STORIES OF MARTIN
By Joseph Babinsky
Copyright 2012 by Joseph Babinsky. All rights reserved.
On a Mountain Trail near Tucson, Arizona
The background of the character of Martin in my stories is that on my 50th birthday in 1985 I met a man on a hiking trail in the Catalina Mountains located north of the city of Tucson.
The hiker was old; I would estimate his age to be about 80 or 85. He wore a worn tan denim shirt and matching trousers. His boots were not comfortable hiking boots like mine; they were the sort that a man might wear when he worked in his vegetable garden. He wore no hat and did not carry a back pack. He was heavy set, but certainly not overweight.
I was sitting on a large rock having a snack and resting just off the trail. He glanced at me and stopped. We chatted a few minutes and then he continued on a trail that steadily rose higher in the mountain. I climbed off the rock and turned the other way, and started the descent to my waiting vehicle.
His presence made a deep impression on me, which is shown in the fact that I have never forgotten this stranger. He returned, and in some mystical way, he continued to show up in my life in the form of stories that I would write about him.
The hiker was old; I would estimate his age to be about 80 or 85. He wore a worn tan denim shirt and matching trousers. His boots were not comfortable hiking boots like mine; they were the sort that a man might wear when he worked in his vegetable garden. He wore no hat and did not carry a back pack. He was heavy set, but certainly not overweight.
I was sitting on a large rock having a snack and resting just off the trail. He glanced at me and stopped. We chatted a few minutes and then he continued on a trail that steadily rose higher in the mountain. I climbed off the rock and turned the other way, and started the descent to my waiting vehicle.
His presence made a deep impression on me, which is shown in the fact that I have never forgotten this stranger. He returned, and in some mystical way, he continued to show up in my life in the form of stories that I would write about him.
Two Books
A Story - Written late summer or early fall of 2004
One day while hiking I had a very unusual experience. Our family had moved from Tucson to a mountain town called Prescott, in Arizona.
The trail is located alongside a lake not too far from our home. After walking several miles, I spotted a place above the path to rest; it seemed a perfect shady spot which overlooked the water. As I was resting, I heard faint footsteps approaching my location. I looked along the trail I had just walked and saw a man shuffling along; with the noise he was making I guessed that he was old and weary.
Accompanying the sight of this man was a thought – a memory, a remembrance of something out of my past. Was I experiencing de ja vu? Where did this scene happen before?
The stranger approached and spotted me sitting on the hillside. He came closer and said, “I don’t mean to disturb you, but may I rest here awhile with you?”
I invited him to stay and sit, but, to be honest, I’d much rather have been left alone. We sat in silence only a short while when the stranger turned and said, “You don’t remember me, do you, Joseph?”
I admitted to myself that my thoughts were scrambling for a memory to hook on to; but I was not able to pinpoint why this scene and the presence of this man appeared absolutely familiar.
“How is it that you know my name, sir,” I finally replied.
The stranger chuckled and said, “I remember you well, Joseph; we first met many years ago on a remote hiking trail near Tucson. Do you not recall the hike that you took on the occasion of your fiftieth birthday?”
Like a flash of lightening, the words of this stranger triggered my memory and what happened on the day of my fiftieth birthday.
Just like today, I was walking alone (though today is not my birthday, but I do usually go for a walk as a way of my way of celebrating my birthday). I remember that I was resting on a rock overlooking a valley and saw a man walking the trail.
When he was close to my position he stopped to rest with me. I remember that we shared thoughts; I also recall that I told the stranger a few experiences from my life’s journey. But that was nearly twenty years ago; frankly I had forgotten all about him.
“You’re Martin?” I finally blurted out, almost in a shout. “I can’t believe that you are here again. What a wonderful coincidence!”
“Coincidences are only a matter of perception, Joseph. Apparently you have also forgotten that I told you that we would see each other again.”
“I do recall that you said something like that; only, I received it then as the sort of remark one might say as a departing word.”
“Well, I am here now, and I assure you that we will soon be meeting quite often.”
