a return to (a deepening of) devotion by ashi (nashid fareed-maat) first book in the ways to maat series May this

book always be given for free. May it never be given for a fee, never be exchanged for any cost. 04/02

opening quotes: the pen of life is not moved by words rather by works and forces understanding and experiences that culminate into movements (of love) that shift, transform, and remove to clear and create new dynamics in the spheres of existence but know, the source of all is the honorables *** i, ashi will not place myself between you and the judgement you wish to serve others *** before we ask for anything, the honorables have already given everything ***

INTRODUCTION Peace and honorable blessings to you... This book, a return to (a deepening of) devotion, is the first of a series titled: ways to maat. This book, in many ways, is a departure from my earlier spiritual poetry books. It reflects a new stage in my spiritual growth, where I, as a person of African descent deepen my discovery and living (the true reality) of what it means to be African. This reality is something that has been lost in a world that tends to define African as a being born on the Motherland or being a descendant of those who once lived in Africa. But for traditional civilizations that existed in the Golden Age,1 being African meant embracing a way of life that reflects and honors the purpose of creation. This purpose was embraced in many ways by my ancestors, resulting in many traditional spiritual paths (ways of life) that differ distinctly from Western and Eastern religious / spiritual systems. I have been guided and drawn to embrace the paths of Kemet, what is more commonly called ancient Egypt. Much regarding the Kemetic spiritual teachings have been lost in the conquest and destruction of Kemet. It was a destruction so severe that resulted in the loss of countless teachings. Even the monuments which survived, such as the pyramids, had writings and other records marred or destroyed: including the outer limestone walls of many pyramids which contained sacred writings. It is from the remnants of this destruction that I search to learn what my Kemetian ancestors would teach regarding their understanding of the universe. And even these remnants are filtered through various layers of translation: from Kemetic writing to Greek to Latin to English, all with layers of cultural and period-specific interpretations (and misinterpretations). For example, in this modern age where the prevailing religious concepts reflect ideologies of a supreme paternal monotheism, Kemetic spiritual understanding often gets translated in terms that differ greatly from actual Kemetic spiritual practice. Let me share some examples: The deities (for lack of a better term) of Kemet are called gods and goddess and are

often described in a system that parallels Greek and Roman theology.

God is defined in Websters Dictionary as: any of various beings conceived of as supernatural, immortal, and having special powers over the lives and affairs of people and the course of nature. In Kemet, the deities were not seen as supernatural (above or beyond nature). Instead, they revealed themselves to be a part of nature,
The Golden Age of Kemet (and some say Africa) predates history. It is a time when Kemetians lived in such harmony with the Honorables that the Honorables lived and walked among the Kemetians. This is age is described as being countless (often translated as millions) years before the first historical record. As Kemet begin to regress spiritually, the Honorables limited their interactions with Kemetians, until eventually Honorables would only interact with humans in Houses of Honor (often translated as temples) during specified rituals. As this regression continued (interspersed with periods of a return to spiritual maturity), the Honorables revealed less of themselves and their lessons to humanity. But if we progress to reclaim the spiritual maturity attained in the Golden Age, the Honorables will reveal themselves to, if not live and walk among, humanity again.
1

often being (or charged with responsibilities for tending to) the forces of nature. Kemetian deities also were not immortal: there are a number of sacred writings that give accounts of deities dying, one of the most well-known being the death and resurrection of Ausar (also known as Osiris). And instead of being seen as having power over humans and nature, the deities encourage humans to form partnerships with them: so that in exchange for the deities providing the sustenance of nature (and thus humanity), humans provide them things they need to live. Such a relationship is not reflective of worship, which is a norm when it comes to the Western god / gods paradigm. For Kemetians, this relationship is a sacred partnership to be honored to the utmost, that is why I choose to refer to Kemetian deities as Honorables. Kemetian spiritual practice is often described as a religion. A Kemetian spiritual practice, as well as with many traditional African spiritual practices (as practiced prior to the conquest of Africa), is a wholistic way of life. In the modern age, religion is often perceived of as a part of life: religion as a component (even if the most important) among other components of life such as work, government / politics, science, family, education, etc. And for some, many of these components overlap heavily but in the mainstream these components are segregated. In Kemet, spiritual practice is the (wholistic) way of life that manifests and guides the components of life. In this way, no part of life should be out of harmony with ones spiritual practice, which is held to be of an importance I doubt words can adequately convey. Thus, work, government / politics, science, family, education, etc., are components of a Kemetic spiritual way of life. The creator in the Kemetic systems is often described as a supreme male god. This is yet another example of how many Western scholars arrogantly interpret other cultures through the lenses of their own cultural paradigms. The above statement is a direct projection of Western religious / spiritual beliefs upon the Kemetic systems. The concept of supremacy is foreign to the ways of most Kemetic spiritual paths. In the long history of Kemet, new and different ideas emerged from time to time, and a concept of a supreme god may have done so. But, as was the case with monotheism, such an understanding did not receive widespread acceptance. Re, one of the more common names for the first creator Honorable, was usually not referred to in terms of gender in Kemet. A limit of Western languages, that lack a pronoun that is gender neutral, is that in translation a being that has no gender is usually translated as he -- especially a deity. Thus, Parent of the Honorables becomes Father of the Gods, along with all the paternal-supremacy associations from Western religious dogma. Kemetic spiritual writings refute this perception of Re. It (Re) was among the most 4

vulnerable of the Honorables, who rises upon the Solar Bark at dawn as a child and descends beyond the horizon at sunset as a fragile old Honorable, near death. In both states, Re depends upon other Honorables for protection and rejuvenation. In fact, there is a sacred story that tells how Re and the other Honorables left the earth to live in the Celestial Kingdom after overcoming a threat of humans who planned to kill the Honorables. There may be some innocent misunderstanding of Res supremacy, being that it provides the essential force for life (in Kemetic understanding): light through the sun.2 And even in Kemet, I think there would be agreement that without Res light, nothing else would be able to exist. But this is not grounds for being supreme; it is Res contribution to a cycle of partnerships that sustain nature and the universe. In giving the essential force of life, Re depends upon others, through partnership, to receive what it needs to continue to live. Such partnership also means that other Honorables (and sometimes humans) take on parts of the Covenant of Creation to also become creators (in the full sense of the term). These three examples do not even begin to touch the surface of the widespread misunderstanding regarding Kemetic spiritual practices. It reflects a fallacy prevalent throughout much study of Kemet. Even the noted French Egyptologists Dimitri Meeks and Christine Favard-Meeks spoke to a main cause of this misunderstanding when they wrote: Egypt becomes acceptable only when fitted out with the identity we, applying our modes of Western thinking and being, foist upon it -- at the cost of seeing what is alien to us in Egyptian culture as no more than a mask behind which a higher reality is concealed. Indeed, this reality is considered higher the more it can be made to seem like the ultimate source of some aspect of our contemporary world. We are less interested in acquiring knowledge of Egypt than in recognizing ourselves in Egypt.3 (bold emphasis mine) Even the term Egyptian Religion (or Mythology) is incorrect, as it usually refers to many distinct Kemetic spiritual ways of life. Different cities and regions had practices that emphasized honoring different Honorables as based on the specific life realities they faced. Only a few Honorables were acknowledged beyond a specific region or city. Thus, one can state with confidence that the breadth of Kemetic spiritual practices cannot be fully captured with the limited remnants that survive to this day. So how does someone who seeks to understand the abundant wealth of Kemetic spiritual practices set about to accomplish this goal? It has been shown to me that such seekers must attain a state of spiritual maturity

