhereyestoseealarger
sliverofmoonhoveringinthelateafternoonsky.Justthenacrowcawedloudlydownbythebigtree,whichmademeflinchforsomereason.“Youhaveagoodguide,too,”shesaid.“YouwillenjoyyourvisittoSisterMountain.”Shewasstilllookingintothedistance.“AreyoutalkingaboutMountSinai?”Iasked.Shewaswalkingaway.“Itisred,too,likethehillsofSedona.”“Youliveinaninterestingworld,Grandmother,”Icalledout.Shestoppedwalkingforaninstant,notlookingback,thensmiledandcontinuedonherway.
IwasleaningbackagainstasmalltreenearmytentwonderingwhyGrandmothercalledMountSinai“SisterMountain,”whenColemanwalkedup.
“Iwonderedwhereyougotoffto,”Isaid.“Ijusttookawalk,”hereplied,smiling.“Ineededsometimetoreflectoneverythingyou’vegotten
meintoonthistrip.IneverdreamedI’dhavetheseexperiences,muchlesshavetokeepascientificperspectiveonitall.”
Inodded.“Nokidding.Alothashappened.It’sforcingustoputourspiritualityintopractice,andit’sallbeenbuildingonitself.”
Colemannoddedasthoughhewantedmetoelaborate,soIjustletitcomeintuitively.“TheFirstIntegration,”Isaid,“sustainingSynchronisticflow,gotusgoing.That’swhatwassohard
todobefore.Allwehavetodoisexpectit,andithappens.Afterthatit’samatterofstayinginthat‘starofyourownmovie’centerednessbytellingothersthetruthaboutyourpathandhowitisunfolding.That’swheneachSynchronicitybeginstoleadtoanotherone.
“ThenwewereshownhowtheSecondIntegrationworks.Andhowweshouldtrytofindahighertruthwithothers,eveninuncomfortableencounters.”
Inoddedtowardhim,rememberingourfirstconversationinwhichI’dwrittenhimoffasaskeptic.HeknewwhatIwasthinkingandlaughedoutloud.
“Wewerebeingshown,”Iwenton,“thatifweparticipateinConsciousConversation,wecanalwaysreceivealargertruthabouthowspiritualityworks.Andthuswecontributetothebuildingofanevermorecomplete,spiritualworldview.
“TheThirdIntegrationgaveusanevenlargerpictureofwhathappenswhenwestayinthiscenteredtruth,showingusthatifweoperateintruth,wefallintoAlignmentwiththeLawofTruthandcanseethe
otherlawsthatsupportthisflow:Connection,Karma,andService.“Ifweholdtoourtruthasitevolveswithothers,andneverlieormanipulatebutstrivetobeof
service,thenwefallinharmonywiththeLawofKarma,avoidingitscorrections,andnaturallyattractthosewhoaretheretobeofservicetous,sothatwerapidlyflowforwardintoahigherConnectionwitheachotherandtheDivine.
“TheFourthIntegrationshowedusthestakesinvolvedinourquesttoreachthisdeeperspiritualConnection.Thosestuckinsecularobsessionarebuildingevermorepolarizedsystemsofuntruthandbecomingmoreextremeintheirdehumanizationofeachother,endangeringeverything.
“Thankfully,theFifthandSixthshowedusaglimpseofhowdeepourConnectionwiththeDivinecouldbecome,wherewefindloveand,mostimportant,Protection,andanawarenessofmission.WerealizedwehaveapartinhelpingoneanothermovethroughtherestoftheIntegrations.NowwehavetofigureouthowtoRisetoInfluenceandcreatethisTemplateofAgreementthat,supposedly,willreachthoseinfear.”
Itookabreath.“Whichbringsustothepresent.TheSeventhIntegrationshowedushowtostepuptheSynchronicityevenmorebyfollowingtheguidancethatcomestousifwetunein.”
Ipausedandlookedathim,somewhatsurprisedthatIhadbeenabletovoicetheIntegrationssoquickly.
“Youwereright,”Colemansaid.“It’sallaconsciousnessthatbuildsonitself.”Ilookedathimamoment,thensaid,“ItremindsmeofaverseIlearnedasachild.Somethinglike,
‘Ifyouarehonorableoverlittleyouaregivenmuch.’Iguessitturnedouttobetrue.”“Sowhatdoyouthinkisgoingtohappennow?”Colemanasked.“Hopefully,”Isaid,“Synchronicitywillcontinuetoleadusthroughtheremainingsteps,andwe’ll
continuetointegratemoreoftheConnectionwereachedonthemountain…untilwerememberitall.That’swhen,Iguess,we’llreachourstrongestinfluence.”
Foralongmomentwewerebothlostinthought.Finally,Colemansaid,“IjustwishIcouldunderstandonethingIglimpsedupthere.Itwaslikea
ConnectionpointwithallthatIwasfeeling.”“What?Areyoukiddingme?”“No,Ireallyfeltsomething.Itwaselusiveandseemedtocomeandgo.”Ijumpedtomyfeet.“Iexperiencedthesamething!”Helookedamazed.“Yeah,”Irepeated,“almostexactlyasyoudescribedit!”
Thenextmorningwewereupearlyand,byfirstlight,headingbacktowardSedona.Wolfhadreturnedlatethenightbefore,justintimetograbafewhoursofsleepandtohelpusloadourgear.Now,aswerodealongintheearlylightofdawn,helookedtiredbutwasstillfullofmischief.
“Ihaveasurprise,”hesaid.“Whatisit?”Iasked.Colemanwassmilingfromthebackseat.“Don’task,”hesaid.“You’llgetitlater.”Wetriedtopryitoutofhim,buthewouldn’tbudgeandeventuallyallofusfellintoalengthy
silence.Then,asweenteredthecitylimits,weweretreatedtoabeautifulSedonasunrise,andasusual,peoplewerepulledoveronthesideoftheroadandstandingonsomeofthehills,usheringintheday.IwonderedifthesunrisewasWolf’ssurprise,butIcouldtellfromhisfacethatitwasn’t.
Thesunriseinvigoratedeachofus.Wewereallcompletelycenteredandsettingatoneofexpectantwaitingwithouteventalkingaboutit.Andwewerealert,notjustforaSynchronicity,butfortheguidance
thatprecededit.Suddenly,Wolfpulledintoasidestreetandstopped,aworriedlookonhisface.“There’ssomethingwrong,”hesaidtome.“Myfriendswhowerekeepingyourcarweresupposed
tomeetusbackatthatgasstationwepassed.Theyweren’tthere.”ColemanandIlookedateachother.Wolfthoughtforamoment,thensaid,“IbelieveIshouldtakeyoustraighttothePhoenixairport,
rightnow,asfastaswecangetthere.”“Waitaminute,”Colemansaid.“Mycarisatmyhotel.Ican’tjustleaveit.Andwhatabouttherest
ofmyclothes?”Ashespoke,Itriedtovisualizeusdrivingdirectlytotheairport,easilyseeingusarrivingthereand
boardingtheplane.ThenItriedtopictureusgoingtogetthecarsinstead,andimmediatelyhaddifficulty.Infact,Icouldn’tpictureusgettingtoColeman’shotelatall.
“IagreewithWolf,”Isaid.“Ithinkweshouldgonow.”Colemanseemedunconvinced,butnotoverridinglyso.“Iguessit’sokay,”hesaid.“Icancontactmyfriendslaterandmakearrangementsforthecaratthat
time.”“Iwouldbecarefulcallinganyoneforawhile,”Wolfsaid.Colemanwasstaringatme.“Youseemedveryclearthatgoingaheadwastherightthingtodo.”ItoldhimexactlywhatIhadseen.Hethoughtforamoment,lookingaway,thensaid,“Yeah,Igetthesamethingnow.Youknow,it’sa
lothardertofollowyourintuitionwhenitmeanshavingtochangeplans.”“Yeah,”Isaid.“Youknow,”Colemanadded,“we’retuningin,followingtheSeventhIntegrationexactly.Toobad
wedon’thaveacopyofthenextIntegration.”IsawWolfperkup.“Oh,”hesaid,tongueincheek,“WilandIstoppedbyafriend’splacetogetsomefoodforhistrip.”Hewasreachingundertheseat,pullingoutafolder.“Surprise!”hequipped.“OurfriendhappenedtohaveacopyoftheEighthIntegration.Now,since
you’resogoodattuningintoyourguidance,youcanlearnsomethingelse.”HehandedthefoldertoColeman.“Youcanlearntotuneintopeople.”
THEONENESSINTENTION
Aswebeganthetwo-hourtriptotheairport,IwonderedhowweweregoingtofindRachelandTommy.WilknewtheywereheadedtothecityofSt.KatherineinEgypt.Butjustwheretheywerestayingtherewasunknown.
“It’sasmalltown,”Wilhadsaid.“You’llfindthem.Justpayattention.Somethingwillhappen.”Iknewhewasprobablyright.FromtheintuitionsColemanandIhadexperienced,wewere
definitelyheadedtothecorrectplace.Egyptcouldbedangerousattimes,butthegovernmentwasusuallyfriendlytowardtourists,especiallythosewhomightbeinterestedinapilgrimagetoMountSinai.
ColemanhadputdowntheDocument,soIgrabbeditandbegantoread.AsWolfhadhinted,theEighthIntegrationsaidwewouldbeledintoanotherlevelofConnectionwithothers,alevelthatwouldheightenourunderstandingofConsciousConversation.
Thisstuffiscomingfastnow,Ithought.MaybeWilwasrightinsayingwewerebeginningthedownhillrunthroughtheremainingIntegrations.
IremindedmyselfthattheEighthInsightoftheoldProphecyhadpredictedwewouldlearntoupliftothersinconversationbyintendingtoconnectwithanduplifttheirhigherselforsoul.Thisupliftingwasintendedtolifttheotherpersonintoahigherconsciousness,where,alongwithgettingmoreinsightintohisorherownlife,thepersonwouldbemorelikelytoprovideSynchronisticinformationthatweindividuallyneeded.
Atthetime,therewassomeconfusionaboutthemechanicsofthisprocedure,butmosttimesmerelytheintentionworked.Thepeoplebeingupliftedwouldsuddenlybecomemorealertandseeminglygainaccesstoanunconsciouspartofthemselves.Theywouldoftenprefacetheirremarksbysaying,“Idon’tknowwhyI’mtellingyouthis,”or“I’veneverthoughtofthisbefore,but…”Andthentheinformationtheypresentedwouldoftenbeexactlywhatweneededtohearatthetime.
Ilookedbackatthepagesinmyhandandmovedtothenextpassage.Itseemedtobesayingthatthisupliftingcouldnowbeexpanded,inlightoftheotherIntegrations,byconsciouslymergingmindswiththehigherselfoftheotherperson.Mergingminds?
Atthispoint,IwasinterruptedinmyreadingasweenteredthenorthernoutskirtsofPhoenixandbeganourownsearchforfood.Afteraboutthirtyminutes,wefoundahealthfoodstorewherewestockedup.Andasfortunewouldhaveit,immediatelynextdoorwasasmallshopwhereColemancouldbuymoreclothes.
Afterward,wetookabackwaytotheairport,whereWolfpulledupverycautiouslytotheinternationalconcourse.Wewereallonthelookoutforanythingunusualandtriedtobehypervigilantforanyintuitionsmeanttoguideourway.However,nothingofnotehappened,soColemanandIjumpedoutandcollectedourgear.
Finally,IwalkedovertothewindowandshookWolf’shandandthankedhim.“GettoSisterMountainassoonasyoucan,”hesaidcryptically.“You’llbeshownwhattodo.”Inlessthananhour,wewereonanairplaneheadedforCairo,taxiingouttotherunway.Ichecked
mycellphoneandfoundnomessages,thenquicklyshutitoffastheplaneliftedintotheair.
Colemanwasalreadyasleep,soIpulledouttheEighthIntegrationandbeganreadingagain.Itwentontoexplainthepassageaboutmergingmindsbysayingwecouldinitiatethismergingbyapplyingwhatitcalledthe“OnenessIntention.”
Thisterm,theDocumentwenton,meantmuchmorethantheabstractidea,voicedbymanyreligioustraditions,thatweareallone.Itdefinedanentirelynewwaythathumanscouldrelatetooneanother,theeffectivenessofwhichcouldimmediatelybeproventooneself.Further,thebestwaytounderstandthisnewwayofrelatingwastolookcloselyatthephenomenonofpeoplefinishingeachother’ssentences.
Ithoughtaboutthisforamoment.I’dalwaysconcludedthatthisabilityresultedfromhowmuchtimeonespentwithaparticularperson,primarilybecauseitseemedsocommonamonghusbandsandwives,executivesandtheirsecretaries,androommatesandofficemates.
WhenIturnedagaintotheDocument,itsaidthatwhilethisabilityiscommon,itcouldbemorereadilyfacilitated,evenamongstrangers,bypracticingtheOnenessPrincipal,whichwastogointoeveryhumaninteractionwiththeintentionofjoininghigherminds.
Waitaminute,Ithought,puttingonthementalbrakes.Wouldwereallywanttodothat?Iwassuddenlyfeelingarealresistancetothisidea.Infact,IwassoperplexedbymyreactionthatIwokeupColemanandtoldhimeverythingI’dread,andthetroubleIwashavingwithmergingmindswithothers,especiallystrangers.Perhapsbecausetheideawasplanted,Icouldn’thelpseeinghiminatotallydifferentlight.Infact,heseemedtobehaveinaslightlydifferentway,asthoughhewasmorethoughtfulthanbefore.
“Asaguywithastrongegomyself,”hesaid,“itcomestomethatperhapsyoudon’tliketheideaofmergingmindswithotherpeoplebecauseyou’reafraidtheywillpolluteyourthinkingwithgibberish.”
Ilaughed,andthenthoughtaboutwhathewassaying.Wasthatit?DidIjustwanttofeelspecialandunique,andthatledmetothinkmergingmindswithsomeonemightdilutemycreativity?
“Ontheotherhand,”hecontinued,“youcan’tdenythatourgrouphasbeenjoined,inaway,already,andactinginunison.RememberhowpowerfullythatwashappeningonSecretMountain?”
Ididremember.Wewereinthatconnectedstateforhours.Andthefactwas,IfeltnodiminishmentorlossofenergyfromtheConnectionatall.Ifanything,Ifeltenhanced.Weweresomehowallcoordinatingouractionsanddecisionsatlightspeed,likeaflockofbirdsinflightdowhentheychangedirectionsatpreciselythesametime.Andweexperiencedthesamephenomenonatthehomesteadaswell.
IlookedattheDocumentagain,anditclarifiedthatthejoiningisnotofegosbutofthehighermind,whichislinkedwiththeDivine.Tofurtherexplain,itsaidwhentwopeoplemergeinthismanner,bothfeelenlargedbecausetheyhaveaccesstonotjusttheirownhigherself,buttotheother’shigherconsciousnessaswell.Theneteffectistofeelmoreclarityandguidanceoverall.Theclarificationmademefeelbetter.
“Seemstome,”Colemancontinued,hiseyelidslookingheavyagain,“thatsinceitsaysyoucanprovethepoweroftheOnenessIntentionforyourself,youshouldjusttryitforawhile.”Withthat,hewassuddenlyasleepagain.
Lookingoutthewindow,Imusedoverthesuccinctnessofhissuggestion.Infact,itsoundedlikesomethingImighthavesaidtomyself,ifhehadn’tbeatenmetoit.Whynottryitnow?Ithought.Iquicklymovedeverythingoffmylapandwalkeduptotheattendants’stationtoaskforsomemorewater.
Onlyoneoftheattendantswasthere,anolderEgyptianwomanwithshortblackhair,dressedinuniform,whohadservedusearlier.IdecidedtodojustastheDocumentsaid.AsIwalkedup,Isilentlyaffirmedtheintentiontojoinhigherminds.
Sheimmediatelyturnedaround.“Needarefill?”“Yes,please,”Ireplied,handinghermyemptycup.“It’sgoingtobealongflight,huh?”“Yes,butit’snottoobad.Icrewthisflightseveraltimesaweek.”
Shewaslookingatmyshoulder.“Isthatforme?”IlookeddownandrealizedthatIstillhadthecopyoftheDocumentundermyarm.Ihadplacedit
therewhenIwasmovingeverythingsoIcouldgetoutofmyseat,thenforgottoputitbackinmypack.“Oh,no,it’sjustacopyofanold…well,justsomethingIbroughtwithmebymistake.”“Anoldwhat?”Shelookedatmewithtotalearnestness,andIrealizedIhadtotellthetruthaboutit.“It’sanoldDocumentabouthumanspiritualitythatpeoplearestudyingrightnow.”“What’sitabout?”Istruggledtoputitsimply.“Well,it’sabouthowhumansarewakinguptothefactthatwe’reall
spirituallyconnected.”Shelookeddownasifthinking,thensaid:“I’veheardsomethingaboutthis.Mysister’shusbandis
studyingsomewritingslikethat.There’sawholegroupofthem.”Leaninginandspeakinglower,sheadded,“Youknowheusuallyisshyandreserved,butsincehe’s
beenmeetingwiththisgroup,he’sreallybecomequitetalkativeandobsessedwithtellingthetruth.”“That’sthesameDocument,”Isaid,somewhatsurprisedbythefamiliaritywithwhichshewas
speakingtome,asifshewastalkingtoherclosefriend.Icouldn’twaitfortheanswertomynextquestion.
“Wheredoesyoursisterlive?”Iasked.“Inasmalltownoutinthedesert,calledSt.Katherine.”Ihadalreadyknownwhatshewasgoingtosay,buttheSynchronicitystillshockedme.“Youwon’tbelievethis,”Isaid.“That’swherewe’regoingafterCairo.”Hereyeslitup.“Really?Ishouldgiveyouhisnumber.HisnameisJoseph.”Sheopenedadrawer
andpulledoutsomepaperandscribbleddownhiscompletenameandtelephonenumber.“Youknow,”shecontinued,“Ihaven’ttalkedtohiminquiteawhile.I’mgoingtocallhimandask
moreaboutthisDocument.I’lltellhimwemetonaplane.”“Thanks,”Isaid,thengavehermynameandnumberaswell.Theotherattendantcameupatthispoint,soIwalkedbacktomyseatandimmediatelywokeup
Colemanandtoldhimwhathappened.“YoushouldbeusedtothiskindofSynchronicitybynow,”hesaid.“N-n-no,”Istammered.“Itusuallydoesn’tgothisfastwithastranger.ASynchronicitythisontarget
usuallytakesquiteabitoftimetocomeoutinconversation,ifithappensatall.Sometimesyoufeelledtosomeone,butwhenyoutrytotalk,theconversationgoesnowhere.Twostrangersusuallyhavetobuilduptrust.”
Suddenlywideawake,helookedatmehard.“YoudidwhatIsaid,didn’tyou?YoutriedthatOnenessprinciple.”
Igavehimanexaggeratednodyes.ColemanpulledthecopyoftheDocumentoutofmyhand.“Letmereadthisforawhile.”
Whichwasfinewithme.Iwantedtospendsomemoretimethinking.MaybeIwasmakingtoomuchoutofthewoman’sopenness,butIdidn’tthinkso.Whatstruckmeasimportantwasn’tsomuchmeetingafriendlypersonwhohadabrother-in-lawinthecityofourdestination.Thatwasn’tcrazyunlikely.Thenoteworthythingwasthequalityoftheconversationitself:therewasanimmediateclosenessandrapportand,infact,honesty.AtthislevelofConnection,Ididn’thavetoremembertobedirectandhonest.Mywordsjustcameoutthatwaynaturally.
WhenIwokeup,Colemanwasalreadyawakeandarranginghisthings.Heleanedoverwhenhesawme
stirring.“Whattimeisit?”Iasked.“TwoA.M.,”hesaid.“We’llbelandinginCairointwentyminutes.”Helookedsleepy,asthoughthecrowdedseatshadfurtherfatiguedhimduringthenight.AndIfelt
thesameway.Icouldn’thavesleptmorethanafewhours.Onceontheground,wehurriedtopickupourluggageandfindourridetoSt.Katherine.Whenit
arrived,wewerepleasedthatitwasalargevanandweweretheonlypassengers.Thevehiclehadtwolongbenchseatssothatwebothcouldliedown.Wesleptthewholewaythere,rollinginabouteleventhatmorning.
Thetownwasbasicallyacollectionofcrossstreetsfilledwithtouristservicebuildingsandsmalllodges,allbuiltinthebottomofabowl-shapedvalley.Onallsideswerehuge,toweringredmountainpeaks,including,towardthesoutheast,theSinairange.
WecalledaroundonapayphoneuntilwefoundasmalllodgenearesttoMountSinai,andbythetimewewalkedintothetinyofficetocheckin,thepaceoftravelhadtakenitstoll.Myenergyhadfallensubstantially,soIwentthoughmymentalchecklistofIntegrationstogetcentered:expectintuitionandSynchronicity,stayinAlignment,andcomebacktoaloveConnection.Now,Iaddedonemore:intendOneness.
Whenwerangthebellontheattendant’sdesk,weweregreetedbyadistinguished-lookingoldergentlemanwithgrayhair.HespokeperfectEnglishbutatfirstseemedextremelycautious,askingusmanyquestionsaboutourtravelplansandpassports.Yetbythetimewefinishedcheckingin,hewassmilingandextremelyfriendly.
