Look to the East (2020)

What are we looking for? I might not know what it looks like yet, but I'll tell you where we might find it.

So, curiously, I asked him, “what should I do to stay in the light?”

And he told me:

"In the morning, face East

that when the sun does rise,

that which is in front of you,

remains in darkness,

but in the morning, face East

that you…

...shine like the sun."

And so, intrigued, I asked him, “and in the evening, what should I do? Should I face West?”

And he said:

"No, remain postured toward the East

that though you become dark,

all that is in front of you glows gold.

This is the day’s fruit,

given you to savor.

But to face West in the evening,

would mean the light is not in you."

And, perplexed, I asked him, “what of when, facing East, the sun sets even behind me? What of when night falls? How do I then not fixate my gaze upon darkness?”

So he said:

"Two things there are

to buoy you in the sea of darkness.

Three things to save you.

One. Look not at the darkness,

but at the stars,

to guide you in your blindness.

Two. Look not at the darkness,

but to the moon,

in hope that it may light your path,

and shine dimly on what rests in front of you,

to help you on your way.

These two things

will be your light,

even in the darkest of nights."

And, angry, I said, "I'm tired of this eternal cycle! This never ending fight! What if I just don't want to be here anymore?"

Then, he said:

"The cycle will end when all becomes ONE.

But this will not happen in time,

for time is the world of the children of light.

But you are children of the ONE,

and time is not your master,

and you may leave this house whenever you want.

But stay, for now, oh child of light,

for the sake of your brothers and sisters.

But you,

take your blindfold off and see,

open your eyes and see,

then you will be a light in the night.

And there in the darkness,

the lost will be found,

oh, child of ONE."

"How do I do that?" I snapped back.

Then... I paused. I sat silent for a moment as I considered his words. I felt lost... but then I remembered and so, faintly hopeful, I asked, “You said there was third thing? The thing that saves?”

He smiled, and said to me:

"Yes.

Indeed.

On top of all this,

even in the darkness of night,

look to the East.

Watch for the rising sun.

And the sun will rise."