The light of the sun is the physical form for the reality of revelation which revealed (and continues to reveal) creation from its unseen state. I will address this understanding in the next book. Quote from the book Daily Life of the Egyptian Gods, translated from French by G. M. Goshgarian, English Translation Copyright 1993.
3

our ancestors developed that encouraged the Honorables to reveal themselves to them.4 One of the things that survived the destruction of Kemet that can serve as a guide to this journey is Maat. In Kemet, Maat was portrayed as a set of principles, an energy, and as a She-Honorable (which is the case for most Honorables in Kemet). A literal translation of the term Maat that has stuck with me is: things as they ought to be. One can add to the end of this translation: as intended by the Honorables or as intended by the Covenant of Creation.5 A number of things come in play to have things be as they ought to be, virtues such as: justice, equality, reciprocity, harmony, balance, truth, order, unity, love. I stress that these are terms used to interpret parts of the (whole) meaning of Maat. It is also interesting to note that, in Kemet, Maat was used to address one virtue that in Western society is broken into many distinct virtues. Maat is also interpreted as divine law, particularly since it is used to balance the scales of judgement for the Weighing of the Heart in the Realm of the Passed Ones.6 Maat is present in the high majority, if not all, Kemetic spiritual systems: something seen as essential to the fulfillment of differing spiritual approaches. This book is an exploration of what we need to become to be able to embrace and live Maat. The living of Maat is a progressed state of spiritual maturity, and this book examines a practice of devotion as a stage toward this state. If we come to live the devotion this book speaks to, I trust we will become as our ancestors were: humans the Honorables reveal themselves to. The living of such devotion will also move us closer to embracing and thus living Maat. This is key to the partnerships our ancestors made with the Honorables: for Honorables live off of Maat and our ancestors agreed to give them Maat from that which they cultivated in their hearts. Each sacred partnership is predicated upon an exchange of service. And the value of our service will increase immensely in the eyes of the Honorables if we can, once again, give them Maat. Lastly, this book is not intended to be a vehicle for theoretical exercise. It is my hope that those who

Do know that Kemetians themselves stated that their spiritual teachings and practices are based on sacred words delivered directly from Honorables. The Honorables, in accepting their purposes and manifestations (as a result of being created), have agreed to fulfill certain responsibilities for the sake of maintaining and benefitting nature and the universe. This is part of the Covenant of Creation. Our ancestors have also agreed that humanity would fulfill our part in serving nature and the universe, and so have other beings. These agreements form the basis of humanitys partnerships with the Honorables and other beings. I will address this topic in more depth in a future work. According to certain Kemetic traditions, once a person passed (died) they embarked in a journey through the Realm of the Passed Ones, more commonly translated as the Underworld. It was a quest filled with many dangers which, if not completed, could result in Passed Ones being tortured for eternity in the Realm of the Passed Ones. But for those who were able to complete the journey, they present themselves before Ausar, who oversees this realm. It is here that the traveler places her or his heart on the Scale of (Perfect) Justice to be weighed against the Feather of Maat. If the heart weighed more or less than the feather, the travelers personal soul was fed to a beast that devoured it, rendering that person to a state of nonexistence. Those whose heart weighed the same as the feather were granted eternal life not bound to the Realm of the Passed Ones.
6 5

come to understand what this book speaks to will embody the lessons revealed in how they live life. We must rebuild (or rediscover) a traditionally African based way of life through actions lived and carried out with explicit purpose. In future books, I will look to connect our lived ways with the revelations, principles, and beings of the Honorables (as they reveal them to me). Thus, you will rarely find the names and specific references to Kemetic spiritual practices in this book. This is a quest to explore the core (the heart) of a Kemetically-guided spiritual practice; the body of such a practice will be fleshed out in coming books. I wish the readers the best in how they receive and understand what is contained in this book. Peace and Blessings, nashid fareed-maat (formerly known as nashid fareed)

the invocation (the calling of names) ntr ntr ntr re-atum atum-re the benefitting honorables ancestors andura (your name)

SECTION ONE imagine a world i created a world we sustain a world that exists only by the power of our grace for if left solely to the means of its inhabitants some would completely destroy it (namely humans) as proven by the fact that some beings have already destroyed great portions of the world and those beings in whom you have invested a great trust a power to shape and rule this world have become so filled with arrogance and ignorance that they neglect, deny, and dishonor you who have empowered them to have the capabilities they have they cannot breathe a single breath lest we give them (our) breath to breathe they cannot create a single drop of water lest we give them rain and precious springs they cannot create a single portion of food lest we give them sustenance or the wakefulness to arise from sleep or the consciousness of life to not succumb to death all that they have has been taken from our provision a gift we continue to give to them and we continue to give because we are love because our way is (to) love our way is maat and although it pains and sometimes angers us we still honor the covenant made (to them) even as they dishonor it even as they mar love dishonor us with forgetfulness and sometimes hate us they mar love because they have marred their selves and being if they realized what they are and how we and them are intertwined were created to live (in) harmony they would realize our immeasurable worth and the worth of the blessings we give and the worth of being those who receive (such) blessings (it is a call for humility, honor, and appreciation) although they hate us 9

the true source of their hate is that they hate themselves although they forget us the true source of their forgetfulness is that they forget who they are the selves they misinterpret in ignorance but this is no mystery when they have placed veils of delusion, illusion, confusion, and selfish desires between themselves and (our) love placing false and fleeting things in the place of that which is true and everlasting which is (our) love if they only knew that (our) love is so pure (to remain in face of what it faces) if they only knew yet this knowledge is not removed from them they just remain blinded by causes of their own creation only a handful of dust from a whole mountain realize and honor us for what we are only a handful of dust from a whole mountain...

10

now realize who created and continues to create this world the honorables the one (first creator) and the many (creators and sustainers) and once the terms of the covenant of creation are fulfilled the covenant will be served and that which causes anger and sadness and pain will be removed if they have not already removed themselves our preference is to give and share love which is everlasting the reason the covenant of creation was made in the first place also realize who are the beings who neglect, deny, and dishonor the one and the many who created and continue to create and sustain (this world) beware of those who take for granted and abuse love who bask in arrogance and ignorance when the knowledge of truth is abundance and everywhere ashi, we send you for a rare portion of humanity all will not be guided all will not be protected most are not worthy of life beyond illusion all will be served what is due to them whether they wish to acknowledge this evident truth or not but know, the fates of judgement yield the honorables little benefit for little benefit there is in removing that which causes anger, sadness, and pain when we are love and continue to love even in the presence of these it is a benefit to the beneficent that judgement will be served that the weeds may be pulled from the plants that yield good fruit and no longer leech upon the blessings and benefits of (your) life it is only for the sake of the beneficent that we still honor the covenants of creation and have not yet destroyed the world to render a new earth but a new earth will be rendered whether through the fate of judgement foretold in old prophecies or the newer prophecies of opportunity supporting anduras maturation 11

we leave a portion of the choice of fate to humanity to decide which shall be made fulfilled but a new earth will be rendered that the beneficent may dwell and enjoy the wonder of a world completely beautified and glorified to be whole that the divine fold may unleash without bounds all (their) love for there will be none in the new earth who are not worthy (of love) and there will be nothing in the new earth contrary to love this is the ultimate wish of love this is the will of the honorables this is the purpose of the covenant of creation these lessons have been told and told and retold and retold these warnings have been told and told and retold and retold but most of humanity continues to ignore a handful of dust from a mountain but now we shift the tides of change that the mountain may be removed except for this handful of dust and we will rise a new mountain from a handful of dust that the beneficent become the sacred soil from which will arise nothing but the purity of life it is for these that we send you, ashi (among others) leave the ignorant to their own fate and self-attracted destruction