Hegaveusourkeys,andthen,aswewerewalkingaway,helookedthoughtfulforamoment.“Ifyoucareforahike,”hesaid,“thereisatrailjustoutsidethatleadstoanearbyhill.Itprovidesa
splendidviewofthetownandtheMountainofMoses.”Wethankedhimandheadeddownthelonghalltoourrooms,whichwefoundperfectlyplaced
directlyacrossfromeachother.Evenbetter,myroomhadanoutsidedoor,whichopenedontoasmallpatio.Wecouldseethewalkwaytothehillacrossthestreet.
“Thisisgreat,”Colemansaid.Aftershowers,wewalkednextdoorandhadagreatmealinalittlerestaurant.Whenwefinished,I
asked,“Whatdoyougetwhenyoutuneintowhetherweshouldcontacttheflightattendant’sbrother,Joseph?”
Hethoughtformoment.“Igetthefeelingweshoulddoit.It’slogicalandalsofeelsright.”IgrabbedmyphoneandtextedJosephthatwehadmethissister-in-lawandaskedifwecouldtalkto
himabouttheDocument.Ileftthephoneonsowe’dhearthereplyifonecamein.“Okay,”Colemansaid.“Let’shikethishill.”Thedaywasbeautiful.Thesunshonebrightly,withsmallpuffsofwhitecloudsdottingacrispblue
sky.Aswewalked,wegazedoutattheredmountainsrisingallaroundus.“Wow,”Colemansaid.“ThislooksalotlikeSedona.”Wefollowedthetrailovertothehillandstartedup,trulyamazedbythecolorsintherocks
themselves.Alongwiththeredwerestreaksofgrayandgold.WitheverystepIbegantofeelbetter.“ThishillfeelslikeSedona,too,”Colemansaid.Atacertainpoint,thepathmeanderedbyaflatledgethatover-hungthecity,sowestoppedand
lookeddownatthetown.JustasIwasimmersingmyselfinthevista,InoticedColemannoddingtowardsomethingupahead.
Ontheothersideoftheoverhangwasaroundedprotrusionofrock,andontop,amanwaskneelingaloneonaprayercloth.Hehadlongdarkhairandashortbeardandwaslookingoutintothedistancetowardthesoutheast.Withoutseeingus,heturnedtoaseatedposition,pulledoutacellphone,and
enteredinanumber.Suddenly,mytextringwentoffonmyphone.Whenthemanheardit,hewhirledaroundandsawus,
apuzzledlookonhisface.Thetextread:
Mysisteralreadyinformedmeofyourarrival.Iwouldlovetospeakwithyou.Pleasecall.
Ilookedbackathim.Hewassmilingbroadly.Colemanlaughedoutloud.ItwasJoseph.Immediately,themanjumpedupandwalkedovertous.“Quitegoodtiming,”hesaidwithathickEgyptianaccent.“I’mJoseph.Gladtomeetyou.”ColemangavemealooktoremindmetopracticeOneness,andIimmediatelyheldthatintention,
introducingbothofusandtellingJosephthatwewerelookingforsomeofourfriendswhohadjoinedagroupstudyingtheDocumenthereinSt.Katherine.
“Iknowonegrouphere,”hesaid.“Buttellme,howfaralongareyouwiththeIntegrations?”“We’veformedatemplategroup,”Isaid,“andaretuningintoourGuidance.We’vejustbegun
Oneness.”“Soyou’vejustbeguntheEighthstep,”hesaid,asthoughmorewascoming.“That’sright,”Colemanreplied.JosephaskedmetodescribeTommyandRacheltohimandwhenIdid,helookedsurprised.“IthinkIknowwhoyourfriendsare,”hesaid.“Ihaven’tmetthemyet,buttheyarehere.Iwilltake
youtothem.”Hetookonelastlookouttowardthemountains.“WhichpeakisSinai?”Iasked.Hepointedfarthertowardthesoutheast.“JebelMusa?That’sitrightthere.JusttotherightofSt.
Katherine’sCathedral.”Westaredatitforalongtime,andasItunedin,IthoughtIfeltacalming,welcomingsensation.A
flashofmemorysuddenlybrokethrough,andIrealizedIwasgettingahint,onceagain,ofthatmysteriouspointofConnectionIhadexperiencedonSecretMountain.
“Inoticed,”IsaidtoJoseph,“thatyouwerekneelingtowardMountSinaiwhenwewalkedup.”Hesmiled.“Oh,no.IwaslookingtowardMecca.Fromhere,Meccaisalmostexactlyontheother
sideofJebelMusa.ButwhenI’minprayer,thetwoplacesfeelalignedinsideme.”HelookedcloselyatMountSinaiagain.“ItissaidthatMoseslookeduponthefaceofGodthere.
Wouldn’tyoulovetoexperiencethat?”
Injustthirtyminutes,wewerepullingthroughthegateofalargegraystonehouseaboutamileawayfromthehotel.JosephhaddrivenusinhisToyotaSUV.
Atthatmoment,Iwashitbyastarkrealization.IwasabouttoseeRachelagain.WouldIbeabletoopenuptoherinOneness?OrwouldIfeelthesameoldhesitation?IknewwehadconnectedspontaneouslyonSecretMountain,butsincethen,forsomereasonIhadstillresistedopeninguptoher.TheConnectionseemedtoodeep,orwouldleadtocomplicationsorsomething.
Aswegotoutofthevehicle,thedoorofthehouseflungopenandRachelandTommyrushedouttogreetus.IrubbedTommy’sheadandembracedRachel,butIcutitshortandagainavoidedprolongedeyecontactwithher.
ColemancamealongandsweptRachelintoabighug.Heamongeveryoneseemedtobethemostexcitedaboutthereunion,andaswewalkedtowardthehouse,heconfidedinmeabouthisfeelings.
“Igrewupwithcoldscientistsasparents,blesstheirhearts,”hesaid.“I’veneverhadarealfamilybefore.”
Inside,wewalkedintoagreatroomthatwasfilledwithniceleatherfurnitureandPersianrugs.Adozenmorepeoplewerewaitingforus,allofthemlookingtowardmeintensely,andIlookedawayfromthemaswell.
Tommywassuddenlytuggingmebythearm,takingmeovertomeethismother.Whenwewerecloseenough,IintroducedmyselfandTommysaidhernamewasLoveofMountain.
“Tommyhastoldmeaboutallofyou,”shesaid,herarmaroundherson.“NowIknowwhyhedidn’twanttocomewithmeoriginally.Hemusthaveknownhewasgoingtomeetyou.”
“WhydidyoucometoSt.Katherine?”Iaskedher.Shelookedatmeproudly.“Tovisitmynamesake,”shesaid.“SisterMountain.Myfather,whowas
atrader,broughtmeherewhenIwasyoung,anditwasloveatfirstsight.SecretMountainandJebelMusahavethesameenergy.Theybothopenyouup.”Tommywasnodding.
AquestioncametomymindthenwithsuchforcethatIjustblurteditout.“Whydoesn’tTommyhaveaNativeAmericanname,likeyou?”
ShesmiledatTommy.“Becauseheisstubborn.”“Theyhavetriedtogivemenames,”Tommyreacted,“butnoneofthenameshavebeenright.WhenI
dosomethingimportant,Iwillknowmytribalname.”Then,asthoughsuddenlythinkingofsomethingtodo,LoveofMountainrushedoutoftheroom,
leavingTommyandmealone.Helookedatmeasthoughhehadsomethingtosay.Ibeathimtoit.“Tommy,IhavetoknowhowallthisrelatestotheMayanCalendar.Youknow,don’tyou?”“Yes,”hesaid.“Weneedtohurry.”Heledmethroughanopenentranceintoalargesunroomofsolidglasswalls,andwesatdownata
table.IcouldseeColemanintheotherroomtalkingwithRachelandseveralofthenewpeople.ForaninstantmyeyesmetRachel’sagain.Theroomwasbusybehindthem,aseveryoneseemedtobepackingforatrip.
“Itisthemythologyofmytribe,”Tommybegan,“thatthemountainsoftheRedRockareaofArizonaandtheRedMountainshereareallconnected.
“Nativepeopleshavealwaysseenmountainsassacredplacesthatliftusabovethecommonawarenesstoglimpsethesacredspirit.Thisspiritisnowseekingtocomecloser.TheMayaknewthisandcametothisworldtobringthemessageoftheCalendartous.”
“Butwhatisthemessage,Tommy?”Iasked.“Themediahastwisteditintopredictingdoomsday.It’sdifficulttodecidewhoseinterpretationtobelieve.”
Atthismoment,Colemanstrodeintotheroom,obviouslysensingthatweweretalkingaboutsomethingimportant.IsawaflashofimpatienceonTommy’ssmallface,whichbroughtupasmileItriedtohide.
“I’mcertainIneedtohearthis,”Colemansaidurgently.TommyandIbothgesturedforhimtositdown.“ThetruthoftheCalendarissimple,”Tommycontinued.“Ithasnothingtodowithdoomsday.It
spellsoutatimelinefortheentireCosmos,andthetruepurposeofhumanhistory.TheMayaconceivetheUniverseasbeingcreatedapproximatelysixteenbillionyearsago,butaccordingtothem,thecreationdidn’thappenallatonce.TheirCalendargivesthedatesofnineStepsofCreationthatwillhaveoccurredfromthebeginninguntiltheCalendarendsby2012.”
HepausedandlookedatmeasifthebeginningdateoftheCalendarwasimportant.Iknewwhy.OnlyrecentlyhavescientistsagreedonadateforthebeginningoftheUniverseatthetimeoftheBigBang,andthatdateisveryclosetotheonetheMayachose—beggingthequestion:howcouldtheMayahaveknownthedateofthebeginningthisaccurately,centuriesago?IstherestoftheCalendarjustas
accurate?“Onescholarinparticular,”Tommycontinued,“hasspelledoutthedatestheCalendarhasassigned
toeachstepofcreationwithgreatclarity.AsIsaid,thefirstStepofCreationbeganaboutsixteenbillionyearsago,andincludedtheformationoftheUniverseandthecoalescenceofmatterintogalaxies,stars,andplanets,andthebeginningoflifeanditsdevelopmentintothefirstcellsandthenintomorecomplexorganisms.TheSecondthroughtheFourthStepsofCreationbroughtusmammals,anthropoids,andfinally,twomillionyearsago,humans.
“Atthispoint,theremainingStepsofCreationfocusedontheexpandingreachofhumanconsciousness,beginningwithatribalawarenessandreaching,about103thousandyearsago,aregionalawareness,wherehumansdevelopedlanguageandbegantobecomeconsciousofotherhumangroupsinalargergeographicalarea.
“NextintheCalendarcameanationalawareness,beginningaround3115B.C.E.,wherehumansorganizedfirstintoempiresandfinallyintonations.
“ThenonJuly24,1755,anotherstepincreationbegan,yieldingaplanetaryawareness.Thiswaswhenwefirstrealizedwesharedafiniteplanetandbegantointeracteconomicallyacrosstheglobe.”
Tommypausedtoemphasizesomething.“It’simportant,”hecontinued,“torememberthatthesestepsarenotjustsymbolic.Theyentailan
actualshiftinourconsciousness.Whenwereachedtheplanetarystep,forinstance,wegainedtheabilitytotuneintoaconsciousnessthattranscendedaflatEarthperception.WeliterallycouldmorereadilyfeelthatwewerealltogetheronaroundEarth,floatingthroughspace.
“Andthenextsurgeincreation,occurringonJanuary5,1999—thegalacticawareness—gaveustheabilitytostretchourconsciousnessevenfarther.ItliftedusbeyondtheplanetandgaveusevenmoreabilitytosensethelargerCosmos.Thisacceleratedtheshiftfromamaterialandsecularoutlooktoamoreawakenedspiritualstate.Wemorereadilyknewwewerefloatingaroundinspacewithnorealunderstandingofwhy.Wewantedtherealtruthofourexistence.Religionitselfcameunderquestionbecausewewantedmorecompleteanswerstoourinquiries.
“Itwasthisquestioningthatledtoideologicalfanaticsthinkingtheyhadtodefendtheirdoctrinesandevenforcethemonpeople,sometimesviolently.Thisgalacticperspectivebeganonlytwoyearsbefore2001,whenthewarsbeganoverwhosereligionwasbest.”
Ijustlookedathim,havinghadnoideatheMayanCalendarwassospecificinitsdating.“Scholarsarestillarguingoverthedatessomewhat,”Tommycontinued,“butthegeneraloutlineof
creationismostimportant.Theypredictedthissequenceofhumanprogresscenturiesago.”IrecalledthenthatTommyhadmentionedthattheCalendarhadpredictednineStepsofCreation.He
hadmentionedonlyeight.Iaskedhimaboutit.“TheCalendarpredictsanotherStepofCreation,”theyoungmancontinued,“onethatisalready
comingandcanbefelt.Itisintendedtobringinanidealworld.”Iperkedup,rememberingthatTommyhadtoldthegroupthattheCalendarwasitselfaprophecy
similartotheend-timesvisionsofmanyreligions.MostofthesescripturalPropheciestalkedaboutacomingMessiahfigurewhowouldusherinanidealworld,andnowhewastalkingabouttheCalendaralsopointingtoanidealworld.
“TellmemoreaboutwhattheCalendarpredicts,”Isaid.Hewavedmeoffwithaflipofhishand,obviouslywantingtomakeanotherpoint.“Mytribebelieves,”hepressed,“thatthislaststepwillnotbeimposedonus.Enoughofusmust
learnhowtotuneintothenextlevelofcreation.Andtodothat,wemustfirstreceivetheconsciousnesstheIntegrationsspeakof,beginningwiththeIntegrationwe’reworkingonnow,theEighth.”HewaslookingatmeasthoughIparticularlyhadto“getit.”
Wewereinterruptedthenbythesoundsofmoremovementintheotherroom.ThroughthedoorIcouldseeLoveofMountainandseveralothersrollingbackoneofthePersianrugsandopeningahugetrapdoorinthefloor.ShelookedatTommy,motioningforhimtocomehelpher.
ColemanandIbothstoodup.“Youknowwhatthey’redoing,don’tyou?”Colemansaid.“They’regettingreadytogotothe
mountain.”“Why?”Iasked.“Idon’tknow,andtheydon’tseemto,either.Butthey’resuretheyhavetogo.”WewerewalkingbacktowardthemwhenRachelabruptlyappearedandgrabbedmyarm.“Ihavetotalktoyou,”shesaidforcefully,leadingmeintothesunroomandoutabackdoorintoa
gardencourtyard.Theareawaspavedwithflagstoneandsurroundedbythickhedgesandfloweringplants.Thearomaofwaterliliescamefromasmallpondinthecorner.
“Everyone’spacking,”Isaid.“Whataretheyplanningtodo?”“They’regoingtoSisterMountain,”shereplied.“Something’sabouttohappenupthere.”“Howdoyouknow?”Shelookedatmeseriously.“Iknowquitealot,”shesaid.“Ifyouweren’tavoidingme,youmightrealizethat!”Ijustlookedather.“Whyareyouavoidingme?”shepressed.“BecauseI’mtryingtostayinAlignment,”Isnapped,wantingtorunbackinthehouse.ShesmiledandlookedatmeasifIwasachild.“Ifyouhadjustconnectedenoughtoreallytalkto
me,youwouldn’tbeconfusedaboutthis.DoyouknowwhyI’mhere,whyI’mtryingtoreachtherealyou?Thisisn’taboutanythingromantic.It’sabouttheIntegrations.
“TheTemplateofAgreementisnotjustforresolvingtheextremepolarizationthat’soccurringinpoliticsandreligiousideology.It’salsoaboutbridgingthemythandpolarizationthatkeepmenandwomenapart.”
Sheshookherhead.“YouknowwhatIwastaughtasachildbymymother?Thatmenandwomenarecompletelydifferentanimals,withadifferentoutlookandlanguage,anddoomedforevertomisunderstandandmanipulateeachother.ShetaughtmetolieandcontroltogetwhatIwantedfrommen,andasItriedtomanipulatemywaythroughonefailedrelationshipafteranother,Igrewtohatemenformakingmedothat.
“AndIhatedmymotherfornotpreventingtheworldfrombeingthatway.Iquitspeakingtoherforyears…andthenshediedbeforeIcouldgetbackhometotalktoher.”
ShelookedoveratmeandItriedtostaywithhergaze.“Iknownow,”shesaid,“thatitwasn’therfault.Iwasn’ttheonlyonewiththismisunderstanding.
Weallplaythegameofsexandsecurity.Youthinkyouhavetobeincontrolsoyoulimityourconnectionwithme,ormanipulateitinsomeway.Butthefactis,thishabitofclosingofftosomewomenissomethingyou’veprobablyalwaysdone.
“Ibetyou’veneverreallyopeneduptoanywoman.Youwerebusymanipulating,hopingtoenticethemintoarelationshipwithyou,or,ontheotherhand,dismissingthemaltogetheriftheydidn’tseemlikeasexualpossibility.We’reallstuckinnotfullyconnectingwiththoseoftheoppositesex—womenusingtheirsexualitytomanipulatemen,menmanipulatingwomentogetsex.Butnow,aswefigureouthowtoreallytuneintoeachother,we’reonthevergeofbeingabletoblowpastsexualmanipulationaltogether.”
Iwaswatchingherspeak,struckbyheropen,authenticexpressionofallthis.ItwasdonewithadeepsoulConnectiontome—yetitwasaConnectionthatmeantnothingmorethanthat:deepConnection.
“Howdidyougetsoclearaboutthis?”Iaskedspontaneously.“Mymothertoldme.”“Ithoughtyousaidshediedbeforeyoucouldspeaktoher.”“Shedid.”Ijustlookedather,thinkingoftheimplicationsofherremark.Andinthatmoment,Irealizedthatmy
fearofconnectingwithherseemedtobefading.“I’lltellyousoonaboutmycommunicationwithmymother,”Rachelwenton.“Butthat’snotwhat
weneedtobedoingnow.Thisdistancebetweenmenandwomenhastobehealed.Formostofus,it’sbeenromanceornothingwhenitcomestotheoppositesex.Andwecan’tgoforwardintoanotherelevationofconsciousnessuntilthischanges.
“Ifatemplategroupworksatall,it’sbecauseitsetsanewpatternbyagreementandsendsthatenergyoutintotheworld,tohelpsetanewculturalstandardinthecollectivemind.SowhatyouandIhealhereandnowinfluencestheworldinthatway.WehavetogetbacktowherewewereonSecretMountain.Wehavetobesoulstoeachother!”
Shereachedintoalargesatchelthatshecarriedandpulledoutaboutadozencrumpledpages.“Idon’tknowhowmuchoftheEighthIntegrationyou’veread.Buthereitis.”
IfoundabenchnearthefountainandbegantoreadwhereIhadleftoff.Itimmediatelyheldmespellbound.
Tocompletelyjoinminds,itsaid,wemustintendOneness,butwemustalsocomebacktoalovestatethattotallytranscendssexualcomplexity.ItnamedthisemotionAgape.
Ilookedawayforamomentandthoughtabouttheword.AgapewasGreek,anditmeantaparticularkindoflove:oneofthesoulforallofcreation,butmostparticularly,aloveforotherpeoplethatisplatonicinnature.Centeringinthiskindoflove,theDocumentwenton,evenmorethanintendingOnenessorConsciousConversation,liftedthoseininteractionintotheirhighestsoulwisdom.Moreover,thiselevationwasmultipliedmanytimeswhenpracticedbyagroup.
Iputdownthepagesthenandwalkedintotheotherroom,findingRachelstandinginthedoorwaywaitingforme.Oureyesmet,andthistimeIjustletmyselfgofullyintohereyes,settingtheintentionforOnenessandopeningtolove.
Suddenly,Ifeltaperceptiblemovementinmyheart,asurgeofemotionthatcreatedanevengreatercenterednessandfreedomfromapprehensionthatIhadn’texperiencedsinceSecretMountain.Itwasright,andtotallyinAlignmentineveryway,andneverhadtobedefended.ItwasAgape.
Inmyperipheralvision,Inoticedafewpeopleintheotherroomlookingatus,butIremainedfocusedonRachel.Sherusheduptomeandturnedmeintheotherdirectiontofacethewindowsthatoverlookedthecourtyard.
“Lookhowbeautifulitisoutside,”shesaid.“RememberhowtheworldlookedonSecretMountain?We’retrulyworkingourwaybacktherewitheachIntegration.Thenextstepisopeningoursensesfullytothewaytheworldreallylookswhenwe’reallconnectedtogetherinastateoflove.”
ForamomentItookinthebeauty.Butpartofmedidn’twanttogothereyet.AllIwantedwastoexperiencethislevelofAgapeagain.
IturnedaroundtofaceRachel.Iwantedtoaskheranotherquestion,butthepoweroftheeyesstaringatusfromtheotherroomwas
drawingmetothem.Everyonewascrowdedintothedoorwaylookingatthetwoofus,includingColeman,whowasjumpingupanddownneartheback,wavingthepagesoftheDocumentheheldinonehand.
IreturnedtheirgazeswiththesamedeepAgapeIhadprojectedtowardRachel,andwithoutpayingtheslightestattentiontowhowasmaleorfemale.TheenergylevelandAgapewiththegroupexplodedwithinmeevenmore.Theyallseemeddelighted.
“Wow,”Isaidoutloud.Rachelcamearound,stoodbesideme,andlookedattheothers.“Everytime,”shesaid,“thatsomeoneintegratesAgapeforthefirsttime,itcreatesarippleof
heightenedloveineveryonearoundthem,likeheatinagreenhouse—oraconversionexperienceinacrowdedcountrychurch.”