We then talked a short time about my family and work. Not surprisingly, just like years ago, I shared with Martin some aspects of my present spiritual journey. I found it quite easy to speak with him; his mere presence relaxed me, and I shared more personal experiences with him than I ordinarily would with a stranger. Only, it seemed that Martin was no longer a stranger to me.
During our conversation, Martin said this, “Joseph, you are in a unique place in your life; you are at a turning point. I want to help you make the right choice. It is like walking the trails you used to hike in the Catalina Mountains near Tucson. Many trails eventually lead to the same destination, but some of those paths take a very circuitous route. But other trails are like distractions; they never actually lead you anywhere.”
I laughed and said, “How well I remember taking a few of those trails; one in particular nearly killed me. I chose a trail that I thought was a shortcut; it took me over eight hours to find my way back. It was after dark when I arrived safely at my car. I had no flash light; I was out of food and water. That was a very frightful hike. Martin, are you suggesting that I am facing the same sort of thing in my spiritual life at this time?”
“That is exactly what I am saying, Joseph. You have come a very long way in the years since I last spoke with you; yet, if you care to admit it, don’t you feel that presently you are very perplexed about your next step?”
This conversation was as uncanny as it was unsettling. My memory was getting clearer, for I remembered now that twenty years ago I had the same sort of talk with Martin. I had spoken about personal things to a perfect stranger and Martin talked the same way then as he was talking today.
“Martin, how is it that you are saying this? Are you just guessing, or are you somehow able to read my thoughts?”
“Let’s just allow this to rest for now as to how I know this about you. As we talk more in the days ahead you will get to know me better, and you will have a better feel for the source of my information. Joseph, I will not be staying with you much longer today; I need to start walking back. Is there anything else that you feel you need to ask me or tell me before I leave?”
The shock of seeing and talking to Martin again was almost too much for me to digest. Most of my questions remained jumbled in my head; about the only thing I was able to get out was this, “Martin, when will we meet again? Will it be soon, or will you wait another twenty years to show up?”
“I guarantee you that it will not be twenty years, Joseph; but it will not be real soon. First, you will have an experience that will involve two books. After you have read these books, we will meet again.”
“A book? Two books? What sort of books? I read a lot; how will I know the book I will be reading is the one you have in your mind right now? Why not just tell me the name of the books and then I will go looking for them today?”
“No, Joseph, that’s not how I am. I will not remove the mystery and surprises of daily life from you. You’ll know when you see the first one; I assure you, you will know.”
With this said Martin stood up and walked away.
There was so much to think about. What a fantastic experience to see and speak with Martin after a twenty year absence!
After sitting for a long time, I picked up my backpack and resumed my walk. I could hardly wait to get home to look in my journal. I was certain I would find something I wrote about my fiftieth birthday and my chance meeting with Martin. But, then again, maybe the meeting with Martin twenty years ago did not mean that much to me. Maybe I didn’t record the meeting with him in my journal after all.
The first meeting with him is easily dismissed as a pure chance encounter. And that’s probably why I’d forgotten about our meeting. However, seeing Martin again today excited as well as unnerved me; this was no chance meeting. It appeared to me that Martin planned this. Today was not a coincidence. What was it that Martin said? Something about coincidence and perception; that is it! He said:
Coincidences are only a matter of perception.
The trail is located alongside a lake not too far from our home. After walking several miles, I spotted a place above the path to rest; it seemed a perfect shady spot which overlooked the water. As I was resting, I heard faint footsteps approaching my location. I looked along the trail I had just walked and saw a man shuffling along; with the noise he was making I guessed that he was old and weary.
Accompanying the sight of this man was a thought – a memory, a remembrance of something out of my past. Was I experiencing de ja vu? Where did this scene happen before?
The stranger approached and spotted me sitting on the hillside. He came closer and said, “I don’t mean to disturb you, but may I rest here awhile with you?”
I invited him to stay and sit, but, to be honest, I’d much rather have been left alone. We sat in silence only a short while when the stranger turned and said, “You don’t remember me, do you, Joseph?”
I admitted to myself that my thoughts were scrambling for a memory to hook on to; but I was not able to pinpoint why this scene and the presence of this man appeared absolutely familiar.
“How is it that you know my name, sir,” I finally replied.