12

the mountain is no more only a rock remains the altar is the heart silence is the song meditation the dance that we may live the beginning even until the end for the origin is pure and remains pure untouched by ignorant hands unsoiled by foolish thoughts distant from hypocrisy with space to roam and be free in the beauty of humility where service and obedience remain the keys to greatness can you hear the voice of the one and the many (they speak in one harmony) their voice resounds in sacred words: repetitions of their guidance in miracles: performance of their actions in remembrance: the original purpose of life which manifests unending blessings and the realization of love the mountain is no more do not seek it for your altar release sacrifice for the great portent of courage and seek truth alone for truth alone will suffice if only we knew

13

there is nothing i do but by the grace of the divine hosts let (my) every action be in accordance to divinity i surrender (my) surrender for truth reveals (re) and has shown (me) that i have taken comfort in illusions and why take comfort in illusions when the magnificence of truth is and love abounds if only humanity knew but i know so i honor what i know for knowing has always been more valuable than intelligence and trust more valuable than knowing and faith as valuable as love faith in the ways of maat is not an unquestioning or absolute belief it is an assured trust of things seen and unseen predicated on what is revealed do not mourn that we remove lesser things from your life to create space (emptiness) for the arrival of greater blessings do not defend the past or its portions appreciate and practice the lessons learned, but know: we have always directed you to embrace the reality of life in the present (moment) the ways of lost souls will only grant (you) loss but what you find in us will be everlasting it is more simple than the worlds complex confusion yet some treasures they pursue we will grant (to you) that you may honor their essential purpose with honor and appreciation i will not run from things that are better faced courage is a necessary virtue i will not compromise to imperfection when perfection is attainable commitment is a necessary virtue i will not defend scars when healing is available health and maturity are necessary virtues i will uphold the lessons and blessings granted to me appreciation is a deepening virtue

14

you have opened my heart with happiness and cut the chains to suffering for life is too sacred to live with scars but let the sufferers suffer, that is their choice you seek perfection for life is too sacred to submit to imperfections ideals are not distant dreams but realities you can build from blessings (blessings are gifts given, not rewards earned) i know you have not withheld blessings it is only humanity who has put obstacles in the way of receiving these or we who have turned them away by not honoring what we have received and deterred other blessings from manifesting by lacking appreciation (should the givers of gifts continue to give to those who abuse gifts?) but you have guided me to open my heart with happiness that i may enjoy the unfolding depth within as you pour the endless flow of love into my most intimate chambers that they may overflow to grant me the blessings of living a life immersed in love i treat all beings with love but i do not love all beings for love is a way of life and to love a being is to honor them with everything i do and dont do but most beings are not worthy that i hold them in such regard for they do not love the honorables but for those who i love i strive to cultivate an awareness that keeps my honor of them forever in the forefront of my consciousness and in this way realize the oneness i share with them that it may blossom and multiply to pour love into my overflowing heart yet i also know a love rejected is reason enough to no longer love and it is this rejection which will fuel the fire of the divine judgement because most of humanity do not love the divine fold and are thus incapable of loving me but i leave all judgement to my parents who are the masters of justice and instead focus (my) awareness on the wonder of love which continues to deepen the depths of (my) heart with happiness (and peace) 15

i am a child of the honorables and will honor, appreciate, and humble (my) being to the parents who care for me i am a child of the honorables...

16

my cup overflows for the river has been set free the springs purified the oceans made to rest in peace water is made abundant yet fools remain thirsty and unclean for they have limited sources of useable water to pipes created by humanity infinite gifts remain forever in flow flowing in the open there is no mystery in their provision nor is there mystery in how to receive the gifts of such providence the good child attracts the provision of being cared for it is the adults who must seek ways to provide for themselves

17

i am a tear drop fallen from heaven fallen from the eye of that which reveals to ride the moving waves of the oceans it is a miracle i have survived the fall the tides and currents are strong but i am able to refrain from dispersing by remembering from whence and why i came (may i always remember) the creatures of the air fly above me the creatures of the sea swim below me although death and hardship toil them i know i am eternal for i have not shed the bliss of reality to succumb to the suffering of illusion i have reclaimed (my) awareness from apparent separation and remain connected with the honorables although this life is but a dream i remain prepared to embrace the wakefulness of truth the deciphering consciousness that realizes all that is as it is as it exists in the moments of its existence the fades and ascension of time the cycles that complete the greater cycle of times final fade eternitys complete ascension that peace may reign with everlasting love and i be whole for i am whole it is not for rewards for conditions are trivial to the divine hosts but let me cultivate (my) being to become one worthy of trust one who can be trusted (with divine gifts) one worthy of serving the beneficent call of servitude embodying the qualities of my parents (the honorables) so they know i am their child i will mature to assume greater responsibilities i will grow to realize the importance of commitment i will deepen (my) understanding that my actions may emanate without being called transforming (my) learning into knowing that guidance may dwell within and in this way continue to mature to become a partner of the honorables from the touchable to the untouchable 18

from the revealed to the unseen whole in purity of love that i too may become (an) honorable in oneness (unity) and manifestation (reality of being)

19

i bow to the presence of the honor before me i bow to the presence of the honor that is in me i bow to the presence of the honor that surrounds me i bow to the presence of the honor that is me humanity has forgotten the greatest lesson of this life the wholistic practice of humility supported by the awareness of appreciation which honors the blessings of life as evenflow and leads to everything else we need learn in this life i will not wait until i am in need or despaired by desires or overburdened by hardships to appreciate what is beautiful to appreciate what is provided (to me) i will honor the blessings (i am) given by preparing to receive them and honoring them when received i will serve (my part) in sustaining their continuing fulfillment and even honor those that pass for appreciation is deeply embodied in remembrance and remembrance is made easy by humility let all self-importance be washed away to allow what is truly important to show its face for a life lived in alignment with the divine forces is sacred and will vaingloriously demand (the) honor (due) without the poisons of the self overemphasized a humble prayer of silence is more than all the wasted words humanity has uttered in their supposed prayers the hunger of their needs the lust of their desires the discomfort of their hardships (which they create and sustain) these are not reasons for prayer although humanity has made them such and they will pray when in the midst of these but pray not or pray less when they are comforted how peculiar they will choose to remember their gods when in the midst of suffering but quickly forget them when they are satisfied 20