OPENINGTOPERCEPTION
Fortwentyminutes,IwalkedaroundandtalkedwitheveryoneIhadmetinthegroup.Allofthemtooktimeforme,evenastheyhurriedtopack.MostspokeEnglish,buttheyalsoeasilyandspontaneouslyinterpretedforeachotherasamatterofcourse.
Together,theyreflectedarichcrosssectionoflifeintheregion,frombakerstoteacherstoengineers,andrepresentedmostoftheknowntraditionsandsects.Toaperson,theyhadexperiencedaBreakthroughConnectionintheirownwayandwereproceedingthroughtheIntegrationsonebyone.Aswetalked,Irealizedwewerebecomingalargertemplategroup.
Infact,manyvoicedthatAgapebetweenpeoplewasprimarilyaconceptthathadgrownoutofWestern,Judeo-Christianthought.Butthoseinothertraditionspointedoutthattheirhistorieswerealsofulloficonsthatemphasizedtheimportanceofsoullove.ImyselfwasawareofaconceptinEasternthought,fromJainism,calledAhimsa,which,ifnotconsideredacademicallyidentical,wasthesameinpractice.WefinallyagreedthatwhilemosttraditionspointedtothislevelofConnectioninsomeway,theChristianandEasternreligionsseemtogiveitthemostemphasis.
Atonepoint,IlookedatmyphoneandfoundWilhadtexted,sayingthathehadarrivedsafelyandhadexperiencedtheEighthIntegrationwithasmallergroupinCairo.Hirahadalsocommunicated,sayingmuchthesamething.ShehadfoundanothertemplategroupofherowninJerusalem.BothsheandWilhadcometothesameagreementabouttheEighthIntegrationasthoseofushere.
Soonafter,Adjartextedasifoncue.He,too,agreedwithourconclusions,andtookthetimetoexpressthedifficultyhistraditionseemedtohavewithAgapelove,especiallybetweenmenandwomenwhowerenotmarried.Hementionedsomeminorityviewsinthisregardthathethoughtwouldnowbegettingmoreattention.
Isatdownbymyselftothinkforamoment,stillhighfromtheOnenessandAgapethathadelevatedus.ThehonestyandwisdomofRachel,Iknew,hadchangedmedramatically,andIknewIwouldneverexperienceconversationswithwomeninthesamewayagain.
OfequalimpactwasthesummaryoftheMayanCalendarTommyhadprovided.Whilehedidn’tfinishtellingmeaboutthepredictedlastStepinCreation,IunderstoodevenmorewhyhehadearliercalledtheCalendaraprophecy.TheremaininglastStepinCreationwasthoughttobeacomingwaveofDivinecreation,onethatwasmeanttosomehowmoveustowardthismoreidealworldsomanyweresensing.
Ibegan,then,tonoticepeoplewalkingaroundthehouselookingatthepaintingsandplantsinaparticularway.Someofthemwentouttothesunroomandstaredatthehazysunsetthroughtheglass.Afterawhile,Irealizedtheyweretryingtoseemorebeauty.Thismadeperfectsense.ThegrouphereseemedtohavecompletedtheEighthIntegrationandwasmovingontotheNinth.
TheobservationbroughtbackthememoriesofthesearchfortheNinthInsightoftheoldProphecy.
Backthen,theoldProphecyfoundinPeruhadpredictedthatonedaywewouldbegintoseetheworldasimmenselybeautifulandevenlight-filled.
Iwasnowsittingonthearmofachairinthegreatroom,andColemancameinandsatonthesofaacrossfromme,asifhehadsomethingtosay.
“Someofthepeopleinthisgroup,”hesaid,“havealreadybeguntointegratetheNinth.They’reprettyfaralong.”
HelookedatmeasthoughheexpectedIwouldpickuponhisnextstatement.Inodded.“AndtheDocumentistalkingaboutapracticalwaytosustaintheexperience.”“That’sright!Andsomeofthemarescientists!Theythinkthatopeningtoperceptionisbuiltintothe
structureofourbrains,justliketherestofthejumpsinconsciousnesswe’veexperienced.Theynowbelieveeverystepisarchetypaland,inasense,ahigherkindofAlignmentthatwe’recalledtomaintain.”
Thatjoltedme.Agroupofscientistswereassertingthis,basedonthesimilarityofspiritualexperienceforallofus!Iwonderedsuddenlyjusthowwidespreadthisperceptionwasbecoming.
“That’swhy,”Colemancontinued,“groupsarethebestwaytoproceednow,becauseasonepersoninthegroupgetsit,othersseethenewconsciousnessandfeelit,andprettysooneveryonehasfiredupthatpartofhisorherbrain.Thisway,itallgetsproventooneselfveryquickly.It’stheprocessbehindtheideaofapositivecontagionofconsciousness.
“TheDocument,”hecontinued,“saysthattoseemorebeautyistogetclosertotheconsciousnessthatexistsinHeaven.There,peopleknowhowtousethepowerofAgapewitheveryone,especiallythoselockedinideologies.TheDocumentsaystoreachthoseinfearandangerwehavetodowhattheydointheAfterlife.
“ItsaystheNinthIntegrationisanimportantsteptowarddoingthat.Itgetsusclosertoaheavenlylevelofconsciousness.Thisisthesecretofreachingthoseinfearandanger.Wehavetobeabletoliftthemtowardthisstate.”
“Howdowedothat?”Iasked.Heshrugged.Inoticedthenthathehadafolderwithhim.“YouhavetheDocument?”“Partofit,”hesaid.“Wanttoreadit?”
AsIread,theDocumentspokeexactlytoColeman’spoint.Agape,itstated,waseasytoaccomplishwithpeoplewholovedyouback.Itwasmoredifficultwiththosewhoweremoreideologicallyopposed.Theonlywaytoreacheveryone,asColemanhadmentioned,wasfromanelevatedpositionofconsciousnessclosertotheAfterlife.
Suddenly,webeganhearingmorenoiseandmovementbehindus.Alltheotherswerenolongerjusttalkingandworking.Theyweremovingheavypacksandfoodstuffoutthedoortowardthevehicles.
ColemanandIlookedateachother,andIwasabouttogobacktoreadingwhenthethoughtcametometocheckthephonefortexts.IfoundamessagefromAdjar.AformerinsiderwiththeApocalypticshadtoldhimtheextremistsknewwewereinSt.Katherine.Theywereplanningtostopusfromgettingtothemountain.
“Iguessthat’swhy,”Colemansaid,“thepeopleherearehurryingso.Theymusthavealreadysenseddanger.I’llgotellthemwhatwefoundout.”
Wantingtothinkaboutthesituation,Inoddedandwatchedhimwalkoff.NeitherColemannorIhadexperiencedapremonitionoftrouble.SoItunedintowhetherIcouldpictureusgoingtotheMount.Ieasilysawthejourneyandfeltitwastherightthingtodo,butwhenIattemptedtovisualizeusmakingitallthewaytothesummitofthemountain,Icouldn’t.Itriedagainwithnosuccess.
Uh-oh,Ithought,anddashedoutsidewhereeveryonewasgatheringaroundthevehicles,obviouslycheckinginwitheachothertoseewhohadthebestintuitiongoingforward.
Whathappenednextwasoneofthosefast-pacedmomentsofSynchronicityandintuitionwhereeveryonespokeatexactlytherighttimeandwithperfectclarityaboutthehunchestheywerereceiving.Anditwasvirtuallyunanimous.EveryonesawthatwewererighttoheadtotheMount,butoncethere,weshouldbeverycareful.
Suddenly,Rachelwalkedtothecenterofthegroup,eagertosaysomethingmore.“Wecan’tletthesethreats,”shesaidforcefully,“interruptourprogresswiththeIntegrations.Ifwe
stayinAgape,we’llfindawaytostopthisdanger.Rememberwhereweare.TheNinthIntegrationsayswehavetouseAgapetopulltheApocalypticsintoahigherstateandoutoftheirideologysomehow.”
Therewassilence,thenTommyadded,“WewilldiscoverhowtodothatattheMountain.Thenextstepistotuneintosacrednature,openourperception,andgetclosertothespiritworld.ThisabilityhaslongbeentheemphasisofNativepeoples.Ifwepaycloseattention,theMountainwillshowustheway.”
Mosteveryoneagreedtogo,despitethedanger.Butsomedidn’t,feelingtheirpathstookthemelsewhere.Theywouldholdusinprayer,theysaid,leavingtwelveofustoloadintothreevehicles:Joseph’sToyota,LoveofMountain’sSubaru,andanoldVolvobelongingtooneoftheothers.Coleman,Rachel,andIrodewithJoseph.
TheplanwastoseparateandmeetataspecificlocationthatTommy’smotherhadsuggested:theheadofalittle-knowntrailthatledupthesoutheasternsideofMountSinai.LoveofMountainhadtoldusthisroutewouldstillbeguardedbyEgyptiantroops,butatleastitwouldbelesstraveled.Becauseofthelayoutofthetown,wewouldhavetodrivewestandthensouthtohitthetrailtoSinai.
Thetriptothetrailheadshouldhavetaken,atmost,thirtyminutes,butaswetraveled,weranintoonetrafficjamafteranother.Nowwewerewaiting,again,inalonglineofcarstomakeaturn.
“Thislittletownhasreallyfilledup,”Colemansaid.“IlookedupSt.KatherineontheInternetbeforewegothere.TheyaverageplentyofvisitorstoMountSinaioverthecourseofayear,butnothinglikethesenumbers.Theremustbeanextrathousandpeoplehere.”
Ilookedcloselyintothevehiclesaroundusandatthepedestriansliningthestreets.TheyalllookedprimarilyMiddleEastern,butagoodfourthofthemwereinternational,withlotsofEuropeansandNorthAmericansamongthem.
“Youthinkthey’reherebecauseoftheDocument?”Rachelasked.Wealllookedatoneanother.“Maybeweshouldstopandasksomeofthem,”Isaid.“Idon’tthinkso,”Colemanretorted.“Weshouldgetintothemountainsassoonaswecan.”Allofusagreed,andweheadedsouth,finallymovingoutoftownandintoaflat,rockydesertthat
wasalivewithsmallroundplantsandscrubbybushesthatseemedtobeglisteninginthefadinglight.JustlikeSedona,Ithought.
Intwentyminutes,wewereapproachingthetrailhead,andtherealityofoursituationwassinkingin:wewereabouttoscaleamountaininaforeigncountrywithoutpermission,facingagroupofextremistswhohadalreadytriedtokillus.
Ishookmyhead,holdingontomyenergylevelandremindingmyselfagainthattherewasnochoice.Tohaveanychanceofreachingtheextremists,wehadtogetupthisMountandfinishtheIntegrations.
“Ihaveabrotherwhoisahigh-rankingofficerinthisregion,”Josephsaidabruptly.“Iwantedallofyoutoknow,becausehecouldpossiblyhelpus.Hehasbeenveryextremeattimes,butI’vebeentryingtoconvincehimoftheDocument’simportance.”
Wealllookedatoneanother,andforsomereasonIfelthisbrotherwouldbeinstrumentalinwhateverhappenedonSinai.
“IalsoknowyourfriendHira,”hecontinued,“fromwhenIlivedinJerusalemduringmyyouth.MymotherwasJewish,andsheknewHira’smother.Weallstudiedend-timesProphecyintheBibleandtheTorah.Ithinkthemostfascinatingaspectofthepropheticliterature,however,isthatthepropheciesofallthreemajorreligionsseemtohavethesamestructure.Eachhasanideaofafinalconflict,orArmageddon.AndeachhasthenotionthataDivineMessiahfigureiscomingtoestablishanideal,spiritualworld.”
IrememberedwhatTommyhadtoldme.ThenextstepofCreationoftheMayanCalendaralsoseemedtohaveasimilarstructure.WhatwasSynchronicitytryingtoshowushere?
“It’sfascinating,”Josephwenton.“AndsomeofthetraditionsalsoagreethatthesameliteraleventsmusttakeplacebeforeArmageddonbegins.ThefirsteventisthattheJewsmustreturntotheHolyLand,whichhasoccurred.ThentherebuildingofDavid’stempleinJerusalemonthesiteofitsoldfoundationmusttakeplace.”
“Troubleis,”Rachelinterjected,“theDomeoftheRock,anespeciallyimportantmosque,alreadyoccupiesthatsite.”
“Anyreasonthatboththemosqueandthetemplecouldn’tfitupthere?”Iasked.Theyalllookedatmeinsilence.“Theproblem,”Rachelfinallysaid,“isthatthetworeligionsbothclaimtitletotheentirerock.”“That’sright,”Josephadded.“Andmanybelieveanattempttorebuildthetemplewouldsignalthe
onsetofArmageddonandthewholeend-timesdramawouldbeplayedout,includingthecomingoftheMessiahfigures.Forourtradition,itwouldbetheTwelfthImamwhowouldreturn.”
HeglancedatRachel.“YoumightarguethatitwouldbethereturnoftheChrist.”“Waitaminute,”Colemanremarked.“Soyou’resayingthattheseevents—Jewsreturningtothe
HolyLandandtherebuildingofDavid’stempleinJerusalem—aretheprimaryeventsinprophecythatwouldsignalthebeginningofArmageddon?”
“IwouldaddonemorefromtheArabside,”Josephsaid.“Oneofourprophetssaidtheendtimesarenearwhenthereischaosandincivilitybuildinginsociety,andageneraldishonoringofallpeople.Itisatimewhenthetruthisdisregardedformoreconvenientlies.”
“Youmeanrunawayideology?”Colemanremarked.Josephnodded.“Yes.”Iperkedup.Theenergyofthisconversationhadbeguntofeelnuminous,andIknewitwas
happeningforareason.“Thereisalsoanotherevent,”Rachelinterjected,“thatmanybelievewilloccurastheendtimes
approach.InChristianityitiscalledtheRapture,butothertraditionshaveasimilarideaaswell.It’sthenotionthatastheMessiahfigurebeginstocometoEarthandArmageddonbegins,thetruebelievers’bodieswillbeliftedintospiritandtheywillmeetthecomingGodfigureinHeaven,wheretheywillbeprotected.”
ShelookedatJoseph.“Yes,that’sright,”Josephsaid.“Inourreligion,itisthoughtthatastheTwelfthImamapproaches,
ourtruebelieverswillbetakentothesideinspiritandalsoprotected.”Colemanlookedaroundateachofus.“Thisisamazing.I’veneverputthistogetherbefore.Allthe
majorreligionsdohavealmostthesamestructurefortheendtimes,justwithdifferentnames.”
OurdiscussionwasinterruptedasAdjarturnedoffthemainroadontoabumpygraveltrackthatlefta
plumeofdustswirlingupbehindusinthefadinglight.Withinminutes,wewerestoppingataplacewheretheroadwidenedintoaturnaroundandproceedednofarther.
“ThisiswhereLoveofMountainsaidtomeet,”Josephsaid.Wewaitedanothertenminutesbeforewesawthemutedheadlightsofavehicleapproaching.“That’sLoveofMountain’sSubaru,”Rachelcommented.SecondsbehindthemcametheVolvo.Wheneveryonewasoutandready,Tommypreparedusforthe
routeahead,tellingusthefirstmilewouldberelativelyflatdesert,butthesecondwouldbeverymountainousandwouldtakeusupthesoutheasternsideofMountSinai.Hismothersuggestedwehikeinforashortdistanceunderthecoverofdarkness,andthensleepbeforeattemptingtomoveupthemountain.
“WhatabouttheEgyptianguardsyoumentioned?”Iasked.“Wewillcometoaguardstation,”shereplied.“Beforewecangopastitwemustopenour
perceptionandlearnfromthoseinspirit.”Withoutsayinganythingelse,Tommyandhismothersetarapidpacethroughthedesert.Eventually,
wecametoanareawheretheterraininclinedupwardandwebegantoseeenormousbouldersdottingthelandscape.Afteranotherhundredyards,wecametoagroupofthebigrockscircledtogether.Tommyledusthroughthemazeuntilwecametoanopen,sandyareacompletelysurroundedbytherocks.
“Wecancamphere,”hesaid.RachelandIpitchedourtentsbesideeachother,andIcouldseeTommywasintentionallylayingout
thetenthesharedwithhismotherbesideRachel’saswell.Whenthetentswereup,Ibuiltasmallfirefromthedeadlimbsofsomescrubbushesthatgrew
aroundtheedgesoftheboulders,realizingasIdidsothatthecircleofhugerockswasreflectingbackatusinthelightofthemoon,creatingwhatfeltlikeacurtainofsecurity.
Rachelseemedtobelookingoutatthemaswellandglancedatmeasshetookoutasmallcookerandbeganmakingfreeze-driedstewnearthefire.Isatdownbesideher.
“Youknow,”shesaid,“NativeAmericansnevercampsomewhereunlessithashighenergy.ItalkedtoTommy’smother,andofallthemountainsshehasvisited,theSinaigroupareherfavorites.”
Rachelshotmeasmile.“Shesaidtheyaretheeasiesttolightup.”
Thenextday,Iwasfirsttoawaken.AsIclimbedoutofthetent,onlyapartiallightwasappearingintheeast.Gatheringupsomemorewood,Istokedthefireandsatdown.Tracesofredsunlightbegantohighlighttheswirlsofcloudsoverhead.
Tommy’smothercameoutofhertent,walkingaroundasthoughshewaslookingforsomething.Sheleftthecircleofrocksandwasgonealongtimebeforereturning.Severalotherpeoplewerenowoutoftheirtentsaswell.
Shefinallywalkedovertomeandasked,“HaveyouseenTommy?Heleftsometimeduringthenight.”
“What?”Isaid,jumpingup.Shewavedherhandasiftocalmmedown.“Don’tworry.He’sdonethisbefore.We’vebeenheremanytimesandheknowstheareawell,so
unlessyousensesomethingdifferent,Ithinkitisbesttojustwaitforhimtoreturn.”Itriedtotunein,butIcouldn’treallyconcentrate.Ididn’tknowhowshecouldbesocalm.Wehad
justbeenwarnedthattheApocalypticswerestilllookingforus,andanythingcouldhappenoutthere.ShelefttotelltheothersasRachelwalkedupandsatbesideme.
“What’sgoingon?”Rachelasked.
ItoldherthatTommyhadleft.“Byhimself?Shouldn’twegolookingforhim?”“Hismotherdoesn’tseemthatworried.Shewantstowaitandseeifhewillreturn.”Rachelnoddedandsatdown,andourgazesmet.Therewasnoreluctanceonmypart,andweheld
thestareuntilwebothsmiled.Suddenly,IsawanimageofTommyinmymind’seye.Hewashigherupinthemountains…andIwaswithhim!
Thevisionwasclearlyanintuition,andIlookedbackatRachel,whowasnowdeepinthoughtherself,appearingslightlysad.
“IthinkIshouldgolookforTommy,”Isaid.“Whataboutyou?”Sheshookherhead,stilllookingaway.“Ihavetostayhere.”Igatheredmypack,andRachelwalkedovertohertentandreturnedwithafeather.“ThisisafeatherguidethatWolfgaveme,”shesaid.“Hejokedthatitwasusefultobringtwo
spiritsbacktogether,andthatIwouldknowwhattodowithitwhenthetimecame.”Shehandedthefeathertome,andItookitandsmiled,thenturnedtogo.“Beforeyouleave,Iwanttotellyousomething,”shesaid.“Don’tforgetwhereweareinthe
Integrations.Wehavetoopenourperceptionasquicklyaswecan.”Therewasstillahintofsadness.“Isawyoutuninginjustnow,”Isaid.“Didyouseesomething?”Atearwasrollingdownhercheek,butsheshookitoffandputonahappyexpression.“Don’tworry,I’llseeyouwhenyougetback.Thefeatherwillseetothat.”Shegavemeahugandteasinglypushedmeon.“Youbetterhurry.Weallhaveadestinyto
complete.”
AsIwaswalkingaway,Tommy’smotherwalkedupandseemedtoknowwhatIwasdoing.Shedescribedthegeneralroutetowardtheareaoftheguardstation,andwishedmewell.Sheaddedthatshewassureeverythingwasallright,andthatTommywouldbesomewhereinthatgenerallocation.Thereseemedtobeagoodreasoninhermindthatshewasnotgoingherself.
WhenIpassedthelastofthegiantbouldersandwasstartinguptheincline,someoneelsesuddenlycalledfrombehindme.IturnedtoseeColemanrunningupwithhispackon.
“I’msupposedtogowithyou,”hesaid.Ireachedouttograbhisarm,onceagaintremendouslygladforhiscompany.Hegavemea
determinedlook,andwelockedintheAgape.“HasanyonebeentalkingabouttheNinthincamp?”Iasked.“Notmuch,butthey’reallstudyingit.Tommyseemstoalreadyunderstanditthemost.”Inodded,andwebothwalkedonwithouttalking,headingeasttowardtherisingspiresofrock.
Afteraboutahalfmile,wemadeourwayupasteepridgethatjuttedouttowardtheeast,sothatwecouldlookoutontheascendingwavesofridgesandcrevicesrisingupbeforeus.Atthetopwasacrown-shapedsummit.
