He talked with others individually, exchanging stories, laughing, crying, hugging, and all with warmth and compassion. This went on for another hour.
Having opened up the door to a new reality for himself, he walked back to his room, half in a daze, half in amazement over how much had learned in the past number of hours since he arrived at this place. No, he rethought that. He was amazed at how much he had learned over the span of his entire life. Yes, some of it was good information, yet some he had learned was not good but only there to teach how “not” to be, in the long run. The important issue is that it all came together this evening. “Talking about miracles,” he said to himself, shaking his head, walking down the long, quiet corridor. To have let go of all the weight of his “old life” was not only exciting, but also draining. It is sometimes hard work to let go of something one has held onto for such a very long time.
Eager to learn more, he picked up his pace to return to his room to see what else this book he was given had to say. This was DEFINITELY a time to learn. Why stop now!
He opened the door, closed it, and without changing into sleeping clothes as he usually did, he grabbed the book and bounced onto the bed, most excited to see what the new lesson was. “This has been a great day. Too bad other people don’t know the truth about this kind of thinking!” he thought.
As he opened the book, he closed his eyes and allowed his fingers to decide where to start reading for tonight. The book opened, quite naturally, to an area that ‘felt right.’
He opened his eyes, eager to learn anew. The page was blank. “Oh, well” he thought to himself. He then turned the page to see what the next page said. When he read, his jaw fell open, not at all expecting this response.
Even though he was becoming accustomed to the “shock” of this writer (a bear?) knowing what was appropriate for the moment, this time it went beyond shock, to the point of feeling like a lightning bolt. It was almost painful.
“I see you still have not mastered the skill of hearing subtlety. Not to worry. It takes practice to recognize how to see what is there, or, in this case, what is NOT there.”
“The message was on the page you turned to. And, yes, it was blank. That is because now, it is time for you to ‘digest’ what you have learned from today’s lessons, not learn more. As with all things in life, you may want to consider the benefits of balance. Extremes are good once in a while, but not always. The average time should be in moderation. This includes your ‘learning curve.’ Learn without over-learning. If you learn too much, you will tend to overload, thereby causing a ‘springboard’ or rebound effect, causing you to NOT learn. You forget most of what you have learned. Now, I do not think you want to spend all that energy, only to lose all of that valuable information!”
“I also understand how you feel you have learned much — and you have. However, do not feel you have ALL the answers. You have YOUR answers for NOW! You can no more talk about what another needs to know than another can tell you what you need from a personal viewpoint. Your lessons are yours. Another’s lessons are theirs.”
“An additional comment. Whenever you hear your brain think or your mouth speak ‘It’s too bad that others don’t something-or another,' your ego is making a judgment of something of which you know little or nothing. It is just as if you have told someone that their enjoyment of a sunset is wrong, or that they were evil because they enjoy the fragrance of a flower.”
“Your lesson for this moment is not to learn any more tonight. Please get some sleep and allow your dreams to teach you gently in moderation. Good night, traveler.”
With that, and without fighting, he closed the book, setting it down on the end table, and, for the moment, closed his eyes. And, he was asleep.