The stranger chuckled and said, “I remember you well, Joseph; we first met many years ago on a remote hiking trail near Tucson. Do you not recall the hike that you took on the occasion of your fiftieth birthday?”
Like a flash of lightening, the words of this stranger triggered my memory and what happened on the day of my fiftieth birthday.
Just like today, I was walking alone (though today is not my birthday, but I do usually go for a walk as a way of my way of celebrating my birthday). I remember that I was resting on a rock overlooking a valley and saw a man walking the trail.
When he was close to my position he stopped to rest with me. I remember that we shared thoughts; I also recall that I told the stranger a few experiences from my life’s journey. But that was nearly twenty years ago; frankly I had forgotten all about him.
“You’re Martin?” I finally blurted out, almost in a shout. “I can’t believe that you are here again. What a wonderful coincidence!”
“Coincidences are only a matter of perception, Joseph. Apparently you have also forgotten that I told you that we would see each other again.”
“I do recall that you said something like that; only, I received it then as the sort of remark one might say as a departing word.”
“Well, I am here now, and I assure you that we will soon be meeting quite often.”
We then talked a short time about my family and work. Not surprisingly, just like years ago, I shared with Martin some aspects of my present spiritual journey. I found it quite easy to speak with him; his mere presence relaxed me, and I shared more personal experiences with him than I ordinarily would with a stranger. Only, it seemed that Martin was no longer a stranger to me.
During our conversation, Martin said this, “Joseph, you are in a unique place in your life; you are at a turning point. I want to help you make the right choice. It is like walking the trails you used to hike in the Catalina Mountains near Tucson. Many trails eventually lead to the same destination, but some of those paths take a very circuitous route. But other trails are like distractions; they never actually lead you anywhere.”
I laughed and said, “How well I remember taking a few of those trails; one in particular nearly killed me. I chose a trail that I thought was a shortcut; it took me over eight hours to find my way back. It was after dark when I arrived safely at my car. I had no flash light; I was out of food and water. That was a very frightful hike. Martin, are you suggesting that I am facing the same sort of thing in my spiritual life at this time?”
“That is exactly what I am saying, Joseph. You have come a very long way in the years since I last spoke with you; yet, if you care to admit it, don’t you feel that presently you are very perplexed about your next step?”
This conversation was as uncanny as it was unsettling. My memory was getting clearer, for I remembered now that twenty years ago I had the same sort of talk with Martin. I had spoken about personal things to a perfect stranger and Martin talked the same way then as he was talking today.
“Martin, how is it that you are saying this? Are you just guessing, or are you somehow able to read my thoughts?”
“Let’s just allow this to rest for now as to how I know this about you. As we talk more in the days ahead you will get to know me better, and you will have a better feel for the source of my information. Joseph, I will not be staying with you much longer today; I need to start walking back. Is there anything else that you feel you need to ask me or tell me before I leave?”
The shock of seeing and talking to Martin again was almost too much for me to digest. Most of my questions remained jumbled in my head; about the only thing I was able to get out was this, “Martin, when will we meet again? Will it be soon, or will you wait another twenty years to show up?”
“I guarantee you that it will not be twenty years, Joseph; but it will not be real soon. First, you will have an experience that will involve two books. After you have read these books, we will meet again.”
“A book? Two books? What sort of books? I read a lot; how will I know the book I will be reading is the one you have in your mind right now? Why not just tell me the name of the books and then I will go looking for them today?”
“No, Joseph, that’s not how I am. I will not remove the mystery and surprises of daily life from you. You’ll know when you see the first one; I assure you, you will know.”
With this said Martin stood up and walked away.
There was so much to think about. What a fantastic experience to see and speak with Martin after a twenty year absence!
After sitting for a long time, I picked up my backpack and resumed my walk. I could hardly wait to get home to look in my journal. I was certain I would find something I wrote about my fiftieth birthday and my chance meeting with Martin. But, then again, maybe the meeting with Martin twenty years ago did not mean that much to me. Maybe I didn’t record the meeting with him in my journal after all.