“That’sMountSinai,”Isaid.“Andthere’stheguardstationrightthere,”Colemanreplied,pointingdirectlybelowustoacement-
blockbuildinglocatedinasmall,flatareaintheridges.Severallargeantennasrosefromitstileroof,andwecouldhearthefainthumofagasolinegenerator.Twosoldierstalkedandsmokedcigarettesoutside.Webothsatdownonsomerocksandlookedtheplaceover.Thebuildingwaslargeenoughtohouseperhapstwentysoldiers.
Justthenweheardsomeonecalloutfromaboveus.Thevoicewasbarelyaudible.Wesurveyedtheareauntilwesawsomeonewavingabouttwohundredfeetuptheslope.ItwasTommy.
Wehurriedupthehillandsoonwerelookingathissmilingface.Heofferedussomewaterfromametalcup,andwetookit.Thewaterwaswonderfullycool.
“Wheredidthiswatercomefrom?”Iasked.“Rightoverthere,”hesaid.“Youcanfillupyourcanteens.”Thecrystal-clearwatercameoutoftherocksandthenrippleddownabouttwentyfeetbefore
disappearingintoacrevice.“Ithoughttherewasnowaterinthisdesert,”Colemansaid.“TheycallitthespringofMoses,”Tommyreplied.ColemanandIjustlookedateachother.Icaughttheyouth’seye.“You’reuphereforsomereason,Tommy.Whatareyoudoing?”Helookedtowardtheguardhouse.“Severalmonthsago,Imetoneoftheofficersoftheguard
station.IbelievehethinksI’mawandereroraprophetorsomething.Ihadrunoutofwaterandhetoldmeaboutthespring.Ihavetalkedtohimseveraltimesonmytripshere.HeknowsabouttheDocumentbuthehasalwaysbeenverysecretive.IalsobelieveheknowsJoseph’sbrother.”
“What?”Isaid,glancingoveratColeman.“Josephsaidhisbrotherwasahigh-rankingofficerhere,acommander.”
“Ihaveseenabigmanwholookedhighlyrankedtalkingtomyfriend.”IlookedatColeman.“WherewasJosephthismorning?”“Hehadalreadyleftcamp,”Colemanreplied.“HistentwasnexttomineandIwokeupashe
walkedoff.Itwasstilldark.”“HaveyouseenJosephupheretoday?”IaskedTommy.Heshookhishead.“Noonehasbeenhere,exceptforthetwosoldiersdownbelow.”“Wecouldprobablysneakpastthosetwo,”Colemansaid.“Itisnottime,”Tommyadmonished.“Wewon’tbeallowedupthemountainuntilwefirstlearnto
see.”
Foralongtime,westayedwherewewere.Tommysaidwemustwaituntilthesunwasinthecorrectpositionbeforetryingtoopenupourperception.Whenthesunwasnearsetting,heexplained,itradiatedalightofmystery,andextraordinaryeventscouldtakeplace.
ColemanandIspentmostofthedaytalkingabouttheoldProphecyandwhathadoccurredinPeru.IntheNinthInsight,theProphecyhadpredictedthathumanitywouldslowlyincreaseitsenergylevelandwouldsystematicallyraiseitslevelofperception.Thequestionwashowtopracticethisability.Wetalkedaboutthisforalongtime,sharingagranolabarforlunch,andwaitedpatientlyforthesuntolowerinthesky.Finally,thetimecame,andTommytoldustogatherallourbelongings.Thesunwasbarelyabovethehorizen.
“Thisisthehourthathasthemostmagic,”herepeated.“Ahumancandothingsatthistimeofdaythatcan’tbedoneatanyothertime.Justlookoutatthislight.”
Tommywaspointingtowardtheeastwhereeverythingwasnowbathedinagolden-coloredaura,andtheskyhadturnedadarkerblue.Theswirlingcloudsoverheadwerenowtakingonrichbrownsandstreaksoforange.Whatstruckmemostwashowthelightreflectedontherockandsand,bringingoutevenmoreripplinghighlights.
“Let’swalksouthdowntothedesertfloor,”Tommysaid.“Wecanseebetterthere.”TommyledusthroughtherocksalongadifferentroutefromtheoneColemanandIhadtraveled,
windingalongthespiresandshelvesandsheerdrop-offsinamuchmoreefficientmanner,asthoughfollowingahiddentrailthatColemanandIcouldnotdetect.
Whenwearrivedataflatterarea,hestoppedandsatdown,lookingbackatMountSinai.Nowthesunwashiddencompletelyandthewholescenewascastinanevenmoremysterioustone.Wesatdownbesidehim.
“LookoutatSisterMountain,”heinstructed,“andfocusonitcompletely.Lookatthelinestheshadowsdraw.”
Thiscapturedmyinterest,andIbegantoseethehugerangeashavingaparticularlyuniqueform.Itcametomethateverymountainrangeofthissort,rockyorwooded,haddifferentlinescreatedbyitsshadows.Becauseofthis,everymountainsystemhasanentirelyuniquecountenance.
“Now,tuneintoitsbeauty,”Tommysaid,“andfeelAgapeinrelationshiptoit.”IwasremindedofmyexperienceinPeruatVicientewhenattemptingtoseetheauras,orhalos,
aroundplants.ButIhadthefeelingTommywantedustoseesomethingmorefundamentalinthelandscape.
Ifocusedintenselyonthebeautyofthemountainandtriedtoseeitasoneexpressiveform.AndthenawaveofAgapeforthemountaingushedforthinsideme.ColemanandIlookedateachother.Hewasfeelingit,too.
“Nowlookattheplantrighthereinfrontofus,”Tommycommanded.“SeeitsuniquenessandbeautyinAgape.”
Hewastalkingaboutashort,compact,roundbushthatlookedlikeaminiaturetumbleweed.Itwasnomorethanthreefeetinfrontofus.Itunedintotheplantandlookedforitsbeauty.Asbefore,myemotionsexplodedwithAgape.
“Nowlookbackatthemountainagain,”Tommysaid,“andseeitsincreasedcolorandform,asifitnowhasgreatermajestyinyourfieldofvision.”
JustasTommysaidthat,themountainliterallyjumpedoutincolorandimpressiveness.IlookedatColeman,andheshookhisheadinwonderwithoutturning,showingmehewasseeingthisaswell.
IthennoticedthatwhileIwaslookingatColeman,Icouldsensewherethemountainwas,althoughIwasnotlookingatit.IwasfeelingitintheexactsamewayIcouldfeelmyhandbehindmyback,onlywithgreaterintensity.
“Nowlookbackattheplantandfeelitsimpactonyouremotions,”Tommyinstructed.“Everythinginourperceptualfieldhasmorethananappearance,ithasanemotionalidentityaswell—whattheNinthcallsaFeelingIdentity.”
Instantly,Irealizedthesmallplantdidhaveanemotionalidentity,justaswiththemountain.Iexperiencedasuddeninsightintowhyweallhavefavoritefurniture,orcomebacktoafamiliarvistaoverandover.Objectshaveanidentitythattouchesusemotionally.
“Now,switchyourfocusbackandforthbetweenthemountainandtheplant.”Ididjustthat,focusingonandfeelingthemountainfaraway,andthentheplantclosetous.Atfirst
nothingofnoteoccurred,thensuddenly,Icouldseethembothinanew,amazingway—inwhatIcouldonlydescribeasbeingequallyinfocusatthesametime.
Ijumpedtomyfeetandlookedallaround,realizingthateverythingwasinthesamehyperfocusallaroundme,whichcreatedanenhanced,three-dimensionaleffect.Everythingstoodoutwithincredibleclarityofcolor,form,beauty,andexistence—allatthesametime.Andmore,itseemedtostretchmyconsciousness,sothatIfeltasthoughIcouldreachoutandtouchthefarthestcloudorrockypeak.
AndthenIrememberedmyexperienceonSecretMountain,whenIbrokethroughtoanapprehensionofcosmicspace.Iwasregainingthatsameconsciousnessnow.
Tommynoticedandsaid,“It’stheconsciousnessthathasbeguntobecomeaccessibleasthenextstepofcreationapproaches.”
Colemanwasnowwalkingaround,lookinginalldirectionsaswell.Thethoughtcametomethatwewereseeinginexpanded3-D,likeinthemovies.Iwonderedifthedevelopmentandgrowingpopularity
of3-Dmovieswascomingfromanunconsciousintuitionthatwewerenearingtheabilitytoseethatwayourselves.Wasanotherpathwaypoppingopeninthehumanbrain?
Theremarkableaspectofthiswayofseeingwasthatitseemedsoeasyandnaturalatthispoint.Colemangrabbedmyarmandlookedatme,beaming.
“ThisisthewayitwasonSecretMountain,”hesaid,“onlyitseemsmorenormalnow.”Thatwastheword:normal.OnSecretMountain,theeffectstillcarriedaslightmind-blowingor
adrenalinefeeling.Butnowitwascalming,ifanything,andfeltperfectlyreal,asifwewerealreadyintegratingitasawayofperceptionwecouldsustainindailylife.
Besidesthethree-dimensionality,anotherenhancementwasthatmyeyesnowseemedtohaveanadvancedacuityinwhicheverythingwasmoreclearandlitup,asthoughI’dsuddenlyenteredaninner-litwonderlandofsomekind.Andthatincludedourbodies.Theyliterallyhadtakenonasheenthatwasmoreradiantandbeautiful.Yetagain,itallstillfeltnormal.
Tommywaslookingatmewithahugesmile,hisfacealsobeamingandglisteningslightly.Wewereallinastateofpurelove,Agape—withoneanotherandwiththebeautyandmajestyofeverythingaroundus.
Suddenly,Ithoughttocheckforatext.WhenIsawonefromWil,Ilaughedwithdelight.HesaidhecouldfeelusreachingtheNinthIntegrationandhadreachedithimself.Headdedthatwhilemanyothertraditionsspokeofthiskindofperception,theNativetraditionsbyfaremphasizedthisabilitytoseenatureasitreallyis.HeendedbysayinghewasincontactwithsomeonewhoknewwheretheTwelfthpartoftheDocumenthadbeenreleased,andhewouldbeheadingtoSinaiassoonashetalkedtohim.
IputthephoneawayandturnedtoTommy.“Sohaveyoubeenseeingthiswaythewholetime?”“Mostly,”hesaid.“ButAgapewithMotherEarthhastobemaintainedandtreasured.Andonehasto
eatcleanfoodtoremainatthislevelofperception.”Welookedatoneanother.“ThisistheNinthIntegration,isn’tit?”Colemanasked.“Yes,”Tommyreplied.“Tomaintainaheightenedperceptionoftheworld,oneneedsonlytointend
totunein,inAgape,toanewlevelofbeauty,andtopracticeseeingeverythingwithasinglefocus.Themountainswilllightup.”
HelookedatColeman.“Asyouhavesaid,itcanbeproventooneself!”Justthen,outofthecornerofmyeye,Isawsomethingmoveinthedesert,andIjerkedaround.
Nothingwasthere.Colemangavemeanexpressionthattoldmehehadseenit,too.“Whatwasthat?”IaskedTommy.Hewalkedclosertous.“Atthislevelofperceptionwearemuchclosertotheotherside.”“YoumeantheAfterlife?”Colemanasked.“Heaven?”“Yes.”ColmanglancedatTommyagain.“Youthinkwhatweglimpsedwasaspirit?”“Yes,”Tommyreplied,giggling.“Butspiritsarepeople,too.Andtheyhavesomethingtotellus.”
WHATHEAVENKNOWS
AsmuchasIwantedtostayinthemountains,itwasalmostcompletelydarknow,andTommysaidweshouldgoback.Isawalookonhisfacethatconcernedme,soItunedintoourreturntrektotheCircleofRocks.Ifounditdifficulttovisualize.
Afteraboutthreehundredyards,Tommysuddenlycalledforustostop.Hewaspeeringintothedistance,listening.
“What’swrong?”Iasked.“Idon’tknow,”hereplied.“Wehavetobecareful.Keepyourenergyup.”Helookedintothenightforafewmoresecondsthensaid,“Doyouhearthat?”Ishookmyhead.Tommybeganwalkingahead.“Therearepeopletalkinguptheresomewhere.Let’sfindthem.”Wemadeourwayforwardforaboutahundredfeet,comingtoalargeoutcroppingaboutthirtyfeet
high.Aswegrewcloser,Ibegantohearthetalkingmyself.Weclimbeduptherockandfoundaplacewherewecouldlookover.AboutthirtyfeetinfrontusofwasagroupofApocalypticshuddledtogether,discussingsomethinginloudtones.Atthecenterofthegroupwastheirleader,Anish.Hewastalkingtoashort,roundmaninanEgyptianmilitaryuniform,tellinghimsomethinginArabic.
“Icanunderstandthis,”Tommywhispered.“ThatlargemanisJoseph’sbrother.He’stellinghimabouttheCircleofRocksandwhereitis.”Tommylookedatusinalarm.“Nowtheyknowwhereourcampis.”
ArushofangermovedthroughmeasIrememberedJosephtellingushewantedtocontacthisbrother.Didhegiveawayourlocation?
“Wehavetogetback!”Isaidquietly,tryingtocontrolmyself.“Now!Let’sgo!”Wemadeourwaybacktothecircleasquicklyaspossible,andIwasfightingagainstgoingintofear.
ForsomereasonIbegantorememberthingsmyfatherhadtoldmeabouthisexperiencesinWorldWarII.Gettingridofthefearisimpossible,hesaid.Allyoucandoisfocusonwhatyou’redoing,andevenifpeoplearebeingkilledallaroundyou,youconcentrateonthejobandgetitdone.Ineverquitegraspedhowhedidthat.
Asweapproachedthefirstlargebouldersofthecircle,Colemanpulledmeaside.“Youlooklikeyourenergyiscollapsing,”Colemansaid,obviouslytryingtolookdeeplyatmeto
reestablishtheAgapeconnection.Iblewhimoff.“IftheApocalypticsgettherebeforewedo,everyonecouldbekilled.”Whenwemadeourwaybacktothecirclewefoundtheothersalreadybreakingcamp.AsIrushed
uptoRachel,shenoticedthechangeinmeimmediately.“What’swrong?”sheasked.“Whathappened?”ItoldherwhattheApocalypticshadsaid,thenaddedangrily,“Joseph’sbrotherhassoldusout.
Josephhimselfcouldbeinvolved.”“Calmdown,”shesaid.“Wewereallgettingtheimagethatweshouldleaveimmediately,andwe’re
hurryingasfastaswecan.Buttherehastobesomemistake.Josephwouldnothavetoldhisbrother
wherewewerecamped.”Shepointedtoastackofpapersthatwerelyingonarocknearhertent.“Josephbroughtuscopiesof
theTenthIntegrationhe’dfound,thenleftagain.He’sstilllookingforhisbrother.Whywouldhebetrayus?”
“Idon’tknow.”Hereyesweredrawingmeinagain,andIfelttheAgapeandthepeacecomebackalittle,butmy
perceptionhadtotallycrashed.“We’vebeenworkingontheNinth,”shesaid,“atthesametimeyouthreewere.Wecouldfeelyou.
Youhavetohangontotoit.We’veevengottenintotheTenth.”“Wehavetoleavenow!”Ipressed.“Okay,okay.Here’stherestofyourstuff.”ShewaspointingtowardmyfoldedtentandafewotherthingsI’dleftbehind.WhileIwaspacking,
sheseemedtothinkofsomethingandranover,pickedupthecopiesoftheDocument,andstuffedthemintomypackaswell.
“There,”shesaid.“Youcantakecareoftheseforeveryoneincasesomethinghappens.”Hertonewasagainslightlysorrowful.Thiswasthesecondtimeshe’dsaidsomethinglikethat.I
wantedtoaskherwhatsheknew,butshehadalreadypickedupherownpackandwaswalkingaway.“Comeon,”shesaid.“Wefoundabackwayoutofthiscircle.”BeforeIcouldcatchher,sheglancedaroundandhereyesfrozeonsomethingbehindus.“Doyoustillhavethatfeather?”sheasked.“Yeah,why?”Shewasstillstaringatsomethingbehindme.Whirlingaround,Icaughtsightofthesilhouetteofa
lonefigurestandingonthehugeboulderfarthestfromus.Therewasnomistakingthatshape.ItwasAnish.Foralongmomentwewerefrozen,andthenRachellookedatmeandsaid,“Listen.Noneofuswill
makeitunlessItrytoreachhim.Goon,geteveryoneoutofhere.”Withoutmoving,shefocusedontheleader,andheturnedandlookedrightather,theirgazepalpable
inthenight.Severalothersfromourgroupnoticedandstoppedtolook,butColemanknewwhatwashappeningandpushedthemon.Iyelledatseveralpeopleclosertome,tellingthemtogetout.
“I’mnotstrongenoughyet,”Iheardhersay,andIturnedinherdirection.Itwasalreadytoolate.Anishwavedhishand,andinstantlyaflurryofbulletsraineddowntowardusfromeverywhere,hittingthedirtandtherocks.Onehitmypacksoharditknockedmebackwardintooneofthebigboulders.ThefalldislodgedthefeatherRachelhadgivenmefrommypocket,anditlandedonmyface.
Igrabbeditinstinctively,evenasIstruggledtoseeinthedustandconfusion.Suddenly,IfeltRachel’sarmsaroundme,pullingmetomyfeet.
“Thisway,”sheurged.Irealizedatsomepointshehadletgoofme,andasIstumbledalong,myheadfinallycleared.
Surprisingly,Inowhadperfectclarityandwasfeelingnofearorangeratall.Infact,myemotionalstatehadinexplicablyreturnedtoAgape.Thenightskywasradiantwithmoonlightandtherocksweremoreluminousthanever.Ihadregainedmyperception.
Rachelwasaheadofme,walkingbrisklynow,andIwasabletokeepupwithnodifficulty.Inoticedthatherbodywasmovingalongwithunusualfluidityandgrace,herclotheslookingshinyandreflective.SheledmestraighttothespotwhereColeman,Tommy,andItalkedearlier,lookingdownontheguardhouse.Thenshetookanother,hiddenroutepastthesoldiersandfartheruptowardthesummit.
Aswewalked,Iwonderedhowsheknewaboutthishiddentrail.HadTommyorhismothertoldheraboutitearlier?
“Wherearewegoing?”Iasked.“Justupaheadabitfarther,”shesaid.
Thesoundofhervoicewasdifferentsomehowandshockedme.Iwasexperiencingitasmuchinsidemyheadasoutside.Islowedupandstopped,suddenlydisconcerted.Shenoticedandcamebacktowardme.
“Wecangoslowerifyoulike,”shesaid.“Itjusttakesalittlegettingusedto.”Herfacewasnowmoreluminousthanever.Isatdownwithathudandrealizedmypackwasstillonmyback.Shesatdownwithoneeasymovewithoutusingherhands,somethingI’dneverseenherdobefore.
Andunlikewhenwewereatthecircle,herfacewastotallyupbeatnow,withoutahintofsadness.“Youknowwhereweare,right?”sheasked.“What?”“Wearen’tinKansasanymore.”“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Sheleanedincloser.“RememberItoldyouthatIreadtheTenthIntegration?”“Yeah.”“ItsaysifwefollowtheSynchronicity,wewillbeabletolearnfromthoseinHeaveninadirect
way,andthatwillelevateusintothenextlevelofconsciousness.”Inoddedforhertogoon.“Ineverfinishedtellingyouaboutmymother,”shebegan.“Ihatedherformakingacontrolleroutof
meandwasrackedwithguiltwhenshediedbeforeIcouldtalktoher.Then,maybebecauseIwasthinkingaboutwhatIshouldhavesaidtoher,Ibegantonoticelittlethingshappening.Iwouldbeshoppingforshoesandseeapairthatlookedexactlyliketheonesshewore.OrIwouldpassasoapstoreandsmellthefragranceoftheverysoapsheused.Attheoddesttimes,Iwouldhearherfavoriteoldsongs.
“Andthenoneday,withoutanythingpointingouttheway,IjustdecidedtotellherhowIfeltoutloud,asthoughshewerethere.Immediately,Ibegantointuitwhatshemightsaybacktome,onlyIrealizeditwasn’tsomethingIwouldnecessarilyhavebeenabletoguess.That’swhenIrealizedthatIwashavingarealinteractionwithher.
“TheideaofcommunicationwiththeAfterlifeseemedtoostrangeatfirst,andIstoppedforawhile,butthememoryoftheexperiencewassoenergizingandprofound,Igraduallybegantocommunicatewithhermoreoften.Eventually,shetoldmehowmuchsheregrettedthewayshehadraisedmetothinkofmen.Shesaiditwasallamistakethattormentedher,andthatshenowholdstheAgapeandspeaksfromtruth—andwishesshehadknownearlier,soshecouldhavetaughtmethisnewway.”
IwasjustlookingatRachel,puzzled.“Don’tyousee?”Rachelsaid.“TheDocumentsayswecanbegintocommunicatewiththoseinthe
Afterlifeandclearallourresentmentsandissueswiththem.Allwehavetodoisusemoreofourpowertotuneinandhaveaconversation.It’snevertoolate.Andthereissomuchmoretheywanttocommunicatetous.
“Infact,mymothersaidtheydesperatelyneedtospeakwithus,rightnow,atthiscrucialpointinhistory.TheyknowtherealPlanforthehumanworld,andit’stimeforusonthissidetounderstand.”
Sheliftedhereyesandlookedbehindme.Iturnedaroundbutdidn’tnoticeanything.Rachelmovedcloser,whichIexperiencedasanembraceofsomekind,ahug,eventhoughwewerestillseveralyardsapart.
