SPIRITUAL ENCOUNTERS IN THE BARDO OF BECOMING
By
A. C. HESSE
Acknowledgments:
I dedicate this book to my parents, my sons André (+) and Michael,
my daughter Beatrice and my Grandson Alex, and my wife, Julianne,
who has traveled with me patiently through good and hard times. All the
characters in this book are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead is purely coincidental.... Or is it?
Copyright 2004 by A.C.HESSE - All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission, in writing, of the Writer/Publisher.
FOREWORD
The first draft of this book was written in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, during the summer of 1996: It took me several years to decide if I was going to publish it or not.
Due to the nature of the subject, I encountered some controversies in some religious circles, here in the U.S.
Although I was brought up as a Christian (Catholic), when I was a young boy in Europe, I rarely practiced my religion when I became an adult. Is it a coincidence? : I lost what was left of my faith, in 1994, when I immigrated here to the U.S.: The oppressive hypocrisy of organized religion, in this country, was too much for me to bear…
Seeking some spiritual alternatives, I studied Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and Taoism: these studies changed, dramatically, my worldview at all levels: spiritually, politically and scientifically.
By studying comparative religions, I came to realize that all religions have a common mythical foundation: their stories are the reflection of the human collective unconsciousness over the Ages and, as such, should be appreciated for their creative fictional and poetical inventiveness. Alas, religious texts are, too often, hijacked for darker purposes: they are used as socio-political tools, by fanatic religious groups, to scare, coerce, and control the credulous masses into behaving a given way.
This story reflects the difficult quest of an agnostic, confronted with the dilemma of having to kill all his religious archetypes, in order to discover his hidden spirituality.
For clarity and convenience, I have typed the story in a standard
scripted form, so that it can be easily adapted for a Theatre Play or for
a Film/Video. In that case, interested parties should contact me mailto:andre00256@netscape.net
, with a detailed description of the project, for my formal approval.
Milwaukee, December 2004
SPIRITUAL ENCOUNTERS IN THE BARDO OF BECOMING
(A PALE AND LONELY SENTIENT BEING, DRESSED IN A WHITE PENITENT'S ROBE, PACES AROUND A SMALL BROWNISH BOULDER. A WHITE AURA OF LIGHT, BEAMS THROUGH THE OPENINGS OF HIS LONG ROBE)
EERIE SHADOWS GLIDE BACK AND FORTH AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF BLUISH-GREY FOG. NOW AND THEN, RANDOM FLASHES OF LIGHTS FLICKER AND SURROUNDS HIM, AS IF TRYING TO ENVELOPE HIM WITH THEIR GLARE.
(THE SILENCE IS SOLEMN AND OPPRESSIVE, EXCEPT FOR SOME DISTANT CLAMORS
REVERBERATING AGAINST A BUCKMINSTERFULLERENE-LIKE GEODESIC DOME SUPERSTRUCTURE
RESTING ON TOP OF A STRANGE AND IMPOSING MOUNTAIN).
FRANCIS:
(ONE HEARS A DESPERATE YELL, FOLLOWED BY A LONG SILENCE) What the hell am I doing here?
(FRANCIS STOPS GLIDING AND LOOKS AROUND. HE SEES A RUSTY-
BROWN SHADOW SITTING ON THE GROUND IN THE POSITION OF THE LOTUS: AN INDIVIDUAL
AURA ,OF PURE WHITE LIGHT, BEAMS THROUGH THE
OPENINGS OF HIS LONG BUDDHIST MONK'S ROBE)
DRAKPA:
(IN AN ANNOYED TONE OF VOICE) You are interrupting my meditation!
DRAKPA:
Never mind! : Welcome, I am Drakpa, a humble Tibetan monk!
DRAKPA:
FRANCIS:
I'd like to know where we are: Do you know?
DRAKPA:
Yes, we are nearly "Home"!: We are in the 'Bardo of becoming':
the intermediary state before enlightenment or transmigration.
FRANCIS:
Does that mean we are dead?
DRAKPA:
Look at yourself: You are embodied by a ghostly
shape, protecting the pulsating lights emanating of your real self: Your
pure mind!
FRANCIS:
Well, You are not going to believe me, but I crave for
my body: I am not used to glide in weightlessness!
(THERE IS A DEEP SILENCE...SUDDENLY, A LONG AND POWERFUL
"OM" RESONATES INTO THE FOGGY NIGHT. AFTER A WHILE, WHICH SEEMS LIKE
AN ETERNITY, DRAKPA RESUMES HIS MEDITATION AND GETS UP).
DRAKPA
I am going to tell you a secret: a while ago, I told my
fellow monks that I missed the 'Perpendicular path': I did not attain instant
Buddha nature. Consequently, I told them not to give my things away and
that I will be coming back to my Monastery... (WHISPERING
WHILE SLOWLY GLIDING AWAY). I guess, that bad Karma
is influencing my Dharma!
(FRANCIS FOLLOWS HIM)
DRAKPA:
I don't want to appear nosy, but are you religious?
FRANCIS:
Well, I was brought up as a Catholic, but I did not think
much about organized religion during my life as an Earthling. I
was very confused! Although I wanted to believe in a
supreme power of energy, I felt like an eternal outcast: a sort of 'mystic
agnostic', unwilling to adhere or submit to the rules of religious indoctrination
of any sort.
DRAKPA:
Hmm! : You should meet the two brothers, Chandra and Rama:
The first one, is a Shiva follower, the other one worships Krsna: two interesting
fellows...
(FRANCIS AND DRAKPA GLIDE SLOWLY DOWN A HILL; SUDDENLY THEY HEAR A VOICE CALLING THEM FROM THE REAR. THEY SEE A SENTIENT BEING WEARING A BLACK HOODED PENITENTS ROBE)
DRAKPA:
Pardon me: I do not understand your question: What do you mean?"
CHRISTIAN:
DRAKPA:
Judgment? : What Judgment? There is no Judgment taking
place: only a 'Graduation day ceremony'!
CHRISTIAN:
How so?
DRAKPA:
It 's simple: The graduates attain 'Buddha Nature', while
the non-graduates are sent, either to a Summer Camp for reorientation,
or straight down to a Planet to be transmigrated again...
CHRISTIAN:
(WITH A SCANDALIZED VOICE) What? : I do not believe in
Buddha or reincarnation! The Bible teaches us that there is only
one lifetime on Earth: if we succeed in following the teachings of our
Lord Jesus and behave like real Christians, we will, without doubt, go
to Heaven. Contrariwise, we will be sent, either to Purgatory to expiate
our sins or, worse, sent to the eternal burning fires in Hell!
FRANCIS:
(VENTURING) You seem to forget that Jesus-Christ benefited
from reincarnation after his death...
CHRISTIAN:
True, but it is an exception to the rule, due to the supernatural
conditions of his coming to Earth: He is, after all, the Son of God...(GESTURING
WITH IMPATIENCE) Is somebody going to answer my query once- in- for- all!
: Where do I go from here?
DRAKPA:
Take the middle path!
(AFTER CHRISTIAN'S DEPARTURE, THE GENERAL MOOD GETS AN UPLIFT BY THE SUDDEN APPARITION OF THE TWO BROTHERS, CHANDRA AND RAMA. DRESSED IN A SAFFRON COLORED PENITENTS ROBE, THEY ARE IN ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS OVER THE BHAGAVAD-GITA 'S INTERPRETATION OF ARJUNA'S VICTORY IN THE BATTLE OF KURUKSETRA).
FRANCIS:
Hello! Err...Namaste! (JOINING HIS TWO EXTREMITIES IN
A WELCOMING GESTURE)
(THE TWO BROTHERS NOD POLITELY, VISIBLY ANNOYED OVER THIS
SUDDEN INTRUSION INTO THEIR HEATED PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATE)
FRANCIS:
I once read the Bhagavad-Gità, but it seems like
eons ago. (WAITING FOR THEIR REACTION) I also read the Puranas...
CHANDRA:
(SARDONICALLY) I understand your lack of trust for the
written words: Buddhist teachings could be resumed on a few sheets of parchments...
DRAKPA:
Mu...
RAMA:
I agree with my brother: without the Vedic Puranas and
Gita's scriptures, most Middle-Eastern religions would have no base to
exist. Let's face it, all religious sagas originate from the same source:
the 'Rig Veda' or, eventually, the Zoroastrian 'Avesta'!
(WHILE WALKING UP A STEEP HILL, THEY STUMBLE OVER CHRISTIAN
WHO APPEARED HELPLESSLY LOST).
CHRISTIAN:
(ANGRY) Thanks, but no thanks: You deliberately send me
on the wrong way...
DRAKPA:
I told you to follow the middle path!
CHRISTIAN:
But, there is no path!
DRAKPA:
Follow your heart!
(AFTER INTRODUCING CHRISTIAN TO RAMA AND CHANDRA, THEY
ALL PROCEED TO THEIR DESTINATION FOR THE DAY: AN IMPRESSIVE GEODESIC DOME
SUPERSTRUCTURE STANDING ON TOP OF A HUGE MOUNTAIN)
CHRISTIAN:
Where are we?
DRAKPA:
We are on the mythical Island-Continent of "Jambu-Dvipa,
climbing Mount Meru!
CHRISTIAN:
What is Mount Meru?
DRAKPA:
It is the Axis-Mundi or center of the Universe...
FRANCIS:
Wow!
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
(THE SIGN OVER THE NORTHERN GATE SAID " WELCOME TO MOUNT
MERU, THE CENTRAL TRIAGE FOR UNIVERSAL TRANSIENT SOULS". THE GATE WAS TOO
NARROW TO ALLOW PASSAGE BY MORE THAN ONE SENTIENT BEING AT A TIME. EACH
SOUL ENTERING THE PLACE WAS INTERVIEWED BY A SUB-CONTROLLER, SEATED IN
FRONT OF A FUNNY CONTRAPTION RESEMBLING AN ANALOG 'OUIJA' BOARD. BEHIND
HIM, A PIECE OF YELLOWISH HARDBOARD REMINDED EVERYONE WHAT INFORMATION
WAS NEEDED TO OBTAIN AN UNIVERSAL RECORD NUMBER: I . E SPECIES, SEX, RACE,
NAME, FIRST NAME, BIRTHPLACE, CITY OF RESIDENCE, COUNTRY, PLANET, GALAXY
AND THE PROTECTING GODS OR DEMI-GODS WORSHIPPED, IF ANY. AFTER KEYING-IN
ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE SENTIENT BEING UNIVERSAL RECORDS,
THE SUB-CONTROLLER HANDED OVER A CHINESE- COOKIE-SIZED PIECE OF PARCHMENT
BEARING A UNIVERSAL RANDOM REFERENCE NUMBER. FOR ADDED SECURITY, AS IN
THE CASE OF PARCHMENT LOSS, THE SUB-CONTROLLER WHISPERED A PERSONAL MANTRA:
A SORT OF MACRO WILDCARD TO RETRIEVE THE DATA, IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
THE CITY WAS HUGE BY ANY STANDARD: ALL RACES AND SPECIES OF THE UNIVERSE
WERE ASSEMBLED HERE: IT WAS A BABEL TOWER OF EXOTIC LANGUAGES AND BEHAVIORS.
STRANGELY, EVERYONE SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND EVERYONE, FOR ALL COMMUNICATION
BETWEEN SENTIENT BEINGS WAS CARRIED OUT BY TELEPATHY).
CHRISTIAN:
(COMPLAINING) I don't like my Universal reference number
at all: look at the last three digits: they end with 666!