The first meeting with him is easily dismissed as a pure chance encounter. And that’s probably why I’d forgotten about our meeting. However, seeing Martin again today excited as well as unnerved me; this was no chance meeting. It appeared to me that Martin planned this. Today was not a coincidence. What was it that Martin said? Something about coincidence and perception; that is it! He said:
Coincidences are only a matter of perception.
A Bench in the City Park
A Story - Written in late 2005 or early 2006
It was a beautiful summer day, one that beckoned me to go outdoors and walk about. The morning hours after sunrise in Arizona are cool, a wonderful time to walk.
After I had been walking for about forty minutes I spotted a bench to sit for a rest. It wasn’t that I was tired and required rest. The day was beautiful and I was in no hurry. It was a good time to stop – to pause and receive the wonderful gifts of Mother Earth.
However, no sooner did I sit down when my anticipated time for daydreaming (my kind of meditation) was abruptly changed. The interruption though totally unexpected, was welcomed by me with great enthusiasm!
It wasn’t long after I stopped at the park bench that I saw him – Martin was walking toward me!
The months that passed since we last met left me with days wondering when our next meeting would be. Though I knew I would see him again, it was a great relief when I saw him walking toward me. It wasn’t that I doubted he would show up again in my life; I just wanted to see him and have our conversation resume.
Thus, like a young school boy welcoming his friend to the ball park, I stood up to wave toward him. He didn’t wave back, but I thought I saw a brief smile cross his face. I feel he was happy to see me too.
“Hello, Martin!” I said as I reached out to greet him with a handshake. “I’m happy to see you again.”
“Good morning, Joseph. That’s certainly a bright red shirt you are wearing. I couldn’t miss you if I tried.”
His handshake was gentle but very firm. It exuded strength beyond his years. His voice had a bit of a chuckle in it when he commented about my red shirt.
“Oh, this shirt? It was given to me by my children on Father’s Day. I don’t think I have ever owned a red shirt and I like it much better than I thought when I first opened the box.
“Thank you for noticing. How have you been, Martin? You haven’t changed a bit. In fact, if my memory serves me right, you’re wearing the same clothes; at least they look the same.”
We sat together on the bench; Martin was wearing blue jeans, an old leather belt through the loops with a plain buckle. He had a light colored tan button-up long sleeve shirt which looked a size too large. His shoes looked like old work boots. He wasn’t wearing a hat, and his hair was white with a yellowish tint. His beard was the same color but perhaps a bit whiter; he wore his beard short. His eyes were soft blue with a hint of green, and he didn’t wear glasses. His voice was deep, but soft, with a slight rasp that made it very easy for me to listen.
“I’m certain we have not come together to meet and talk about clothes. But you are right in your observation; I rarely change the type of clothes I wear. This makes life very simple for me. The simpler and less complicated, the better I like it. As to my health, it is the same as last year. Thank you for asking. And you are looking well, Joseph.”
I picked up a slight curtness in his voice, though he certainly was very polite in his manner. It was apparent he came to talk about other things.
Martin turned on the bench to look directly in my eyes and said, “Joseph, I assume you have the two books I had in mind when we last met?”
“I have read quite a few books in the past year, Martin. But I think I know which two books you are referring to. The first is Renard’s book, The Disappearance of the Universe; and the other is the blue book, A Course in Miracles. Am I correct?”
“Yes, Joseph. These are the two books you were meant to read for this phase in your journey. They are only sent to help, however. The real work you need to do is still the same as before the books arrived in your life. This work you already know about; it has to do with the journey within. These two books were given you as a way to speed up your interior life-change. Is this how you understand the presence of the books and your work?”
“I think I do now; but I have to say that when I first read the books, I thought I had to forget everything in the past. I thought everything I ever wrote had to be discarded. And I thought I was going through a conversion experience similar to what I went through when I had the Pentecostal experience thirty years ago.”
“But you do not believe this about yourself today?”
“No, I don’t."
“Good. It has been very important for you to pull away from your activities during the time you are given to study these two books; not to write, for example, and also to pull back from your involvements with the Internet, your cyberworld friends in particular. This is the time for intense attention to Self, not your small self, but to the larger Self that you really are.”
“That is exactly where I am in my thoughts too, Martin. I find it extremely interesting how you appear to mirror my thoughts. Do you know why this is?”