“RememberwhattheNinthIntegrationtalkedabout?”sheasked.“I’msureTommytoldyou.EachiteminoursurroundingshasitsownFeelingIdentity,itsownsenseoftherenesstous.Well,that’strueofhumansaswell.EverypersonhasaFeelingIdentitywecandetectemotionally.”
Iwasnoddingnow,gettingit.“That’swhy,”shecontinued,“whenpeopleclosetousdie,evenwhenwethinkwearepreparedfor
it,weareoftendevastated.Whatislostisthatfeelingthatisthem,somethingwe’vealwaysfeltandtakenforgranted.That’swhywhenalovedonedies,peopleoftensayitfeelsasifapartofusdies,too.They’regrievingforthelossofthatemotionalconstantthatisnolongerthere.”
Shepausedandagainseemedtolookpastme,andIknewinthatinstantthatwereallyhadcrossedthevalesomehow.WewereintheAfterlife.
“Someoneherewantstotalktoyou,”shesaid,smiling.“Canyoutuneintothefeelingyouremember?”
Iknewwhoitwasbeforesheasked.IcouldsmellthecigarettesinhisfrontshirtpocketasthoughIwasbackinhislapasachild.Icoulddetectthestrengthofhisbeing,thewayhetalked,thechildlikelaughterofhispracticaljokes.Theywereallpartoftheuniquefeelingthatwashim.
Yetatthesametime,Irealizedthatpartofhimhadchanged—gonewasthenervousangerandfrustrationthathedisplayedeverymorningofmyyouth,forcingeveryonetowalkontiptoesinhispresenceorfacetheinevitableexplosion.Andgoneaswellwastheharshlookofdisapprovalthathadinstilledinmesuchadreadandwarinesstowardothers.Allofthishadbeenremoved.
“It’syourfather,”Rachelsaid.WhenIturnedaround,therehewas,radiantandyouthfullooking.Iwasnowreceivingthought
impressionsthatIknewmustbecomingfromhim.Hetoldmethatthecauseofhisbehavior—hisownearlyfamilyresentmentsandwariness—hadbeenresolvedintheAfterlifewithhisownparents.TheonlypartthatwasstillincompletewashisneedtoresolvetheresentmentsIwasholdingonto.
“Closingofftoothers,”hecommunicated,“isatendencythatthoseinourfamilyinherited,assurelyasthecolorofoureyes.Butseeingthehistoryofaproblem,andtruthfullyacknowledgingit,allowsustoletitgo.Andnow,”hewenton,“theAfterlifeischanging.Wedon’thavetowaituntilreunionoverhere.Youarecloseenoughtousnowtoreachouttous,sowecanresolveeverythingimmediately.Oncethoseblocksareclear,youcanunderstandwhatweknow.”
Inaninstant,Iknewmyresentmentsweregone.Imightstillgointoaloofnessoutofhabit,butlessandlesswithoutbeingimmediatelyconsciousofit.IknewfromtheoldProphecythatoncewebecomeconsciousofthedramaweplay,itsstrengthdiminishes.
Withthosethoughts,hebegantofadeuntilIcouldnolongerseehim.“Wait,”Isaidoutloud.“There’smoreIwanttoask.”Atthatpoint,Icouldnolongerfeelhim,andIalmostwentintothesamepanicIhadfeltwhenhe
died.IlookedatRachel,whosegazesaidtotunein.SoIbroughtbackthememoryofhowitfeltwhenhewaspresent,andimmediatelyhewasthere,althoughthistimeonlyasamilddistortioninspace,likeheatwavesrisingfromahothighway.Butitdidn’tmatter.HisFeelingIdentitywasthere,andthatwasthemostimportantthing.
“YoumentionedIcouldunderstandmore,”Isaidtohim.“Whatwereyoutalkingabout?”Iheard:“Justwatch.”
Afterhehadgone,Isuddenlyrealizeditwasdawnandthelightwascreatingevenmorebeautyintheskyandrocksaroundme.
TurningtolookatRachel,Iwasjolted.Shewasnowsurroundedbyseveralotherpeople.Itcametomethatthewomanclosesttoherwashermother,andinstantlyIknewthatsheandRachelhadhadacatharsissimilartotheonebetweenmyfatherandme.
Ialsoknewsomethingelse:Iwasbeingshownallthisforareason.Aswithmyfather,hermotherhadbeenunabletoturnherattentiontoothermatters,becauseshewassofocusedonresolvingwithRachel.Later,whensheandRachelhadclearedthepast,theyhadcommunicatedwhileRachelwasinthe
earthlyplaneandhermotherwasintheAfterlife.Thiscommunication,andotherslikeit,werebreakingnewground.Thehurtandresentmentwasbeinghealedacrossthetwodimensions.Thesignificancewasthatbothdimensionsofexistencehad,inthatactofreconciliation,beenmademorefreeandclear,andthusresonatedatahigherlevelofconsciousnesswitheachother.
Itunedintomyfatherandfeltasweepingconfirmation.ManyintheAfterlifeyearnedforthesamereleaseofpent-upregrets—fortruthsnotsaid,foractionsnottaken,asdidthoseonEarth.Andnow,withtheIntegrationsliftingourconsciousness,wewerecloseenoughsothatwecouldcommunicateacrossthedimensions.Andasaresult,bothHeavenandEarthwerebeingenergizedandraisedtoanotherlevel.
Suddenly,IthoughtofaBibleProphecyfromthebookofRevelationabouttheendtimes:“…AndtherewillbeaNewEarthandaNewHeaven…”NowweknewhowthisProphecywascomingtrue.
Withthatthought,theactionsuddenlystoppedallaroundme,andeveryone,especiallyRachel,turnedandlookedatme.Theyallseemedelatedatmyconclusion.
“You’regettingtheTenthIntegration,”Rachelsaid.“Allyouhavetodoiskeeptuningin,andyou’llsoonknowallthatHeavenknows.”
Withthat,thegroupsurroundingRachelstartedwalkingdowntheslope,ifyoucouldcallitwalking.Itactuallyseemedmorelikegliding.ThosewhowerepresumablypermanentoccupantsoftheAfterlifehadbodiessimilartoours,althoughtheymovedalongthegroundwithlegsthatseemedtomerelyflickerinthewalkingmotionratherthanactuallypushthemselvesalongtheground.AllRachelandIcoulddowasrunasbestwecouldtokeepup,althoughInoticed,afterawhile,thatRachelhadbeguntoappearthesamewayastheothers.
Atthispoint,itdidn’tmatter.Istillhadnofear,andasIbaskedinafullAgapestate,IknewwithoutadoubtthatIwasgoingtobeshownmanythingshere.Wewalkeduptheinclinethroughaseriesofjaggedspiresandworkedourwayontoanotherledgeofrockthathadturned-upedges,liketherailingsofadeck.Fromhere,wecouldseeamagnificentviewofMountSinai’ssummit,aswellasdowntowardthetrailsleadingupthemountain.
Suddenly,everyonebeganwatchingatroopofEgyptiansoldiershuddledtogethertowardthenorth.Somethingseemedtohavehappenedtooneofthesoldiers.Theyweredesperatelytryingtorevivehim,wettinghimdownwithwater,andfanninghiminanefforttocoolhimoff.
“Sunstroke,”Rachelsaid.Finally,theygaveupandcoveredthebody,thenliftedhimandbegancarryinghimbacktowardthe
guardstation.Wecouldseedozensofotherluminouspeoplewalkingbesidethesoldiers,seeminglytalkingtothem.Thesoldiers,however,couldnotseethemandweren’tpayinganyattention.
“Whataretheysayingtothesoldiers?”IaskedRachel.“Listenforyourself,”shereplied.Itunedintotheirconversationandinstantlyknewwhatwasbeingcommunicated.Theluminous
peoplewereusingtheOnenessPrincipleandAgapetomergewiththesoldiers,seekingtoincreasetheconsciousnessofthemilitarymen,hopingtheywouldbecomeawarethattheywerewalkingtowarddanger.
NowIcouldseewhy.Fortyyardsaheadofthemwerepeoplewithweapons,hidingneararockymound.IcaughtsightofseveralIrecognized.ItwastheApocalyptics,dozensofthem,readyingtheirgunstoprotectsomethingontheothersideofthemound.
“They’rerunningrightintotheextremists,”Iblurted,lookingatRachelandtheothers.Theydidn’treturnmygaze.Alleyeswereresolutelyfocusedonthegroupofsoldiers.
IthenlookedattheApocalyptics,andtomyamazementsawthatthey,too,haddozensofluminousindividualsencirclingthem,alsoattemptingtoliftthemintoalargerawareness,wantingthemtofindtheirownhigher-selfConnection.
Irealizedthenthattheluminouspeoplewantedthesoldierstoseesomething—aforkinthepath
aheadthatwouldtaketheminamorenortherlyroute,outofdanger.Ihurriedtoaddmyownenergytotheeffort,goingthroughtheprocedureofintendingOnenesswith
thesoldiersuntilIcouldfeeltheAgapewiththem.Itriedtovisualizethattheywouldopenup,feelthedanger.Butthesoldiersseemedundeterred,increasingtheirpacetowardtheApocalyptics.
Suddenly,IagainfeltthatcomfortingsensationthatIhadexperiencedwhenfallingasayouth,theonethattoldmeallwasgoingtobeokay.Ialsosawsomethingunusual:flickersoflightsurroundingthesoldiers.Foramoment,nothingchanged.Thecaptainofthegrouplookedtobeleadingthemstraighttotheirdoom.Then,hispacegraduallyslowedtoahalt,andhewavedtohismentotakethenortherlyroutetosafety.Awaveofcelebrationsweptthroughtheluminoushelpers.
“Howdidthatwork?”IaskedRachel.Shesaid,“ThesoldierswerebeingliftedtowardaHeavenconsciousness,atleastalittlebit,sothat
apremonitioncouldcomethroughtowarnthem.”“Isitamatterofpeopleherejustwishingwithalltheirmightthataparticularoutcomewill
happen?”“No.Insomesituations,thebestoutcometovisualizeisobvious.Butothersituationsaren’tsoclear.
Therefore,thepeopleherearepurelyseekingtojoinmindswiththoseontheearthlyside.Apparently,that’sallittakes.Ahigherconsciousnessalwayshastheeffectofliftingsomeoneatalowerconsciousnessuptoahigherlevel.”
Shegrinnedatme.“AsColemanmightputit,ifsomeonewhohasmorepathwaysactivatedinthebrainmergesmindswithsomeonewithfewer,thepathwaysinthepersonatthelowerleveltendtopopopenasaresultofthecontagioneffect.Ofcourse,thereareotherwaystoamplifyourinfluenceevenmore,asyou’llseeinthenextIntegration.Butthisisthebasicwayitworks.”
IalreadyknewtheanswerbutIaskedthenextquestionanyway.“Whatwerethoseflickersoflightaroundthesoldiers?”
Shegavemeasmile.“Angels.Theyspontaneouslycomeintohelp,especiallyifweremembertorequestit.”
Actingasthoughshewasinahurry,RachelsuddenlytoldmetherewassomethingelseIneededtosee.Wemoveddowntheslopeabitfarthertoanotherareawherewecouldseetowardtheeast,awayfromSinai.Wesatdownwithouttalkingandgazedoutoverthevistaofridgescascadingdowntowardthedesertfloor.
Amovementtomyleftattractedmyattention.Wecouldseealonesoldierstumblingdowntherocksasifdazed.Helookedmuchmoreluminousthanthesoldierswe’dseenbefore.
“Hemustbethesoldierwhodied,”Rachelsaid.Themansuddenlysatdownandstaredintospacewithoutmoving.“What’shedoing?”Iasked,thenrememberedtotunein.Immediately,Ibegantogetimpressionsof
whatwashappening.Themanwashavingalifereview,realizinghowmanyopportunitiestofollowhisdestinyhehadmissedorhadbeentooafraidtopursue.Hisfocusshiftedtohiswife,andIfelthisfacegrimaceoverhowimmatureheknewhehadbeen,preferringtospendtimewithhisfriendsandnotenoughwiththeirfive-year-oldchild.
Yethewassurethechildwasthebestpartofhisdestiny.Hehadknownfromthefirstmomenthehadseenhiswifethattheywouldmarryandhaveachild,andthechildwouldgoontoaccomplishmanythings.Healsoknewhewassupposedtohavegivenhisdaughtermanylessonsduringherlife.How,hewondered,couldhedothatnow.IlookedatRachel.
“Hewillsoonfindouthowhecanhelpher,”shesaidwithtwinklingeyes.“Won’the?”
Suddenly,themanjumpedtohisfeetandbeganlookingaroundwildly.“What’shedoingnow?”Iasked.“Heknows,”shereplied,“thatthereissomethingunresolvedwithhisfather.Andhecan’tfindhim.”Thesoldierbegantofadeuntilwecouldbarelyseehim.“What’shappening?”Iasked.“Whereishegoing?”Shelookedatmewithconcern.“Youmaynotwanttogothere.”“Why?”“It’snotpretty.”OldmemoriesofmyexperienceswiththeAfterlifewhenstudyingtheProphecyandtheTenthInsight
camebacktome.“You’retalkingaboutHell,aren’tyou?”Sheshookherhead.“Notinthewaymostpeopleunderstandit.It’smorelikelostness,orbeingso
psychologicallyrepressedyouputyourselfinaself-imposedlimbo.”IdecidedIwantedtoattempttotunein,andwhatfollowedwasajourneyintocoldnessandlow
energywherethemanfoundhisfather.Thefatherhadbeenacareermilitaryofficerallhislife,withnomodelforspiritualityatall.Hehadhadhischances,asmanydevoutandconsciousfriendshadsynchronisticallycomeintohislife.Yethehadpushedtheirmessagesoutofhismind.
Afterdeath,hisanxietywassogreat,hehadbuiltanimaginaryworldaroundhimselfofthesameunquestioningmaterialism,withdreamed-upenemiesandwarsandconquests,allreflectingtheexactwayhe’dexperiencedsuchthingsonEarth.Ibecameawareofthedrivingforcebehindthisdelusion:theCycleofRevenge.Hehadkepthimselfasleepwithanoverridinghateanddesiretopaybackthosewhohadkilledhisfriends.Anditneverended.Hewouldinflictcasualties,andthenhisenemieswouldretaliate,thenhewouldseekrevengeagain,feelingthesatisfactionofhurtingthosewhohadhurthim.
Butasbefore,Icouldseemanydeceasedlovedonessurroundingthefather,seekingtomergemindswithhim,visualizingthathewouldbeliftedupintohisownConnectionandawakening.Butthefatherremainedsteadfast,eventhoughthelackoflightwascreatinganunconscioustormentinsidehim.Finally,thedarknesswastoomuchforme,andIlookedoveratRachelagain,breakingtheConnectionwiththesoldier.Takingabreath,IsuckedinthewarmAgapeandappreciateditevenmore.
“Doesanyoneevergetoutofthatplace?”IaskedRachel.“Oh,yes.Everyonehasalatentsensethatthere’ssomethingmore.Theproblemisthatpeoplewho
areinfearandideologybringthosesameobsessionswiththemtotheAfterlife.That’swhyitissoimportantthatwestayalignedandhelpothersonEarthtowakeup.”
Sheshookherhead.“Thehardesttoreacharethosewhoholdontootighttovariousdoctrinesaboutspirituality.TheythinktheyalreadyknowthetruthintellectuallyandforgettheyhavetofeeltheloveandopentheirconsciousnesstogettoDivineConnection.”
“Comeon,”shesaid.“There’ssomethingmorethatisknownoverhere.”Sheledmefartherdowntheslopetowardtheeast,andwecametoaflatterareaofthemountain,
whereanothergroupofluminouspeoplestoodtogetherfocusingononeindividual,awoman.Shewasslightlyoutoffocus.
RachelsmiledasIconcentratedonthewomanandtunedinautomatically,attemptingtohearwhatwasgoingon.Eventually,Ibegantounderstand.Thepersonfadingwasintheprocessofbeingbornintotheearthlydimension.
Ilookedcloserandbegantopickupontheintentionsoftheothersstandingaroundthewoman.Theyweresupportingherdreamforhercominglife.Herintentwastohelpbringanewgenerationofhonest
Scienceintotheworld.ItwasclearthatthiswasherwayofcontributingtothePlan.ThePlan?IturnedaroundandlookedhardatRachel.Thereitwasagain,mentionofaplanofsome
kind,apparentlyknownintheAfterlifebutnotyetfullyunderstoodontheearthlyplane.Rachelnoddedtowardthewoman.
ConcentratingasintenselyasIcould,IfinallybegantoseeherlargercontextualunderstandingofhernewlifeonEarth.ItwasamuchlongersenseofhistorythanwehadattainedattheSecondIntegration.Itencompassedallthathadhappenedincreation,andincludedthelargermeaningbehindlifeitself.
Inaninstant,Icomprehendedit.ThewholepurposeforhumanexistencewastosystematicallyconveytheknowledgeandconsciousnessknownintheAfterlifeintotheearthlydimension,soastobringbothdimensionsintoafullconditionofUnitywitheachotherandwithDivineConsciousness.ShecarriedthisPlan—thislargerpurposeforlife—inhermindascertainlyassheknewwhatshewantedtopersonallydoafterbirth.
AsItunedinfurther,IbegantoseehowthisdriveforUnityhadplayedoutinhistory.Ithadallstartedwiththecreationoftheearthlydimensionitself,roughlysixteenbillionyearsago,whichestablishedtheso-calledphysicalplatformforourcollectivejourney.AsIwatched,thewholestoryofcreationplayedoutinmymind.
InthisearlyUniverse,gasesandthefirstchemicalelementsgravitatedtogetheruntiltheybecamesodensetheyheatedupintostars,whichlivedanddiedandspewednewelementsintotheUniverse.OnEarth,waterandthesemorecomplexelementsinteractedinshallowtidepools,andinthespiritofthisurgetoUnity,chainsofaminoacidsunifiedintolargercells.Thenthesecellsbegantounifyfurtherintomulticelledorganisms,allinamarchtowardanevergreaterlevelofcomplexityandpotentialforconsciousness.Overthemillenniacamefishthenamphibians,reptiles,mammals,andfinallyhumans.
Atthispoint,thefocalpointofthecreationstoryshiftedtohumanity.NowthedriverofthisurgetoUnitywasanever-expandinghumanconsciousnessoftheworldaroundthem.Overmillennia,individualfamiliescametogetherintotribesandvillages,thenleapedtoregionalcoalitions,empires,andnations.
Andeverystepoftheway,heroeshadbeenbornintotheearthlyrealmfromtheAfterlife—somerecognizedandsomeworkinginanonymity—strugglingtopushforwardthesegainsinunderstandingatinybitmore.Slowly,wemovedfromtheideaofnaturedeitiestoGreek-stylearchetypalgods,andfinallyintothegreattruthofmonotheism,theconceptofoneDivinesource.OvertheyearscamethethreelargerreligionsofJudaism,Islam,andChristianity,eachthinkingtheirpathwastheonlyway.
WithModerntimescametheEnlightenment,andScienceandagrowingurgetounifyhumanunderstanding.Suddenly,Isawhowthisplanetaryconsciousnesshadbeguntoprogressduringthelatertwentiethcenturyintoahigher,moregalacticperspective,andthequestionsoflifebegantoariseagaininamassway.Whatwerewedoinghere?Whatwasthepurposeoflife?
Icouldseehowthisneedforclearspiritualanswershadcreatedadeepinsecurityintheolderreligions.Theyfelttheirdoctrinesmightbequestionedordestroyedaltogether.Justaftertheturnofthetwenty-firstcentury,thewarshadbegunoverwhetheronereligioncouldimposeitselfontheothers.
AndthenIcouldseethatthewomanwasawareoftheDocumentandthemostrecenturgetoUnity:theIntegrationofspiritualinformationintodailylife,andintoafullyawakenedconsciousnessconnectedtotheoneGod.ShewasawareoftheeffortstounifyreligionaroundthecommonexperienceofthisDivineConnectionandoftheemergingTemplatesofAgreement…andfinally,sheknewoftheRisetoInfluence.
Forthefirsttime,Isawclearlythelongstoryofcreationinitstotality.Myenergylevelsuddenlyelevated,andIknewIwasexperiencingmoreoftheTenthIntegration.Itwastheawarenessthatwehad
thepotential,rightnowinourlifetimes,topullthisPlanfullyintoconsciousness.Itwouldbetheculminationofbillionsofyearsofcreation.
Yetatthesametime,IsensedtherewasonelastaspectofthePlanthatIhadn’tyetgrasped.“Didyouseeanything,”Rachelasked,“thatlookedfamiliarinthePlanyoujustsaw?”Immediately,Iknewhermeaning.ThestepsintheUniverse’slongdevelopmentwasverysimilarto
theStepsofCreationprophesiedbytheMayanCalendar.“That’sright,”shesaid,readingmymind.“TheearlyMayahadabreakthroughoftheirownduring
theirtime,whentheyrememberedmuchofthePlanforcreation.YettheirculturewasstilloutofAlignment,andtheyknewtheycouldn’tholdontotheknowledge.SotheybuiltthetimelineforthisPlanintotheirstonearchitectureandinscriptions,hopingthatfuturehumanswoulddiscoveritandtranscribetheirmessage.Andthat’sexactlywhatoccurred.”
