7 4 S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 5 - 2 Fa l l 2 0 1 9 Chapter One What was close before, that is far away now. What was far away before, this is close now. “Well, you have returned to us, my dear heavenly knight, welcome among us poor ones,” appeared the hermit in front of the cave. “But Father, what are you wearing, this used to be my knightly dress!” “Nothing, son, this was just scattered over the rocks. They were probably sweeping up there in the morning,” laughed the hermit, pointing at the sky with his finger. The knight jumped off his horse, stumbled towards the hermit down the rocky path, hugged him and put his head on his shoulder. He didn’t say anything; they just held each other in their arms for a long time. “So, so… that’s how it should be,” said the hermit, “we are equal now.” “And what about your horse, my heavenly knight? Here on earth, his wings will only inspire envy.” The Knight nodded sadly, drew his sword, and swung to chop them off. But the horse shook its head dismissively and looked up at him pleadingly. Even the hermit was alarmed: “Hold on, Knight, the wings are just too much to see!” So the knight lowered his sword, leaned against it, and shrugged. “You can leave them for the night,” the hermit continued, “just by day we try to hide them. Compared with that former celestial glory, the sackcloth shawl will be poorer, but even a horse has to get used here,” he laughed softly. “In fact, the wings may come in handy,” the knight laughed bitterly with him, “after all, it is being sung that on clear nights a spirit soars on them to the heavens!” He flashed his sword over his head to make it look cheerful and brave, but it rather made him sad: “It’s soaring to the heavens…The heavens! Where else can they be than here, where I am? This is what I already know well; a heavenly dream is a mere disguised earthly dream! And yet I feel there’s still some difference between heaven and earth… how could I be homesick here?” So he tucked his sword with one hand, while he lovingly caressed his old leaky shield with his other hand, in the same way as he used to play the celestial lute up there. He gazed with tenderness at the faded image of the lady of his heart. Now they were closer to each other than in heaven, but differently than he had ever imagined, and he would never be able to explain it to anyone here on earth. Chapter Two What did the knight leave with? He had the sun in his heart, and a star in his palm. And what did he return with? He had a star on his forehead, and his heart in his palm. The knight and the hermit descended along a rocky path that winded down into the valley. Far below them, the river glittered, and on its banks lay villages with thatched roofs and white church towers. The knight guided the horse, and the hermit showed him the way in places covered with bushes. “Knight, do you know what you’re getting into?” “Yes, Father… perhaps.” “Then don’t forget four things. First: When you were leaving, you didn’t know the sun yet, though you had it in your heart. You will always remind yourself that here is everybody like you were before. Second: When you wanted to get hold of the stars there, you were ready to give yours first. Never forget how hard it is for others here. Third: Once the sun goes out, a star will shine on your forehead. You’ll hide her, otherwise you would betray your mistress.
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