DRAKPA:
So what! It seems like a valid number to me.
FRANCIS:
(JOKINGLY) Mine ends with 69!
(IGNORING FRANCIS REMARKS, CHRISTIAN GOES TO A BOOTH MANNED
BY A CHIEF SUB-CONTROLLER. LIKE ALL ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AT MOUNT MERU
, HE WEARS A DARK- BROWN MONKS ROBE, ATTACHED AT THE WAIST BY A THIN BROWN
CORD)
CHRISTIAN:
I have some complaints about the identification number,
which was just handed to me: I demand to have a new one!
CHIEF SUB-CONTROLLER:
Hmm, let 's see: What is your first and last name again?
CHRISTIAN:
My first name is Christian, my last name is 'de Dieuleveult'...
CHIEF SUB-CONTROLLER:
What a strange and familiar name...Any Crusaders among your ancestors?
CHRISTIAN:
CHIEF SUB-CONTROLLER:
Really? I was there too...but, fighting on the other side...
CHRISTIAN:
SALADIN:
You don't say: 'Inch Allah'!
(PULLING A SMALL TABLE UNDER HIS DESK, SALADIN UNVEILS
A STRANGE MECHANICAL CONTRAPTION: A SORT OF ANALOG COMPUTER, RESEMBLING
AN OUIJA BOARD, OPERATED BY A THREE-AXIS MANIPULATOR. WITH A LOT OF PRECAUTION,
HE PROCEEDS TO SWITCH THE CONTRAPTION ON. A SET OF RED LIGHTS GLOW FOR
A FRACTION OF A SECOND AND AN ' ON-LINE READY ' SIGN FLASHES ON THE DUSTY
SCREEN. HE THEN PROCEEDS TO KEY-IN CHRISTIAN'S NAME, ONE LETTER AT THE
TIME.
NOTHING HAPPENS... EXCEPT FOR THE RING OF A BUDDHIST
PRAYER BELL RESONATING FROM UNDER HIS DESK).
SALADIN:
Oh, No! The Net is down again: it's the second time this
week...
(GOING TO THE ADJOINING ROOM, HE GIVES INSTRUCTIONS TO ONE OF HIS ASSISTANT, YEHUDA)
SALADIN:
YEHUDA:
(WITH A ZEST OF A BRONX JEWISH HUMOR) Yeah, it's his Net
after all...
SALADIN:
What did we do the last time it happened?
YEHUDA:
We called Archangel Gabriel: he keeps a flock of Angels
on standby for these kinds of emergencies...
SALADIN:
What are you waiting for: Issue a flying order!
YEHUDA:
Whatever you say, boss!
CHRISTIAN:
(WORRYING) What about me?
SALADIN:
I cannot help you any further: don't you see that the
system is down? : You seem to bring bad luck!
(SALADIN LEADS CHRISTIAN TO THE DOOR).
CHRISTIAN:
Bad luck? : I am the one stuck with this horrible 666
number: I can't stop thinking that it is a bad omen for the examination
to come!
(MOMENTS LATER, THEY HEAR THE SOUNDS OF THEBEAN TRUMPETS
PLAYING A SUCCESSION OF CHORDS IN A MYXO-LYDIAN MODE. THEY ALL GLIDE BACK
TO THE CENTER OF THE AGORA: SOMETHING IMPORTANT IS GOING TO HAPPEN).
(GOVERNOR GANESH ADDRESSES THE CROWD THROUGH A POWERFUL
P.A SYSTEM).
GOVERNOR GANESH:
(IN A LOW BARITONE PITCH) Hear Ye! ... Hear Ye! This is Lord Ganesh, your Meta-Controller, speaking... We are sorry to report that we are experiencing some technical difficulties in the administrative processing of your files... This situation is due to a major breakdown of our Local Area Network. At this time, we expect some important delays in the processing of your applications for the coming 'Graduation Day Ceremony'. So, bear with me....
(UPON HEARING THIS, A FEW SENTIENT BEINGS IN THE AUDIENCE
GROWL IN DISCONTENT).
GOVERNOR GANESH:
In my quality of Lord protector of the Arts, I am glad to invite you to an exceptional concert by ' The John Coltrane Mystic Soul Orchestra'. This concert will take place in the Central Arena in one 'Earthly hour'. Thank you for your understanding and may 'The Meta -Lord' be with you...
(THE CROWD SLOWLY GLIDES TO THE CENTRAL ARENA WHERE HUNDRED
OF THOUSANDS SOULS EAGERLY WAIT TO BE ENTERTAINED).
CHRISTIAN:
(TURNING TO FRANCIS) I feel guilty!
FRANCIS:
It is not your fault: You are not responsible for the
maintenance of their equipment!
(THE BAND IS ALREADY WARMING UP, PLAYING A JOHN COLTRANE
PIECE, CALLED 'A LOVE SUPREME', WHEN THEY ENTER THE ARENA).
FRANCIS:
(ADMIRATIVELY) John Coltrane is there...And so are ' The
Prez', 'The Count' and 'The Duke')
CHRISTIAN:
Look! : There in the background: Johan-Sebastian Bach
is officiating in front of a huge altared Church organ!
FRANCIS:
(ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE ELECTRIFYING MOOD) Jaco Pastorius
and Kenny Clarke are there too...What a unique combination of talent is
represented here: it is a priceless moment of pure musical bliss: A once
in a...(UNCONSCIOUSLY REPHRASING IT IN HIS MIND). A once in a deadtime
occasion!
(AFTER THE CONCERT, THEY ALL DECIDE TO GO TO THE OUTSKIRT OF THE CITY AND ENJOY THE REST OF THE NIGHT: ZILLIONS OF STARS ARE SHINING WITH UNEQUALLED BRIGHTNESS. AT TIMES, FLICKERING TRACES OF COMET TRAJECTORIES ARE SLICING THROUGH THE DARK-BLUISH SKY. THEY SIT IN A CIRCLE, MESMERIZED BY THIS EXTRAORDINARY SPECTACLE OF LIGHTS).
CHRISTIAN:
(THEY ALL LAUGH HYSTERICALLY: CHRISTIAN'S FOREHEAD IS
INDEED CROWNED BY TENS OF PICO-SIZED LIGHTS, FLYING RANDOMLY ABOVE HIS
HEAD).
VIRUSES:
(WITH HIGH-PITCHED VOICES, IN UNISON). Who are you to
call us names? We have as much right as you to exist!
CHRISTIAN:
(DISGUSTED) Bugs deserve to be squashed!
CHANDRA:
Not so...You might kill a future member of your family
by mistake!
CHRISTIAN:
(WITH COCKINESS). How so?
(SOON AFTER CHANDRA FINISHES HIS STATEMENT, A CLUSTER
OF PICO-SIZED LIGHTS APPEARS ABOVE HIS HEAD AND A CHORUS OF HIGH-PITCHED
VOICES IS HEARD)
VIRUSES:
(IN UNISON) Well Said!
(HIGHLY AMUSED, RAMA REACTS TO THE INTRUDERS)
RAMA:
Please identify yourselves!
VIRUSES:
(REPLYING IN PERFECT UNISON) We are a bunch of Merry-go-round
viruses trying to have fun"...
CHRISTIAN:
(REACTING NEGATIVELY, WITH A SENSE OF OUTRAGE) How can
you have fun by infecting and spreading diseases to helpless sentient beings?
VIRUSES:
(REPLYING IN PERFECT UNISON) We have a noble function
in nature: We control the Earth's population growth!
We mean no harm: We just have a program to perform. That's
all!
CHRISTIAN:
(LOOSING HIS TEMPER) You are a thread to humanity! Even
Penicillin drugs don't seem to work against you anymore. (HYSTERICALLY)
I know what I am talking about: my wife died after being infected by a
H.I.V during a blood transfusion!
VIRUSES:
(REPLYING IN A PERFECT HARMONY) H.I.V? : It is, unfortunately,
an impossible goal for us to reach right now!
You see, we are all E.Coli viruses trying to climb the
ladder of evolution. Maybe, one day, our time will come to be a part of
the H.I.V elite: in that case, it would be a dream come true!
CHRISTIAN:
I have had enough: these kind of metaphysical discussions
depress me beyond belief...
(CHRISTIAN LEAVES THE PARTY WITH PRECIPITATION)
CHANDRA:
Do you think he got the message?
ALL:
(REPLYING WITH A PERFECT HIGH-PITCHED HARMONY) I don't
think so-o-o!
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
(A CONVERSATION TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE ASSISTANT TO THE
CHIEF SUB-CONTROLLER, YEHUDA AND HIS BOSS SALADIN)
YEHUDA:
It looks like a curse to me: one of Lord Satan's usual
prank, I guess...
SALADIN:
(WITH A PANIC STREAK IN HIS VOICE) You mean ...you cannot
fix it?
YEHUDA:
(COMPLAINING BITTERLY) I have to think it over…My back
is killing me: Riding 'piggy-back' on an Angel, for Googols of miles, is
not my idea of fun!
SALADIN:
(IN AN URGING TONE OF VOICE) Is it a curse or a pure technical
matter? I need to know...
YEHUDA:
Let's see... Did you try to reboot the system when it
was down?
SALADIN:
I don't remember: I had to deal with an irritable soul complaining about his Universal number ending with the digits 666...
YEHUDA:
SALADIN:
Immediately after that...
YEHUDA:
Did you keep a record of his number?
SALADIN:
Yes, I jotted it down on my central ledger: here it is!
The number is HE - M - CH 316.144.180.087.300.067.080.046.141.619.666!
YEHUDA:
Please bear with me: What do these three last digits signify
again?
SALADIN:
They are a Dharma coefficient! Why?
YEHUDA:
(BEAMING) That's it: That's where the mistake occurred...
SALADIN:
YEHUDA:
Apparently, the random generator's software has a bug:
I 'd better report it soon to KP and his Benedictine monks in
charge of writing the Code...
(HE RESETS SWITCHES IN A GIVEN SEQUENCE) In the meantime,
we have to cancel that number at once!
(REBOOTING THE SYSTEM) O.K, Let's try it out, now!
YEHUDA/SALADIN:
(SHOUTING AND CONGRATULATING EACH OTHER FOR A JOB WELL
DONE)
It Works! ...It Works!
SALADIN:
Wait! We have a problem...We just erased the Universal
number of that Christian soul! : We have to provide him with a new one...
Try to locate him, at once, and send him here.
(FRANCIS SPOTTED HER AS SHE GLIDED GRACEFULLY AND SOUNDLESSLY
THROUGH THE CROWD. THE AURA EMANATING FROM HER SLEEK FIGURE SHINED EXCEPTIONALLY
BRIGHT IN THE CREPUSCULE OF THE COMING NIGHT. BUT, WHAT HAD CALLED FRANCIS
ATTENTION WAS HER CURVED AND FELINE TAIL COILED FIRMLY AGAINST HER ARCHING
BACK: SHE LOOKED LIKE A BLACK PANTHER BUT WITH SOME HUMANOID FEATURES).
FRANCIS:
(JOKINGLY) Do you come here often?
AMBROSIA:
(SARCASTICALLY) As often as I can: I really enjoy the
place!
FRANCIS:
Where do you come from?
AMBROSIA:
I am an Europaen...
FRANCIS:
(NOT THINKING FURTHER) One of my ancestors was European
too...
AMBROSIA:
Really? : How come you have no tail?
(FRANCIS LAUGHS POLITELY, BUT DOES NOT GET THE JOKE IMMEDIATELY)
AMBROSIA:
I am from Jupiter's moon called 'Europa', not from the
European Continent on Earth!