Shepausedandlookedatme.Icouldagainfeelherenergeticembrace.“ButtheMayashowedthatcreationwasn’tcomplete,thatanotherpushwascomingintohelpus
unifycompletely,ifwecameintoAlignmentandwereabletotunein.SomescholarshavecalleditaUniversalConsciousness.Apparently,theMayathoughtofitasthefinalphaseofcreation,whichwillleadthesoulsinbothdimensionsoflifetowardfinalcompletionandUnity.Anditwill,ifenoughofusseektoembraceit.”
Shelookedreadytodriveherpointhome.“Wecanalreadyforeseethisforceofcreationcoming,andsoonitwillbeeasiertofeel.WeallsenseditonSecretMountain.”
Againshepaused.Iwaselectrifiednow.“You’retalkingaboutthepointofConnectionI’vebeentryingtofigureoutall
thistime.Youexperiencedittoo?”“Yes,thelaststepinUnitybeginswithunderstandingwhatthisphenomenonisandhowtoconnect
withitmorefully.Wearenowreadytofullydiscoverourspiritualnature,anditwillmarkthebeginningofthelastexpansionofhumanconsciousnessintounification.”
Rachel’simagewasbeginningtoblur,asthoughshewasfading.“Rememberwhatwetalkedabout,”shecontinued.“MostofthePropheciesheldbyreligious
traditionshavesomeconceptoftheRapture—acquiringaspiritualbodyandmovingintoHeaven,avoidingArmageddon.
“Humansbroughttheseimagesintoearthlyculture,becauseit’salsopartofthePlan—justnotexactlyastheprophetshavesaid.Ithastobeunderstoodsymbolically.AllthosepropheciesandscripturalreferenceshavecomeintohistoryfrompeopletryingtorememberwhattheyknewintheAfterlife,buttheydidn’tgetitquiteright.Thetruthcametothemthroughthelensesoftheirownindividualreligions,whichcreatedallthiscompetition.Inreality,thePropheciesareallpointingtowardsomethingelse,oneeventmeantforeveryone.”
Istilldidn’tquitegetit.“Don’tyousee?”sheresponded.“There’sonlyoneRapture!TheRaptureisabodilytransformation
thathappensthroughheightenedperceptionandconsciousnesssuchaswehaveglimpsed.Weshouldn’tbewaitingonGodtobringtheRapture.Godiswaitingonus!WehavetoopenuptoDivineConsciousnessenoughsothatourperceptionandenergyexpandenoughsothatitcanoccur.Anditmaytakealongtimetoachieve.Theimportantpartisthatweknowwhatweareworkingon,whatourdrivetoUnitycanachieve.Andthatmorehelpiscoming,ifwelearnhowtotunein.”
Ilookedather,gettingitfully.“You’reagaintalkingaboutthisUniversalConsciousnessthattheMayasaw.”
“Yes,butdon’tgethunguponaname.It’smorepersonal…andit’sthelaststepinunderstandingwhatHeavenknows.We’realreadysensing…”
Nowshewasfadingalmostcompletely,andIcouldn’thearherlastcomments.Allthatwascoming
throughwasonevague,urgentplea.“Justdowhatwedo,andraiseyourInfluence,”sheseemedtobecommunicating.“You’ll
understandfullywhenyougrasptheEleventhIntegrationandfindtheTwelfth.”Itriedtoaskanotherquestion,butmyeyeswouldnolongerfocus.Iwasspinningaway,falling
backwardintoablindingflashoflight.
THERISETOINFLUENCE
HoursseemedtopassbeforeIbegantoheartalkingaroundme.Istruggledtoopenmyeyes.
“He’swakingup,”IheardColemanyell.Ifelt,beforeIcouldsee,theothersgatheredaroundme.Iwasnowattherockoverhangagain,
overlookingtheguardhouseonthesoutheasternapproachtoSinai.Isawmypacklyingbesideme.TheflaphadbeenopenedandthecopiesoftheTenthIntegrationhadbeentakenoutandwerelyingaround.ButnosignofRachel.
Ilookeddownatthefeatherstillinmyhand,andinthatmomentIknew.“Wefoundyouhere,”Colemanwassaying.“Youmusthavehityourhead.You’vebeen
unconscious.”“WhereisRachel?”Iasked.Hereachedoverandtouchedmyshoulder.Theotherslookeddevastated.“Shedidn’tmakeit,”hewhispered.“ShewaskilledattheCircleofRocks.”Inoddedslowly.IknewIshouldhaveknownthewholetime,butIwasstillthrownintototalshock.
Iwasjustwithher.Ipleadedwithhim.“Areyousure?ShepulledmeoutoftheCircleduringthegunfire.Iwaswithher
foralongtime.WewereabletoobservetheAfterlifetogether.WesawthePlan.”“Icheckedhermyself,”Colemansaid.“Andrightafter,agroupofEgyptiansoldierscameto
investigatetheexplosions.TheApocalypticshadtobackoff.SoallofusexceptRachelwereabletogetaway.Youweremissing.Isawthesoldierscarryherbodyaway.ItextedWilandtheothersandtoldthem.I’msosorry.”
Atthispoint,IwasemotionallysweptintooneofthemostprofoundfeelingsoflossIhadeverexperienced.Rachel’senergyhadbeenapartofthisentirejourney,beginningwithourfirstConnectionatthePub.ShewasapartnerinmyclearingtoAgape,andnowshewasgone.MyheadtoldmeshewasstillaliveintheAfterlife,butImissedherradianteyes,andthethoughtfulnessthathadkeptmesogrounded.Amidtears,Iblurtedallthisouttotheothers.
Then,rightatmydarkestmoment,IsuddenlyfeltherhugfromadistancethatIhadfeltontheotherside,andsmelledthefamiliarroseperfumeshehadalwaysworn.
Iknew,then,thatshewasnotonlystillalive.Shewasrightherewithus!“Shehelpedmethroughsomanythingsonthistrip,”Colemansaid.“Andnowshe’sdead.”“She’snotdead!”Iprotested.“Iknow.Iknow,”Colemansaid.“IgettheTenthIntegration.WewerealltuningintothePlan.But
knowingthatshestilllivesisn’tthesameashavingherrightheretotalkwith,ortogetoneofthosefamoushugsfrom.”
“No,youdon’tunderstand,”Ishoutedconfidently.“She’srightherewithus.Now.ShewastouchingmefromadistanceintheAfterlifesoIwouldknowitwaspossiblehere.Tunein!Youcanstillgetthathug!”
Theothersweregatheringaroundcloser,listeningintently,andtheybegantosenseRachelaswell.Forseveralhours,IcarefullyrelayedtothemeverythingthathadoccurredintheAfterlife,especiallythePlanandgoalofhistory,bringingtoEarththeknowledgeandconsciousnessknowninHeaven,andRachel’sstatementsaboutthecomingUniversalConsciousness.Tommysmiledatme.
EveryonetoldmeaboutwhathadhappenedherewhentheyhadreadtheTenthpartoftheDocumentthey’dfoundinmybag.Aswetalked,ourenergyelevatedustogetherintotheTenthIntegration.
“It’saboutrealizingthattheAfterlifeisrighthere,”Colemanoffered.“Wecanresolveeverythingwithourlovedonesandreceivewhattheyknow.Thekeyistodowhattheydo:usetheirInfluenceandtheLawofConnectiontouplifteveryoneintoaConnectedconsciousness.It’sanotherlevelofAlignment.”
“Nativepeoples,”LoveofMountainsaid,“haveneverlostthisabilitytocommunicatewiththeotherworld.Developedcultureshavederidedthisawarenessasancestorworship,butwehaveheldthisConnectionasimportantsincehumansbecameconscious.”
Shegaveusaparticularlook,andIknewshewasright.Wewerenowinatemplatediscussion.EveryoneagreedthattheNativetraditionshadalwayshadthebestemphasisonthisIntegration,althoughmysticalChristianityandcertainJewishwritingsintheKabbalistictraditionspointtoAfterlifecontactaswell.
“Overhere!”Tommy’smotherwassaying.Wehadallstartedtogatherourgear,sensingwemustmovefartheruptheMount.WedashedtotheoverhangandsawJosephwalkingthroughthegateattheguardhouseandheadingbackinourdirection.Heeventuallystoppedandwentinanotherdirectionforawhile,theninanother,apparentlyattemptingtohidehistruedestinationfromthesoldiers.Whenhewasoutofsightoftheguardhouse,wecouldseehimturningtowardusagain.
“Wehavetoleavebeforehegetshere,”Colemansuddenlyshouted.“Ifhewasinvolvedintheattackonus,hemighthavesoldiersheadingourwayrightnow.”
Manyoftheothersseemedjustasfearful,andIfeltmyselfmovingintodeepangeragain.Myenergyplummeted.WhatifJosephhadbeenresponsibleforRachel’sdeath?Whatkindofmonsterwashe?Herehewas,walkingaroundfreeandalive,andshewasgone.Myemotionsweremovingfromangertoavengefulurgetogetbackathim.
Isuddenlystoppedmyself,shakingmyhead.Unconsciously,IhadgoneintoaCycleofRevenge,justthatfast.
TommywaslookingdownatJosephandspokeup.“Waitaminute.Heseemstobealone.AndIcanseenosoldiers.Ithinkweshouldtalktohim.”
“He’sright,”Isaid.“Wehavetofindoutthetruth.”WeallagreedandwaitedthereuntilJosephwalkedup.Heappearedshockedthatwewerenowin
thislocation.“You’rehere,”hesaid,walkingquicklyuptous.“Iwasn’tabletofindmybrother.Noonehadseen
him.IamafraidheiswiththeApocalypticsnow.”Joseph’sfacewassad,asthoughhethoughthe’dfailed.
Noneofusresponded,sohecontinued,“Oneofthesoldiersatthegatetoldmemybrotherhadorderedthemnottopatrolincertainareasofthemountainanylonger.”
HelookedatTommy.“Ithinkthissoldierknowsyou.”Wewerestillnotsayinganything.“Look.”Josephwaspointingtohisknapsack.“Healsogavemethis.”Hewaspullingoutastackof
papers.“It’stheEleventhIntegration!Ittellsushowto…”
Hiswordstrailedoff.Hecouldseewewerestilllookingathimintensely.“What’swrong?”heasked.EveryonesurroundedhimandweaskedJosephifheknewwhathadhappenedattheCircleof
Rocks.Hesaidhedidn’t,andwhenweinformedhimoftheshooting,hewassogenuinelyshakenhehadtositdown—promptingmostofthegrouptowelcomehimbackwithhugsandencouragement.
“Joseph,”Colemanasked,“whydidyoucomeuptothislocationnow?”“Becausetheguardssaidtherearemanymorepeoplecomingintotownfromeverywhere.Iheaded
upherebecauseIwantedtoseeifIcoulddetectanyonecomingupfromthisside.”ColemanandIlookedateachotherandthengazeddownatthetrailcomingupthemountain.Dozens
ofpeopleseemedtobeheadingourway.AstherestofthegroupcontinuedtotalktoJoseph,discussingtheTenthwithhim,Iwalkedfarther
outontheoverhang,needingtothink.IwasstillconcernedbyhowquicklyIhadslippedintorevenge.Howpervasive,Iwondered,wasthisemotionintheworldrightnow?Wasitthepredominating
emotionbehindtherashofschoolshootings,employeeoutbursts,and—ontheinternationalscene—thewillingnesstoblowoneselfandothersupinordertomaketheenemypay?Wasthisthewayhumanfearandanger,inthistimeoftransition,wasplayingout:wantingotherstosufferthewayweweresuffering?
ColonelPetersonhadsaidthisCycleofRevengewasgrowingintoanuclearphase,theurgetodeliverthefinalactofretributionandendeverything.Isuddenlyfeltasifhumanitywasrunningoutoftime.
WherewasTommy?Iwondered.IneededtospeakwithTommy.WhenIturnedaround,Isawthathewasalreadywalkingtowardme.Ilaughedoutloud,evokingapuzzledlookfromtheyoungman.
“Ineedtotalktoyou,”hesaid.“It’simportant.”“AbouttheUniversalConsciousness?”Iasked.“Yes,Iwanttotellyousomething.Mytribebelievesitwillgetmuchstronger,andsoonerthanmost
peoplethink.”“Butwhenisitgoingtohappen?”Iasked.“MostthinktheCalendar’senddateisDecember21,2012,butotherscholarsaresayingthe
beginningofthelastphaseofcreationwillstartmuchearlier,inthespringof2011.”“What?That’snow!”“Yes.Andwearen’tgoingtounderstandthiscomingforceofcreationuntilwecanfigureoutwhat
thepointofConnectionwefeltonSecretMountainreallyis,andhowtorelatetoit.WehavetogetthroughtheremainingIntegrations!”
Suddenly,Colemanwaspushinghiswaythroughustoseedowntowardtheguardhouseagain.“Lookatthat,”hesaidwithalarm.Fiftyormoretroopsweredeployingallaroundtheareaoftheguardhouse.“Theydon’twantanyofthosenewpeopletocomeupthetrails,”Josephsaid,“andIalsothinkthey
knowtheextremistsarearound,andtheywanttostopthem.”“TheApocalypticsarealreadypastthem,”Istressed.“They’reholedupnearamoundofrockover
thenextridge.”“Howdoyouknowthat?”Colemanasked.“IsawthemwhenIwasupthereearlierwithRachel.”Theyalllookedatmeinamazement,andthenColemansaid,“It’sgoingtobedifficulttosneakpast
allthesetroops.”“It’sokay,”Ireplied.“Rachelshowedmeanotherwaypast.It’salmostdark.Ithinkweshouldgo
now.”Inamatterofminutesweweremovingofftheoverhanganddowntheslope.Irememberedtheroute
clearly.Itwouldtakeusdowntheridgetoapointaboutahundredyardstotherightoftheguardhouse.There,thetrailendedatasteepdrop-offintoawidegorgethatseemedclearlyimpassable.Whatnooneseemedtoknow,besidesRachel,wasthataledgewideenoughforapersontowalkonexistedjustovertheedgeofthegorge.
Itranahundredfeetnorthtoapointwheretherewasasmallgapinthecliffwallthatwasscalable.Oncethroughthegapwewouldbehiddenfromanyonelookingfromtheguardhouse,andwecouldthenadvancedirectlyupthetiersofrockoverlookingtheApocalypticstowhereRachelandIhadbeenearlier.Theonlyplacethatwasparticularlyclosetotheguardhousewasthepointwherewedroppeddownontotheledge.
Aswewalked,IcouldseethatJosephhadintegratedtheNinthandTenthsteps,andnowhe,Coleman,andtheotherswerereadingtheEleventh.IthoughtoftheoldProphecyandtheEleventhInsightthathadgrownoutofit.Itpredictedtheactualizationoftheuseofintentionandprayer,andlearningthesecretsofusingthispower.
“DoyoubelievewhatthisDocumentissaying?”IsuddenlyheardColemanshout.Iturnedtoseehimtalkingtooneofthescientists.Colemanshookhasheadinamazementandwalked
uptome,pointingattheDocument.“ListenhowspecificitisabouttheInfluence,”hesaid.“‘BecauseoftheLawofConnection,the
wholeofwhatwebelieveandstandfor—thequalityofourcharacter—sendsoutafieldofInfluencethatimpactseveryonewithwhomweinteract.Itactstodrawthemintoourlevelofconsciousnessandbehavior,forgoodorill,andeithermakesiteasierorharderforthemtostayinAlignment.And,atthesametime,ourindividualInfluencealsoco-mingleswitheveryoneelse’sInfluenceglobally,andatanyonetimehelpstocollectivelysetanenergeticlevelofconsciousnessforallofhumanity.’”
Hewastryingtostaybesidemeaswemoveddowntheruggedterrain.“Doyoubelieveit?”hewenton.“It’slikethereisahugebalancescaleinthesky,weighingthe
relativestrengthoftwoopposingfieldsofInfluence.Onesiderepresentsthoseopeningtoahigherpersonalspirituality,andthusactingtoliftothersintothatconsciousness.Theothersideofthescalerepresentsthosewhoarestillstuckinfearandanger,whoareactingtopullpeopledownintoasimmering,untruthfulfearandrage.”
Thestatementhitmehard.Thatmeanttherewasacontagionfrombothsides,andthebalanceshifteddailydependingonhowconsistentlythoseinAlignmentcouldholdtheirtruthwithothers.
“Doyouseewhatthisis?”Colemanadded.“It’sconfirmationofKant’scategoricalimperative:Actandbeasthoughhowyouaredictatesthateveryoneelsewillbethatsameway.Hispeersthoughthewascrazy.Buthisintuitionwasabsolutelycorrect.Influenceworksexactlythisway!”
Icaughthiseye.“Rachelsaidthatwewouldintegratehowtoamplifyourpositiveinfluencetogether.DoestheDocumentsayhow?”
Colemanwaslookingintentlyatthepagesinhishand.“Itsaysthefirstthingwemustdoiskeepthebalancescalefullyinmindatalltimes,andtorememberthateverythoughtandeveryactionreverberatesfarbeyondourselves.
“ItalsosaysifenoughofusfailtoholdtheenergyofAlignment,theworldcouldslipintoevenmorefearandanger.InpoliticsthatwouldmeanthefarLeftandRightwillcontinuetheirdehumanizationoftheotheruntilonesidedoessomethingextreme,usuallyanactofdespotismtotakeoverandcontrol,outofaneedtosavetheworld.Intheareaofreligiousideology,thepolarizationgoesmorenegativeaswell.Itsaysthatinpriorcasesinhistory,theantagonismhasalwaysgoneasfarasthecurrenttechnologycouldtakeit.”
Welookedateachother,knowingthatforthistimeperiodthatmeantanescalationtothenuclear
level.
Suddenly,Irealizedwewerenearingtheguardhouse,wherewehadtobeverycareful.Wecouldseeindividualsoldierspatrollingintheareajustbelowus,soIsuggestedtotheothersthattheystayhiddenwhileImovedbackuptheslopetotakeabetterlook.
AsIclimbed,Isawamovementabovemeandfroze.AsIstrainedtoseewhoitwas,thefiguremovedintoplainview.ItwasoneofPeterson’soperatives,motioningformetocomeup.WhenIarrived,hepulledmeoutofsightandwhisperedsomethingintoamicrophonemountednearhismouth.Infiveminutes,Petersonwasstandinginfrontofme.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”hesaid.“We’vebeenfollowingyourmovements.Andwecan’tmakeanysenseofthem.”
“It’sallintuitive,”Isaid.“TheDocumentsaysthatinordertokeeprisinginInfluence,wehavetoreturntotheMount.Something’sgoingtohappenupthere.”
Heshookhisheadskeptically.“WhatelseisthisDocumentsayingaboutInfluence?”“We’refinallyunderstandingthepowerofintentionandprayer.We’regoingtolearnhowtoamplify
ourInfluence.”“That’sit?”hesaid.“Allyouhaveleftisprayer?!”“It’smorethanordinaryprayer,”Iprotested.“Youhavetobeseekingahigherlevelofexperience.
Otherwise,youmayaddtotheenergyofthoseApocalypticsupthere.”Iwaslookingatthenextridgeaheadofus.
“Whoa!”hesaid,clearlyshaken.“AreyoutellingmetheApocalypticsareupinthesemountainssomewhere?”
“Yeah,they’reupaheadaboutfivehundredyards.WethinksomeoneintheEgyptianarmyiskeepingthesoldiersfromgoinganywherenearthem.”
Helookedaway,thinking,thensaid,“Thisisanotherpieceofthepuzzle.WeknowtheyhavesomethingplannedinJerusalemandinSaudiArabiaonthemountainwherethere’samissilebase.Nowthey’rehere.They’replanningawholechainofeventsthattheythinkwillbringtheworldtowar.Itoldyou,thechargesarealreadyplacedundertheDomeoftheRock.”
Ilookedathim,puzzled.“Don’tyousee?”hesaid.“TheythinktheyhavetodoeverythingaccordingtoscripturalProphecy,
whichmeansArmageddoncan’tcomeuntilDavid’stempleinJerusalemisrebuilt.TheMuslimmosque,theDomeoftheRock,isintheway.Ithastoberemoved,sothey’regoingtoblowitup.
“TheJudeo-ChristianfactionintheApocalypticgroupispushingforthis,becausetheyalreadyhavethecapstonefromtheoriginaltemple.Theythinkifthecapstoneisquicklyplacedonthefoundation,thenitcountsasiftherebuildingisunderway.SothebiblicalProphecycanbesaidtobefulfilled.Afterthat,alltheyhavetodoisgetthefightingstarted.”
“Butallthosepropheciescanhappeninadifferentway!”Isaid,intuitingitfullynow.“Look,”hereplied,“wehavetogetreal.We’rerightontheedgehere.Doyouhearme?We’reright
ontheedge.SoonerorlaterthisApocalypticplotisgoingtostart,andit’sgoingtocreatecompletechaosintheWesterncountries.
“IranalreadyhasmissilesthatcancompletelyclosetheSuezCanalandtheStraitofHormuz.That’swheremostoftheoilfortheWestoriginates.Whenthiswargetsstarted,gasolinewillrisetothirtydollarsagallon.Thatalonecouldcausefoodshortagesandhoarding.IfChinagetsinvolved,therecouldbeasimultaneouscyberattackonus.Thenthelightscouldgoout.Whatdoyouthinkwouldhappenthen?Nogas,nofoodinthestores.Hundredsofthousandsinthestreets,rioting.”