they lack appreciation for they only show honor when needs, desires, or hardships afflict them these have become the gods they worship, if they only knew prayer is not meant to be an act of calling on the divine fold or calling for something prayer is deeper than that it is deeper than anything any human could ever ask for prayer is a pure act of humility where you silence what you think you are to allow the honorables to show you what you (truly) are so you may begin to become what you are called to be that you may begin to embody the responsibility of serving the purpose for which you were created so few of humanity realize this and even less honor it the evidence is evident in the so-called prayers of humanity i separate (my) being from humanity i separate from that which is misaligned separate from misalignment connect in guidance of divine harmony for humanity (as a whole) no longer honors life no longer honors lifes manifestations no longer honors the source and sustainers of life humanity no longer honors the honorables even most of the supposedly spiritual ones too many of them make prayer an extension of their imagination emanations of small and bound egos they assuage their limited knowledge of an universe that exceeds the bounds of knowledge you know nothing there is no way to the honorables they must come to you to reveal how to connect with the harmony of divinity but so many are so caught up in the designs of perceptions and skewed minds and beliefs worshiped as religions in place of the honorables and why should the honorables come to those who will only ignore them or confuse their presence because your perceptions are soiled by illusion who will only do things because you are in need or wanting 21

human needs and wants mean nothing in the scope of the universe and think not that you are so important that you will not be destroyed even humans destroy humans if you want to honor the honorables, return to humility and the sign of your humilitys anointment will be silence that you ask for nothing, plead for nothing rather dissolve illusions reign that you may bow in the presence of the honorables and embrace the art of listening

that is prayer

if only humanity knew, but they think they know when they know nothing...

22

it was only then that the traveler realized the journey made was long enough that there is no destination at the end of the road that to continue walking from here would just be walking for the sake of walking that this was the trap of beliefs held to but not released for the beliefs had their purpose of setting the traveler on the journey but once the journey was begun the road revealed its own signs of a deeper remembrance a remembrance a closed mind and conditioned heart forgot and thus ignored but openness and release conquer amnesia and remembrance is realization whereby the traveler stopped walking bent to the ground on bended knees and lowered head and in this submission (of humility) realized the road is an altar that the journey is honor that the traveler is the offering and mercy has granted each traveler the opportunity to have each step, each breath be another offering honor made on this ever-expanding altar of existence with this realization the borders of the road disappeared to reveal the true edges of the road which extend from eternity to eternity where the sun, moon, light, and darkness dance together in harmony to share the oneness of sacred beauty its up to you if you will join their dance (or not)

23

the honorables have not created a single hardship for humanity we (humanity) have created them all the honorables have not yet unleashed punishment on humanity all that we have perceived to be punishments have only been manifestations of cause and effect but we have not seen divine punishment yet we are given blessings and opportunities (as life) but have transformed this into a realm of suffering, pain hardship and tragedy illness and death destruction, greed, hatred, fear weakness a world of limits predicated on conditions a world where freedom no longer reigns and struggle has replaced the ease of life we no longer honor life and then wonder why life has become hard we are quick to destroy or neglect and then mourn or worry after its too late or then apologize when the opportunity was golden when it was present and could have manifested into more if appreciated when we had it to overflow into more opportunities that multiply themselves if we only care for them when we have them before we weaken them, harm them, neglect them, and destroy them the most noble of truths is that: there is love but even this statement will be greatly misunderstood in its simplicity for we have made it hard to see (this) truth in this world as it is and have no one to blame for this but us instead of calling on the honorables and other forces to fix the mess we made let us correct the mess we are take responsibility instead of aiming blame so we may address the mess we made and continue to manifest the world can be healed in the personal that if i change the dynamics of how i live (my) life i can heal (my) being and thus begin to heal (the world) the world can be healed in the personal but we neglect the personal a great purpose of spiritual teachings is to transform you that you may grow to understand the universe 24

and then collect a community of transformed beings to act in union and harmony with understanding but we seek to invest what weve become into beliefs and act like the beliefs will change us this is illusion!!! transform who and what you are and shed beliefs for beliefs cannot save you only the honorables can save you if you need to be saved (understand the myth of salvation) this has been the basis of every call to humble yourself you are powerless only the honorables have the power (understand this metaphor) and it is grace to be blessed by them to be in harmony with them that you may come to share this power with them if not be given a portion of it

25

where i have blinded my eye to not see the sacredness of life i ask for a whisper to remind me of how i limit (my) sight where i become consumed with (my) words to not hear the beauty of life i ask for a sign to show me to shut my mouth for even if with just (my) sight and just (my) hearing i release (my) possession of these to be mere receptors of life as it is for the rest of eternity will i be preoccupied with seeing the sacredness of life and hearing the music of its beauty beyond our preoccupations with miracles is the miracle: life its greatness is the simplicity it is if you grow in appreciation to no longer overlook it and its portions (benefits) you will realize you have been given a key to unlock the abundance (blessings) of the universe through even seemingly small ways

26

if they ask what my religion is say i have none but my way of life is love among the ways to maat if they want to understand anything i share let them first seek to understand themselves let them yield the intelligence of their ignorance let them quiet the chatter in their mind, that they may hear the whispers of the honorables and join the school of these students who study the silence of spirit a petal in the wind finds root in the currents of the air that it may fly upon the unseen ethers a petal upon the oceans floats on tides that ride toward shores praying its surface ride survives the fits of storms and calm of rhythmic waves a petal upon the stem cherishes its connection that it is nurtured so beautifully, for a day of separation may come a petal in the cycle of life marvels in the wonder of life filled with appreciation for the preciousness of this fragile alignment of (blessings) that the experience of life is an alignment of fragile interdependencies but even this delicate rarity is easy for the divine hosts yet still, let it not be taken for granted by those who receive but are unable to create it seek not the good, seek the genuine for in a world of apparent appearances many things can seem good that are really not and take not comfort in mystery for wisdom is a sea of simplicity but complicated perceptions perfect their lenses to make simple things seem complex or mysterious i cannot show you how to find the honorables but if you are serious and sincere they will find you in ways that speak to what you are bestowing so be aware of what you possess so when the invitation is laid in your presence you will know it for any great invitation neglected or ignored is an affront and what greater invitation is there than that from the honorables 27

and any great invitation neglected or ignored is not warranted to be offered again although the honorables abound in mercy and forgive many affronts take not a great invitation for granted for it may never be offered again and the depth of devotion has no place for regrets honor what you have before you receive it as you possess it so that you may never lose it even if one day it will move on by its own accord

28

i am an emanation of the source of all the full understanding of (this) truth is worth more than all the wealth in this world multiplied i am sustained by the divine hosts a guest in their dream even as i dream the full understanding of (this) reality is worth more than life in this world realize and remember who you are and how you (are allowed to) be that you may attain (true) abundance

29

there is no way to the honorables except through me for you it is through you (understand the metaphor) the being you are and become defines the journey to realize who you are and who you should become that you may realize your worth that burns away the cloaks of the ego that the honorables may find you they will not ignore a genuine calling of their names that you may become one with the oneness of (the) many which reveals that you are divine (in potential of matured quality) for the divine hosts are and you are when you understand (this) truth and align the living of (your) life to live (this) the reality of reality unfolds (to you) with its infinite responsibilities and freedom this is life the invitation to live the dream divine in the waking destiny of your dream

