John's POST: "THE GREATEST TRUTH"

Truth ... The Holy Grail. Within all of us, there exists this never ending yearning for Truth. Why? Where does it come from and why does it call to us? Books have been written. Gurus have flourished. And yet, Truth continually eludes us. Why? Can Truth ever really be known?

Yes! In all my naivete, I believed this - that Truth could be known. I believed that, if one pursued it diligently and passionately, somehow it could be discovered. Why? Where did this come from? I’m not really sure, one never really is. Yet, it was there. Lingering. Calling. Pleading. So, like many before me, I eagerly joined the Quest ... for the Cup of Truth. I did so with the knowledge that only a deep and abiding Truth could ever satisfy this inner thirst.

I hurriedly and excitedly set off on my journey ... my personal Quest. Where would I look? Where would I go? I looked around and knew this would not be a short journey. I realized that I would need plenty of armor. I would need to be prepared for whatever I might face in the days ahead.

So, I donned the family crest and wore its colors with pride; though, unbeknownst to me, it was accompanied with lots and lots of baggage. My armor was nice and shiny and my sword felt very comfortable in my hand. My family had taught me how to wield it and I had relied upon its security to lash out and avoid many a challenging situation. My face beamed with confidence and my exterior looked really great. Still, I was very, very innocent as to what was yet to come.

After having traveled only a short distance, I soon discovered there were many Wise things for me to learn. So, I took them all in. I read the books. I heard the sermons. I listened to counsel. The advice was many and, for the most part, very good. I learned from these things and grew in stature. I was good. I was kind. Heck, I was darn polite. I gave my tithes. I shared with others. And so, I continued in my Quest ... saying to myself, "I AM STRONGER for the coming days.

It wasn’t much longer down this road, when I came across my first test. My first rite of passage. Yes, my first Dragon! Oh, I was very surprised when I saw it. It took me totally by surprise. And, to be honest, I really wasn’t sure how to handle it. It was much, much bigger than I would have thought. I mean what’s a Dragon supposed to look like. Anyhow, I looked at my modest weapons ... and quickly realized that my sword and my shield were ill-prepared for this task.

I tried, in vain, to look beyond the dragon. To see what was beyond. But, I couldn’t see pass this massive Dragon. As I continued to survey the situation, I stumbled across a few more details. First, there really was no way of getting around this dragon. I would have to conquer it. It was not going anywhere. And then, as I squinted, it appeared as though this Dragon had a name and that its name was written across its forehead. It was very weird to me because a big part of me suddenly acted as though I hadn’t seen the Dragon’s name. But the more I pretended I hadn’t seen the name ... the more I knew that it was there ... written in black and white .... SELF.

Somehow, my journey was telling me that the Dragon of Self had to be completely vanquished before I could move even one more step down this Quest of mine. So, I quietly pondered how I could best defeat this Beast. I reviewed my life and my personal history and all of the many parts of me that my family and the world had created over the years. In that quick review, I saw in myself an insecure person that actually had many, many needs and many, many fears. My interior was not nearly as shiny as my exterior.

It was then, out of the corner of my eye, that I spotted a very small tunnel right in front of the Dragon. Why? Where would it lead? It seemed to run, right smack through the center of this grotesque creature. Could my Answer be there?

I quickly realized I had no choice but to consider the tunnel. I silently drew near to its opening and then dropped my shoulders in despair. The tunnel was much, much too narrow for me. I would never be able to fit in it ... with all my armor, and my family crest, and my comfortable sword. I was LOST ... because I certainly needed each and every one of these things for my journey. Didn’t I?

Time began to pass. It seemed the journey was now beginning to take on a different tone. It was no longer filled with pleasant days of listening to gurus and growing in stature. It was now filled with days of scratching my head and looking at the ominous Dragon. I began to have occasional moments of discouragement. I sought refuge in many inspiring songs, each of which reminded me about the great promise of Truth.

After much, much deliberation and many exhaustive days staring at the Dragon, I NOW realized there was no other choice. I had to go into the tunnel. To see where it led. I stripped myself of ALL my personal things. I was now trusting in God and my faith and no-one else. I felt very humble ... sitting there with nothing on but a loincloth ... crawling on my knees ... and into the tunnel. I was now at God’s mercy and trusting in Him alone.