AMBROSIA:
And I am Moontaj, but call me 'Ambrosia' for short...
FRANCIS:
(JOKINGLY) It seems like we are neighbors: we belong to
the same Galaxy!
AMBROSIA:
(WITH A SAD TWINGE IN HER VOICE) But we are not from the
same species...
FRANCIS:
(INQUISITIVELY): What is your faith, if any?
AMBROSIA:
I believe in Lord 'Krej'!
FRANCIS:
Could it be a contraction of 'Koresh', the Sun God, or
maybe Krsna?
AMBROSIA:
(POETICALLY) It could be! Time transforms words and the
meanings we attach to them, by blowing them randomly into the wind of changes...
(FRANCIS AND AMBROSIA ARE INTERRUPTED IN THEIR THOUGHTS BY SOUNDS COMING FROM THEBEAN TRUMPETS)
ACT FOUR
GIORDANO BRUNO:
My name is Giordano Bruno...I have been asked to be your official Master of Ceremony for the day...
(HE CALLS FOR TOTAL SILENCE).
GIORDANO BRUNO:
(RESPECTFULLY BOWING) I am pleased to welcome the God
of all Gods: The supreme Meta-Lord himself.
(A SUCCESSION OF LOUD THUNDERBOLTS STREAM THROUGH THE
SKY AS THE SUPREME DEITY MAKES ITS APPARITION IN THE FORM OF A GLOWING
VORTEX OF FIRE.)
THE SUPREME META-LORD:
I am 'THE SUPREME META-LORD', Creator of the Universe,
Welcome to you all...
CHRISTIAN:
(WHISPERING TO FRANCIS) It 's strange, a hear a sort of female voice in my left ear and an old man's voice in my right ear...
FRANCIS:
CHRISTIAN:
(VISIBLY SHAKEN) We must be hallucinating...
FRANCIS:
I think it 's normal: God is genderless!
THE SUPREME META-LORD:
"I have good news and bad news for you... Let me first
start with the bad news: I am slowly dying, wiped out of my energy. There
is too much religion in the World and not enough spirituality. In America,
I am a told, religious zealot and archaic fundamentalists have the audacity
to claim to be the sole and only guardians of the purity of the faith:
They claim to have full power to represent me: They coerce and indoctrinate
by force anyone who does not espouse their ideas. Worst, amoral billionaire
Tele-evangelists are collecting mountains of money by selling phony religious
values to lost and credulous souls: religion has nothing to do, whatsoever,
with human ethics! Last but not least, the Roman Catholics representatives
of the clergy do not have one iota of faith left in their undertakings:
Churches are deserted, priests are demoralized by the inertia of heavy
Administrative centralization and the lack of new directions on the part
of the leaders of the Church. Be warned: if no actions are soon taken,
this system will soon perish and burn to the grounds"...
THE SUPREME META-LORD:
Now, for the good news: ' The Anti-Christ' is coming!
(A GROWLING SOUND COMES OUT OF THE HORRIFIED CROWD) I have contacted Lord
Satan to help me with this matter and he has accepted it enthusiastically:
We both agreed that Chaos is the only solution to untangle an unbearable
situation on the verge of sclerosis and collapse...In view of that, I expect
my son to be very busy in the decades to come.... That's all I had to say...
(IN AN INSTANT, THE GIGANTIC BALL OF FIRE RESORBS ITSELF
INTO THE VOID' AND DISAPPEARS INTO THE GLOWING SKY).
THE CROWD:
Amen!
(FATHER BRUNO THANKS THE CROWD AND INVITES THEM TO LEAVE THE ARENA IN A RESPECTFUL SILENCE)
(WHILE LEAVING THE ARENA, FRANCIS LOOKS AT A STUNNED AND
BEWILDERED CHRISTIAN: HE HAS HIS TWO EXTREMITIES AROUND HIS EARS AND ALL
HIS BEING IS SHAKING VIOLENTLY).
CHRISTIAN:
(CRYING HYSTERICALLY) I can't bear it anymore...
(FRANCIS COMFORTS CHRISTIAN AND LET HIM RECUPERATE ON
HIS OWN. AFTER A WHILE, CHRISTIAN FEELS MUCH BETTER, BUT COLLAPSES AGAIN
AFTER HEARING HIS NAME PAGED OVER THE P.A SYSTEM).
CHRISTIAN:
(IN A TOTAL PANIC) Did you hear that: I have to report to the Chief Sub-Controller to settle a matter of the utmost importance!
FRANCIS:
(THEY ARE THE LAST ONE TO LEAVE THE ARENA. CHRISTIAN'S
AURA HAS NOW TURNED FROM A PALE BLUE TO A PALE PINK COLOR. CHRISTIAN BEGS
FRANCIS TO LET HIM REST ON HIM FOR SUPPORT).
(SOME STRANGER, DRESSED IN A LONG SILK YELLOW ROBE, APPROACHES
FRANCIS)
CHANG:
Is your friend O. K ? "Do you need some help?
CHANG:
My name is Chang: I am a Taoist!
FRANCIS:
I am Francis...And, this is Christian...
CHRISTIAN:
I feel totally wiped out: this ceremony was too emotional
for me to bear: I am confused...You see, as a true believer, the mere fact
of being in the presence of God was a high point in my existence. On the
other hand, hearing what God had to say, turned this unique experience
into a nightmare for me. I am scared: I don't understand anymore what is
happening...(HYSTERICAL) I need help, and fast! Can somebody help me?
(HEARING CHRISTIAN'S CRY FOR HELP, CHANDRA, RAMA AND DRAKPA
GLIDE THROUGH THE CROWD, AS FAST AS THEY CAN, TO HELP)
DRAKPA:
What is happening? Why all this commotion?
CHRISTIAN:
I think that I am having a mental breakdown!
(CHRISTIAN HEARS HIS NAME PAGED A SECOND TIME OVER THE
P.A SYSTEM)
CHRISTIAN:
(PANICKING) They are after me. I was right from the beginning
about that awful 666 number: they want me to play a role in this 'Anti-Christ'
conspiracy and betray my Lord Jesus-Christ
(THEY ALL LOOK AT EACH OTHER TOTALLY BEWILDERED)
FRANCIS:
CHRISTIAN:
I do not believe in randomness: everything should be well
organized and have a spiritual purpose...
FRANCIS:
There is a lot of purpose in randomness!
CHRISTIAN:
(INTERRUPTING FRANCIS) But, can't we have both? : Should
we not try to convert a maximum of beings to our faith and, at the same
time, show them the highly spiritual messages of the Holy Bible?
FRANCIS:
I don't think that's what God meant: spiritual feelings cannot be conveyed through learning whole passages of a Holy book: it is a lonely and personal quest: a mystical and sublime elevation of the soul: a transcendental journey into the absolute...Now, if I understand his message correctly, God feels cheated: organized religion has failed miserably due to a deliberate refusal of non-evolution of the system. If nothing is done about it: it will eventually destroy itself, collapse and implode, just like any other system without negative feedback!
CHRISTIAN:
CHRISTIAN:
(STILL UNCONVINCED) But, isn't Satan evil? Isn't he responsible
for all our temptations and our wicked sins?
RAMA:
Evil is not a force against God: all forces are God's
forces!
DRAKPA:
Evil has no source: it is ignorance itself. What the ignorant
perceives as evil, the enlightened ones see it as the actions of low minded
and immature souls. I believe that what is called evil has its own mysterious
purpose: the return of sentient beings self created Karma...In the Universe,
there is no good or bad: there is not one thing out of place or wrong:
God created everything in perfect balance!
FRANCIS:
(WITH A ZEST OF SARCASM) In my opinion, the two deities
who could assume the role of the 'Anti-Christ' are Satan or Jesus-Christ
himself!
CHRISTIAN:
What! This is blasphemy!"
CHANG:
(SMILING) Not so: remember the 'Yin' and the 'Yang' symbols: all actions create their opposite forces and opposite forces are necessary for all actions... Furthermore, each sign contains a minute amount of its opposite force: that's what equilibrium is all about...
CHRISTIAN:
(SHOCKED) This is monstrous: I can't believe that I have
such a blasphemous discussion with all of you...If there is no evil, what
about the original sin? Don't we have to expiate our sins to repay for
Adam's behavior?
FRANCIS:
I think that the writers of that passage in the Old Testament got carried away: God's ' tree of knowledge' was just another way for him to introduce Adam to the concept of 'Free Will!
(THE EXCHANGE IS INTERRUPTED BY A GESTICULATING SHADOW
WAIVING AT US FROM AFAR).
FATHER DOMINIQUE:
Are you Christian de Dieuleveult? : The one who complained
about a wrong number?
CHRISTIAN:
(WITH APPREHENSION) The... one....ending in... 666?
FATHER DOMINIQUE:
Yes, that one: it was a wrong number indeed...I am father
Dominique: the Chief sub-controller wants to see you urgently: Would you
follow me please?
CHRISTIAN:
Do I have a choice?
FATHER DOMINIQUE:
(GRINNING) I am afraid not: you are presently a recordless non-being...
END OF ACT FOUR
ACT FIVE
SALADIN:
(WITH A MENACING LOOK ON HIS FACE) Sit-down! You gave
us a lot of trouble around here...We had to send a special Angel-messenger
to Indraloka, where Lord Indra resides...After that, we had to find a technician
with enough competence to repair our Central Hub. But, Inch Allah! I found
what was wrong: Your number was mismatched with a number sequence reserved
solely for Lord Satan...I immediately called him to let him know about
the mismatch, but he already knew: his system went down too and a lot of
his precious personal records were erased in the process...Needless to
say, he was not very happy about it. Eventually, I was forced to give him
your name: I hope you don't mind?
CHRISTIAN:
...N..no...
SALADIN:
Good! You see, Lord Satan is a very important person around here and I don't want to loose my job or be restricted for future promotions...
(CHRISTIAN SINKS DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO ITS CHAIR)...
SALADIN:
(GRINNING) Here is a new identification number: as you can see, it doesn't end with '666' anymore, but with '316 ': It is now a very innocent number!
(SALADIN ESCORTS CHRISTIAN TO THE DOOR)
CHRISTIAN:
(VISIBLY SHAKEN) I am afraid that my worries are not over
yet...Satan knows my name now: he thinks I am the one responsible for the
loss of all his personal files...(BITTERLY) I am doomed: what did I do
to deserve all this?
RAMA:
It could be a coincidence, but it could also be a manifestation
of your personal Dharma too...
CHRISTIAN:
What do you mean exactly by Dharma?
RAMA:
The personal Dharma is determined by our Karma - i.e.
the totality of our good and bad actions and their reactions in this and
previous lives - and the three Dharmas or Codes of conducts of this life:
Universal, Social and Human...
CHRISTIAN:
You mean moral conducts?
RAMA:
Not really: moral conducts are dictated by Society to
help maintain a kind of social order: Dharma is a highly spiritual and
personal code of conduct between you and God!
CHRISTIAN:
I should not tell you this, but I suddenly realize that I am doomed for eternity...
ALL:
CHRISTIAN:
My case is worse than any other is: I gunned down someone...
He was a baby killer, an abortionist Doctor...
FRANCIS:
Was it premeditated or an impulsion of the moment?
CHRISTIAN:
(AN ANGRY FEMALE APPEARS SUDDENLY FROM NOWHERE)
THE DOCTOR'S WIFE:
…And the Doctor's wife was in turn killed by you brother!
