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Silent Order: Lovers, Fairies, and Fools

Here is the next part of Silent Order.

Chapter 24: Midsummer’s Dream

Dr. Apollo sat on the middle rock in the Botanical Gardens meditation area as if it had been put there especially for him. The Silent Order had been having its meetings there during summer. Nearby, a theatre company, who performed regular productions of Shakespeare in the gardens, was beginning, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The breeze intermittently carried the actors’ voices into the fern gully where Merlyn and the small group listened attentively to their teacher.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” announced the commentator, “this evening, we have pleasure in bringing you the jewel of Shakespeare’s comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Come with us into the magical world of lovers, fairies, and fools.” Continue reading “Silent Order: Lovers, Fairies, and Fools”

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Silent Order: Store Creek

Here is the next part of Silent Order.

Chapter 21: Birthday Ballet

“Wow,” said Ben. “That’s a surprise.”

Merlyn was pleased. It was a surprise that was a year in the making. After last year’s birthday ballet lesson, Ben never did text Merlyn another lesson time as she had requested. A few reminders and some disappointment later, Merlyn pulled herself together with the thought that if she wanted to dance then it was unrealistic, unfair, and burdensome to expect Ben to facilitate her wishes. So, she embarked on a training and education regime which she had consistently stuck to for the whole interim year. Continue reading “Silent Order: Store Creek”

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Silent Order: Joe-Joe’s Apartments

Continuing from Pittown (Part 1), here is the first part of Silent Order (Part 2).
The silence is constant. The noise is temporary.

Chapter 18: The Dream and Dr. Apollo

A few months ago, when Edgars Lake had resigned itself to winter and the six cygnets had grown and flown, Merlyn had a lucid dream. It was as real as reality, at least, until normal life had a chance to claim the day. In the dream, Merlyn lived in a female hermitage. The inhabitants wore long gowns, although, clothes were neither here nor there because everyone was translucent and shining. Whatever needed communicating was done telepathically. Strange as it sounds, Merlyn spent nearly all her time in one room. Seven years passed in this way. One would assume that one would get very bored being stuck in a room with nothing to do for seven years. Yet, that was far from the case. It was exquisitely beautiful, but not in a way that can be explained in words. At the end of the dream, Merlyn was told that although there were no similar places on Earth, there were many watered-down versions taking numerous forms. The dream was not, could not be, forgotten. Continue reading “Silent Order: Joe-Joe’s Apartments”

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Conversations and Gossip

One of the first serious spiritual practices I learned in my early twenties was to watch what I was talking about. It is unfortunate but not surprising that most people have no idea what they are saying, to whom, and the consequences of that on themselves and others. If we want to be happy; don’t gossip, don’t spread hate, don’t talk about other people, don’t spread fear, don’t complain, don’t relay stories which are detrimental to the well-being of those around us. That will cut out the vast majority of most people’s conversations. There is a time for honest, well-intentioned directness but it is not found in common conversation and it is a learned skill. Be a bringer of peace and healing. It’s a discipline, for sure, but one that will transform our lives. Continue reading “Conversations and Gossip”

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Pittown: Repeat or Delete

Chapter 15: The Audition

As the students were on holiday, Ben took the rare opportunity of sitting alone in Tom & Hardy to look through the recently published, Eighty Years of The State Ballet.

“You in that?” asked Tom.

“Yep,” said Ben pointing to one of the later pages in the book.

“Impressive,” said Tom. Ben didn’t reply. “Can I have a look?” asked Tom pointing to the book. He opened it and searched the first few pages. “Found it,” he said. “That’s my grandfather there. He was one of the corps de ballet in the early days. He wasn’t really a ballet dancer. He was a self-taught ice skater but, back then, the company was desperate for male dancers so they took him.” Continue reading “Pittown: Repeat or Delete”