The Parable of the Way

The Anointed One had four disciples, and the day came when she had revealed to them the last of her teachings. So she took the first disciple aside and said to him, "Beloved, the time has come for you to continue your journey on your own. Rejoice, for God has chosen you as His Son. Heaven and all it contains is yours. The only thing you must decide now is the path you will choose in the world of form. Your choices are three. You may live as an ascetic, forever in solitude, resting blissfully in Nirvana. Or you may become a savior of the world, giving up all your possessions and preaching the good news to the oppressed, though at the end of your life, you will be crucified by your enemies. Or you may become a leader of the world and fame, peace, prosperity and good fortune will follow you wherever you go. Choose."

"All roads lead to God?" said the disciple

"Yes."
"This is no trick."

"No trick."

"Then I choose to be a leader of the world, Master. With such power as my tool, I can bring the gospel of peace and enlightenment to everyone without needless suffering. I choose that road."

The Master took him by the head and kissed his forehead. "Go in peace, disciple of the Light, and beware the ego. You have just given way to temptation; but fear not! Within you is the power to transcend it." And the first disciple left in anger.

Then the Master took aside the second disciple and told him the very same thing, presenting him with the same choice: to be an ascetic, to be a savior of the world, or to be a leader of the world.

"All roads lead to God?" said the disciple

"Yes," said the Master.
"This is no trick."

"No trick."

"Then I choose to be an ascetic," said the disciple. "The world is an illusion, so what need I anything to do with it? God is my one thought and one desire."

The Master took him by the head and kissed his forehead. "Go in peace, disciple of the Light, and beware the ego. You have just given way to temptation; but fear not! Within you is the power to transcend it." And the second disciple left in confusion.

Then the Master took aside the third disciple and told him the very same thing, presenting him with the same choice: to be an ascetic, to be a savior of the world, or to be a leader of the world.

"All roads lead to God?" said the disciple

"Yes," said the Master.
"This is no trick."

"No trick."

"Then I choose to be a savior of the world," said the disciple. The world is an illusion, but I cannot leave my brothers and sisters in darkness. They must be saved, no matter what the cost, even if it means my life is forfeit."

The Master took him by the head and kissed his forehead. "Go in peace, disciple of the Light, and beware the ego. You have just given way to temptation; but fear not! Within you is the power to transcend it." And the third disciple left in sorrow.

Then the Master took aside the fourth disciple and told him the very same thing, presenting him with the same choice: to be an ascetic, to be a savior of the world, or to be a leader of the world.

"All roads lead to God?" said the disciple

"Yes," said the Master.
"This is no trick."

"No trick."

The disciple was quiet for a very long time, and the Master waited patiently. He sat down, and she sat down beside him. Many hours passed, the sun set, night fell and still the disciple said nothing, and the Master waited. Early the next morning, as the sun began to rise, the Master finally said with a laugh, "Disciple, as much as I have enjoyed your company over these many years, you have taken quite enough time. The choices are simple. Choose now."

"Choose what, Master?" said the disciple sadly. "You have just told Me that God has chosen Me to be His Son, and that the Kingdom of Heaven and all it contains is Mine. When I think of this, My heart is exceedingly glad! But when I think about the choices you have laid before Me, the awareness of this truth is suddenly lost to Me, and uncertaintly fills My heart again. In truth, master, who is now My sister, there is no rhyme or reason to Your choices. They all concern My future in the world of form, which is an illusion. How can one be better than the other, when all of them are untrue? No, sister, I cannot choose. It matters not to Me. Our Mother guides Me along My path in the One Eternal Moment, and She does so according to what seems fit to Her and Me."

The Master took her brother's face in her hands, kissed him on the forehead and said to him, "Blessed are You, Son of God, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to You, but our Mother and Father, who is in heaven. Now rise, My Beloved brother, and step into the glory of our inheritance."