30

my prayers have become to say the names of the honorables and then listen they think that because they have experienced ethereal whispers through their own voice that they have been anointed to speak for the honorables or speak to the divine hosts for others when the honorables have never relinquished their ability to interact with each human humans have been blinded by their own vanity and confusion ignoring that silence is a better way to hear the honorables and their teachings what better sounds are there to hear other than those of the honorables (even if that sound is silence) words of humanity fall short to sacred sounds yet humans marvel and celebrate the utterance of human words as if these signify anointings and blessings when in reality even hypocrites and liars can say what they say even these words i offer now are not worth much if they will only be received as words (even if great words) the words are offered only as guides to help find direction to a place beyond words if you will embark on (your own) spiritual journey that is why as humanity chatters away in words, in thoughts, in desires, in beliefs the honorables reside in silence let the genuine seekers humble themselves in quietude that they may be visited by the honorables in silence for what will be gained by uttering things the honorables already know especially since when most humans talk, we dont listen but quiet the inner and outer chatter be an invitation to silence that you may observe what the divine hosts wish (for you) to experience and what is shared, let it be honored that you not forsake the gift of receiving what has been shared and what is given (to you), do not assume is to be given to all for the honorables have always encouraged that each of the seekers establish their own personal relationship with them 31

and what seekers seek, let them seek of their own accord for those who have shall be given more those who act shall be supported and those who have nothing but seek something let them humble themselves (within their selves) that they may come to see what the divine hosts have already given them and let the happy enjoy their joy let the sufferers suffer for each one has much to be happy for (if they will shed self-importance and honor the miracle of living) and let the peaceful deepen their peace those in conflict, keep distance from them for if they cannot shed lesser conflicts for a greater peace let them be resolved to small things (peace is infinity) and let the wise be blessed by wisdom the ignorant are already doomed if they will continue to give importance to things that are not and will not be important in the scope of truth and reality and if they have buried so deep the inner voice of guidance that they hear it no more do not give them guidance or advice for if they abuse their own (inner) voice they are apt to abuse yours and when all else begins to cloud what exists in clarity make it your priority to seek silence by quieting the illusions and reality that emit noise for they cannot remain if you release them to go even if they try repeatedly to deter their departure my prayers have become to say the names of the honorables and then listen for in their names is the power to manifest divine will and blessings...

32

o divine hosts o honorables in a world of abounding distractions i seek the simplicity of (your) clarity in a world that chases endless noise (where some even worship noise, worship in noise) i seek silence to bask in (your) sound in a world where many neglect and ignore you for lesser things that destroy benefit i hear you and listen to you and live the guidance you so graciously bestow to be a vessel of life not a body dwelling in the abode of death to be a child of the honorables not a creation lost in this world and how (your) love filled sound has guided me to the road of peace to teach me that on the road of peace and love there is nothing but peace and love if i encounter anything else then i have strayed from this sacred road but can be found to be guided again if i return to silence although the world may understand (me) not i bask in the wonders of (your) knowing trusting without doubt the treasures you give in the form of blessings, lessons, and experiences always seeking truth beyond illusions always seeking depth beyond the superficial always embodying faith and releasing doubt always embodying freedom and relinquishing all attachments judging not (my) life by the measures of this world instead i honor the portents of fulfillment that will deliver me from judgement for a child of the honorables will not be judged there is no reason to judge one who is beyond judgement

33

meditation for to view the world through a dirty lense obscures the clarity of (perfect) vision and worse it is to not know the lense is dirty yet treat your sight as perfect as it views a seemingly dirty world meditation to quiet the mind, the senses, and the body for their activity is as shaking muddy water the particles of dust motion with the motion of activity but with a prolonged stillness the particles will settle to the bottom leaving clearer water atop be still and see how much (of your) stuff settles to the bottom meditation for until the tools of (our) perception are perfect we will not see things as they are and how many of us have a mind, senses, and body that are free of beliefs, desires, pain, fears likes, dislikes, judgements, ego and more the knowledge of these and other imperfections can help us to realize the dirt we hold on our lense the muddy particles we keep in our water so that when we see these in the world we look upon we can know these are ours and not the worlds (even if the world has its own imperfections) meditation that we can look upon a clear canvas to realize the imperfection of our awareness this is a beginning point of clarity this is a beginning point for wisdom this is an essential realization for any seeker of truth meditate so you can overcome the blindness of (your) ignorance that begins within

34

i realize my mind is too small to be the foundation upon which i honor the honorables it is too willing to adapt to lesser things and celebrate such compromises as victories the mind that is willing to live in pain when healing exists the mind that is willing to live in conflict when peace is attainable the mind that is resistant to relinquishing problems when resolutions abound the mind that doubts when faith is present the mind that harbors hatred when love is more wonderful that even a focused mind is not exempt from trivial thoughts the purity of a pure mind can be destroyed by attachment to a single impure thought such a mind is too susceptible, too vulnerable to be the foundation of (my) honor (of them) yet this does not prevent the mind from being useful to supporting a practice of honor rooted in the purity of (my) heart i pray for a quiet mind a mind that settles in the abundance of silence that it may be free from all attachments whether those attachments are good or bad (beneficial or harmful) for it is the nature of attachments that binds (me) keeping me from complete liberation i pray for a quiet mind a mind that settles in the abundance of silence resonating the omnipotence of remembering (the honorables) that no thought may keep me from (such) remembrance attracting thoughts that support (such) remembrance and as thoughts honor the nature of the mind they pass through may those passing thoughts that have no resting place in me pass by quietly too i know i must release them and that which attracts them i pray for a quiet mind a mind that settles in the abundance of silence that it may reflect the purity of heart and hold the waters of divinity that whenever i thirst i need only look to the contents of my mind 35

that i may drink of a peaceful water which emanates complete serenity and guidance (peace and wisdom) for this i am deeply grateful as i release the small reign of my mind to serve a greater purpose by embodying a greater way to honor (the divine fold)

36

o divine hosts gratitude is mine that you have shown me once again the key to life the relationship the first door to unlock is my relationship with my self and being how i relate to my self and being how i relate to being this lays the foundation and gives direction to the approach i take to discover my relationship with you how i relate to the honorables how to relate to the honorables from the finite, most personal relationship within to the most boundless, all-encompassing relationship with all thus is the landscape laid for all the other relationships i may have with other humans with other beings with the world i presently exist within with the universe that shares its existence with me