“Of course, I know, Joseph. This will be discussed at a later time. I promised you that we will meet often, and we will. Each subject we discuss will have its due time. You will want to ask questions; but you must understand that some answers will need to wait.”
While Martin was talking, I had feeling that his visit with me would not be long today. I had a few questions I wanted to ask before he left.
“Martin, when I began to do the Lessons in the Workbook of A Course in Miracles, I made the decision not to read other books. I planned to concentrate only on the lessons and not be distracted by other people’s thoughts and interpretations. I wanted to listen as best I could to the Voice of the Inner Teacher. Was this a wise decision?”
“Yes, Joseph, your decision indeed was indeed very wise. Remember, as I already said, your work is primarily interior; these books were given to you to speed up the time required for your awakening. You are on a fast track self-study course. Stay with this; you will see that this will pay great dividends in a very short time. Now, it is time for me to leave. My wife is waiting and I told her I would not be long.”
“When will I see you again, Martin? Will it be another year? That seems too long to wait.”
“Our next meeting will not be far off. Keep up the work with your daily lessons. Your lessons will be your clue as to when we will meet again. Keenly observe the Spirit as you continue; closely listen to the Voice within; follow you heart. You already know all this. I am only reminding you now so that you will continue with your present course. Don’t get distracted and don’t listen to strange voices. You know the difference.”
I had to ask one more question. This question had been burning inside me ever since I read Gary Renard’s book.
“Martin, one last question before you leave. In Gary’s book, he writes about his experiences with two ascended masters, Arten and Pursah. Is my experience with you in any way similar to Gary’s experience?”
At the asking of this question, Martin let out an unrestrained laugh. I did not sense that Martin was laughing at me or my question; there was an unmistakable presence of joy in his laughter.
“Joseph, I will not hide this from you; I say again, the answers you seek will come to you. However, in order to encourage you, if you look very closely within you, the question you ask is already answered there.”
With this, Martin stood and walked away.
I watched him until I lost sight of him when he turned on another path that led out of the park.
The place where I was sitting felt like a sacred location. I knew better than to venerate it; yet, I admit that I was tempted to think of this as a holy place.
I continued to sit on the park bench for quite a long time afterwards, reviewing Martin’s words. Mixed with my thoughts were questions – questions about Martin. Who is Martin? Why does he show up in my life? How does Martin know where to find me when he wants to meet with me? How does he appear to know so much about me? How is it that he seems to mirror many of my private thoughts? When will he next come to me? Or, will I somehow go to him in the days ahead? How will I find him? He said that he was married; what about his wife? Is she as perceptive as Martin? What is her name? Will I meet her? Where do they live?
The thoughts and questions kept flowing, freely walking about in my mind like guests in an art gallery. Yet, nothing I entertained led to obvious answers. With reluctance, I finally stood. It was time for me to go. It was time for me to go home to my wife and son and daughter.
After I had been walking for about forty minutes I spotted a bench to sit for a rest. It wasn’t that I was tired and required rest. The day was beautiful and I was in no hurry. It was a good time to stop – to pause and receive the wonderful gifts of Mother Earth.
However, no sooner did I sit down when my anticipated time for daydreaming (my kind of meditation) was abruptly changed. The interruption though totally unexpected, was welcomed by me with great enthusiasm!
It wasn’t long after I stopped at the park bench that I saw him – Martin was walking toward me!
The months that passed since we last met left me with days wondering when our next meeting would be. Though I knew I would see him again, it was a great relief when I saw him walking toward me. It wasn’t that I doubted he would show up again in my life; I just wanted to see him and have our conversation resume.
Thus, like a young school boy welcoming his friend to the ball park, I stood up to wave toward him. He didn’t wave back, but I thought I saw a brief smile cross his face. I feel he was happy to see me too.
“Hello, Martin!” I said as I reached out to greet him with a handshake. “I’m happy to see you again.”
“Good morning, Joseph. That’s certainly a bright red shirt you are wearing. I couldn’t miss you if I tried.”
His handshake was gentle but very firm. It exuded strength beyond his years. His voice had a bit of a chuckle in it when he commented about my red shirt.