Meet my husband, John, the Doctor that you mercifully slayed: Do you think
it was worth it: all these killings in the name of Christian morality!
ACT SIX
JULIAN:
It was depressing...Very depressing!
FRANCIS:
What do you mean?
JULIAN:
We know what we are talking about...Let me introduce myself:
I am Julian and this is Ashavan.
FRANCIS:
And I am Francis: please meet my two friends Chandra and
Rama"
CHANDRA/RAMA
(IN UNISON) Hello!
JULIAN:
I was once a Roman Emperor!
FRANCIS:
(QUIPPING) I now recognize the profile of your face: I
was once a numismatic collector in my past lifetime.
JULIAN:
Are you a Christian?
FRANCIS:
Well, I am a sort of an agnostic craving for spirituality,
I am afraid.
JULIAN:
Thank God: I can't forget what the KP conspiracy did to
us: they robbed us of most of our Mithraic rites and symbols and used it
for political purposes. Worst, concurrent Churches destroyed all traces
of our Temples and build their own Churches on top of the ruins...
FRANCIS:
Who is this KP you are referring to?
JULIAN:
(CAUTIOUSLY) I don't want to say more about his true identity: he is still around...That egomaniac deceiver once went so far as to consider himself the 'Alpha and the Omega' of the World.
FRANCIS:
Strange indeed...
ASHAVAN:
Are you familiar with our religion?
FRANCIS:
Not much...
FRANCIS:
What you are telling me resembles strangely to the story
of the birth of Jesus Christ...
ASHAVAN:
Not so: this was half-a-Millenary before Jesus was born!
Do you want to know more?
FRANCIS:
(INTERESTED) Please do...
ASHAVAN:
According to the legend, Lord Mithra, like Lord Jesus,
carried a lamb on his shoulders and wore a seamless tunic attached to his
flanks by a sacred knotted chord: the Kusti. Wearing a Phrygian hat, he
was seated on the mystic rock 'Petra' among the twelve altars. On his sides
the bearer of the heavenly keys: the keys of Heaven and Hades. In the left
foreground, a servant carrying an unlighted torch, pointing to the ground,
symbolizing Darkness. In the right foreground, another servant holding
a lighted torches high above his head, symbolizing Light. Like Jesus, Lord
Mithra turned water into wine and walked on water like Poseidon. He was
also the Creator, Mediator and Judge of the dead. As Lord of Light, he
was often represented knifing the primeval Bull, symbol of fecund activity...
FRANCIS:
Strange coincidence, indeed.
ASHAVAN:
You haven't heard anything yet..."The important things
to remember is that Lord Mithra, as the 'mythical lamb' carried the attributes
of the seven Spirits and the seven Stars" he continued. Finally, he was
always represented pictorially, inside a holy triangle" he pursued.
FRANCIS:
The 'Trikona' of Lord Siva, representing 'The Holy Trinity'?
ASHAVAN:
Right so! After the conquest of Babylon, by the Persians
in 539 B.C, the Mithraic religion became the official religion of the Church
of Babylon. At that time, the high Priest wore a 'Mithra', along with a
white tunic and red military boots. Later on, in 730 B.C, most of the Middle-East
was under Assyrian influence, and the Mithraic religion spread into Palestine.
Eventually, the cult of Lord Mithra replaced the two faced Roman God Janus
in the Roman Empire" said Ashavan.
JULIAN:
In my time as an Emperor, the Mithraic initiation of my
soldiers, consisted of various initiatic practices: the sharing of the
sacred cake 'myazd' with water, the marking of a cross on my soldiers forehead
and the rite of the 'Twelve episodes' said Julian...
FRANCIS:
You mean, like the 'Twelve labors of Hercules?
JULIAN:
Yes, sort of...At that time, the Chief Priest of the Mithraic
cult in Rome was called 'Papa' or Father, and the worship of the cult was
conducted under the Capitol, alongside a Temple dedicated to Goddess Cybele.
FRANCIS:
JULIAN:
The worst is that, since then, my personal Dharma has
been greatly affected: I cannot forget their character assassination...
FRANCIS:
Have you gone through transmigration since that time?
JULIAN:
No, I am still waiting: my Counselor tells me all this
time that I have to learn to let go and forget what happened. But I can't...
FRANCIS:
Did you try to meditate?
JULIAN:
I did, but my anger is too powerful!
FRANCIS:
Who is your Counselor?
JULIAN:
Father Giordano Bruno: the Catholic Church martyred him
because of his 'so called' heretic views...
FRANCIS:
I know the case" I replied sadly.
JULIAN:
You see, compared to me, he is a Holy man: he pardoned
his Jesuit tormentors a long time ago: I heard that some of them are still
in a reeducation and indoctrination camp...
FRANCIS:
They surely had some bad Karma to account for...
END OF ACT SIX
ACT SEVEN
(THE NEXT MORNING CHANDRA AND RAMA WENT TO THE KRSNA FAITH
CEREMONY. FRANCIS IS WAITING FOR THEM, DURING THE NOON BREAK, AT THE ENTRANCE
OF THE SOUTHERN GATE)
FRANCIS:
Hello! How was the morning event?
CHANDRA:
Very well indeed...The Ceremony started early in the day:
the Arena was already full by sunrise...
FRANCIS:
(QUIPPING) It is true, that Hindus have the reputation
to take their time in their rejoicing...
CHANDRA:
As it is the custom, the Ceremony started with a plaintiff song performed by hundreds of musicians, singers and dancers: it was a morning Raga perfectly suited for the occasion. After a while, the music faded way, except for a long and lasting 'drone' played by hundreds of Sitar players. Then, we heard a long drum roll followed by huge percussive sounds coming out of hundreds of Tablas and Banyas: everyone knew that the real show was about to begin...Krsna's father, Vasudeva, was the M.C for the day.
CHANDRA:
Then, Vasudeva welcomed Lord Brahma, the grandfather and
creator of humanity. As in the previous ceremonies, a succession of loud
thunderbolts streamed through the sky, as a glowing vortex of fire came
above the audience. "I am Lord Brahma, the Grandfather, Welcome to all
of you," said the thunderous voice. "I have bad news for you: I am slowly
fading away, by the lack of spiritual energy" he said. Where are the days
when mystic sannyasins distributed knowledge and protection to households
in exchange for a bowl of rice and a spoonful of tandoori? "Nowadays, they
have been replaced by slick salesmen going from door to door to sell their
plastic material wares... I need all the spiritual energy you can spare
to continue to sustain myself during this difficult period of my long day"....
He also warned us: "Beware, Beware, for the night is upon us". Then, the
instant ball of fire resorbed itself into a tiny 'Bindu' and disappeared
swiftly into the sky. "AUM" replied the galvanized audience.
RAMA:
At that given moment, Arjuna, the boar, the lion, the
dwarf and the fish disappeared instantly. Lord Krsna, himself, took their
place on the platform of Arjuna's Golden Chariot. The demons did not move
and remained in place. "Dear living entities...I am Lord Krsna, 'The Supreme
Enjoyer' he said. "I have asked 'The Grandfather ' to give you a few words
of welcome, before my appearance tonight. I have good news for you" said
Lord Krsna. "As you already know, the age of Kali-Yuga started 5.000 Earth
years ago, and although the World is going through a cycle of strife, ignorance,
irreligion and vice, it is a necessary price to pay for the coming of the
golden age of Satya-Yuga: a cycle of virtue, wisdom and profound religiousness
only 427.000 Earth-years way" said Krsna. According to popular scientific
ideas of our times, the Universe is infinite and in full expansion. That
is not completely true: The Universe is finite and will continue to expand
until its half-life of 155.500.040.000.000 Earth years" explained Lord
Krsna...Past that limit, the Universe will deflate, like a giant balloon,
and resorb itself into a tiny 'Bindu' and then into the void. This happening
will, unfortunately, coincide with the death of our beloved grandfather,
The Creator, Lord Brahma" he explained to be bewildered audience. "So,
you see: You should not worry: all souls have yet ample time to resolve
their Dharma and attain Nirvàna in due time" said Krsna. "That's
all I have to say," said 'The Supreme Enjoyer', while pulling the bridoon
reins of his hundred white horses. In no time, the Golden Chariot gained
speed, took off and disappeared swiftly into the sky, while all Demons
waved a last goodbye. "AUM" responded the crowd. Spontaneously, thousands
of voices started to sing the 'Hare Krsna' theme song, accompanied by hundreds
of musicians and Katakali dancers.
FRANCIS:
(PENSIVELY) I feel that there is a definitely resemblance with Sunday's Christian Ceremony: It seems that the message is intrinsically the same, but....
CHANDRA:
The myth is different?
RAMA:
Anyhow, they always provide very useful fiction stories...
FRANCIS:
I loved the part when Lord Brahma describes the 'Genesis'
of the World: it reminds me of the 'Old Testament'...
RAMA:
It is a highly colored description indeed...
FRANCIS:
I also liked the part narrated by Lord Vishnu about '
The Deluge', especially the allegory of the fish saving humanity"....
RAMA:
All religions originate from the same source: they are
the reflections of human collective unconsciousness...
(IN THE AFTERNOON, CHANDRA AND RAMA GO BACK TO THE ARENA,
TO ATTEND THE SAIVITE CEREMONY. FRANCIS IS WAITING FOR THEM, AT DUSK,
AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE SOUTHERN GATE)
RAMA:
What a memorable afternoon!
FRANCIS:
I am glad to hear you had a nice time!
RAMA:
As we entered the Arena, Goddess Mahàmaya, 'The Great Illusion', progenitrix of the illusory Universe, was just introducing Lord Vishnu, 'The Almighty Preserver'. Everyone present bowed down to the floor with humility.
RAMA:
Suddenly, we heard a loud sound of flapping wings and
Garuda, the Giant bird, appeared in the sky and swirled three times around
the Arena. He eventually landed and deposed the Blue-faced Lord Vishnu
near a Golden stage, adorned by a huge 'Baldaquin', where his personal
suite and Court of demons and ghosts were waiting. He stepped on the stage,
handed his bow and his discus to a servant and lay down slowly on his favorite
bed, the snake Nagà, surrounded by hundreds of female Apsaras dancers.
CHANDRA:
A respectful silence followed..."I am delighted to welcome now Lord Shiva, 'The Almighty Destroyer' " said Goddess Mahàmaya. Dancing on his favorite mount, the bull Nandin, 'The King of Dancers' appeared flamboyant with his red locked hairs...Everyone present bowed down to the floor out of respect. Lord Shiva held a drum in his upper right hand; his lower right hand was raised in a blessing; his upper left hand held a flame while his lower left hand pointed in the direction of his right foot. After a dexterous and unexpected somersault jump, he majestically walked to the second stage, adorned by a golden 'Baldaquin', where his personal suite and Court of demons and ghosts were waiting. "I am now pleased to welcome Lord Brahma, 'The Creator and Grandfather of Humanity" said Mahàmaya. As in the previous days, a succession of loud thunderbolts streamed through the sky as a glowing vortex of fire came above the bewildered crowd.
RAMA:
Then, a loud voice said "I am Lord Brahma, Welcome to
you all"...