37

i no longer delight in lesser things for greatness is before me i merely seek that which will allow me enable me guide me empower me to be in the presence of greatness to attain the fruits of greatness that i may keep the seeds which remain from (me) nourishing (my) lifeforce on the sustenance of greatness that i may plant the seeds and cultivate (my) soils to grow trees that will give forth more fruits of greatness (the intended cycle of life in creation) enough of them are in the world who delight in lesser things as if this is the only way to approach greatness and struggle they do as if this makes them worthy of lessons and justifies the hardships they endure that when the hardships end or are overcome they may receive their reward whatever it may be but i have learned endless blessings await our openness to be received yet rare is the one who is open in the midst of hardships most humans tend to close down to strengthen their endurance and unknowingly deny their ability to receive blessings cultivate openness and you will come to see how much the honorables have already provided in the form of blessings yield (your) desires (selfish and otherwise) for blessings are greater than desires and by having few desires we will grant you more than you desire for the holding of desires closes you from being open 38

to that which is beyond the scope of (your) desires and although pure desires are more open than impure desires pure desires fall short of a greater openness which is (more) open to endless blessings divine providence is only limited by your ability to receive so learn how to receive in gracious humility be aware of (your) being and the miracle of being and the beauty of being and the humble glory of life be aware of (other) beings and the sacredness of life of the frailty of existence which makes life and being great take nothing for granted study the realities of individuation and interdependence (humans hold confusion regarding these realities) waste not, deepen (your) appreciation and gratitude always give to receive always receive what is good (blessings) make small your desires that they may fall away within the narrow stream of virtue to be washed and washed away by the pure waters motion until (the) desires exist no more and strive with everything you do (and refrain from doing) to embody a great awareness of your self and being of the wonder of being and of the honorables who have enabled you through great mercy to manifest and control (portions of) (your) lifeforce and its vessel (from the manifestation of you to the universe)

39

it is not the answers that are the jewels rather the questions which beget the journey within it is one thing to know (of) rain another thing to go outside and be embraced by countless raindrops to realize the reality of rain with a more comprehensive whole of (ones) being knowledge is fools gold without realization knowledge is the accumulation of answers realization is the journey of questions combined they become a great source of wealth by which to guide and cultivate the whole of (ones) being the wholeness of being seek knowledge with realization yet do not limit realization to experience

40

i want out of the illusion i want to live reality in this place release the desires depth of sincerity will guide (you) to wisdom and truth to release what is trivial and not be bound by (the) attachments (you keep) with this small freedom you will be guided to a greater freedom which essentially resides in relationship with the honorables cherish the relationship(s) even with the great blessings given (to me) the constant remembrance (of the divine fold) attained (gratitude) the great prophecies shared (through me) i have slacked in my chosen responsibility to continue to deepen my relationship with the honorables that even great relationships are not enough if they do not continue to become greater for the honorables are boundless and anything rooted in them shares this nature which means there is always more to behold and more to receive forgive me, great guardians for being content with the blessings you have given (me) the blessings are not the cause of (my) stagnancy it is (my) feelings of content which have rendered a dangerous comfort that even (my) appreciation i must release for the pangs of a peaceful hunger which will only be sated by the boundless blessings of infinity and eternity (there is little more, if anything, beyond these) i must release even great happiness to a peaceful hunger for an even greater happiness a hunger that is peaceful for it shall be sated as the covenant of (proven) faith assures a hunger that lives in me because the divine hosts have endless nurturance and sustenance i exist to be nurtured and sustained by the honorables 41

the great providence the best protectors and guides the masters and the teachers my parents the divine fold i also release my lesser bodies my mind my experiential body my emotional body my energetic body my physical body all my lesser bodies i release they have been conditioned to the ways of attachments i release them even as i exist within them that they may be transformed to behold the treasures of enlightenment that dwell within the heart the enlightenment i seek is a road paved through the heart to the honorables

42

i meditate to be shown the chambers of (my) heart that i may be filled by (the) light within (them) and see the songs i should sing with (my) breath learn the dance that will motion (my) honor to inspire (my) inner light to shine in its fullness to be as a house that sits on a hill welcoming the arrival of wisdom and truth a house of honor i meditate to be shown the chambers of (my) heart that i may melt in the silence dissipate in the darkness dissolve (my) forms to be oneness with the honorables that (my) body, mind, and breath may be (one with) the universe all at once so i may be reminded again why i was placed in form in the first place show me the chambers of (my) heart i meditate

43

SECTION TWO gratitude divine hosts i call your names to clear the noise which seeks to occupy (my) mind and bodies (may i) return to silence the sacred sound that guides (my return) to devotion gratitude divine hosts i chant your names repeatedly to overcome (my) forgetfulness (may i) remember i am always in the presence it is (my) forgetfulness that makes (me) a fool it is (my) remembrance that guides (me) to greatness it is (my) forgetfulness that invites pain and suffering allowing conflict and hatred to reign (in my life) it is (my) remembrance that grants (me) the miracles of endless love, peace, and happiness and boundless blessings gratitude divine hosts (may i) realize the wonders of the heart (may i) touch (my) heart with the breath of (my) meditation and resonate (with) the power of silence (that when i speak) (i) speak with the force of the universe united gratitude divine hosts (that) this road is never ending (may i) be not deceived into thinking the final destination has been reached it is (my) continued progression of lessons mastered then mastering mastery which continues to open (me and my) being to great opportunities to be

44

they play in doubt their worship is illusion ignorance masqueraded as sincere seeking yet they delve not beyond their (selfish) comforts quick to find fault in others having mass opinions of things beyond themselves conversations filled with gossip and assumptions avoiding the reflection that shows the shortcomings they own and how they continue to decay and wander further astray from (the) truth which is evident simply because they do not develop (their) awareness they play in doubt it is their playground, their domain truth and wisdom are not respected there appearances are treated as substantial substance is attacked in ways they dont even realize but the directive given (to me) is clear separate (your) being from that even if it pains you to distance your self from loved ones (they have no love if they act like that) take a step back so that you are not consumed by it so that you dont lose all you have gained for the sake of those who do not benefit you o divine hosts i have realized (again) i have wasted so many moments on things that yield (me) no benefit and not that you request that i dont waste any moments i just know i could do more to fulfill the benevolence of your will to expound more the purity that emanates from you through the vessel of (my) heart and remove the preciousness of (my) being from impurities that seek to bind (me) the day of decision is now the sacredness of reality is deepening for there is a reason destruction is allowed to exist in this realm and also a reason protection exists there is a reason judgement will be served destruction for most eternity for a few the day of decision is now we must seek in order to be found 45

and then follow without doubt or change the dictates provided by the honorables which will only deliver (us) providence let what is told be heeded what is shared be honored not triumphed in the realm of thought but then not followed with action i must deepen the understanding of the responsibilities i choose for it does define the present and coming fate (of my soul) and the universe will not celebrate or mourn when that fate is fulfilled that will be for me to do: to celebrate or mourn the fate of (perfect) judgement served the day of decision is now although you have placed me in the reach of others they have no bearing on the responsibilities that are mine i must not let them get in the way, for better or for worse of doing what i have been directed to do keep (my) being pure, the fulfillment of (my) life pure such that even in the company of others i remain still somewhat alone i have learned the importance of honoring the company of those who share the aloneness of purity (in this world) that we may cherish the community of this sacred responsibility and fulfill the blessings of this covenant of love and peace i honor (the gift of) life and those who allow me to live it (the honorables)

