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Field in Winter... Maine
Brunswick, ME
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News spread among the Sage's followers that this evening would be his most important teaching ever. No one knew how this news began, but all trusted it. The Sage had secretly directed a follower to start sharing this announcement, which spread from thence.
Persons started arriving, each sitting around and looking at the empty chair the Sage usually sat in when teaching. The time came for the teaching, and the Sage was late. They were concerned, for he always came in advance of any gathering.
To everyone's surprise, the Sage never appeared. Several went looking and could not find him. They told the group. Everyone assumed he must have gone off for some pressing matter that had arisen. However, unknown to them, he had taken a hike in the wood, intentionally missing the gathering.
The next evening, everyone gathered again. The Sage sat in the chair, arriving early, as usual. When time began for the teaching, he asked, "Does anyone have a question?" One said, "Yes, we missed you last night. We'd heard you would give us your most important teaching ever." The follower continued, "Are you giving us that teaching tonight?" "No," said the Sage, "I gave it to you last night. Did you listen?" "No, you never came," came the reply.
The Sage looked over the group, "Did anyone receive the lesson last night?" No one had. He got up from the chair and said, "Then, you can listen tonight." While the Sage walked away, he heard, "But you're leaving. What are we to listen to?" "Listen," he said, "to the empty chair."
I could elaborate on this story, but that is not needed - only "Listen."
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*© Brian K. Wilcox, 2023
*Use of photography is allowed accompanied by credit given to Brian K. Wilcox and title and place of photographs.
*Brian's book, An Ache for Union: Poems on Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major online booksellers or the publisher AuthorHouse.
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