Oh, it was dark. And, it wasn't long crawling upon my knees, that I began to realize the gravity of this situation. What would happen? Where would the tunnel lead? Would the dragon simply devour me on the other side? Did I make the right choice? Fear and Hope simultaneously drove me. And, so, I pushed on. Finally, after some time, I could see a faint light on the other end. I tepidly poked my head out, still unsure as to what to expect. It seemed to have a similar landscape as to what had existed on the other side yet much, much brighter and sunnier.

I then gathered the strength to peer around the edge of the tunnel to see if I had actually come around to the backside of the dragon. To my complete and utter amazement, the Dragon had miraculously disappeared as though he had never existed. An overwhelming sense of encouragement and faith flooded my body. I had left behind my selfish Pride and I had given everything to God and had come to other side of the Dragon unscathed. In fact, I was now very emboldened for the journey. I looked back at the tunnel and saw a Golden sign written on its exit from whence I had just came ... it read ... SALVATION! I pondered this momentous occasion and said to myself, "I AM HAPPIER for having successfully faced this, my First Dragon"

My Quest had taken on new meaning. I now realized there were Dragons to face. And, I soon learned to proselytize with the best of them. I shared with everyone that I came across. "Please come join me on my Quest ... it is a fascinating and exhilarating journey ... and I am much happier and stronger now." If you would join me, please go back to the Dragon of Self and crawl under the tunnel and you will be saved from its talons. The reactions were varied.

Some were amused by my stories. Others, were just too busy baking bread or hunting ducks to have much time to talk about Dragons. A few others took the time to listen and even asked a few probing questions about the Dragon ... it’s name, how big it was, what it looked like, etc.. Usually, they then wandered off feeling content with their new knowledge. A rare few humbly crawled into the tunnel and thru to the other side. For these, we simply looked at each other, smiled a knowing glance, embraced and then continued on our own personal journeys.

The Quest was now much, much more fascinating to me. On the other side of this tunnel, I was soon greeted by an Amazing Lion. The Lion knew I had come thru the tunnel and welcomed me by giving me a completely new set of armor. And a new sword. They were amazing, like the Lion. The Lion then said, "You will need to use these tools in my Kingdom with wisdom and good judgement." I thanked him and then quickly worked to become skilled in using them. I rejoiced in my new strength. It was a wonderful time and I greatly, greatly enjoyed my days.

It was at some point during this part of the journey, that I happened upon my Next Dragon. I was again taken completely by surprise. Yet, I was not scared. I had become very adept at using my new armor and my new sword as they had been occupying a great deal of my time. I was very, very sure that I was ready for this Dragon. In fact, I knew it would be quite easy to kill it.

I sized this one up. He didn’t look nearly as ominous as the last one. Actually, it was a rather average, Everyday Dragon if I say so myself. I was trying to get nearer to it so I could see if it also had a name written in black and white across its forehead. As I got closer to it, almost to the point of reading it’s name, something very, very strange happened.

The Everyday Dragon spawned a smaller dragon, which immediately charged at me. The smaller dragon was coming hard and fast and I wasn’t sure what to do, when it knocked me down - almost to unconsciousness. The dragon then breathed a small red flame of fire across my shoulder to the left. It stung and immediately brought me back to my senses. I looked for my sword and, upon finding it, suddenly realized I had never fully used my sword in active duty. How would it work? I really wasn’t sure but, nonetheless, I drew it out of its sheath and held it up. I pointed it at the dragon and prepared myself for its next onslaught.

The dragon charged again and I awkwardly swiped my sword at it. I wasn’t close and the dragon banged into me again ... hard ... right into my chest ... and I flew backwards. This time, I got really worried. I wished I had my old sword. I was much more comfortable with that. I had relied on my old sword many times and it always seemed to work for me, with its lashing and reactionary motions. But, I no longer had it, only the New sword. Could I learn to use it? Would it be able to save me from the smaller dragons? Doubt began to instantly creep into my thinking.

I worked hard to regain my senses as I really had no time to think about things as the dragon was charging yet again. Only this time, the Everyday Dragon had spawned yet another dragon ... and it was now coming at me on my left ... though moving at a much slower pace. I was becoming very, very worried. Suddenly, I had lost my confidence. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to have crawled through the tunnel. Would the little dragons be the death of me?

