TRUTH . . . AN AFTERTHOUGHT
(continued)

After listening to many of my stories, Barry said earnestly, 'You've been searching all your life, Maurice'. I knew he was right. I'd been a seeker and a finder and a seeker still. But as he spoke I also somehow knew that now my search was over; just like the elderly man in the story I had come home. Yes, the search is over, but the discoveries will surely continue. They will continue with stillness and contentment in my heart, without the previous strain and stress, but with the attendant beauty of God's peace. I trust my remaining 'ordered life' will confess that truth. If so, Eileen will surely be pleased and her gracious ministrations accomplished.

As Barry and I sat together I could almost hear Alan creep up on us and whisper, 'Stay detached, Maurice!'. He loves a glass of good wine so I am not surprised he turned up in my imagination, and his observation indicates that he too has learned a thing or two along the way. Well he is also seventy-seven years young after all. You may have noticed that Alan was kind enough to write some edifying words at the end of this little book. I am undeniably rich in friends and take this opportunity to thank them all for their generous contribution to my life. That is true especially of my family, who without exception have made me a grateful man.

* * * * *

It is several decades since I heard Bakt Singh say, 'Be still and know' (sneak another look at Chapter One). He was right, but it has taken me a very long time to realise and experience that.

I have finally slowed down inside and am pacing myself nicely; I even have time to smell the roses en route. The end of the marathon is in sight so I am going to allow myself to be deliberately paradoxical and snatch a text (why not?):

'He - She, The Infinite, Absolute, All In All, Our Father, Ground Of My Being, Transcendence, Immanence, Holy Spirit, God (the Great Other Dimension), Etc. ad infinitum - that began a good work in me will also complete it'.

First I believed that, then I knew it, and now I am constantly aware of it. I can just happily be who I am. The Truth, or reality, is right where we are on earth. Jesus is reported to have said, 'I am the Truth'. Thankfully I am consciously in him, he is in me, we - and the whole creation - are all a part of the same Creative Energy. One bundle of Life. Far too simple for many of us until the time was right. Until our understanding became a grace and not an attainment. If we have been slow, probably our problem was not that we knew too little, but that we knew too much.

© Maurice Smith 2004

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