Hepausedandlookedatme.“Ifanyone,usorotherwise,goesinandtriestostoptheseextremistspiecemeal,thechargesgooffandthewholethingescalates.ThewildcardisSaudiArabia.Wedon’tknowhowthatplaysoutexactly,becauseyourgovernmentshouldbeabletocontrolwhetherthosemissilesarefiredornot.AndIdon’tknowwhattheyareplanninghereatSinai,either,butyoucanbetitisn’tgood.That’swhywe’regoingforwardwithourplantointervene.Wecan’twait.”
“No,listen,”Isaid.“YouractionsareasextremeasthoseoftheApocalyptics.You’replanningtotakeovertyrannicallybecauseyouthinkit’stheonlywaytosaveWesternculture!”
Icouldheartheotherslookingformedownbelow,callingmyname.“Listen,”Isaid,“Ihavetogo,butyoumustunderstand:theDocumentsaysifenoughpeopleget
consciouslyinvolvedinusingtheirInfluence,wecanstopthiswaranotherway.”Hewasshakinghishead.“Itcan’tbestopped.ItwilleruptintheMiddleEast,andonlyifmygroup
actsquicklycanwecountertheChineseandcontainthewar.Alotofpeoplewillprotest,butwecandealwiththat,too.Andbesides,you’renotgoinganywhere.You’regettinganescortoutofhererightnow.You’vehadyourchance.”
Heraisedhisradiotohislips.“Waitaminute,”Isaid.“Yougavemefivedays,remember?Thatgivesusthroughtomorrow.”IheldtheAgape,mergingwithhishigherself.Hisexpressionsoftenedeversoslightly,andhe
lookedatmewithakindoflonging,wishingthesituationwasn’tsobad.Afteralongmoment,hesaid,“Okay,youhaveonemoreday.Weruntheriskofyoustumbling
arounduphereandstartingawar.Butyouknow,Iguessthat’sokay.Wehaveeverythinginplacetodowhatwehavetodo.We’reready.”
“Comeon,”IwhisperedtotheotherswhenIgotclose.“Let’sgo.”Igrabbedmypack,myhandsshakingslightly.Thegroupfollowedmearoundalargeoutcroppinganddowntowardthegorge.
Luckily,thesoldierswerenowrunninguptowherePetersonwas,sowetookouropportunitytoslipovertheedgeofthegorge,outofsight,andheaduptheledgetowardtheMount.
Aswehurrieduptheslope,ImovedclosertoColemanagainandtoldhimwhatPetersonhadsaid.Heshookhisheadandforcedasmile.Icouldtellhewasstrugglingtokeephisenergyup.
“WhatelseistheDocumentsaying?”Iasked.“Itsaysthesolutionisthesameforalltimeperiods.Inpolitics,anenlightenedcenter,alignedinan
opendiscussionofthetruth,hastoemergetoendtheoutrightmanipulationofvotersandthecorruptionfrombothLeftandRight.
“Andinreligion,anequallytruthfulgroupmadeupofthetolerantcenterofeveryreligioustradition,allseekingthedirectexperiencetowhichwehaveaccess,hastotakecenterstage.NolongerwouldonetraditiontrytoimposetheirdoctrineonotherpeopleorclaimtheirwayistheonlypathtoDivineConnection.AllreligionswouldbegintoemphasizethoseaspectsoftheirtraditionsthatareinlinewiththisConnection,sothatthereligionswouldmoveclosertothetruthandtooneanother.”
Nowhestoppeddeadinthepathway,lookingdownattheDocument.“Thisisimportant,”hestressed.“ItsaysthefinalpartoftheEleventhIntegrationoccurswhen
peopleinAlignmenteverywhere,acrossallculturesandreligions,consciouslybegintotuneintoeachother.”
Ofcourse,Ithought.Wehavetotuneinonemoretimeatahigherlevel.“Howdoesitsaytodothat?”Iasked.“ByconsciouslyconnectinginAgapenotonlywiththosewecanmakeeyecontactwithbutwith
everyoneallaroundtheworld.WedothatbyintendingandenvisioningsuchaConnectionfullyinourminds.TheDocumentsayswhenthisConnectionismade,thenaturalinfluenceoftheindividualsinvolvedisamplifiedmanytimes.”
Inoddedandconcentratedontheclimb,whichwasincreasingindifficulty.Aftermanyhoursof
weavinginandoutofcrevicesandjumpingacrosssmallravines—wherewehadtotossourbackpackstooneanother—weclimbedontothefortlikeoverlookwhereRachelandIhadbeentogetherearlier.Thesunhadlongset,andahazyduskwasdescendingoverthemountain.Wecouldseethebareoutlineoftherockymounddownbelow.Behindit,Iknew,weretheApocalyptics.
Iawakenedthenextdayjustbeforedawn,asusual,andgotupquickly,knowingthiswouldbeaneventfulday.Outside,Ifoundeveryonestillasleep,whichwasnotsurprising.WehadbeenuplatetalkingabouttheEleventhIntegration.
Wildriftedintomymind.Wehadn’theardfromhimsincehislasttext,whichsaidhewouldsoonbeonhiswaybacktous.Thequestionnowwashowwouldhefindus.Ipulledoutthephoneandchecked.Notextsfromhim.Iwasn’tsurprised.Hewouldn’triskusingthephonetogetdirections.
Suddenly,Icaughtsightofthefaintglowofflashlightsfardowntheslope.Ileanedovertherockstowatchtheactivity.Fortunately,thelightswereheadingawayfromus,soIrelaxedagain.OurclimbhadbeenmuchmoredifficultthanIhadrememberedwithRachel,andIknewitwouldbeequallydifficultforanyoneelsetoreachusnow.
AsIwalkedaround,IsuddenlyrealizedColemanwasmakingnoiseontheothersideofhistent.Whenhesawme,hehandedmeacupofcoffee.Intheotherhandwasapairofbinoculars.
“It’saboutdawn,”hesaid.“WanttoseeifwecanspottheApocalyptics?”Inodded,andwewalkedovertotheedgeoftheoutcroppingandhunkereddownbehinditsnatural
raisededges.AsIpeeredoutthroughtheearlymorninghaze,Irealizedourpositionherewassituatedperfectly.Fromthisvantagepoint,wecouldseenotonlythemoundofrockwheretheextremistswerehiding,butalsothelarge,massivesummitofMountSinaitoweringaboveus,andallthetrailsleadinguptoit.
Themounditselfwasaboutahundredyardsdowntheinclinedirectlyinfrontofus.ForfifteenminuteswewaiteduntilitwaslightenoughforColemantousehisbinoculars.Theothersawakened,onebyone,andjoinedus.
“Iseethem,”Colemansuddenlysaid.“They’redoingsomethingtotherockbedjustbeyondthemound.”
Abruptly,Isawanimageinmymindofmyselfgoingdowntogetacloserlook.Theimagewasaccompaniedbyasurgeofurgentenergy.Igrimacedattheideaandloweredmyhead.Tommywasbehindmeandnoticed.
“What’swrong?”heasked.“IthinkIneedtogodownthereandtakealook.Anybodyelsegetthatidea?”Nooneresponded.“Areyousureyouwanttodothat?”Colemanasked.“RemembertheSecondIntegration:logicfirst.”“Iknowit’sdangerous,buttoomuchhashappenedformenottofollowanintuitionnow.Rachel
followedallofhers.”Foramoment,thewholegrouplookedatme,andIcouldseethedeterminationbuilding.“Ibettergowithyou,”Colemansaidfinally.ItunedintowhetherIwasdowntherealoneorwithsomeone,andcouldseeonlymyself.“LookslikeIhavetogoitalonethistime.”TurningtoTommyandhismother,Iaskedthemforadviceontherouteandtheypointedouttheway
theywouldgo,givingmeencouragement.“We’llfocusonhelpingyou,”Tommysaid,“liketheAngels.”Igavehimapatontheshoulderandeaseddownovertheledgeasthesunbrokeabovethehorizon
forthefirsttime.Focusingonthebeauty,ImanagedtoholdmyenergyasIcreptdowntherockyslope.Ithoughtaboutmyfather’sadviceonhowtokeepone’switswhileinsituationsofextremedanger.Andsmiled.Iknewhewasaround.
Atlast,Iarrivedataspireofrockthatroseupabouttwenty-fivefeetinfrontofme.Verycarefully,Icrawledforwardandgazedover.Withinfiftyfeetofme,aboutadozenmenwerecoveringsomethinginatwelve-footcrevicewithrocks.Anishwasnowheretobeseen.
ThenIspottedsomeonesittingalone,hishandstiedbehindhisback.Heturnedhishead,andmystomachseized.ItwasWil!
Istaredathimuntilhefeltmelookingandjerkedaroundandsawme.Heimmediatelybegantopointwithhiseyestowardthegroundtohisleft,whereahandheldtwo-wayradiowassittingonanoldleatherbriefcaseontheground.Iwasbewildered.Whatdidhewantmetodo?Grabtheradio?Icouldn’tunderstandhowthatwouldhelpus.
Suddenly,Iheardanoiseintherocksdirectlybelowme.Irolledbackwardquietlyanddroppedintoamilddepressionintherock,hopingtohide.Thenoisecontinued,andtomyhorrorIrealizedsomeonewasclimbingthesamespireIwaslyingon,comingmyway.Itriedtoduckdownbutitwastoolate.Theindividual,holdingapairofbinoculars,hadclimbedtoapointjusttenfeetbelowme.Anish.
Heturnedandlooked,recognizingmeimmediately.“Ithoughtyouwerearoundheresomewhere,”hesaid.“Icouldfeelyou.You’relikeme.Younever
giveup.”Histoneanddemeanorwerecasual,evenserene,againlikesomeonefeelinginvulnerable.Rachel
hadtriedtoreachhim,andnowitwasmyturn.AsbestIcould,ItriedtocentermyselfandmoveintoOneness,hopinghemightsensehisownDivineConnection.
“Ihavetotalktoyou,”Isaid.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’redoing,butyouhavetorethinkit.There’sanotherway.”
“Willyoustopexportingyourcorruptiontomyworld?Willyoustoptryingtoreformmyreligion?”Isatupsohecouldseemebetter.“Weallhavesouls.We’reallthesame,spiritually.It’strue,
there’stoomuchcorruptioneverywhere.Butwecanfixthat,allofustogether,ifwefindtheoneexperience.”
Helaughedandgavemealookofpity.“Theprophetsdon’tlie!Theendmustcomenow.”Foramomenttherewasonlysilence.Ididn’tknowwhattosay.ThenIthoughtofRacheland
rememberedmylastconversationwithher.“ThePropheciesallpointtoanArmageddon,”Istressed.“AndaRapturewherethetruebelievers
areprotected,sotheycanavoidthiswar.Whatifthemessageoftheprophetsisreallyforallofus?AndthemessageisthatwecanallfindahigherGodConnectiontogetherthatwillallowustoavoidArmageddon?DoyouseewhatI’msaying?Armageddondoesn’thavetohappen!”
IcouldfeelRachelwantingmetosaysomethingelseabouttheCalendarandaboutthepointofConnectionIhadfeltonSecretMountain,butIcouldn’tputittogetherinmymind.
Anishlookedatme,firstinconfusionandtheninanger.Whenhereachedinsidehisbeltforaweapon,Iwasready.Irolledoverandslippedoffthecrestofthehugerockonthesideawayfromhim.AsIdid,Iglimpsedfromthecornerofmyeyetheitemtheextremistswerecoveringup.Itwasaboutthesizeofasuitcaseandhadseveralblinkinglightsononeside.
Foraminuteortwo,Iranupthehillfrantically,thinkinghewaschasingme.ThenIheardhimyellfrombackatthemound.
“IfIseeyouagain,”hecalledout,“yourfriendwillbethefirsttodie.”WhenIgotbacktotheothers,IwassooutofbreathandexhaustedfromtheclimbthatIcouldn’ttell
themanythingforafullminute.“TheyhaveWil!”Ifinallyblurtedout.“ItriedtoconvinceAnishtostopwhathewasdoing,butit
didn’twork.Therewasn’tenoughenergy.Theyhavesomekindofdevice.”Colemanwaslisteningintensely.“Whatdidthedevicelooklike?”“It’saboxlikeitem,”Isaid,“likeasmallsuitcasewithhandles.Therearelightsononeside.”Hegrimacedandstaredatallofus.Ourheartssank.Weknewwhathewasgoingtosay.“Ithastobeasmallnuke,”hevoiced.Wewereallshockedandspeechless.Everyone’sfearhadjustturnedintoareality.“Whyhere?”Tommyfinallyasked.“Probably,”Iguessed,“tomakeitlookasifsomeonehadattackedEgypt,sothatothercountries
wouldretaliate,ignitingthewar.”Foralongmoment,wewereallalonewithourthoughts,knowingthiscouldbetheend.Everyone
ofusmightdierighthereonMountSinai.ThenIsawsomethingdownbelow.HundredsofpeoplewereapproachingMountSinaifromall
directions,pressingupagainstthecheckpointsandbeingheldbackatgunpointbythesoldiers.“Hurry,”Tommyshouted.“Wehavetoconnectwiththem.”
THERETURN
Tommywasgatheringusalltogetheratthetopoftheoutcropping.Downbelow,thecrowdswerebecominglargereveryminute.
“First,”Tommywassaying,theDocumentinhislap,“wehavetoamplifyAgapewithoneanotherandwiththeGreatSpirit.”
WeallelevatedintothatConnectioninseconds.“Then,”hecontinued,“itsaystoprojecttheAgapetoeverlargergroups,byintendingOnenesswith
everyonewhoisgenuinelyseekingspiritualConnection,acrossallreligions,especiallythosedownbelowus.”
Aswedidso,ourenergyincreasedevenmoreuntilweregainedthelevelofcollectiveintentionthatwehadfeltspontaneouslyonSecretMountain.Foramomentwelookedatoneanother,feelingtheEleventhelevationfully,thenimmediatelywentintoatemplatediscussion.
Josephquicklypointedoutthatwhilemosttraditionsemphasizedprayer,some,liketheSufiofIslam,advocatedalivedprayerveryclosetowhatwewerefeelingnow.
“Christianity,”Isaidquickly,“alsostronglyemphasizesthepowerofcollectiveprayer.”Inminutes,weagreedthattheemphasisplacedonprayerbyIslamandChristianitymostreflectedtherealityofconnectedgroupintention.Arushofenergyfromtheagreementsentussoaringevenhigher.
Ilookedatmyphone,knowingwhatwasabouttooccur.Thetextringsoundedtwice,andIopenedittofindmessagesfromHiraandAdjar,bothexpressingheartbreakaboutRachelandtellingustheyhadworkedthroughtheTenthandEleventhIntegrationsandwerefeelingUnitywithusandher.Theyweremakingpreparationstoreachoutmorewidely,mentioningthathundredsofpeoplewerecollectinginJerusalemandneartheMountinSaudiArabia.
Forseverallongminutes,wefocusedonthepeopledownbelow,andthoseinJerusalemandSaudiArabia.Atfirstnothinghappened,andthenslowlywebegantoseeindividualsatthecheckpointsgroupingtogetherasthoughtheywerepickinguponwhatweweredoing.SomehadcopiesoftheDocumentandwereshowingthemtoothers.Peoplenearthesoldiersbegantoreachoutandtalktothemaswell.
“BringthesoldiersintoAgapewithus,”Tommysaid.“SeethemliftingupintotheirownConnectionwithSpirit.”
Almostinstantly,wecouldseesomeofthesoldiersloweringtheirweapons.Someevenjoinedthegroupthatseemedtobeforming.Lookingangry,theofficerscameforwardandtriedtostoptheinteraction,butsomesoldierswereallowingindividualstowalkpastthemandheadupthetrailstowardthesummit.
Atthemound,wecouldseetheApocalypticslookingovertherocksatthescenebelow.Anishglaredupdirectlyatus,obviouslyconcerned.
“Lookatthat,”IsaidtoColeman.“Heknowswhatwe’redoing.”“FocusontheApocalyptics!”Tommyyelled.Ipicturedseeingahigherexpressionontheirfacesthatreflectedtheirsouls’desiretomoveinto
Connection.Afterawhile,severaloftheextremistsactuallylefttheirpositionstoseewhatthecrowdwasdoing.
Suddenly,myphonerangtwice.ItwasHiraandAdjar,tellingusthecrowdstherewerepushingforwardatboththeTempleMountandtheSaudiMount,JabalAlLawz.
ThenColemanshouted,“Lookoveratthemound!”Anishwasoutamonghisgroup,shoutingandgesturingdramaticallywithhisarms.Themen
hurriedlybeganpickinguptheirgunsandstrengtheningtheirpositions.Frombehindhim,anothermanwalkeduphesitantlybehindAnish.Itwastheroundmilitarygeneralwehadseenearlier.
“That’smybrother,”Josephshouted.“I’vebeenfocusingonhim.Helpme!”Josephtookoffovertheedgeoftheoutcroppingandrandowntheslopetowardthemound.
BeforeIcouldreact,IheardagaspfromTommy’smother.Shewaslookinginthedirectionofthecrowdsdownbelowagain.Moretroopshadarrivedandwerepushingpeoplebackdowntheslope.Severalbeganfiringtheirautomaticweaponsintotheair.Witheachburst,Icouldfeelourenergywaning.
Againmyphonerangwithatext,andIlookedatitquickly.ItwasAdjarsayingthatmoresoldiershadarrivedthereaswellandwerepushingeveryoneback.Secondslater,anothertextrang.ItwasHirasayingthesamethingwashappeninginJerusalem.
Ilookedbackatthecrowdsandsawtheywerebeingpushedbackevenfarther.Barricadeswerebeingsetup.Wewerefailing.
“Holdyourenergy,”Ishouted,tryingtofocus.Colemangrabbedmyshoulders.“Wearen’tstrongenough!Wehaven’tyetregainedthefull
consciousnesswehadonSecretMountain!WeneedtheTwelfth!”Immediately,IthoughtaboutthepointofConnectionwe’dexperiencedonSecretMountain,andina
flashIseemedtofeelitagain.IlookedatColemanandhisexpressiontoldmehewasfeelingthesamething.Tommy,obviouslysensingit,too,rushedover.
“ThisistheConnectionwehad,”heyelled.“Wehavetoholdthis,buildonit.”AssoonasTommymadethatstatement,wecouldn’tfeelthepointofConnectionanymore.Ithad
completelydisappeared.“Whathappened?”Tommyasked.Iwasstrugglingtoremembermyearlierexperience.“Wait,”Istressed.“Youcan’tforceit.Youhavetoallowitorhavefaithinitorsomething.”AssoonasIspokethosewords,wecouldfeelitagain,butitwasstillsporadic,appearingfora
momentandthendisappearing.“There’ssomethingwe’remissing!”Iyelled.“Whatisit?”ThenIremembered.AttheheightoftheConnectiononSecretMountainwehadexperiencedanother
emotionIhadforgottenabout:asoulfulsenseofappreciation.IalsorememberedsomethingIhadthoughtatthetime.Appreciationwastheactofacknowledgment
thatlockedintheConnection.Immediately,IfelttheConnectionmoreintensely,andasIdid,theAgapebegantoincreaseinslowincrements,almosttothelevelwehadachievedonSecretMountainbutnotquite.TommyandColemanhadalreadysensedwhatIwasdoingandweregatheringtheothersbackintoacirclewithus,explaininghowtoholdtheemotionofappreciation.
ThenIknewsomethingmore.WewerecallingthisphenomenonapointofConnection,butinactualityitwassomethingelse.Rachelhadsaidnottogethunguponaname.Wehadtounderstandmoreaboutwhatwewerefeeling.InosoonerhadthatthoughtwhenanimageofWildowntherewiththeApocalypticscametomind.Andthenanotherimagecame—oneoftheradiosittingonthebriefcase.InaflashIunderstood.Wilhadn’tbeennoddingtowardtheradio,asI’dthoughtearlier.Itwasthebriefcasehewantedmetosee!
Downatthetrailsbelow,theshootinghadstoppedandthesoldiersandthecrowdswerenowinan
uneasystalemate,thepeoplestillpressingtogoforward,thesoldiersholdingfast.“I’vegottogobackdownthere,”Isaidtotheothers.Theyvoicedagreement,sowithoutsayinganotherword,Islidofftheoutcroppingagainandhurried
downtheslope,tryingtohangontotheConnection.Theotherswererightbehindme.Colemancaughtupwithmeandsmiledaswejumpedawidecreviceintherock.Whenweapproachedthemound,wecouldseetwomenwrestlingoverarifleandseveralmorefightingtwentyfeetaway.Weavoidedthemandranaroundtothesideoftherockyprotrusion.NowwecouldseeAnishandsomeofhisownmeninanarmedstandoff.SomeofthemenhadawakenedandwerenowpointingweaponsandbeggingforAnishtogiveup.Josephandhisbrotherwereinthatgroup.Anishandseveralothermenwerefacingthem,unyielding,stillincontrolofthebomb.Oneofthemenheldasmallremotecontrolinhishand,apparentlythetriggeringdeviceforthenuke.
Closertous,Wilwasstillsittinginthesameplace.Buthehadmanagedtofreehisfeetandhandsintheconfusion,andathissidewasthebriefcase,nowopen.Fourorfivepagesofcopypaperwerescatteredbesideit.Oureyesmet,andIinstantlyknewthepagesbelongedtotheTwelfth,andthathehadalreadyreadit.Inoticed,too,thatmyhandswereshakingagain.IhadlostmuchofmyConnectioninthefaceoftheconflict.StilllockedinWil’sstare,IwentdeepintoAgapeuntilIbegantofeelthepointofConnectionagain.
