The New Paradigm
vol. I, Number 12

Dear Friends,

Thank You, Karen Mills, for responding to my plea: with a prose offering this time, written a few months ago, but none the less fresh and new. And wise. [H.]

I approach a cross-road. I see three different pathways before me. One left, one right and one straight ahead. I pause and consider these paths. Which is the right path for me? How shall I choose?

As I ponder further I notice that there is a small house at the entrance to each path. I shall investigate these houses, and see what each path has to offer. I move towards the right and enter the small house. It only consists of one room and there is but one object in the room - a vase of beautiful flowers. The colours are exquisite and the leaves shimmering and full of life. I can see how lovely they are, they hold a beauty all of their own.

I move out of the house, and straight to the next house, the path that would have taken me straight ahead from whence I came. I enter into the house and see that this house too holds but one object - this time a casket of golden coins. There is so much wealth here, and I touch the coins and let them run over my hands. Shimmering gold coins.

I move outside again, and move to the third house, the house which was on my left in the beginning. Inside this house I see there is a single item once again, this time I observe before me a jack-in-the-box. I walk up to it and open the lid. The smiling jack springs into action, taking me by surprise. What does this strange object represent? He seems incongruos here. The kind of thing you would look at no more than once.

I ponder upon these objects. Feeling drawn to find their message I move once again to the first house. I stare at the vase of flowers and I listen to their message:

"Welcome to our world, fine wanderer, and see us for what we are. We hold much beauty, do we not? See our colour and our wonder. If you decide to take our path, you will find much pleasure in our magnifigance. It will fulfill you, and colour your way, and consequently you will dance within our magic for a time. But you see we wilt and die after a time, our colour will fade and our vitality will diminish. You will then find that you will have to find a new vase of flowers to enhance you, and so it will go on.... You must find the beauty within yourself, and seek it not outside."

I listened to their words, and thoughtfully walked into the next house. This house felt like a fine, rich chamber. I smiled as I picked up the coins once more. The coins tumbled around me, and when I asked for their message they said:

"What riches you will find if you choose our path. All the finest adornments, ornaments and castles in the sky will be yours. You will not want for material treasures, nor will you need to labour or struggle. Laughingly you may watch the world go by, for you may buy your way into luxury and ease. The casket shall always remain full. But we warn you, fine traveller, it shall not satisfy the emptiness you may find in you heart when you start to look for the real treasure. Like the vase of flowers you will find happiness for a while. One day you shall look at the coins and sadness shall possess you. The treasure lies not in Earthly possessions, but in the fineness in your heart and soul."

I pondered awhile on the words from this house, and with my interest mounting I moved towards the third house. I entered the house, and looked at the small box, with time-worn patterns and faded colour. I pushed the catch, and out popped the jack, still smiling absurdly. I watched him as he bounced around upon his spring. I asked him then for his message. He spoke quietly to me, grateful for my audience.

"I am the voice of truth. I am often hidden - pressed down where I cannot be seen. I will always spring up when you bid me to do so, but even when I become visible many people do not see me for what I am; for they do not see beauty, excitement or distraction in my face. I smile my blessings upon them, but I seem not to have the charisma of the coins or the flowers. But if you take my path I will lead you towards truth and you shall know yourself and all else within the truth in your heart. I promise not instant glory, beauty or riches, but if you allow yourself to let me show you the way, and resist the temptation to close my box, my path shall eventually lead to greater glory, beauty and riches than you can imagine. I may seem incongrous, misleading, incomprehensible at present, but beneath the smile and funny face I am so much more."

I smiled at the jack, my heart full of joy. I had no desire to close the box and implode his secrets. I walked out of the house, and proceeded down his road.

- Karen Mills

Thank You, Karen. I would say you made a wise choice. I don't know who you are, Karen, beyond "Sue's sister in New Zealand," or what you look like; but I can say this: your poetry and prose reveal a beautiful and noble spirit, and one I admire and respect. Read on, and I will introduce you to another couple, of beautiful and noble spirit.

For our next selection, which I think fits in perfectly with Karen's, I am going to share with you a special treasure I discovered just during the present week; but you're going to have to go somewhere for this treasure, for it cannot be published in The New Paradigm.

Love is a theme often associated with Truth, and they seem to make a fine pair of ideals to strive for and live by in Life. Sue Fowler recently discussed "Relationships in the New Paradigm" [tnp #8, 1/10/98], with an emphasis on sexual relationships; but of course Sex is subsumed under the much broader field of interest, Love. Well anyway, Love and Sex are at least potentially related. But what is this Love, really, when you get right down to it?

That's not an easy question to answer in so many words, although many have attempted it, and doubtless people will be writing about Love for as long as...people continue writing about anything. But when you are able to come into the presence of Love - even if it is not your own - that can be a profound experience. If you're in the right frame of mind.

Now I want to point you, my friends, to what I feel to be a Sacred Site on the Internet, and a place to linger with reverence and peace of mind. Or lacking peace of mind, you may find it most unexpectedly at the Georgia (U.S.A.) homestead of Lord Tom and Lady Judith Williams on the Electronic Frontier.

Lord and Lady Williams do not belong to the "incumbent aristocracy" of which I was speaking in the most recent edition [tnp #11, 1/31/98]; their titles were not bestowed upon them by any hereditary Royalty or foreign Potentate. I address them so because they demonstrate to me the Nobility inherent (in my opinion) to all Human Beings, for no other reason than that they/we exist. All are Noble, but few display the Nobility of a Human Being with the grace, artistry and skill evident in the Internet presence of Lord and Lady Williams; therefore I distinguish them, not as people whose station in life is unreachable by the so-called "common rabble," but as exemplars of how life can be for anybody who makes Love and Excellence shim's standard.

Lord and Lady Williams are very much in Love; and in making Love to each other openly, on the Internet, they share with others something very precious and sacred of themselves. In so doing, they teach us by example somewhat of the meaning and joy of Love. You may visit Williamsholler, where love lives... - but soft! Takest off thy sandals, and leave them by the door, for thou walkest there upon Holy Ground. And choose a time when thou wilt be able to linger. Certain things should not be rushed, and Love is one of them.

It's advisable to have a good Sound Card in thy Computer too. Tom makes exquisite music, which adds much to the ambiance at Williamsholler.

So, there you have it:

Truth, Love & Light,

-- Harmon
J. Harmon Grahn