"Many Meta-Kalpas ago, I was born from the primeval 'Golden
Egg' of creation. I am the Creator of Gods, Demons, Fathers and Men "said
Brahma. My sons, the Demons, first originated from my buttocks: from my
discarded body the night was born. Then, I took another form having the
quality of 'Sattva', and Gods were born from my face: from my discarded
body arose the day. Then, taking another body, I created 'The Fathers':
from my discarded body the Twilight was born. I then took another body,
having the quality of 'Raja ', and Human beings were born: Then, I took
another body, made mostly of 'Tamas' and 'Rajas', and dark and hungry Raksasas
arose from me: together with these, there came snakes, Yaksas, Gandhervas
and other creatures. I then emitted birds from my vigor member, created
sheeps from my breasts, goats from my mouth, cows from my stomach and horses
from my foot. From my limbs I created donkeys, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes,
camels, mules and others. From my body hairs I created herbs and roots.
From my mind were born my ten 'mind-sons'. Later, Daksa, the Progenitor,
came from my right thumb, Dharma from my nipple and Kama from my heart.
Anger came from between my eyebrows and greed from my lower parts. Then,
delusion came from my mind; lust, from my egotism; joy from my throat and
death from my eyes: These are my ten sons.
CHANDRA:
Brahma pursued "Cleaving my body in two, I put the Goddess Savitri in my heart, in order to create the World; one half of myself I made into a woman body (Brahimi), the other half into a man. Later, a girl was limb born: when I looked at my feminine creation I was smitten by the arrows of love. I tried not to stare at her beauty in front of my nine sons, in case they would disapprove of my behavior. Then a face, with pale cheeks, appeared on the right side of my head; then, another face appeared in the back, with lips quivering; then, a third face appeared, due to my love sickness and a fourth face on the left side wounded by love's arrow. Scared of not being able to see her, when she jumped into the air, I created a fifth face and hid it in my matted hairs. I then proceeded to tell my sons that, from now on, they were in charge to procreate new Gods, demons and other beings. When my sons had left, I went with her inside the Pavilion, within the Lotus, and coupled with her sexually for 100 years. After a long time, she bore me a son called Manu: the father of Humanity"! Now, I am getting old, very old: I am slowly dying, drained out of my energy"...Beware, of the Age of Kali, for the night is upon you"... That's all I have to say," he concluded. Suddenly, the ball of fire resorbed itself into a tiny 'Bindu' and disappeared into the sky. "AUM" replied the bewildered crowd.
RAMA:
After that, the Blue-faced Lord Vishnu, 'The Almighty
Preserver' was introduces by Mahàmaya. Lord Vishnu raised from his
bed of snake and spoke to the crowd. "Many Kalpas ago, King Manu, after
attaining supreme Yoga, went to Heaven. After a Million years had passed,
Lord Brahma said to him: Choose a boon".
King Manu replied "Make me the protector of all standing
and moving creatures when the dissolution comes"... "So be it" replied
Lord Brahma. Once, when King Manu was making water offerings, he saw a
small fish. The King put the fish into a bowl, but the fish soon outgrew
the bowl, so the King had to put the fish into a pond then, after that,
into a Lake, then into the Sea... But the fish kept on growing and soon
filled the whole Ocean. "Who are you?" said King Manu: "Are you Vasudeva
or a demon?"... The praised Matsya replied: "'Sadhu-Sadhu', You have recognized
me"... "Soon, ô King, the Earth shall be flooded with water; with
its mountains, trees and forests"... "There will be a draught on the surface
of the Earth lasting a hundred years and a brutal famine. After that, the
entire world will be burned to ashes. "Seven rain clouds will bring destruction
and as they flood the Earth, clouds will form, because of the fires and
the turbulent Oceans will merge together into a single Sea"...
"A boat has been constructed by a group of all the Gods,
in order to rescue all living creatures. Put two species of all these helpless
creatures in the boat and save them. When the boat is battered by the wind,
fasten it to my horn" said Matsya. "This is the story how King Manu and
Matsya the fish saved humanity from disaster" said Lord Vishnu, while resuming
his rest on his bed made out of a coiled snake. "AUM" replied the crowd.
(THEY ALL GLIDE BACK TO THE CENTRAL AGORA, WITH DEEP REFLECTING THOUGHTS GOING THROUGH THEIR MINDS)
END OF ACT SIX
ACT SEVEN
(SUDDENLY FRANCIS SEES A FAMILIAR SHADOW, IN THE CROWD)
FRANCIS:
(EXCITED) André! : Is that you?
ANDRE
Hello, Father...
FRANCIS:
(EMOTIONALLY HUGGING THE SHADOW) I am so happy that we
meet again: I missed you a lot!
ANDRE:
I missed you too...
FRANCIS:
You know, I felt very guilty after your violent death
in a car accident at the age of nineteen.
FRANCIS:
QUIPPING) Our family has always been an odd collection
of idealistic fools and Saints, In am afraid...
ANDRE:
You bet! (BECOMING SERIOUS AGAIN) How come you never told
me about my sister?
FRANCIS:
It 's my fault, I should have told you about her when
you were still with us but the circumstances were not favorable...
ANDRE:
She is so beautiful...
FRANCIS:
And bright too! She has a strong personality!
ANDRE:
You mean, she has a bad temper?
FRANCIS:
No, but she is sometimes too cocky!
ANDRE:
Just like the rest of our family!
FRANCIS:
(LAUGHING) I am afraid so...
ANDRE:
How is Mike doing?
ANDRE:
Me too...
FRANCIS:
How come you are still here?
ANDRE:
I did poorly upon my examination, but thanks to some protectors of the Arts, I was allowed to remain here...
FRANCIS:
ANDRE:
I am working as an 'Illumination Specialist ' in the Banners
& Signs Section: Adolf Hitler is my Supervisor!
FRANCIS:
(INCREDOUS) Do you mean 'THE' Adolf Hitler?
ANDRE:
That's him all right!
FRANCIS:
But, I thought that he was rotting in Hell for eternity!
ANDRE:
He must have had connections: he was paroled after half-a-Century
of indoctrination in a special rehabilitation camp: he is now waiting for
his turn to be transmigrated...He is now a sweet and humble old man, but
I hate his watercolors!
FRANCIS:
(UNCONVINCED) Really?
ANDRE:
(HUGGING FRANCIS) Sorry, but I have to leave now: I have to finish my 'Mandala' for the Buddhist ceremony tomorrow. See you soon, Father....
(THE NEXT DAY, FRANCIS HEARS A VOICE CALLING HIS NAME
AND SEES THE FAMILIAR SHADOW OF DRAKPA GLIDING TOWARD HIM, FOLLOWED BY
TWO HILARIOUS SHADOWS DRESSED IN BRIGHT ORANGE MONK'S ROBES).
DRAKPA:
Good afternoon! I'd like you to meet my great teacher; Master Tensing and his friend Master Ryokwan....
MASTER TENSING:
MASTER RYOKWAN:
Hello! Call me the Great Fool...
FRANCIS:
I am deeply honored to meet both of you!
DRAKPA:
(BEAMING) They came all the way from 'Samsara' to greet
me: What an honor!
MASTER RYOKWAN:
We were wondering why you were delayed in your 'Moksha?
DRAKPA:
(SADLY) I missed 'The Great Perpendicular Path', I am
afraid...
MASTER RYOKWAN:
Anyway, congratulation to both of you! May your journey
through 'The Great Death' be fruitful to you...
FRANCIS:
I have a question, which has been bugging me for a long
time: What is the meaning of the sound 'RI'?
DRAKPA:
On the absolute and metaphysical level, 'RI' means 'The
Universal'...
FRANCIS:
What is the meaning of 'MU'?
MASTER RYOKWAN:
It means 'nothingness'.... Likewise, the expression 'U'
means 'being...For example, in Christianity, beings worship God, through
their faith in order to attain salvation.... In Buddhism, beings (U) seek
'nothingness' or 'non-being' (MU), through enlightenment, in order to attain
'self-awakening', which is the universal 'RI'!
FRANCIS:
But what is 'absolute nothingness'?
MASTER TENSING:
Absolute nothingness is beyond the duality of 'nothingness'
and 'something ness!
FRANCIS:
What is 'emptiness'?
MASTER TENSING:
FRANCIS:
What is 'The Middle-Way'?
MASTER RYOKWAN:
The Middle-Way' should not be taken as a 'mid-way' between
two poles: it is the overcoming of bipolarity itself!
FRANCIS:
So, if I understand well: I am in emptiness and emptiness
is in me...
DRAKPA:
You got it!
(THE DISCUSSION IS INTERRUPTED BY THE APPARITION OF CHANG,
THE TAOIST, WEARING A LIGHT BLUE ROBE)
CHANG:
Hello Everybody!
CHANG:
Our Master Lao-Tzu said 'being' is the product of 'non-being'!
FRANCIS:
I do not always grasp the logic of negation...
FRANCIS:
Uh?
CHANG:
Chuang-Tzu once said: "If there was a beginning, then
there was a time before that beginning. And a time before the time which
was before the time of that beginning. If there is 'existence', there must
have been 'non-existence'. And if there was a time when nothing existed,
then there must have been a time before that when even nothing did not
exist. So, when 'nothing' came into existence, could one really say whether
it belonged to the category of 'existence' or of 'non-existence'?
FRANCIS:
I hate to say so, but my Cartesian logic is definitely
not suitable for metaphysical discussions"...
MASTER RYOKWAN/TENSING/CHANDRA:
(IN UNISON) Mu!
END OF ACT SEVEN
ACT EIGHT
(WHILE GLIDING THROUGH THE AGORA, I SPOTTED AMBROSIA:
SHE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A TALL NON-HUMANOID BEING, DRESSED IN A LONG SILVERED
COLOR ROBE)
FRANCIS:
Hello, Ambrosia!: I am so happy to see you again...
AMBROSIA:
Hello Francis! Please meet my new friend Xuj: he is a
from the planet 'Uranus 1'
FRANCIS:
Hi!
(NOTE: A VOCODER SHOULD BE USED TO IMITATE THE VOICE OF XUJ)
XUJ:
(WITH A VOICE SOUNDING LIKE DARTH VADER) Hello!
AMBROSIA:
FRANCIS:
Tell me all about it...
AMBROSIA:
XUJ:
(WITH A VOICE SOUNDING LIKE DARTH VADER) Then, clusters
of electronic sounds were heard and Lord Krom, in splendid Warlord attire,
came forward. Everyone bowed down to the ground. "Welcome, I am Lord Krom,
'The Annihilator'...
"Rejoice, Rejoice for we are now in the age of Aguy-Ilak:
a golden age for purification of your deeds... Just as the intense fire
of atomic conflagration purifies the grounds of the battlefields, suffering
purifies the soul to resplendence. That which is known as 'evil' arises
from the instinctive-intellectual nature, which I created as dimensions
of experiences to strengthen your soul and further its spiritual evolution.
XUJ:
(WITH A VOICE SOUNDING LIKE DARTH VADER "Finally, always
remember to apply negative feedback to control and monitor the state of
the Holy Sine Wave: this is the key to happiness "said Lord Krom, while
sitting down on his Throne. "NHUOM" replied the crowd respectfully.
AMBROSIA:
Then, the second deity stepped in and said: "Welcome, I am Lord Matsum, 'The Sustainer'...Many eons ago, King Unam, after attaining illumination went to Heaven. After a million years had passed Lord Krej, 'The Supreme Meta-Lord' said to him: choose a boon". Lord Unam replied " Make me the protector of all standing and moving creatures when the dissolution comes"... "So, be it " replied the Supreme Grandfather. One day, the King was making gas offerings and he saw a small Garud bird made out of Chromium. The King put the bird into a small iron cage, but the bird soon outgrew the cage and the King had to put it into a bigger iron cage...But, the bird kept on growing. After that; the King put the bird into a small iron house, then into a bigger house, then into the Stratosphere, then into the Ionosphere, then into a Galaxy, then into a cluster of Galaxies.