46

moment by moment is the mark of appreciation for each moment has unto itself a bounty of beauty and if i, within that moment, find that beauty i become beautiful (at least for the moment) beauty and appreciation are tools for spiritual upliftment and growth in each moment i can find appreciation and beauty appreciating each moment for its (mere) manifestation finding the beauty in that moment that i may be beautiful that these may feed the seeds of growth that expand (my) awareness of life as it is (experienced) in the beauty of each moment as it comes as i live moment to moment i am free from all that existed in the past free from the burdens and treasures for i can find my own treasures in this moment as i live moment to moment i am free from the illusive attachment to the future for in this world, the future remains untouchable until it becomes the present (moment) (understand this metaphor) each moment is an opportunity to define and redefine who i am what i seek and how i get there the consistency of practice is not found moment by moment but within the very moment i exist within be consistent now, in this moment that it may behold (me) and unfold (to me) the wealth of its bounty for the honorables harbor not (their) treasures from the just enjoy the moment but be not bound to it each moment has its own blessings to bestow if we will remain open to them blessings of peace, blessings of love, blessings of freedom which only become hard to find when we bring a confused perception to the present moment relinquish confusion, seek clarity and be in the moment 47

students of this way must become students of the dynamics of energy for every action and chosen inaction is connected to at least one energy dynamic confusion of the fluid flows (of life) allows undercurrents to reign behind the limited perception which maintains that control lies with the top waters broaden (your) awareness to realize the rhythm of energys song from the untouchable force that moves to an object moved by force for the energy of creation remains pure in a world created by portions of creation and pure energy is boundless in formlessness yet few are able to realize energy not captured in form we have been conditioned to deal with forms (embodying) of energy thus the conditions of form further condition how we use energy putting limits upon that which is boundless and not that this is without use its just not the complete reality of what energy is in its unlimited potential learn to seek the essence of creation to realize energy free from forms that you may cultivate and cultivate forms to embody energy that will be conditioned by the conditions you dictate by the forms you choose (or use) to embody energy unbound its not a matter of control but understanding for energy unbound is beyond control but it will honor the purposes placed before it if these purposes honor the nature of energy this is not a distinction of moral judgement rather an invitation from energy to use it to fulfill its purpose to set what is still in motion to give more motion to motion to overcome more stillness energy is not concerned with the outcomes of its empowerment that is an issue to be addressed by those who use energy so be careful what you do and what you allow to be done around you for energy has no regard for morality 48

and if you are careless with the purposes you place before energy you may come to regret what you empower for benefit is benefit and harm is harm regardless of what you intend to manifest and in a universe of cycles which integrate into other cycles one manifestation may initiate other manifestations from a single interaction of energy thus lays the potential for great benefit and great harm which becomes a great responsibility for the students of devotion to study and understand the dynamics of energy that it may be used to further the practice of devotion that we may flow in beneficial harmony with the universe...

49

what do you do when there is nothing to do? when there are no challenges before you? when there is nothing to celebrate or delight within? when there is simply you and (the) potential (to act)? this speaks more true to your practice than anything else for even hypocrites cry and pray when in hardship and sing glories of praise when in the abundance of good fortunes but when life seems neutral and the day is vague what do you make of this? humanity has become consumed with seeking miracles and great acts of faith but these rarely deliver (us to) fulfillment an everyday practice rooted in sincerity is more likely to accomplish this (and other countless blessings) a practice that approaches life moment by moment appreciating each moment to find the beauty therein a practice that honors the dynamics of energy always performing actions and being in the presence of actions that empower beneficence always seeking to make the whole of ones life complete through the fulfillment of simple approaches that instead of taking time to pray, make (your) life a never ending prayer performing as normal activities encompassed in (acts of) prayer is this not devotion? instead of waiting for chosen or unchosen moments to remember the honorables make (your) life an uninterrupted remembrance of the divine fold let (your) words spoke be made manifest through (your) actions (and watch that you dont speak what you dont perform) let peace felt within be peacefully expressed and experienced beyond let happiness be expounded to release (your) fears and negativity to evolve to a maturity where fear and negativity no longer have a place in (your) life forever be (in) harmony with the honorables such that even a yawn becomes an expression of your balanced connection with them let nothing in (your) life be contrary to (your) prayer for the way of (your) prayer is your practice and realize the importance of a strong practice to balance the delicacy of life (in this world) for one single action can destroy all the merit in the universe just as one single action 50

can uplift the universe and in realizing that the universe as such and the opportunity that life is and the power of one action to potentially uplift the universe realize we can live a practice full of actions that continually uplift the universe to totally transform this world from one basked in misunderstood suffering to a world where all come to know how to embrace the reality of happiness it is through our practice and the deepening and expansion of such that these blessings may be fulfilled (pem: practice, energy, moment)

51

even i must deepen my application of the lessons given me that i not allow (my) lifeforce to be disturbed by the energies of frustration for it is no secret that in the age in which these words are received the world is still dominated by fools who set false measures to measure what is immeasurable and set standards which deny the truly capable more than they distinguish them that societies are catered to those who destroy, not those who resonate peace and many potential benefactors of this world are denied opportunities to manifest benefit small minds wrongly justify the limits of their sight as the scope of the world (and universe) to maintain their privilege through oppression as the legacy of suffering continues because healing and benevolence are not limited to what small minds perceive prophets become outcasts when ignorance is the norm wise teachings are misconstrued to paint the lanes of confusion such that if teachers from past ages were resurrected now they would be denied entry into the schools founded on their teachings but it is my responsibility to see that a world dominated by fools is only a reflection of the work that needs to be done (now) in the scope of my time here to see the challenges that need to be resolved the barriers of ignorance that need to be overcome (by wisdom) the changes waiting to take place to transform a world dominated by fools to one ruled by beneficent wisdom that it is my responsibility to see how rare it is for one unaware of the scepter of greatness before them to extend their hand and grasp it (this speaks to most fools) that it is my responsibility to see that those who frustrate me, disappoint me oppose me, seek to bring me harm that it is not for me to exclude them from the world even as i work to transform the world to embody more benefit that it is not my task to exclude them from a world big enough to share even with those who oppose what i work for instead let me build community with those who share the vision of my work as we build, let us separate from those who will destroy our work 52

to cultivate a community that will draw power by how we beautifully and holistically fulfill the manifestation of our work (live maat) that through the cultivation of beneficent blessings others will seek to transform themselves to become part of our community in this manner will our way become the rule that minimizes and eventually ends the dominance of fools it is my responsibility to keep this in the forefront of my awareness and deepen (my) devotion to its fulfillment this is (of) the wisdom of the honorables a covenant they have supported from creation

