Sunsets Into Sunrises
Bishop Martin - The Progress of a Soul in the Beyond
- Chapter 95 -
CHANCHA'S DESIRE TO FATHOM THE NATURE OF THE LORD. - THE LORD'S FORMULA. - CHANCHAH'S GLOWING LOVE FOR THE LORD.
Chanchah receives the garment with reverence, and as soon as she touches it, it gloriously embellishes her whole being. Standing there in her celestial attire, she weeps for joy and says: "Oh, friend, tell me your name that I may write it forever in my heart with glowing letters."
2
(Say I): "Fairest Chanchah, this is already done, and if you probe your heart you will find that which you now want to hear from Me. I assure you, your love for Me will reveal everything to you."
3
(Chanchah ponders My words, astonished, then after a while, she repeats thoughtfully): " 'Your love for me will reveal everything to you. What you want to do is already done. Probe your heart and you will find what you want to hear from Me.'
4
How peculiar! Hmm, how can he speak like that? And why does my heart burn with love for him when he speaks to me? His voice has such might and magic that I feel he should be capable of creating and then destroying worlds just by the power of his speech. His incomparable gentleness, on the other hand, emanates truly divine sternness. Truly, I have a presentiment of something great!
5
Oh, you holy word, not heard on earth! Holy sound of speech: 'Your love for me will reveal everything to you.' I wanted to know only one thing - his name! But he says: 'Everything! Everything!' How much more the 'everything' must comprise!
6
Oh, Lama, you great, holy Lama, how shall I comprehend this? What a glorious stature, what majesty in the expression of his eyes! Also, the other two men are of sublime stature, and seem to be very wise and mighty. However, when I look at this one, my heart takes fire and bums like the huge torch above the tall tower of the emperor's castle, illuminating the entire city better than the full moon!
7
(Chanchah addresses Me): Oh, my dear, divine friend! The words you have spoken to me, who but you could interpret them? They have awakened in my heart a profound anticipation and I cannot hide it any longer - a deep and mighty love for you, most glorious one! It is true what you said: 'Your love for me!' Yes, my love for you, glorious one!
8
When I walked on earth through the beautiful, vast gardens of my city, I often listened to the faint sounds with which the swans, gliding gracefully over the surface of a beautiful pond, would greet the setting sun. Although glorious sounds, they could not be compared to the gentle sound of your speech.
9
I often went for early morning walks, taking my wind harp with me. When the gentle morning breeze greeted its strings, it gave such a wonderful sound that it made my heart quiver with joy. That was then, but now - since I have heard the celestial sound of your voice - that sound of the harp would no longer stir Chanchah's heart.
10
How sweet my mother's words used to sound when she called to me: 'Chanchah, my life, come to the heart of your mother who loves you more than her own life.' That call, dear friend, held more harmony than the world could comprehend. And how happy it made the gay Chanchah. The whole world brightened. It became like a celestial garden!
11
But then, dear, glorious friend, I had not yet heard the sound of your voice! And when I look at you now, when my quivering heart still hears the celestial sound of your speech like an echo from the heavens, all that former happiness sinks back into the dust. Oh, you glorious one, what will I do if my heart keeps burning for you more and more fiercely?
12
Lama, Lama, you are no doubt great and glorious, and should be loved above all else! But how can poor Chanchah help it if her heart has apprehended this one, who must be your friend, with so much tenderness?
13
And you - most glorious one - won't be angry with me for daring to love you so deeply, will you? For I cannot help it that you have become so sacred to my heart.
14
I was taught in the world that for the good people there was a heaven which was a thousand times more beautiful than Peking, that great imperial city, and this heaven was more sublime than the majestic blue mountains. But for me, this celestial splendor is empty, and I believe that only a heart can be heaven to another heart forever.
15
In you I have found my heaven of heavens! Oh, if you could only find a little bit of pleasure in me too!" With these words, the sweet maiden throws herself at My feet.
16
(Bishop Martin): "O Lord - I mean 'brother', I almost gave You away - I have never seen such maidenly tenderness. That is surely real love! Compared to this, I feel like a mangy ox! What do you think, brother Borem? There is a lot we could still learn from her!"
17
(Borem, full of respect, says): "Indeed, dear brother Martin, in the presence of the Master of masters, we shall keep learning forever! I do admire this fair Chinese maiden. It will be a long time before we shall be able to compete with the tenderness of her emotions and the typically oriental ardor of her love. It is most enjoyable to hear her words and watch the enhancement of her love. But the greatest happiness for us is to see the direction her still blind love is taking."