“Oh, this shirt? It was given to me by my children on Father’s Day. I don’t think I have ever owned a red shirt and I like it much better than I thought when I first opened the box.
“Thank you for noticing. How have you been, Martin? You haven’t changed a bit. In fact, if my memory serves me right, you’re wearing the same clothes; at least they look the same.”
We sat together on the bench; Martin was wearing blue jeans, an old leather belt through the loops with a plain buckle. He had a light colored tan button-up long sleeve shirt which looked a size too large. His shoes looked like old work boots. He wasn’t wearing a hat, and his hair was white with a yellowish tint. His beard was the same color but perhaps a bit whiter; he wore his beard short. His eyes were soft blue with a hint of green, and he didn’t wear glasses. His voice was deep, but soft, with a slight rasp that made it very easy for me to listen.
“I’m certain we have not come together to meet and talk about clothes. But you are right in your observation; I rarely change the type of clothes I wear. This makes life very simple for me. The simpler and less complicated, the better I like it. As to my health, it is the same as last year. Thank you for asking. And you are looking well, Joseph.”
I picked up a slight curtness in his voice, though he certainly was very polite in his manner. It was apparent he came to talk about other things.
Martin turned on the bench to look directly in my eyes and said, “Joseph, I assume you have the two books I had in mind when we last met?”
“I have read quite a few books in the past year, Martin. But I think I know which two books you are referring to. The first is Renard’s book, The Disappearance of the Universe; and the other is the blue book, A Course in Miracles. Am I correct?”
“Yes, Joseph. These are the two books you were meant to read for this phase in your journey. They are only sent to help, however. The real work you need to do is still the same as before the books arrived in your life. This work you already know about; it has to do with the journey within. These two books were given you as a way to speed up your interior life-change. Is this how you understand the presence of the books and your work?”
“I think I do now; but I have to say that when I first read the books, I thought I had to forget everything in the past. I thought everything I ever wrote had to be discarded. And I thought I was going through a conversion experience similar to what I went through when I had the Pentecostal experience thirty years ago.”
“But you do not believe this about yourself today?”
“No, I don’t."
“Good. It has been very important for you to pull away from your activities during the time you are given to study these two books; not to write, for example, and also to pull back from your involvements with the Internet, your cyberworld friends in particular. This is the time for intense attention to Self, not your small self, but to the larger Self that you really are.”
“That is exactly where I am in my thoughts too, Martin. I find it extremely interesting how you appear to mirror my thoughts. Do you know why this is?”
“Of course, I know, Joseph. This will be discussed at a later time. I promised you that we will meet often, and we will. Each subject we discuss will have its due time. You will want to ask questions; but you must understand that some answers will need to wait.”
While Martin was talking, I had feeling that his visit with me would not be long today. I had a few questions I wanted to ask before he left.
“Martin, when I began to do the Lessons in the Workbook of A Course in Miracles, I made the decision not to read other books. I planned to concentrate only on the lessons and not be distracted by other people’s thoughts and interpretations. I wanted to listen as best I could to the Voice of the Inner Teacher. Was this a wise decision?”
“Yes, Joseph, your decision indeed was indeed very wise. Remember, as I already said, your work is primarily interior; these books were given to you to speed up the time required for your awakening. You are on a fast track self-study course. Stay with this; you will see that this will pay great dividends in a very short time. Now, it is time for me to leave. My wife is waiting and I told her I would not be long.”
“When will I see you again, Martin? Will it be another year? That seems too long to wait.”
“Our next meeting will not be far off. Keep up the work with your daily lessons. Your lessons will be your clue as to when we will meet again. Keenly observe the Spirit as you continue; closely listen to the Voice within; follow you heart. You already know all this. I am only reminding you now so that you will continue with your present course. Don’t get distracted and don’t listen to strange voices. You know the difference.”
I had to ask one more question. This question had been burning inside me ever since I read Gary Renard’s book.
“Martin, one last question before you leave. In Gary’s book, he writes about his experiences with two ascended masters, Arten and Pursah. Is my experience with you in any way similar to Gary’s experience?”