FRANCIS:
Well, it was very enlightening, but strange in many ways...
AMBROSIA:
FRANCIS:
What struck me as unusual was the general tone of the
ceremony: it was highly scientific and technical!
XUJ:
(WITH A VOICE SOUNDING LIKE DARTH VADER) Are you surprised?
We, non-earthlings, are very sophisticated and well versed into scientific
matters, you know...
FRANCIS:
No doubt about that!: As an E-music Composer, I particularly
liked the analogy of the 'Holy Sine Wave'!
AMBROSIA:
We all live in an analog Universe!
(THEY ALL ARRIVE IN THE CENTRAL AGORA: FRANCIS SEES CHANDRA
AND RAMA DISCUSSING WITH DRAKPA AND CHANG)
FRANCIS:
Hi! Everyone! : Let me introduce to you Ambrosia and my
new friend Xuj.
(EVERYONE GREATS EVERYONE. SUDDENLY A STRANGER APPROACHES
THEM, WEARING AN OFF-WHITE COLORED ROBE)
KARNAC:
Holy Swaztika, is it you?
RAMA:
It's me all right! Meet Karnac, the Jainist: an old friend
of mine...We were having a discussion about the meanings of religious symbols...
KARNAC:
It is a tricky discussion indeed...
FRANCIS:
Why?
KARNAC:
Because the polarities, of course...Take for example the
emblem of the Holy Swaztika: if the arms point to the right, it is a good
sign; if the arms point to the left, it is a bad sign.
FRANCIS:
It is the same in Christianity: If the cross is pointing
upwards, it is a good sign; if the cross is pointing downwards, it is a
satanic sign...
CHANDRA:
It is the same in Tantric Yoga: the right hand Yoga is good, while the left hand Yoga uses magic forces...However, both can be used eventually!
DRAKPA:
XUJ:
(WITH A VOICE SOUNDING LIKE DARTH VADER) So does ours:
it is a simple golden egg: it can roll in all directions.
AMBROSIA:
Lord Krej sacred symbol is a 3D Hypercube...It can be
viewed either way: in hollow or in full, it does not matter...
(THE CONVERSATION IS INTERRUPTED BY A LOW BARITONE VOICE
COMING OUT OF THE P.A SYSTEM)
GOVERNOR GANESH:
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! This is Governor Ganesh speaking...Now,
that all welcome ceremonies have been completed, we are now ready to proceed
to the next step: 'Dharma Evaluation Week". We have selected an appropriate
place for this important function: 'The Tower of Chinvat" near the North
Gate...All evaluations will be performed next week, according to the sentient
beings respective faiths. Check the Bulletin Board, in the Central Arena,
for the schedules and all information necessary for your successful evaluation.
Thank you for attention"...May the 'Supreme Meta-Lord
' be with you...
(THE CROWD REMAINS SILENT AND APPREHENSIVE FOR A WHILE
BUT, EVENTUALLY, ALL CONVERSATIONS RESUME TO THEIR INITIAL LEVEL)
FRANCIS:
Does anyone know how long this process will take place?
DRAKPA:
FRANCIS:
What happens if I graduate: Do I attain 'Heaven'?
DRAKPA:
Yes, you attain 'Moksha' or Enlightenment...
FRANCIS:
What happens if I fail the test?
CHANDRA:
You are either sent to a 'Reeducation and Indoctrination
Camp' for a while or, worse, sent back somewhere for the next transmigration!
FRANCIS:
Why worse? : We will be living again, won't we?
RAMA:
(SARCASTICALLY) Let me explain it to you: If you are sent
to a 'Reeducation and Indoctrination Camp', You know 'Why'!"...If you are
sent back to Earth or somewhere else; you keep on asking yourself, again
and again, What is wrong with my personal Dharma? : What do I have to learn
to make it better?
FRANCIS:
I'd like to remain here, for a while, to be with my son:
How can I achieve that?
CHANDRA:
You have no saying: your good and bad Karma will be evaluated
against your Dharma...There is no way-out!
FRANCIS:
I don't know if I am overreacting, but 'The Tower of Chinvat'
appears to me, more and more, like the infamous 'Tarpean Rock' of the Roman
Capitol...
XUJ:
(WITH A VOICE SOUNDING LIKE DARTH VADER) I was once at
'The Tower of Chinvat!
ALL:
(IN PERFECT UNISON) How was it?
XUJ:
(WITH A VOICE SOUNDING LIKE DARTH VADER) I don't remember
exactly: it was so long ago!
DRAKPA:
I know what the examination is all about!
ALL:
(IN PERFECT UNISON) You do?
DRAKPA:
According to the Tibetan Book of the Dead: the Bardo is
divided into three phases: The Chönyid, Chichai and Sidpa Bardo. From
the first to the seventh day, you are in the Chönyid Bardo, experiencing
the lights of the forty-two peaceful deities: it is called 'The Seven Stages
of Ambuscade!
FRANCIS:
Ambuscade! : Are the deities there to trick us?
DRAKPA:
Sort of... But, it is a gentle ambuscade: they mean no
harm to us! From the eight-day to the fourteenth day, you are in the Chichai
Bardo, experiencing the lights of the fifty-eight wrathful deities: they
are the same deities as the week before, except that they originate from
your brain psychic centers...
FRANCIS:
Is it a horrifying experience?
DRAKPA:
Worst than you can imagine!
FRANCIS:
You are trying to scare me...
DRAKPA:
Not so! Not so! From the fifteenth to the forty-ninth
day, you are in the Sidpa Bardo, experiencing the lights of the 'Three
Precipices', leading either to enlightenment or to the entrance into the
womb: your transmigration back into the Worlds!
FRANCIS:
Is this the mythical 'Crossing of the Separator?
DRAKPA:
Kind of...
FRANCIS:
So, what should I do?
DRAKPA:
Always follow the 'bright white lights' if you want to
attain enlightenment! Never follow the other dull lights: think with your
heart and meditate before taking any decision, for you might err endlessly
into the Samsara!
FRANCIS:
This is what I fear the most!
ALL:
(IN PERFECT UNISON) Don't we all!
DRAKPA:
A last warning: whatever horror visions you might endure,
be not terrified, for that is only a reflection of your dark mind...Remember:
void ness cannot injure the void!
FRANCIS:
I heard there is a sort of examination...
DRAKPA:
Yes! : It is called 'The Conclave of the Deities'.
FRANCIS:
Thank you for your explanations. I am sorry, but I have to leave now, I have to locate my son: I still have a lot of things to tell him before taking the test tomorrow. I wish everyone here good luck in your transmigration. I was honored to know you all. Bye now!
END OF ACT EIGHT
ACT NINE
THE FACILITATOR:
I am 'The Facilitator: I am here to guide you through
the maze...What is your Universal random identification number?
(FRANCIS HANDS HIM A CHINESE COOKIE- SIZED PARCHMENT AND
WAITS PATIENTLY INSIDE THE SMALL ALCOVE)
THE FACILITATOR:
Drink this!
FRANCIS:
What is it?
THE FACILITATOR:
It is a drink called Soma-Rasa: it contains Ephedra Holy
herbs, goat's milk clarified butter and honey.
FRANCIS:
(ENQUIRINGLY) What is the purpose of this drink? : Is
it a kind of drug?
THE FACILITATOR:
It is good for you: it will stimulate your speech and
your mind will not be distracted...
(* NOTE: IN THE CASE OF A THEATRE PLAY, THE FOLLOWING
SEGMENT CAN BE PRERECORDED IN VIDEO AND PROJECTED ON A BIG SCREEN DURING
THE PERFORMANCE. IN THAT CASE, THE ACTOR PLAYING FRANCIS SHOULD REMAIN
MOTIONLESS AND MEDITATE IN THE POSITION OF THE LOTUS, WHILE THE FILM/VIDEO
IS PROJECTED ON THE SCREEN).
(THE FACILITATOR INVITES FRANCIS TO ENTER THE BUILDING. FRANCIS FINDS HIMSELF INTO A SMALL HEXAGONAL SHAPED ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING. ONLY TWO LIGHTS ARE SHINING: A DARK BLUE AND A LIGHT BLUE LIGHT, EACH BEHIND TOW GLASS DOORS. GLANCING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LIGHT BLUE LIGHT FRANCIS SEES HORRIBLE VISIONS OF DEMONS. THINKING OF WHAT DRAKPA HAS TOLD HIM, FRANCIS MEDITATES FOR A WHILE AND DECIDES TO OPEN A DARK GLASS DOOR WHERE NO LIGHT IS SHINING).
(FRANCIS CLIMBS A FLIGHT OF SEVEN STAIRS AND FINDS HIMSELF
ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE BUILDING. AGAIN, ONLY TWO LIGHTS ARE SHINING
BEHIND TWO GLASS DOORS: A BRIGHT WHITE LIGHT AND A SMOKE COLORED DULL WHITE
LIGHT. SUDDENLY, A ROUND SHAPED BRIGHT OBJECT, THE SIZE OF A FIST, SHINES
ABOVE HIS FOREHEAD. FRANCIS FEELS LIKE HE IS PROBED INTO HIS BEING. GLANCING
AT THE DULL WHITE LIGHT BEHIND THE GLASS DOOR, FRANCIS SEES TERRIFYING
VISIONS OF HELL. THINKING ABOUT DRAKPA'S ADVICE, FRANCIS OPENS THE DOOR
WHERE THE BRIGHT LIGHT IS SHINING.
THE FACILITATOR:
(BACKGROUND VOICE) This is a bad choice... You are not
ready to take that door yet: Try another choice!
(FRANCIS DECIDES TO OPEN THE OTHER GLASS DOOR AND CLIMBS
A FLIGHT OF SEVEN STAIRS. HE FINDS HIMSELF IN A HEXAGONAL SHAPED ROOM.
AGAIN, ONLY TWO LIGHTS ARE SHINING : A BRIGHT YELLOW LIGHT AND A DULL YELLOW
LIGHT. AGAIN, A ROUND SHAPED BRIGHT OBJECT, THE SIZE OF A FIST, SHINES
ABOVE HIS FOREHEAD. AGAIN, FRANCIS FEELS LIKE HE IS PROBED INTO HIS BEING.
LOOKING AT THE YELLOWISH LIGHT, HE SEES VISIONS OF EARTHLINGS RELAXING
IN A BEAUTIFUL PARK: HE FEELS ATTRACTED TO FOLLOW THAT LIGHT, BUT DECIDES
TO CHOOSE THE DOOR WITH THE BRIGHT YELLOW LIGHT.
THE FACILITATOR:
(BACKGROUND VOICE) This is a bad choice... You are not
ready to take that door yet: Try another choice!
(FRANCIS, OUT OF CHOICE, TAKES THE DOOR WITH THE DULL
YELLOW LIGHTS. HE CLIMBS A FLIGHT OF SEVEN STAIRS AND FINDS HIMSELF IN
A SIMILARLY SHAPED HEXAGONAL ROOM. ONLY TWO LIGHTS ARE SHINING BEHIND TWO
GLASS DOORS: A BRIGHT GREEN LIGHT AND A DULL GREENISH LIGHT. AGAIN, A BRIGHT
ROUND- SHAPED OBJECT PROBES FRANCIS ABOVE HIS FOREHEAD. GLANCING AT THE
DULL GREENISH LIGHT, FRANCIS HAS VISIONS OF DEMONS TEMPTING HIM. FRANCIS
CHOOSES THE DOOR WITH THE BRIGHT GREEN LIGHT. THIS TIME, THE FLIGHT OF
SEVEN STAIRS IS GOING DOWN.