Whoosh. The tail of the second smaller dragon took a swipe at my head. And I fortunately ducked within seconds and inches of a near certain death. As this dragon had no intentions of giving me a mild slap with his tail. No. This dragon was after me ... pursuing me .. relentless. Why? I had not charged the dragon. Rather, the dragon had charged me. What could I do?

It was then that I withdrew slightly. I tried to find a brief moment of respite in the bushes to collect my senses. And, to think about what it meant to be wearing the New armor and to carry the New sword. I knew that these weapons were much more powerful than the old ... I just needed to learn to use them. To be patient. To pull them out exactly when needed ... and to trust in their effectiveness ... with wisdom and good judgement.

The smaller, quicker Dragon was getting closer now and I could hear its breath. I watched it approach and this time I could read the name on its forehead. It was a simple name ... ANGER! I drew my sword ... and this time, I was much more precise with its use ... and with a fairly straightforward thrust ... I caught the Dragon squarely in its gut ... and it immediately lost its fight and its tenacity. I looked at my sword as I withdrew it from this ferocious, yet now-dying creature ... and it shone brightly .... with the word FORGIVENESS written all down its side.

I took a deep breath and contemplated what had just happened. As I looked for the slower dragon out of the corner of my eye. I knew he had to be close. All the while knowing the Everyday Dragon had continued to spawn smaller dragon after smaller dragon ... and they were ALL out there eagerly seeking me .. .to destroy me. Oh, I wish I had the old swords ... they used to keep me comfortable and secure. But, I had just witnessed .. no, I had experienced what it was like to use the New sword ... and how it had easily and very quickly defeated the smaller dragons when used properly. Could I use the New sword again on the slower dragon?

This time - I chose not to wait for the dragon. I went looking for it and I didn’t have to look far. Whoosh. His tail took another huge sweeping strike. Only this time, my armor deflected it rather easily. Its impact never got to me. It simply glanced off my shield into another direction having no effect on me whatsoever. I was amazed by the strength of this armor. So much so, that I grasped my sword and now moved forward ... not backward. Again, with a quick and simple lunge ... my sword struck at its heart ... and the slow moving dragon fell with a Thud! Like the others, I could now make out its name ... JEALOUSY! I glanced at my armor and saw what had easily deflected its blow ... COMPASSION was written all over it. Yet, I had no time to reflect on what was happening. The dragons were now everywhere.

One by one they came. Each time, I began to more easily read the names on their foreheads ... LUST, LYING, SELFISHNESS, GLUTTONY, SLOTH, PRIDE, STRIFE, they were numerous. I continued to brandish my sword and shield, their power becoming more and more apparent to me. The strength and the power of the Sword’s words ... SHARING, PEACE, GENTLENESS, SOFTNESS, LISTENING, DISCIPLINE were all much, much too strong for the smaller dragons.

I then realized that the more smaller dragons that I slew .. the closer and closer that I got to the Everyday Dragon. I was now almost close enough to read its name ... what would it say ... I wondered. It had puzzled me that an average, Everyday Dragon ... was capable of spawning so many, many little dragons ... and suddenly there it was .... F .. L .. E.. S... H!

No matter. I had now been disciplined in this battle for many, many years and I was completely and totally ready for this creature by this time. I had learned to use my sword. I drew it back .... and continued to stare at the poor, pitiful creature ... as I knew it no longer had ANY power over me ... I powerfully swung my sword and the creature immediately toppled and shriveled up and into the ground from whence it came. It had lost its sting. My sword had never, ever shone so brightly as when I returned it to its sheath ... the word SPIRIT radiating from its side.