At the asking of this question, Martin let out an unrestrained laugh. I did not sense that Martin was laughing at me or my question; there was an unmistakable presence of joy in his laughter.
“Joseph, I will not hide this from you; I say again, the answers you seek will come to you. However, in order to encourage you, if you look very closely within you, the question you ask is already answered there.”
With this, Martin stood and walked away.
I watched him until I lost sight of him when he turned on another path that led out of the park.
The place where I was sitting felt like a sacred location. I knew better than to venerate it; yet, I admit that I was tempted to think of this as a holy place.
I continued to sit on the park bench for quite a long time afterwards, reviewing Martin’s words. Mixed with my thoughts were questions – questions about Martin. Who is Martin? Why does he show up in my life? How does Martin know where to find me when he wants to meet with me? How does he appear to know so much about me? How is it that he seems to mirror many of my private thoughts? When will he next come to me? Or, will I somehow go to him in the days ahead? How will I find him? He said that he was married; what about his wife? Is she as perceptive as Martin? What is her name? Will I meet her? Where do they live?
The thoughts and questions kept flowing, freely walking about in my mind like guests in an art gallery. Yet, nothing I entertained led to obvious answers. With reluctance, I finally stood. It was time for me to go. It was time for me to go home to my wife and son and daughter.
The Beach - Somewhere at the Pacific Ocean
A Story - Written late 2006
I sat on the beach watching dolphins, and as far as I knew, I was all alone. I did not sense the presence of another human. I was so completely engrossed watching my dolphin friends that I did not hear the footsteps in the sand.
“Dolphins are wise teachers from the deep,” I heard a male voice say.
The tone of this voice sounded very familiar and when I turned around I saw him, my friend.
“Martin!” I exclaimed with joy as I quickly stood. “Am I ever happy to see you!”
In his usual calm, somewhat detached manner, he replied, “Joseph, I am happy to see you too. You look well considering the very long time that you were in the ocean.”
“Why am I not that surprised to see you here? You have this wonderful knack to show up at the exact right time.”
Martin said nothing, but smiled. I paused and then continued: “Why are you here now?”
“I have come to welcome your return. It is not everyday someone emerges from the ocean after three months absence.”
“Three months? I have been in the water three whole months?”
“Well, to be precise, you have been gone 99 days,” Martin responded matter of factually.
“That’s impossible; how did I survive 99 days?"
“You have had much help, Joseph. You were never alone. You know that don’t you?”
“I certainly felt secure and unafraid the entire time. But to tell you the truth, Martin, I feel that I was not in the ocean 3 months.”
“You are right in saying this, Joseph. In truth, you were not gone 99 days, but less than 3 full days … at least in terms of your earth time. Your experience of time was expanded for you in order to make it seem to you that there were many days and months in the water. As I said, you had many present with you and helping you in this journey.”
“So my wife and children have not been alarmed? I did tell them I would be gone about three days, but I did not inform them where I was going when I drove to the ocean.”
“Very few will understand the story of your experience. I suggest that you not be in a hurry to tell anyone about this, even your own family. You will need to work on integrating all aspects of your experience, allowing the assimilation of new growth and information. The calmness you are feeling now will not leave you.”
Laughing, I said, “Martin, did you have anything to do with the appearance of my clothes on the beach today?”
Martin chuckled, “I thought you would appreciate this gesture. Here, I also brought you a small gift.”
He handed me a paper bag. I looked inside and laughed when I saw a variety of fresh fruit.
“Martin! Thank you! I haven’t been all that hungry but right now my palette is craving exactly what you have given to me. Thank you!”
“You are welcome. Will you be going soon to your truck to drive home?”
“No – well, at least not immediately. I want to stay on the beach for a while longer. I want to greet the sun, and then I want to commune here in gratefulness. You may stay with me if you wish.”
“I think it is wise for you to stay alone. Leave when you feel ready. I will go now; the sun is about to rise.”
Martin turned to walk away, but as he often does, he turned toward me one last time to say, “Remember, Joseph, we are one.”
I smiled and replied, “Yes, Martin, we are one.”
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Read the final episode in this series of stories about Martin and me. The next story is titled Never Alone. Click HERE to read it.