Chapter 37
I’m Awake
Saturday, noon
Wow, Egypt was real, so were Yarrl, Akakios and Arsenius; and I met
one of the most interesting librarians of all time. My adventure
must be over because I just woke up in a hospital bed. I remember
being hit hard by a big book; and then I met Punky. What a riot. I
wouldn’t mind talking to him again.
I was back, head bandaged, some discomfort; but otherwise I felt
good. It was half past eleven and the sun was shining, but I didn’t
know what day it was. I would have
liked to go back to Alexandria. I never found out how the Library
came to an end. But I know it disappeared from recorded history in
the fifth or sixth century. My mind meandered, zigged, zagged
and flew through that adventure: people, words, places, busy streets,
empty deserts and a hearty meal at the Horse Head Inn. So much to
think about. I wondered if that was an out-of-body experience, or
maybe it was a re-play, part of one of my past lives. I had no
knowledge of such things.
A nurse came in with a cheerful greeting and checked my vitals. They
must have been fine, because she smiled and relaxed. On impulse, I
asked if she knew which book had knocked me out.
“I’m glad you remember your accident; your brain is working
fine.” She laughed. “One of the librarians was here when I came
to check on you yesterday. She wanted to tell me about your accident
and said it was odd, the heavy book that hit you was in your area of
research: ‘Encyclopedia of Monasticism, volume two.’ ” I
laughed with her about the coincidence.
Later I wasn’t so sure it was a coincidence. It might have been
more like a wake-up call. This whole experience had opened my mind to
possibilities and paths one might look for during a lifetime. Today,
I didn’t mind the bump on my head; my visit to another time and
place made up for that; but Punky had said I might be back in time
for lunch the same day.
“Please, how long have I been here?”
“You’ve been in this bed in a coma four days. You’ll have to
stay a couple more days minimum for observation.” She emphasized
the word minimum. Actually that didn’t sound too bad, it would give
me time to review the whole experience. I had plenty to think about.
I’m happy with my work, well prepared for it and lucky to have a
great job. But now I think there might be even more to life.
I’d been reminded of the importance of my own library and others
as keepers of knowledge and wisdom; and also how lucky we are those
things are valued in our culture in the 1995 version of Western
civilization. And I had a new perspective on budget cuts; they may
always be coming or going, but they’re not the end of the world,
only one small part of the process.
I wasn’t in a hurry to go back to work. My journey to the past had
been so rich, I wanted to savor it for a while, relax and try to
figure out who I am and who I want to be. I’d noticed three ideas
that seemed to be important, and I wanted to remember them. They came
right to mind as I found a piece of paper in the bedside cupboard.
– Each soul is immortal and lives many lifetimes, according to
ancient Greek philosophers.
– Each one approaches God in a way related to one’s life path, a
unique personal process.
– Each one of us is responsible for finding and following our own
path, and understanding that life on earth is subject to the laws of
karma.
Egypt opened my mind to new possibilities, new experiences that
might lead to fulfillment, more insight and peace. There’s so much
to think about. I’d always meant to stay grounded, but my eyes and
mind had been opened to a world beyond my everyday experience. Now I
knew there was more; but that’s about all I knew.
I might have been to the spirit world as defined by many Native
American tribes and other indigenous peoples; or maybe it was a brief
visit to heaven or paradise. I don’t know if it matters, I believe
it’s close by each one of us and can be accessed under the right
conditions. Prayer, some forms of meditation, shamanic rituals and
certain kinds of ceremonies might be helpful. I don’t recommend
being hit on the head by a big book.
I guess for most people, perceptions of reality are informed or
defined by culture, language and religion. We grow up learning what’s
acceptable, questionable or to be denied in our world. My visions
must have broken through one of my boundaries. I wonder if my mind
tried to block them; or maybe they weren’t blocked and that’s how
I came to have my adventure.
Sunday afternoon
I was lucky Eppie got me started thinking about what was real after
I had those visions. Otherwise I might have worked overtime to block
everything. For now though, plain vanilla reality is back and it’s
all good.
The very first thing, meeting Punky, opened a big crack in my wall
of reality. He was interesting and pretty much a regular guy to talk
to. I liked the way he described life as school in session and death
as graduation. And then after recess, you go back to school again in
a new life. It makes me think of things I’ve never thought of
before. And a really big deal for me was walking through all those
experiences in ancient Egypt like I belonged there. Now I believe
that unknown worlds exist beyond our imagination or understanding;
and it was my good luck to visit one.
I don’t know whether Yarrl’s true path had already begun in the
Library, or when we were in the desert with Arsenius or later on when
he became a monk; he seemed to be happy in that codex I read. Now I’m
ready to open up, look inward and expand my own life path. I want to
think more about what I do, why I do it and what else I want to do.
Today I felt rested and ready to go home. After dark, almost asleep,
I thought of Eppie, how she’d known about the visions before she
called me and how she helped me cope. I wondered if she’d ever
experienced more than one world. Or maybe living in more than one
world is a common occurrence for her. I’ll have to ask about that.
We definitely have something interesting to talk about now. I
wondered if my story would surprise her. Probably not.
I decided to call her soon; she had always been my most trusted
friend.
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