Rightaway,IrealizedWilwastryingtotellmesomethingagain,butIcouldn’thearhimamidtheshouting.
“Bepreparedtodetonate,”Anishsaid,gatheringeveryone’sattention.Heseemedtohaveregainedhiscalmdetermination.
IlookedatWil.Hewasstilllookingatmeintently,sendingmeamessagewithhiseyes.BehindmewereColeman,Tommy,andhismother.Therestofthegroupwereseveralpacesbehindthem.Downbelow,Icouldseethecrowdsstillpressingagainstthesoldiers’barricades.
Anishsquintedwithfinalresolve,abouttoorderdetonation.IlookedatWilonemoretime,andfinallygotit.Rachel.HewantedmetotuneintoRachel.Immediately,Ifelthersaying,“Letgo!You’llbeshowntheway.”
“Waitam-minute!”IstammeredatAnish.“Can’tyoufeelwhat’shappeninghere?YouhadtheTwelfthIntegrationthewholetime.Youmusthavereadit!”
Anishshookhishead.“TheonlythingIfeelistheendoftimeapproaching.”“Butthat’sjustit!Somethingisapproaching,butit’snotwhatyouthink.It’ssomethingyouhaveto
feelinside.”Anishlookedatmeaskance.“Askyourself,”Icontinued,“whyyouformedthisgroupinthefirstplace,includingbothEastern
andWesterntraditions.Thememberswereallmortalenemiesandyoubroughtthemtogether.WasittheTwelfthInsightthatgaveyouthatidea?Youbeganareconciliationofreligion.AndyoucontinuedtolookformoreoftheDocumentforalongtime.Why?Maybeyouknewyouweren’tgoingfarenough.”
Helookedaway,shakinghishead.“WhydidyounameyourgrouptheApocalyptics?”Icontinued.“Don’tyouknowtheword
apocalypsemeansrevelation?Wecanhavearevelationabouttherealmeaningoftheendtimes.Itriedtotellyou.Thepropheciesaremeantforallofus.IfallofusareengagedinoneRapture,thenwecanallbesparedArmageddon.WegettheReturnwithoutthewar.We’realreadysensing…”
Istopped.Istillcouldn’texplainthispointofConnectionwewerefeeling.“No,”Anishscreamed,lookingagainatthemanwiththedetonator.Againheappearedtobeready
toorderthedetonation.Someonetohisrightyelled,“Youmuststop!”Joseph’sbrother,thegeneral,waswalkinguptoAnishnow,Josephathisside.
“YouknowyouandIbothreadthosewords,”thegeneralcontinued.“Welaughedandridiculeditateverypage,butitwastouchingusallthesame.”
Anishbecameenragedandpointedafingeratthegeneral.“Whathashappenedtoyou?”hescreamed.“Youknowourplanisfoolproof.AnuclearblasthereinSinaiandthesimultaneousdestructionoftheDomeoftheRockinJerusalemwillpushIrantoblowthecanal.SaudiArabianmissiles,underourcontrol,willflyatIran.OurpeopleinChinawilltaketheopportunitytodisabletheAmericancapabilityinthatregion.Andtheneverythingwillblow!Nothingcouldcontainit,notevenPeterson.Itwouldbetheendwe’veallbeenprayingfor.”
“No,”Joseph’sbrothersaidfirmly.“ThepropheciesareallsayingthesamethingbecausetheycomefromonlyoneDivinesource.Iknowthatnow!There’sonlyoneCreator,andonlyoneRapture:theonethatcomesfromattaininganever-higherConnectionandconsciousness.WearealreadysensingtheDivinereturn.Itisa‘Presence’thatwecanfeelwithinus.”
“That’sit!”Iyelled.“That’swhatwe’refeeling.It’saDivinePresence!”Thesoundofthewordsreverberatedthrougheveryone.WillandIlookedateachother.Thatiswhat
wehadfeltonSecretMountain:thePresenceofGodasatangiblereality.Thiswasthereturntheprophecieshadbeenpointingtowardallalong,thefinalAlignment.
Thoughtsracedthroughmymindoverthemagnitudeofwhatwashappening.Itwasnottheideaofapresence,noranabstracttheoryaboutapresence.ItwasanactualPresence:theFeelingIdentityoftheDivine—realandpersonalandwithusatthisverymoment.
Withthatthought,myenergyandconsciousnessbegantosoar,andIcoulddetectthePresenceincreasinginsideme.Timestoodstill.TheApocalypticsappearedfrozen.IlookedoveratWilagain.Hewasnoddinginexcitement.ColemanwassendingatexttoAdjarandHiratellingthemwhatwehaddiscovered.Tommyandtheotherswereawestruck.
Asweglancedatoneanother,theenergyincreasedmore.WewererecapturingtogetherthatfinallevelofenergywehadglimpsedinthewildernessofSedona.Instantly,Isensedwhattherestofthegroupwasthinking.Thiswasit:theTwelfthInsightanditsIntegration.WecanopenourconsciousnessenoughtoreachtheactualPresenceoftheDivine,rightherewhereithasalwaysbeenwaitingforus.
Spontaneously,weallfellintoaTemplateofAgreement.Icouldfeelourconclusion.AllofthetraditionsholdthatGodisarealpresence,butithasonlybeenemphasizedandreallythoughtpossibleinthemostesotericreligiousteachings.
“AcknowledgethePresenceinappreciationandthelinkwillgetstronger,”IheardTommywhispertotheothers.“Thiswillconnectourfinaltemplateconclusionwithallthoseintheworldwhoaresensingthis.”
Nosoonerhadwedonethisthanourenergysoaredevenmore.“NowjoinwiththehighersoulsoftheApocalyptics,”Tommyadded,“andliftthemintothisnew
Connectionwithus.”Aswedidso,thepresenceincreasedtoanotherlevel,anditscharacterchanged.Nowitwasnot
onlyinsideofus,itwasalsooutsideaswell,manifestingasaperceptiblewaveofluminosityallaroundthemoundarea.Thenitsweptdowntowardthecrowdsinawavethatlituptherocksasitwent.
Downatthetrails,wecouldseepeoplereachingouttothesoldiersagain,pushingatthebarricadelines,dartingaroundtheweaponsaimedatthem,andmovingallatonce,asthoughofonemind,upthetrails.
Then,inascenereminiscentofthefalloftheoldSovietUnion,thesoldiersbrokeranksandrefusedtofire,throwingdowntheirweapons.Commandersstoppedshoutingorders,resignedtotheinevitable.Somesoldierswereactuallyjoiningtheflowofpeopletowardthesummit.
Anishturnedandlookedatme,andforamomentIthoughthewasgoingtogetit.Thenhisfacehardenedagain.
“Blowthebomb!”hescreamed.“No,”Iyelled.“Don’tyouunderstand?It’sokaytoreverseyourlifedirection.Youdon’thaveto
pushthatbutton.Youcanchange.”Themanwiththedetonatorwashesitating,listeningtome,notmoving.SoAnishsuddenlycharged
him,grabbingatthedevice.Itfelltotherocks.Hehurledhimselftowardit,stretchingouthisarmstopickitup.ButJoseph’sbrotherrusheduptoblockhisgrasp.
Thengunshotsbegantoringoutasthetwofactionsexchangedfire.Reactingswiftly,Josephrantowardhisbrotherandknockedhimbehindaboulder.Simultaneously,Willungedforwardandhitmeinfullstride,alsopushingmeoutofharm’sway.Asinglegrenadeexploded,coveringuswithsmokeanddust.
WhenIcouldsee,IrealizedmostoftheApocalypticshadfled.WilandColemanweresittingbesideme.Wealljustlookedatoneanother,knowinghowfortunatewehadbeenthatthebombhadn’tdetonated.Lookingaround,wesawthatAnishandanotherextremistwereseriouslywoundedandJoseph’sbrotherhadsuperficialcuts.Nooneelsewashurt.Aboveus,hundredswereonthesummitofMountSinai,wavingtheirhandsincelebration.
Inminutes,weweresurroundedbyfreshEgyptiansoldiers,awholebattalionofthem,whoprovidedimmediatemedicalcareandorder.Hundredsmoresoldierswerequicklymovingupthetrails,usheringthecrowdsoffthesummit.Thepeopledidn’tresist,realizingclearlythatthedayhadbeenwon.Ourgroupwasrejoicingaswell.Atleastfornow,thethreatwasover.
Oneoftheofficers,alieutenant,tookourgroupintocustodyandsatusdownbythemound,takingparticularinterestinTommyandJosephandpullingthemtotheside.HewastheofficerTommyhadbeentalkingwithformonthsattheeasterngate.Thethreediscussedthesituationintenselyforseveralminutes,gesturingtowardtherestofus.
Justthenmyphonerang.ItwasAdjar,updatingusonthesituationatJabalAlLawz,sayingthatthetemplategroupshadgainedtheTwelfthInsightandIntegrationsimultaneouslywithus.Theinfiltratorsfromwithinthemissilebasehadfled.RightafterAdjar,Hiraalsotexted,oncue.TheyhadnotreachedtheTempleMountbutinsteadhadgatheredattheWailingWallatthemomentofreachingtheTwelfth.Noconfirmation,shesaid,abouttherumoredchargesundertheDomeoftheRock.
Finally,Iheardtheofficersay,“Getthemoutofhere!”JosephandTommyrushedoverandpointedoutthepathleadingbacktoSt.Katherine,tellinguswe
werefreetoleave.Wealljustlookedatoneanotheranderuptedinlaughter.Suddenly,Inoticedsomepapersblowingalongthegroundbacknearthemound.Rushingover,Iwas
justabouttoreachdownandpickthemupwhenanotherman,whomIrecognizedasoneofPeterson’soperatives,steppedinfrontofmeandscoopedthemuphimself,givingmeahalfsmileandasmallshakeofhishead.
Allaroundme,Icouldseepeoplebeingthoroughlysearched,andanythingremotelylookinglikeacopyoftheIntegrationswasseized.Whentheyreachedus,wedidn’tresist.
Iwondered:didPetersonnowthinktheDocumentwasathreattohim?Washemovingtofindanddestroyallthecopies,thesamewaythegovernmentofPeruhadmanagedtodestroyallthecopiesoftheoldProphecy?Atbest,Ireasoned,hecouldcreateenoughfearsothatpeoplewouldfeelguardedabouttalkingabouttheDocumentandwouldkeeptheircopieshidden.Suchasuppression,Iknew,wouldhavetoincludeanimmediatecleansingoftheInternetofalltraces.
WhenIgotbacktotheothers,Josephwassayinggood-bye,tellingushewouldstaytherewithhiswoundedbrother.
“Thanks,”Isaid,“forbeingonthathillinSt.Katherinewhenwearrived.”Hegavemeasmileandalittlebowofhishead.“Also,”Wiladded,“thanksfornotgivinguponyourbrother.Whateveryousaidtohimworked.Just
showsus:reachonepersonanditmaymakeallthedifferenceintheworld.”“Isimplytoldhim,”Josephresponded,“whatRachelhadsaidtome:anyonecanwakeupand
changeintheblinkofaneye.”“Oh,bytheway,”Josephwenton,“didItellyouthethreeMountains—JabalAlLawzinSaudi
Arabia,MountSinai,andSecretMountaininArizona—alllineuproughlyinastraightline?”HelookedatusamomentmorewithhisfacefillingwithAgapeandtears,thenhepulledusintoa
hugehug.“IwantedtolookuponthefaceofGod,”hemused,“butIthinkfeelingthePresenceisevenbetter.”Ashewalkedaway,therestofus,lostinourownthoughts,hikeddownthemountainuntilwehitthe
widepathtakingusbacktoSt.Katherine.Wilwasonhisphone.AsIlookedaroundateveryone,IcouldtellwewereallstillfeelingthePresence.Itwaswithusaswemoveddownthepath,automaticallyraisingtheluminosityoftherocksaswewalked.Whenwemetpeoplecomingtowardus,somewouldevenslowdownandlookclosely,asiftheysensedtheelevationinenergy.
WhenWilhunguphisphone,Iedgedoverbesidehim.“Okay,Wil,”Isaid,“whatabouttheTwelfth?TelluswhattheDocumentactuallysays.”Hiseyestwinkledforamomentaseveryonegatheredaroundhim.“ItsaystheTwelfthfiresuptheculminatingpathwaysinourbrains,”hesaid.“Itintegratesallthe
Integrations.ThinkabouthowthePresencemakesyoufeel.NoproblemwithexpectingandsustainingtheSynchronicitynow,isthere?Ortellingthetruthandacceptingitfromothersaswebuildoutthedetailsofournewspiritualworldview?HowaboutmanipulatingpeopleandbeinghitwithallthatKarma?Anybodywanttostartdoingthatagain?
“No,”hecontinued.“WewanttostayinAlignmentandintheconsciousnessthatgivesusalltheseotherabilities:premonitionsthatofferusProtection,guidingintuition,higherAgaperelationships,andanopeningtofullperception—andofcourse,allthosemessagesfromtheAfterlife.
“TheTwelfthsaysthatifenoughofusstayinthisAlignmentandinthePresence,thePlancanbecomeconsciousinhumanculture.Withthisknowledge,anenlightenedcenterwaywillariseinpolitics.Civilityandcharmcanreturntohumanculture.AndeverygovernmentandeveryfieldofhumanendeavorwillmoveintoastateofIntegrity.”
“WhatabouttheTemplatesofAgreement?”Colemanasked.“ItsaystheTemplatesofAgreementwillgraduallymoveeachtradition,”Wilreplied,“towardan
acknowledgmentoftheonePresence,allowingthedifferencesbetweenthereligionstobelessdivisive.Reconciliationwillcreateagroundbreakingunityasweallfocusontheexperiencethatispossible.”Hepaused.“Thenumbersareeverything.ItjustdependsonhowmanypeopleareholdingtheAlignment.”
Ashetalked,aquestionwasforminginmymind.“DoestheTwelfthsay,”Iasked,“howmanypeopleitwouldtaketoturntheworldaroundandto
begintocreatetheidealworldthepropheciespredict?”“Alot,justtogetitstarted.TheDocumentmentionsagainthatmanysmallergroupsinhistoryhave
reachedthepointwherewearenowandweren’tabletokeepitgoing.Theworldisstilldeepinfear.Andaswe’veseen,thestakesaregettinghigher.”
Allofuswerehuddledjustoffthepath,inacircle.“DoestheTwelfthgiveusthespecificnumber?”Ipressed.“Yes,”Wilsaid.“Itisthesameaswithsomeoftheotherprophecies.”“Whatisit?”“144,000.”
AssoonaswereachedSt.Katherine,Tommyandhismothersaidgood-byeaswell,statingthattheywantedtovisittheirfriendsatthebighouseonemoretime.Theyhadgiveneveryoneahugandwerebeginningtowalkaway.Butafteronlyafewpaces,Tommystoppedandturnedtowardme.
“There’smuchtobedone,”headded,“soI’llseeyouinSedona.”Hesmiledthenandrantojoinhismother,leavingmewonderingwhathemeant.Mostoftheotherssaidgood-byeaswellandwentwiththem,leavingonlyWil,Coleman,andme
standingtogetheronthestreet.Colemanofferedhishand.“I’mgoingwiththem,too,”hesaid.“Someofmyscientistfriendswanttostartaninstitutetostudy
allthis.Doyoubelieveit?”HewalkedoverandgaveWilandmebothabearhug.“Listen,”Isaid.“Thanksforbeingthereallthosetimes.”“Ishouldthankyou,”hereplied.“Youreachedme.Itjustshowshowthingschange,oneConscious
Conversationatatime.”WilandIwavedashejoggedoffaftertheothers,thenWilturnedtofaceme.“IwasabletobookaflighttoCairo,”hesaid,smiling.Hethentoldmehehadfinallyreachedhisfriendthearchaeologist,whohadoriginallysenthimthe
firstpartoftheDocument.Themanhadbeeninhiding,andWilwantedtoleaverightawaytotalktohim.Hepausedandwecontinuedtolookateachother,delayingtheparting.“WhataboutColonelPeterson?”Wilasked.“Thelastthinghetoldme,”Ireplied,“wasthattheywereready,andthatallittakesisacoalition
betweenthefarLeftandRighttoimplementhisplan.Istilldon’tknowwhathemeant.”“Ithinkyou’regoingtofindout,”Wilsaid.“Betterstayalert.”Inodded,thensaid,“Iforgottoask.Didyouhaveanyluckfindingthepeoplewhohadreleasedthis
Documentoriginally?”Hesmiledandsaid,“Youalreadyknowwhoitwas.”Ithoughtforamoment.“Shambhalapeople?”“TherearemoreofthemthanIthought.They’regoingtobehelpingwitheverything.I’llletyou
knowwhatIfindout.”Hewasbeginningtoleave,butIthoughtofonelastquestion.“WhydidtheysendtheTwelfthtoAnish?”Willaughedandpulledhispackontohisshoulder.“They’relikeWolf,”hesaid.“Theyknowthings.”Andwiththat,hewasgone,leavingmealone.OnlyIwasn’talone.Infact,IknewIwouldneverbe
aloneagain.
EPILOGUE
Thenextday,IbookedflightsthroughCairomyself.ButIdidn’tgobacktoGeorgia.Instead,IwenttoSedona.Duringthejourney,thePresencewasalwaysthere,anditdidn’tfadeatallunlessIfellintoegoorbecamedistractedinsomeway.
Whenthatoccurred,IhadonlytocomebackintoAlignmentagain,andmoveintoappreciation—andimmediatelythePresencewasback.Ifnothingelse,thisconsciousnesswaseminentlyprovabletooneself.
WiththePresencecametheAgapeandakindofautomaticexpectationofSynchronicityandarememberingtomakesurealongthewaythatIhadtoldtheabsolutetruthtoothers—voicingespeciallytheintuitiveideasthatIfelttheyneededtohear.Whatmadethemostdifferencewastheintentiontomergehighermindswithpeople.WhenIdidthat,themostordinaryofconversationswouldsuddenlyturnmagical,andIwouldalwaysreceivesomethingback.
Afterawhile,IwasabletoexperiencewhatWilhadcalled“theintegrationoftheintegrations”justbybeingawarethatthisenvelopingPresencecamewithmeintoanairplane,oraroomfullofpeople,oftentothedistinctperceptionofothers.ThisrecognitionofsharingthePresencekeptmeinAlignmentatanevenhigherlevel,andIknewthatifenoughofusweredoingthis,thentheconsciousnesscouldquicklyspread.
IfoundthattheemergingTwelfthInsightwasinnowayjustatheory.Itwasanewlevelofbeingthatcouldbediscoveredandlivedbyanyperson,acrossallculturesandreligions.IfwekeepthePresencewithusandstayalert,themeansnecessarytobeofservice—andtomaketheworldabetterplace—wouldalwaysbeprovided.
Theonlyrealdifficultyforanyofus,Iknew,inholdingthisconsciousness,wastheinsidiouseffectoftheold,materialworldview.Itisstilloutthere,whisperinginourear,tellingustheworldishardandunforgivingandthatleadingalifeofsomeesoteric,saintlyintentisimpossible.Thatistrue,ofcourse,ifwethinkofourselvesasbeingaloneinameaninglessUniverse.Butthefactis,wearen’t.WecanstayinAlignment,andprovetoourselvesthatweliveinaUniversethatis,inessence,aDreamMachine—justwaitingforustoturniton.
Twodayslater,whenIarrivedinSedona,IwentimmediatelytotheAirportVortexandclimbedupontherockstowatchthesunset.Therewereonlyoneortwootherpeoplethere,soItookaseatontheverytopandclosedmyeyes,feelingthewarmthofthesinkingsunonmyface.
Suddenlysomeonesatdownbesidemewithaplop.IlookedaroundtoseeTommy’ssmilingface.“Youcametotellme,”Isaid,“thatit’sallgoingtobeokay,didn’tyou?”Hegavemethatlookthatmadehimseemsomucholder.“Icametotellyouthattheflameofthisconsciousnessmustnotbeallowedtogoout.Thishistorical
momentistooimportant.Itisthehourofdecision,andeverypersonalivemustmakeachoice.”Hethenlookedatmeasthoughhemightburstoutlaughing.“Afterall,Dr.Coleman’sscaleisstillup
thereinthesky,andeverythoughtcounts.”Inodded,thenasked,“Tommy,haveyoureceivedyourtribalnameyet?”
“Yes—lastnight,fromtheelders.”“Whatisit?”“MountainTimekeeper.”Ismiled,knowingitwasperfect.HewoulddohisparttomakethevisionoftheCalendarknown.Wefellintosilencethen,andIgazedoutatafamiliar-lookingsunset—littleangelswirlsofpink
clouds,starkagainstadeepbluesky.AsIwatched,mythoughtsdriftedagaintothestateoftheworld.Would,indeed,enoughofusmove
intoAlignmenttomeetthechallenge?AsIponderedthequestion,Iheardacrowcawinthedistance.Andinthatmoment,Icaughtthefaintestfragranceofroseintheair.Yes,Ithought,I’mbettingyes.
Ifyousensethetruthofwhatisoccurringandbelievethatpeopleofintegritycanmakeadifference,takeaction.Toletusknowwhat
youaredoingortoreceivethelatestcommentariesbyJamesRedfield,
visitcelestinevision.com.
RandomHouse