THE FACILITATOR:
(BACKGROUND VOICE) You were not supposed to take that
door! : Congratulations, anyway: You have been randomly chosen to be the
witness of an important examination...
(THE FACILITATOR URGES FRANCIS TO FOLLOW HIM. THEY GLIDE UP HUNDREDS OF STAIRS TO THE PENTHOUSE SITUATED ON TOP OF THE TOWER...
*(NOTE: END OF VIDEO PROJECTION)
ACT TEN
Here is another drink of Soma-Rasa... Drink up!
FRANCIS:
I am not that thirsty...
The Supreme Meta-Lord will have three votes, Lord Jesus
-the titular Deity- two votes, The Holy Trinity: two votes, Governor Ganesh
'The Lord of Dharma': two votes; You will have one vote!
FRANCIS:
What is the name of the person to be examined?
THE FACILITATOR
His name is Adolf Hitler!
(FRANCIS IS STUNNED AND UNCOMFORTABLE. HIS MIND IS IN
A TOTAL TURMOIL, WHILE HE TRIES TO FIND A LOGICAL EXPLANATION FOR HIS PRESENCE
HERE)
THE FACILITATOR
I know what you are thinking: it is the law of 'Chance'!
(THEY ENTER AN OCTAGONAL SHAPED ROOM, WITH SEVEN GLASS
DOORS. BEHIND EACH DOOR, A BRIGHT WHITE LIGHT. HIGH ABOVE THE CATHEDRAL-
STYLE CEILING, A HUGE WHITE LIGHT, THE META-LORD HIMSELF. IN THE NORTHERN
PART OF THE ROOM, LORD YAMA, THE LORD OF DEATH, HOLDING A MIRROR IN HIS
RIGHT HAND, IS IN FRONT OF A GOLDEN SCALE. DURING THE TRIAL, LORD YAMA
WILL PLACE WHITE AND BLACK PEBBLES INTO THE RIGHT AND LEFT TRAYS OF ' THE
SCALE OF KARMA').
(IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM, A BALD PITIFUL OLD MAN, WEARING
A GREY MOUSTACHE, IS DRESSED IN A BLACK PENITENTS ROBE: ADOLF HITLER HIMSELF.
STANDING NEXT TO HIM, THE TWO TWINS WHO WERE BORN SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH HIM.
ON HIS RIGHT, THE GOOD DJINN - REPRESENTING HIS CONSCIENCE - : A
DWARF LOOKING LIKE CHARLIE CHAPLIN IN THE FILM "THE DICTATOR, HOLDING
A BAG OF WHITE PEBBLES, WILL ACT AS HIS DEFENSE COUNSEL AND RECOUNT ALL
THE BENEFICIAL THINGS HITLER DID IN HIS PAST LIFE. ON HITLER'S LEFT, THE
BAD DJINN -REPRESENTING HIS BLACK CONSCIENCE- : A DWARF LOOKING LIKE THE
REAL IMAGE OF WHAT ONCE WAS THE DICTATOR IN 1945, HOLDING A BAG OF
BLACK PEBBLES. FRANCIS REMAINS ALONE IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM)
YAMA:
We are here to review the case of a well-known Earthling...Last
year, the defendant was released of a rehabilitation and indoctrination
camp where he spent the last fifty years. Since then, he has been working
as a Supervisor of the 'Banners & Signs Section of the Arts & Craft
Department: a section highly specialized in Mandala Illumination" he added.
He is now legible for parole…(YAMA NODS HIS HEAD) I have to admit, that
I rarely saw a case as complex as the one we are going to review...
What is your name and Universal identification number?
ADOLF HITLER:
My name is Adolf Hitler: My identification number is HE-M-18.786.797.453.372.241.999...
YAMA:
In your past lives, you have been, respectively: Darius
I, Alexander of Macedonia, Attila The Hun, Genghis Khan, Tamerlan and,
recently, Adolf Hitler! What a record! Now, let's talk about your recent
life: You started as an apprentice painter in Austria: Where you interested
in pursuing a career in the Arts?
GOOD DJINN:
I tried to have him interested in the Arts, but he never
listened to me!
BAD DJINN:
I did my best to dissuade him from doing that: I had other plans for him...
YAMA:
ADOLF HITLER:
I got carried away: I was looking for a pretext to carry
an Aryan Crusade: I am just a romantic mystic, I guess....
GOOD DJINN:
...But with a bad polarity!
BAD DJINN:
Come on! Germany was without a future: the various States
were too autonomous: there was a lack of Central control...
GOOD DJINN:
He should have stayed in Austria, minding his own business...
YAMA:
What made you choose the Holy Swaztika symbol as a rallying
cross?
GOOD DJINN:
I was the one who chose it: It was a sign of good luck
and the polarity was right. Besides, it was complimentary to the Hansa
cross: a famous Crusaders symbol!
BAD DJINN:
Deeds always reverse a set polarity...So, it did not matter what symbol we were using!
YAMA:
ADOLF HITLER:
I do... I was dead wrong!
BAD DJINN:
I don't agree... Germany is now better off as it was before!
The cause was right, but we ran out of luck...
ADOLF HITLER:
Aw! Shut up: It is your fault, after all, if I am in such
a mess!
GOOD DJINN:
(IN A PLEADING VOICE) He should have stayed in Austria, minding his own business...
YAMA:
ADOLF HITLER:
Yes, I am...
GOOD DJINN:
I told him to give himself up and face its accusers...But
he would not listen to me...
BAD DJINN:
Suicide was the best thing for him to do: this is how
Warlords end their life... I personally suggested to him to give proper
directions to immolate his body after his death: After all, a purifying
fire is such a mystic and surrealistic way to reach Valhalla...
GOOD DJINN:
...Or Hell!
YAMA:
He did not make it either way: That's why we are here!
However, I have received a lot of commendations on your positive attitude
during your stay at the Center. I also have received a personal commendation
from Lord Ganesh: You did an outstanding job as a Supervisor in the 'Banners
& Signs Section' of the Arts & Craft Department!
I am now going to count the pebbles in each tray...Let's
see...Mmm! They are even: ten pebbles in each tray"... I now propose a
vote on your aptitude to be rehabilitated and transmigrated again...
(ALL THE DEITIES VOTED BY UNANIMITY TO RELEASE HIM TO
BE TRANSMIGRATED AGAIN, EXCEPT FRANCIS, BUT HIS VOTE ONLY COUNTED FOR ONE
VOTE)
YAMA:
Do you have any wishes where you would like to be transmigrated
again?
ADOLF HITLER:
I wish, respectfully, to go back to Bavaria!
YAMA:
No way... Let's see (Hum!): Your next transmigration will
take place in the Palestinian desert bordering the Gaza strip!
(THE CONCLAVE ADJOURNS AND FRANCIS IS INVITED BY THE FACILITATOR TO FOLLOW HIM. THEY GLIDE DOWN THE STAIRWAY)
THE FACILITATOR:
(FRANCIS DRINKS THE MIXTURE, THEN THE FACILITATOR LEADS HIM TO A SIDE DOOR INTO THE SIDPA BARDO).
ACT ELEVEN
(FRANCIS ENTERS THE SIDPA BARDO, FULL OF APPREHENSION : IT IS THE LAST STAGE TO ATTAIN ENLIGHTENMENT OR TRANSMIGRATION. FRANCIS GLIDES INTO A DARK ROOM AND HAS VISIONS OF GHOULS AND DEMONS RUNNING AFTER HIM. HE TRIES TO ESCAPE THEM, BUT HE IS SURROUNDED BY THREE PRECIPICES: A BLACK ONE ON THE LEFT, A WHITE ONE ON THE RIGHT AND A RED ONE IN THE CENTER. AFTER SOME TIME THE VISIONS RECEDE, ONE BY ONE, AND A GLASS DOOR LIGHTS UP. FRANCIS OPENS IT AND GLIDES DOWN A FLIGHT OF SEVEN STAIRS TO THE TWENTIETH FLOOR. THE MOMENT FRANCIS STEPS IN, HE IS ASSAULTED BY HORRENDOUS GUSTS OF WIND AND ICY BLASTS. THE ROOM IS PITCH BLACK AND UNINVITING. FRANCIS HEARS MURMURS OF STRANGE VOICES AND IS SUDDENLY SUCKED DOWN ON A SORT OF MOVING WALKWAY).
(HE ARRIVES INTO ANOTHER DARK ROOM WITH A GIGANTIC SCREEN. HE SEES DEMONS AND DEMONESSES COUPLING TOGETHER, THEN LIZARD-FACED HUMANOIDS, THEN HUMAN COUPLES ENLACED IN ORGIAC LOVE EMBRACES. FRANCIS SUDDENLY REALIZES THAT HE CAN SELECT A COUPLE OF HIS CHOICE BY 'ZOOMING IN AND OUT' WITH HIS MIND. ONE COUPLE, IN PARTICULAR, CALLS ITS ATTENTION: SHE HAS BEAUTIFUL AUBURN HAIRS WITH A BODY OF A GODDESS, HE IS A DARK-HAIRED MAN IN HIS TWENTIES. FASCINATED BY THE BEAUTY OF THAT GIRL, FRANCIS FEELS AN URGE TO 'ZOOM-IN' AND FIND A PLACE TO CUDDLE BETWEEN THEM).
(THE MORE FRANCIS LOOKS AT HER GORGEOUS FACE, THE MORE HE FEELS INTENSE HATRED TOWARD HER PARTNER. HE IS IN LOVE AGAIN...HE KNOWS, AT THAT MOMENT, THAT THE TIME HAS COME FOR HIM TO BE TRANSMIGRATED AGAIN. FRANCIS WATCHES THEM COPULATE AND WAITS TO ENTER INTO HER WOMB AT THE FIRST SIGN OF AROUSAL. FINALLY THEY CLIMAX TOGETHER IN PERFECT UNISON. A MOMENT LATER, FRANCIS ENTERS INTO HER WARM AND MOIST WOMB)
** NOTE: END OF SECOND VIDEO TAKE
ACT TWELVE
FRANCIS:
(YELLING) Ahhh!...... Peace at last! Peace at last!
(FRANCIS AWAKENS AND FIND HIMSELF INTO FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS)
DRAKPA:
(JOKINGLY) Welcome back into the Bardo! Your stay on Earth was a short one, I am afraid...
(PERPLEXED AND CONFUSED, FRANCIS TRIES TO REMEMBER WHAT
HAS HAPPENED TO HIM DURING HIS VISIT ON EARTH. THEN IN A FLASH, HE REMEMBERS
THE HORRIFYING SUCKING SOUND OF A STRANGE CONTRAPTION TEARING HIM APART
FROM THAT WARM LITTLE BUBBLE OF HEAVEN...THEN, TOTAL DARKNESS AND AN ICY
FEELING OF LONELINESS)
FRANCIS:
(WITH A SAD TWINGE IN HIS VOICE) I feel like I am coming
out of a bad dream! In don't understand my Dharma: What was the purpose
for me to be transmigrated into an unborn infant? (PERPLEXED) Why didn't
I succeed in my babyness?
DRAKPA:
(REASSURING) The laws of Dharma act sometimes in very
strange ways...
FRANCIS:
It doesn't appear to be logical at all!
DRAKPA:
The laws of the Universe are governed by the laws of 'causes
and effects' and their respective phases and polarities...