I sat down. Dead dragons laying all around me. I realized I was at a very interesting place in my Quest. Although I had learned much, I realized that I was now very, very tired. This journey had been taking much, much longer than I thought. I had been ready to drink from the Cup a long time ago and I was beginning to wonder if I would ever realize the fulfillment of that dream. Even so, I said to myself, "I AM WISER for having successfully defeated this latest Dragon"

The days now seemed to run together. I really wasn’t sure where to go. I had forgotten about all of the old things that I had been, before I had gone through the tunnel. I had grown accustomed to the New sword and was doing all I could to use it in the best way possible. Occasionally, there would be random Dragons that would appear .... remnants of the Everyday Dragon ... but they could usually be defeated with a quick reminder as to the power of the New sword. Had I arrived? Was this the Truth I had been looking for? It still seemed difficult. There were many travelers still running around who did not have a sword like mine and there were many Dragons still roaming the countryside terrifying people. How could this be the end of my Quest?

Many, many years passed. The New sword and its brilliance started to lose its luster. I found I was growing weary of the journey. I began to question why I wandered down this long and lonely path. Could I find the joy again that I felt when I first walked through the tunnel? Could that joy be a lasting one... a complete and total satisfaction of my inner yearning?

It was then .. in that moment of unexpectedness. That I came upon the next and, hopefully, Final Dragon in my journey. This Dragon was more deadly, and more ferocious, and bigger than all the rest. Yet, very much reminded me of the first, in terms of the futility of it. How would I be able to conquer this dragon? I reminded myself again that my New sword had lost some of its luster over the years. Would it be useful? Would it be effective this one final time?

I shook off these thoughts. By now, at least, I had learned that the best way to conquer a dragon was to learn its name. What on earth could possibly be written on this new Dragon’s forehead? I couldn’t quite make it out. So, I picked up my sword and marched straight in the direction of the Dragon. It was time. I was ready to complete my Quest. I believed I had the necessary tools and I knew I had been prepared for exactly this moment.

Twenty paces from the center of the dragon. We eyed each other down. The Dragon scoffed at me. In his eyes, I could tell the Dragon knew that I would be no match for him whatsoever. Its look pierced me and, I must admit, my confidence wavered. I glanced upward at his forehead and I was immediately confused. I had not been expecting this word. It was a word that I was very, very familiar with. In fact, it had been one of the very best tools in my arsenal. I had seen it used on many occasions upon defeating a smaller dragon. Why? Why would it now appear on the head of possibly the Last Dragon? Yet, there was no denying it ... I read it again one more time just to be sure .... JUDGEMENT!

I looked at my Sword .. what word could possibly help me to defeat this dragon. Something inside me ... realized why the dragon had scoffed at me. I was helpless. I was not aware of what Spiritual word could be used. But, I had no choice. I had to try. I had to brandish my Sword and aim swift and direct at the Dragon. No, not at its heart .. but at its very head. I then relied upon all my many, many years of training ... and I struck with everything I had within me.

It was a direct hit. The Dragon’s head was immediately severed ...and fell down at its feet. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had been victorious. The Sword did not fail me ... it was just what I had come to expect. It was foolproof. And, then something stranger happened than everything that had happened before. The Final Dragon did not topple. Instead, two heads grew from the place where there had been just one. Only now, they were larger and their eyes twice as piercing!

I did what I had to do. I swung quickly again ... almost with as much force as the first. The heads flew. First the one. Then the other. I took a deep, deep breath ... and waited. Unfortunately, my worst fears were confirmed. Four heads immediately returned. And this time, they let out a judging "ROOOOAAAR" far-deafening than anything I’d ever heard. I dropped my sword and grasped my ears. The Dragon’s message was clear ... and JUDGEMENT ... and the very sound of it rang everywhere. I stumbled backwards, picked myself up, grabbed my sword and retreated for the nearest covering.

I was LOST again. I was unsure of myself. The very tool (Judgement) ... I had been using ... was now attacking me. JUDGEMENT was everywhere and in everything. And when I had struck this Final Dragon with all of my might ... it was not defeated .. but rather it grew stronger. Why? Why this paradox? Why this contradiction? Why had everything been turned on its head?

I sat there staring at this Final Dragon for a long time. A long time! Much longer than I had stared at the First Dragon. This Dragon seemed to know me. This Dragon seemed to know exactly what I was in for and was relishing every minute of it. I was this Dragon’s pawn and it knew exactly how it was going to handle me. The creature merely snickered watching me cower in the nearest woods.

I looked around ... for signs of other travelers. Other people on the Quest ... who had been there before me. Maybe they had left a note of some sort. Something I could rely upon to defeat this latest monstrosity. Nothing. Very, very few indications that anyone had been here before. It was obvious this was personal work. Individual work. Work that must be performed alone.

