Dreamscape

The fields were filled with people. Families huddled together, gathered around camps they had set up. The energy of the crowd was anxious and excited. They all waited to see something extraordinary. The promise of witnessing a miracle was palpable in the air. You could taste the faith and conviction of this gathering of souls. Some of the campsites were decorated with streamers of multicolored ribbon. Others were bare of accessories. The intent of each was the same. A man was coming to deliver a message. He was touted as a modern profit. He held the keys to the heaven that all wished to enter. Some even said that he channeled God himself. Millions more were arriving. Like armies of ants, they marched their way to the place promised to change their lives for eternity.

I turned toward the valley below. I saw the people gather in droves. It frightened me. I could see the blindness in their faces. At least the ones I could see from my vantage point from the hillside. Like zombies promised flesh, they continued into the clearing. Millions upon millions, more with each passing moment. The people were packed closely and there was no room for more, yet more continued. I screamed for the people to stop. But no one could hear me from my place on the hill. The sky crackled with energy when my fear and anger boiled up inside of me. They all turned in unison to look at me. I became clear that I was the one they had all come to see.

My apprehension was now a full blown storm within me. The wind began to sweep across the sheep below me. As I took a deep breath and calmed my mind. The wind also subsided. I realized then that I was the profit that was promised. I had no answers to give them. I had no wisdom to bestow. I was just as lost as these souls looking to me for truth. I had no fast track to the heavens as they were led to believe. I began to speak. My voice cracking under the stress. A timid small voice of vulnerability.

"Why are you here? What is it you want from me?" I asked the silent masses below. Though I felt my voice was but a trembling whisper. They all heard me. They looked at each other in puzzlement. Then looked back up at me. It was then that I heard their voices. Inside my head they all chanted that I was who they were here to see. They believed I was going to teach them a new way.

Again, perplexed as to what to say. I sat down on a large rock and began to ponder their hunger for answers. I could still hear their voices in my mind. Requests to heal sick loved ones. Prayers to grant them compassion. Pleads to show them an end to their suffering. I was amazed and taken back by the fact that none of them asked for themselves. They wanted universal peace and prosperity. I was not expecting them to ask for the good of the world. I thought they were each here for selfish gain. My confusion turned to a feeling of humbleness and shame for my assumptions.

I smiled and looked down at them yet again. As I spoke this time the shake to my words was gone and in its place came a strong and reverent voice. "You have all come here to teach me. It is not me teaching you. Your selfless compassion for the world is the promise you seek. Thank you."

And I cried tears of joy for knowing that the human race was not lost.