53

words uttered in the landscape of (our) consciousness yet (our) ignorance veils a deeper realization how often we resemble the things we complain about and are more intimately connected to the things we despise yet i have set (my) mind upon a path of following (my) heart that i may seek to reflect what it knowingly honors that i may burn the veils of (my) unawareness with the flames of concentration and cleanse (my) actions in the ashes that remain that instead of raising (my) ego up to look down upon things i disfavor let me humble (my) whole being to find remnants and remembrances of that worthy to be honored and honor the source and sustainers of all with the best of (my) servitude just as they continue to serve (me) (my) service is not to humanity although they may benefit from it (my) service is only to the divine hosts even as they redirect (their) gifts to other beings that others may be graced by the opportunity to be touched by reminders that the honorables are (real) even if others ignore these obvious signs that is their fate but (i) know to live (the) remembrance (of the honorables) a remembrance to be lived always (in all ways) even in the midst of others unappreciation even when they take advantage of mercy rendered or take kindness for granted do not reciprocate what they receive abuse with other harms, even if not by their intention for truth reveals humanity (as a whole) has treated the honorables thus throughout ages yet (their) service they continue to give not out of forgiveness, but a higher cause for service is not to humanity service is only to the divine hosts for if the honorables cease to serve, they cease to be (honorables) such is the covenant of creation (the first creation and its continuation through sustenance) 54

if the honorables can bear the injustice of humanitys ignorance and arrogance and still provide (their) service so can i deepen and expand my ability to bear such injustice and not let it distract or disrupt (my) remembrance (of the providence) of the honorables the devoted have a higher standard for if the clouds descend from the heavens to roll upon the ground they cease to be clouds and become fog abandoning their higher purpose of gathering portents of life to be shared (as rain) the devoted have a higher standard of following the example of the honorables and if you cannot meet the measure of their standard you are not worthy of life even if they continue to provide the means for you to experience it for the measure is and always is as it is in the face of beneficence and destruction it always is as it is in the face of blessings and harm it always is as it is in the face of honor and abuse it is always an example of the highest virtues of benefit it is always an example of the purpose of life and as a child devoted to my (true) parents let me never forsake this purpose let me make it my everymoment approach that in the face of ease and hardship joys and pain appreciation and disrespect peace and conflict in the presence of fellow devotees in the presence of the walking dead let me always be an example of the purpose of life unwavering in (my) living remembrance of the honorables i am blessed to be able to live (such) remembrance...

55

bear but do not tolerate humanitys ignorance and arrogance deal with that you encounter upon the path but make not a place for it to accompany your journey deal with it to overcome it but dont surrender to it to accept it or make excursions to encounter what is better to avoid for even the honorables in all their power and wisdom separated themselves from humanity because of humanitys ignorance and arrogance (which has continued, if not increased through the ages) this is a lesson with many faces for the students of devotion

56

the first step in resolving any challenge is to look to spirit for spirit realizes all even that which exists beyond (my) sight beyond (my) mind beyond (my) perceptions beyond knowledge and realization is an invitation to clarity it was said to me: change your life (and all that it encompasses) by changing who you are and how you live and what you do that these may serve as realizations and expressions of that you were created to be (purpose) and i said in return: how foolish i have been to ever think i was not worthy of (your) love building castles in the sky without having wings to reach them i am worthy but i must live this confession by aligning through the harmony of action and intention who i am how i live and what i do that these may declare (by their very own being) my places within such worthiness devotion remembrance concentration faith (assured trust) honesty (i) set (my) life apart from the world to fulfill (my) purpose and (my) purpose has (been) shown (to me) 57

(to be) oneness with the honorables this is happiness this is life this is peace this is love let every facet of (my) existence spring from this realization to be remembered in every present moment (i have) i gain nothing by pursuing higher teachings if i forget or neglect the simple realities that serve as their foundation i gain nothing by pursuing mastery if i forget or neglect these simple lessons: devotion remembrance concentration faith (assured trust) honesty in these lay the power of all there is accessible through (my) potential granted through mercy which is also a responsibility for why should the honorables deliver (us) blessings we have the means to manifest and attain yet do not the blessed will be blessed because we shall bless ourselves (our beings) and reflect the beauty of blessings to all who have eyes to see ears to hear and humility to understand through the means of reality (not belief) to be a blessing to the universe simply by being what words cannot reveal the heart can still understand i am only a messenger the message received through my present being such that where my strengths do comprehend i can share its beauty 58

such that where my weaknesses prevail i compromise what i am able to share and the whole of the message becomes partial so i pray for clarity as i continue to cultivate (my) spiritual maturity that i may see my strengths and share abundantly the beauty i (can) understand so i pray for clarity as i continue to cultivate (my) spiritual maturity that i may see my weaknesses to see how i hold to them preventing (my) being from fulfilling to the fullest the sacred purpose i have been given that i may shed (my) awareness upon them and bring healing to release that which i was never intended to behold weakness when strength is the providence granted the children of divinity the children of the honorables i am humbled i am grateful for all that i receive may i share the blessings of the message through wisdom and in peace...

59

the worst has passed come, enjoy the blessings of fulfillment return to being (who you are) and embrace the deeper humility cherish the glorious practice of honor conquer (your) impatience with appreciation broaden (your) perception to realize (the) blessings (you have not fully acknowledged) resume the reign of (your) being the nectar of the sweetest fruit is within (the fruit) do not be afraid to fall apart but let not humanity be the cause of your fall but if the honorables come with axe, hammer, and fire know that what they destroy they will rebuild better for they would not destroy that which serves your best benefit so hold not to lesser things that they interfere with the bestowal of greater blessings form is transformative in the cycle of life only in death is form held to, that it may decay i will destroy the temple built with dirt and muddy stones and resurrect its greatness with a temple built of pure gold to be everlasting perfect without blemish a reflection of love and truth know that i am the one (of many) the first creator and now (also) live through you ashi, do not slacken the burden we have enabled you to carry laziness is the poison that discreetly infects the nectar of the sweetest fruit maintain your discipline with vigor hold high each of the three scrolls we placed within your heart that you may continue to master your study of each to reach their source for it is in you to be a perfect scribe for the blank roll of parchment we place before your life we choose you over all beings except a select few for you have chosen the honorables over all else you are genuine you are a testament of love you are a beacon of truth, a master of wisdom 60

you are endowed with endless blessings your story is glory your path is burned with fires that leave ashes of untouched rose petals that other sincere souls who follow may have a sweeter, easier journey if they walk this path (to maat) you are perfecting perfection you are peace and sublime endless growth you are an artist of remembrance you are a measureless treasure that can be bought in whole for the smallest piece of (pure) love it is your responsibility to not undervalue the precious treasures and abilities granted to you by the grace of the divine fold it is not a gift (that is yours) it is a providence shared in trust it is life to not violate this trust

61

i have come to a place where the path has disappeared and each step leaves me in the middle of nowhere as love abounds, peace remains still, (my) faith is concentrated the journey is, yet is no more i am now faced with essential factors what will my practice be when there is nothing left to do who will i be when theres no longer a need for personality what will i sing when the song is gone there is a time for some when we must wait for the honorables we must release everything (this goes so deep beyond possessions to the essence of [ones] being) and even release what it means to release and bow our heads at the gates of the (celestial) kingdom and wait in silence that there be no attachment to ones practice and how this shapes (our) perception to have expectations of how reality will or should manifest release it all and simply bow at the gates of the (celestial) kingdom and wait for the honorables to come in whatever way they will you may even find that the kingdom will disappear and no one will come but even in this way the honorables may still be there the path of (your) discovery and development may become the path of (your) destruction if you make it your worship and not the means of (your) honor for means may evolve as proximity to the destination is gained and thus, (our) means may change but the portents of honor remain service of the divine fold the covenants of love the seals of truth and faith the dominion of peace and wisdom that regardless of the path or no path as i am, these are even in the middle of nowhere where the journey is no more where there is nothing for me to do 62

nothing for me to be and the song is gone open heart source the beauty of fulfillment the fulfillment of devotion

63

a return to (a deepening of) devotion. Copyright 2006. nashid fareed. Version Two (October 2006)

64