I gathered myself and collected my thoughts. I came up with a game plan. It would be a game plan of perseverance. Maybe. Maybe if I just stand there and strike with my sword long enough, the Dragon’s Heads will stop multiplying. Maybe I just haven’t persevered long enough. Yes! That was it. I just needed to put more effort into it. Then, the Dragon would tire and run out of Heads and would be defeated. I could feel a stirring within and I was greatly encouraged. I wrote my notes, picked up my Sword and prepared myself and gathered up all my will power.

Again, I walked up to the Dragon. Twenty Paces away. Confident again .. though not as confident as the first time. The Dragon’s eyes sized me up .... still scoffing ... and then the Dragon "ROOOAARED" with Judgement. It was Deafening. More than before. My ears ached. The Four Dragon Heads looked at me ... "JUDGE. JUDGE. JUDGE. JUDGE". Their condemnation was all around me. The time was NOW. It had to be NOW. I swung with everything I had.

It was a mighty blow and the four heads instantly fell to the ground. I pulled my sword up again and prepared myself. The Heads immediately doubled to eight. Discouraged, I swung again as soon as possible. My energy just wasn’t there and I only got through six heads and I had to make a second strike just to finish the other two. The heads were gone and I could only stand there and hold my breath. I was hoping against Hope that this was the last strike.

The HEADS doubled again beyond anything I could even count. I was beyond exasperation - facing the many heads of Judgement, they were just far, far too many for me. I swung knowing this was my final time ... I had nothing left ... no strength .. no other game plans ... no other fellow travelers ... no other resources ... nothing ... this was it.

I only got through a few of the heads and the once mighty sword ... fell to the wayside ... laying next to me and my now, motionless body. I just laid there awhile looking up at the mighty Dragon. I had given everything. I was defeated. I had given my best and it had not been enough. I was ready to give up. Yet, before I did, I knew I wanted to make one last symbolic act. Fortunately, up to this point, the Dragon had not torn me to pieces. It was merely gazing down upon me wondering how I would respond to its unending onslaught of JUDGEMENT.

I sensed this attitude in the Dragon. I knew it was giving me my time ... to give up my fight on my terms. I was very thankful for that. I wanted to leave this earth like a true warrior, for a life well-lived. I rolled over. I gathered myself to my knees. And, I stayed there. I brushed off the dirt and faced the dragon and reached for my sword with my other hand. I placed it in the palms of both hands and then bowed my head holding my Tarnished sword out to the Dragon.

With head bowed and eyes closed, I quietly spoke to the Dragon. "You are a Great Dragon and I am admitting to myself and to others that I cannot defeat you. I have given you my best and still you have grown all the stronger. I know that I am no match for you and so I want to give you all that I have and to pay my respects to you. You are a very worthy advocate."

I took a deep breath and continued, "My only regret is that I did not know how to use my sword to defeat you - as a single Word has successfully defeated many, many dragons before you. Yet, I could not figure it out with all the effort and the willpower in the world. So now, I gladly yield my sword over to you and I make my peace with you. I declare to you that I will NOT Judge you anymore - as the very sound of it is excruciating to me. I beg you, do with me as you please."

The Dragon could only look down upon me. Just like he had before. He knew me. Inside and Out. He knew it would come to this. He knew I would be no match for him. He knew it would be exactly like this. Just like it had been before, with others. The only question was how the fight would be finished. Would the challenger go down fighting and swinging or would they do as I had just done? I waited. It seemed like forever. I wondered if I would be torched or if I would be gnashed in the teeth of this enormous creature. I waited .... for an eternity.

And then The Dragon spoke to me, "I have been waiting for you. And, I’m glad that you have made it this far. Many, many people never get to face me or even wonder about my great strength. And, you have seen it firsthand and have been able to marvel at it. And, now it is my turn to respond to you and your very actions toward me." It was then that the Dragon’s exterior began to change. I feared for my very life.

