The Courage To Grow

He had known him most of his life.  It wasn't just because they were neighbors.  Just because his children grew up with Sergei, but Mr. Knowles was keen. It is often said that psychic and intuitive people have a sense of radar for those with the same keen ability.  Knowles saw that in Sergei even as a young child.  But it needed developing.  Sergei would possess great humanity.  In time.

As the years passed, Mr. Knowles moved out of town and their paths crossed from time to time. Mostly when Mr. Knowles or Tenzin as he is known in the Buddhist community reached out to Sergei. Tenzin knew when Sergei was ready, their paths would cross. Energy is like that.

They had kept in touch with detailed letters about their families, work, sports.  Even sometimes, how things were going emotionally.  Tenzin wasn't one to pry.  Especially now since he was a monk in Thich Nhat Hanh's, the Order of Interbeing.

Then as they were both rounding the corner in Times Square in New York City at precisely the same day, same hour, same moment.

"Tenzin!  I've been thinking about you," Sergei said.

"I know.  It is time," Tenzin replied.

"You've been troubled.  I know this because I feel it.  Because I also have aspects of this," Tenzin said.  

"Always one to read me," Sergei said.

"I'm always in the same place.  Stuck," Sergei said.

"Are you stuck, or are your thoughts stuck?"

Sergei was at once silent.  He thought on that.  Speechless. He lowered his head. At first he sobbed.  The tears wouldn't stop.  He cried for what he didn't know.  Understand.  He cried for humanity, then he learned to cry for himself.  The wasted years.

Tenzin's face softened looking toward Sergei as he lifted his eyes with a smile. 

Sergei rambled through his list about what was wrong with the world, people, friends. Suddenly he stopped. Got quiet. Pensive.

"Did you think these were new issues in the world ? What are you doing to quiet the mind?" Tenzin continued.

Sergei was still.  The synapses were firing.  He began to understand. It begins and ends with him.

"I'm just a reminder.  These things, well, they have not changed.  We were down that road the last time we met.  Are you lost?"