CHANDRA:
Remember the saying in the Vedas: "Overcome by the fruits
of his actions, he enters a good or an evil womb, so that his course is
upward or downward and he wanders around, overcome by the pairs of opposites...
FRANCIS:
(IN A REFLECTIVE MOOD) Maybe it's my bad attitude: I was
not really looking forward to be transmigrated again! As you know, my dearest
wish was to remain with my son!
DRAKPA:
So, what are you worried about?
FRANCIS:
I am not worried anymore: I guess it is just my mind playing
tricks again: Thanks for explaining it to me...
(SUDDENLY FRANCIS REALIZES THAT SOMETHING IS STRANGELY WRONG: HIS FRIENDS ARE STILL HERE)
FRANCIS:
DRAKPA:
A few hours ago: You left us this morning to go to the
'Tower of Chinvat': You had an examination, remember?
FRANCIS:
(UNCONVINCED) It can't be: I was just aborted from a human
womb: I must have been gone for at least two or three months...
DRAKPA:
Two Earth-months equals a few hours over here: We are
in another dimension: remember?
FRANCIS:
Bear with me: I have been traveling back and forth through
several dimensions in a few hours time: I presume I am going through some
travel lag....
(THEY ALL GLIDE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE NORTHERN GATE)
FRANCIS:
(MUMBLING TO HIMSELF) I am wondering if I need another
identification number...
CHANDRA:
Why don't you ask the Sub-Controller at the Gate?
(FRANCIS ENTERS THE BOOTH OF YEHUDA, THE SUB-CONTROLLER)
YEHUDA:
What can I do for you?
FRANCIS:
(FRANCIS HANDS HIM HIS CHINESE -COOKIE- SIZED UNIVERSAL
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND WAITS WHILE THE SUB-CONTROLLER
KEYS-IN THE INFORMATION)
YEHUDA:
(PUZZLED) There must be something wrong: your old identification
number had not been erased from the Central Computer!
(HE CALLS SALADIN) Boss! Are you free?
SALADIN:
Send him in!
(FRANCIS ENTERS THE OFFICE OF SALADIN, THE CHIEF SUB-CONTROLLER)
SALADIN:
I know you.... Aren't you a friend of a certain 'Christian
de Dieuleveult'?
FRANCIS:
Yes, sort of....
SALADIN:
That guy smells trouble: he was sent this morning to an
'Indoctrination & Rehabilitation Camp' for 10 years...
FRANCIS:
Really?
SALADIN:
What can I do for you?
(AFTER HEARING FRANCIS CASE, HE PULLS A FUNNY LOOKING
'OUIJA BOARD' CONTRAPTION, WITH A THREE-AXIS MANIPULATOR, FROM UNDER HIS
DESK. HE SWITCHES THE DEVISE 'ON' AND KEYS-IN A FEW NUMBERS AND WAITS FOR
THE RESULT. MOMENTS LATER, AN ALARM DEVICE STARTS TO RING: THE SHRILL SOUND
IS UNBEARABLY LOUD. SURPRISED, HE REBOOTS THE SYSTEM AND PROCEEDS TO KEY-IN
THE NUMBERS FOR A SECOND TIME. AGAIN THE SHRILL SOUND OF THE ALARM IS HEARD)
SALADIN:
(NERVOUSLY GLANCING AT FRANCIS) I don't understand what's
happening...This error status is very unusual, it says: 'Karma error 23,
Abort and Resume'! Did you do something unusual while you were at the Tower
of Chinvat?
FRANCIS:
Not that I recall...
(SALADIN TAKES A BIG BOOK LABELED 'RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSMIGRATION' AND PROCEEDS TO LOOK FOR THE MEANING OF
THE ERROR STATUS BLINKING ON THE SCREEN)
SALADIN:
According to this book, you are entitled to introduce
a formal complaint for your unsuccessful transmigration!
Usually, in these cases, we propose to settle the claim
by giving you a couple of positive Karmic bonus points towards your personal
Dharma...So, what do you say? : Do you want me to fill-in a formal complaint?
FRANCIS:
Can I come back tomorrow? I 'd like to think about it...
SALADIN:
As you wish....
(SALADIN ACCOMPANIES FRANCIS TO THE DOOR)
END OF ACT ELEVEN
ACT TWELVE
(FRANCIS VISITS HIS SON: ANDRE IS OVERWORKED AND IN A
BAD MOOD: THE SECTION WAS LEFT WITHOUT GUIDELINES AFTER ADOLF HITLER'S
TRANSMIGRATION. FRANCIS TELLS HIM ABOUT THE PROBLEMS HE ENCOUNTERED DURING
HIS RECENT TRANSMIGRATION)
ANDRE:
Why don't you come and work with us: there is a supervisory
position open right now…
FRANCIS:
I know all about it...
ANDRE:
Maybe we could work out a deal?
FRANCIS:
I don't know if I have the right qualifications for the
job.
ANDRE:
You have been a product manager before: maybe we could
use your ideas around here...Let me handle it: I am going to talk to the
Chief Executive of the 'Arts & Leisure Department' about it...
FRANCIS:
As you wish, son...
(FRANCIS GIVES HIM A BIG HUG AND LEAVES)
(THE NEXT DAY FRANCIS GOES BACK TO THE CHIEF SUB-CONTROLLER
TO FILE HIS OFFICIAL COMPLAINT)
SALADIN:
Do you have any connections around here?
(FRANCIS SHRUG HIS SHOULDERS IN A NON-COMMIT ANT WAY)
SALADIN:
The 'Secretary to the Governor' wants to talk to you: He also asked me to issue you a new identification number in replacement for the old one ...Here it is...Don't loose it!
(SALADIN TAKES A MAP OF THE CITY AND POINTS TO A GREEN
PARK ON THE OUTSKIRT OF TOWN)
SALADIN:
This is the personal residence of Lord Ganesh, our beloved Governor.... His Secretary, Alan Watts, is expecting you today at 15:00 hours sharp!
(FRANCIS THANKS SALADIN AND PROCEEDS TO GO TO HIS IMPORTANT
MEETING WITH ALAN WATTS. THE MANSION IS LOCATED IN A LUXURIANT PARK. A
BRONZE DOOR OPENS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN HE ARRIVES)
ALLAN WATTS:
Please come in… I am Alan Watts, Secretary to our Governor,
Lord Ganesh!
FRANCIS:
I am really honored to meet you...
ALAN WATTS:
(APOLOGIZING) We are very sorry about your unsuccessful
transmigration, but unforeseen circumstances do happen at times...We should
never underestimate the power of 'free will' among Earthlings! You see,
your future parent's bad karma had interfered with your own Dharma in an
unexpected way. As far as I know, the abortion act was not preplanned at
all in your own Dharma, but was a result of a 'free-will' action on their
part.
FRANCIS:
I feel like I was violated, in turn, of my own free will!
ALAN WATTS:
You don't want to know...He is a wicked and dangerous
soul who hides his true identity: his nickname is "Ippos"
or 'The Horse'...
FRANCIS:
ALAN WATTS:
Yes, unfortunately, he is still here...Although he committed
the vilest infamy; he is protected forever from impunity...
FRANCIS:
Why?
ALAN WATTS:
It 's a bombshell: That's why! : His religious heresy
is too monstrous to be admitted openly: nobody would dare to blow the whistle,
not even the Gods!
FRANCIS:
(FRUSTRATED AT HIS IGNORANCE) I don't understand what
you are talking about...
ALAN WATTS:
Too bad: I have already talked too much...So, you see,
free-will is a sort of double-edged weapon which can be used for carrying
good or bad deeds...
(FRANCIS NODS IN SILENCE, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT)
ALAN WATTS:
Coming back to your case: I have to say that your son André, who is an outstanding 'Illumination Specialist', took the initiative to contact his hierarchy about a sort of proposition on your behalf...
FRANCIS:
ALAN WATTS:
He believes, that you would be the perfect candidate to
take over the supervisory position in the 'Banners & Signs Section
of the Arts & Leisure Department'... Needless to say, you would win
invaluable positive Karmic points towards your Dharma!
FRANCIS:
I am honored by the proposition, but I'd like to think
it over: Is it urgent?
ALAN WATTS:
The sooner, the better... If I let you work with your
son, for a while, would you consider it?
FRANCIS:
Yes, definitely...
ALAN WATTS:
(WARMLY) Welcome, to the new supervisor of the 'Banners
& Signs Section'!
(FRANCIS THANKS HIM AND GOES BACK INTO TOWN TO THE BANNERS
& SIGNS SECTION TO BE BRIEFED ABOUT HIS NEW JOB)
ANDRE:
So, you took the job! Congratulations!...By the way: You
have a personal appointment at 18.00 hours with the Chief of the Arts &
Leisure Department, Leonardo Da Vinci, himself!
FRANCIS:
Wow! Hard to believe...
ANDRE:
Let me show you around...Here are my three colleagues:
Jan, Pol and Herman Van Limburg: the famed Dutch illumination artists responsible
for that masterpiece work entitled 'Les très riches heures du Duc
de Berry'...
FRANCIS:
Please to meet you all...
(THEY GO TO ANOTHER ROOM WHERE HUNDREDS OF BUDDHIST MONKS PRACTICE THEIR ART ON SAND MANDALAS)
(FRANCIS ARRIVES AT 18.00 HOURS SHARP FOR HIS MEETING WITH LEONARDO DA VINCI: HE IS PROMPTLY LED TO A LARGE ROOM: IT IS THE PERSONAL 'ATELIER' OF THE MASTER)
LEONARDO DA VINCI:
FRANCIS:
(SURPRISED AT THE UNEXPECTED QUESTION) Yes!
LEONARDO DA VINCI:
FRANCIS:
LEONARDO DA VINCI:
I thought so...Welcome to the Arts & Leisure Department:
I am Leonardo Da Vinci, your new Chief...
FRANCIS:
(VERY IMPRESSED) And I am Francis! I am very honored to meet you...
LEONARDO DA VINCI:
FRANCIS:
What do you mean?
LEONARDO DA VINCI:
They tell me that the Universe being analog, there is
no need for digital stuffs...Do you see my problem? However, I didn't tell
them yet but, this is a hybrid system: half-analog, half digital...
FRANCIS:
Why not using enzyme biochips switching?
LEONARDO DA VINCI:
LEONARDO DA VINCI: (SMILING)
FRANCIS:
I know, I am very proud of him....
(THEY TALKED SOME MORE ABOUT VARIOUS TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS
AND BREAKTHROUGH. THEN, SENSING IT WAS TIME TO GO, FRANCIS THANKS HIM AGAIN
FOR HIS KINDNESS AND LEAVES THE ROOM. IT IS ALREADY PITCH DARK OUTSIDE)
(THE STRIDENT SOUND OF A SIREN ALARM IS HEARD! AN AMBULANCE
IS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SPIRALING BLUE AND RED LIGHTS SWIRL
THROUGH THE FOGGY NIGHT).
THE DRIVER:
I am sorry, it's my fault!: I did not see his car coming!
THE FIREMAN:
Is he still alive?
THE EMERGENCY NURSE:
Not for long, I am afraid...
THE FIREMAN:
Here is his wallet: his name is Francis.... Listen!: He
is trying to say something!
FRANCIS:
(IN A WHISPER) Ill....Illuminations...
THE EMERGENCY NURSE:
What did he say?
THE EMERGENCY NURSE:
(CLOSING FRANCIS EYELIDS) Poor fellow... He did not make
it! He's gone now!
THE END