Yet, the Dragon continued to speak. "Yes, I am very ferocious. And, it is very right for me to JUDGE you and your actions. Yet, that is not what I am here to do. I am not a Dragon and I am not your Enemy." With that said, the Dragon began to shrink in size and became much, much smaller. The hard, rough exterior that had been covered with reddish, blackish scales were all softening. They were now turning white and fluffy. The creature was no longer hideous but small and gentle. The once mighty Dragon had turned into a Lamb and was now sitting on the ground before me.

The Lamb continued, "I have been your One Great Friend. All along the journey. I have NOT been attacking you. I have been teaching you. And you are now ready to learn the One Great Truth as a result of your final, simplest of actions." With that, the Lamb transformed into a Man with an incredible radiance all around him. It was this Man that lifted me to my feet.

The Man slowly gave me back my sword ... so that it firmly rested in my hands. I was still very much unsure of what was happening and how exactly I should respond. The Man, knowing this, said to me, "Look down at the sword and read what it says - it is now yours to have forever". I could not believe my ears ... the deafening roar of "JUDGEMENT" was now gone and had been replaced by the softest and most accepting of voices within this Man.

I clutched the sword and drew it upwards closer to my face. I could feel the incredible warmth and the glow of this sword ... long, long before my eyes were fully opened. The sword felt incredible in my hands ... I cannot describe how it felt ... it was more of a knowing than a feeling. I wanted to just stay there forever. And then I read the words ... "LOVE." Tears came to my eyes .. I could not contain them .. nor did I want to ... as the heighth and the depth of The Word sank into my very being.

LOVE .. It was taking on a whole new meaning for me. Greater than it ever had before. It was amazing. And then the Man began to speak again, "There is still much to know and much to learn ... but you have learned a very, very Great Truth. It is only when the Lion can lay down with the Lamb, that one finds Peace. You, my friend, have done so. You have stopped judging and have learned to make friends with your Dragons ... and in so doing you have UNIFIED yourself with all that is. And, so I am with you ... and you are with me ... and we are One."

At this point, the Man touched my face with his hands and slowly lifted my face towards him. I knew Him ... just like He knew me. I realized He had been with me every step of the way. He was my Family who helped me by giving me my first, comfortable sword. He was the Amazing Lion, who welcomed me to His Kingdom and met me on the other side of the Tunnel. He was the many smaller Dragons who helped me to first learn how to use my Spiritual sword. And it was Him .. here and NOW ... teaching me the greatest lesson of Love and Unity."

I embraced His gaze and wondered in it. And, then Jesus looked at me and held out His Cup and said "Drink." I reached out my hands and Thanked Him and Thanked Him ... for all of the difficult lessons ... for all of the Dragons of my life.... I thanked Him so very much.
I looked back upon my journey, my Quest. I realized the many intricacies of it. It was amazing to me. Each and every step crucial to my path. I needed to first grow up and learn as much as I could from my family. I did this by putting on a shiny exterior to cover up a tarnished interior. But soon, I realized this was not right, and I had to then learn to completely give up this prideful, self-centered exterior and to trust in a Higher purpose.

It was then that I was given Spiritual tools to help shine up my interior. This was a long and healthy process. Over time, though, I began to use my Spiritual tools in counter-productive ways by "dividing" everything into categories of Good or Bad. I was just like the Judging Dragon. At a lower level, this "dividing" is useful as it taught me to choose the Spirit over the Flesh. Yet, at a higher level, this is not helpful and not what God intends because it only serves to "divide" his creation.

Which brings me to His final and Greatest lesson. Through unconditional and unifying Love, I did not need to "judge" one another as we are all truly One. I had to learn that my Lionish behavior (of wielding a Sword to every problem) was not the final answer. That to realize lasting Peace, I had to lay my Sword down and be as gentle and as accepting as a Lamb. I needed to see the Goodness present in ALL things ... in Dragons, in comfortable swords, in cowering in the woods, .... that we are ALL on our way to being perfected in Christ ... one is not better or higher or greater or wiser than another.
I thought about this final and greatest lesson. There was much in it. I realized that I would no longer walk away from the Dragons of my life by judging them. I would no longer declare to myself that I AM STRONGER or that I AM HAPPIER or that I AM WISER for having faced them. No, these are comments from someone who still sits in Judgement of their Life. I had learned a New way ... I had learned a Great Truth from my Greatest Friend .... from now on, I AM LOVE.