TheworksofJamesRedfield

TheCelestineProphecyTheCelestineProphecy:AnExperientialGuide(withCarolAdrienne)TheTenthInsight:HoldingtheVisionTheTenthInsight:AnExperientialGuide(withCarolAdrienne)TheCelestineVision:LivingtheNewSpiritualAwarenessTheSecretofShambhala:InSearchoftheEleventhInsightGodandtheEvolvingUniverse:TheNextStepinPersonalEvolution(withSylviaTimbersandMichaelMurphy)TheTwelfthInsight:TheHourofDecision

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedbyanypersonorentity,includinginternetsearchenginesorretailers,inanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingprinting,photocopying(exceptunderthestatutoryexceptionsprovisionsoftheAustralianCopyrightAct1968),recording,scanningorbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystemwithoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofRandomHouseAustralia.Anyunauthoriseddistributionoruseofthistextmaybeadirectinfringementoftheauthor’sandpublisher’srightsandthoseresponsiblemaybeliableinlawaccordingly.

TheTwelfthInsight

ePubISBN9781864711684KindleISBN9781864711707

ABantambookPublishedbyRandomHouseAustraliaPtyLtdLevel3,100PacificHighway,NorthSydneyNSW2060www.randomhouse.com.au

FirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesbyGrandCentralPublishing,adivisionofHachetteBookGroup,Inc.in2011ThiseditionpublishedinAustraliabyBantamin2011

Copyright©JamesRedfield2011

Themoralrightoftheauthorhasbeenasserted.

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedbyanypersonorentity,includinginternetsearchenginesorretailers,inanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying(exceptunderthestatutoryexceptionsprovisionsoftheAustralianCopyrightAct1968),recording,scanningorbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystemwithoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofRandomHouseAustralia.

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Redfield,JamesThetwelfthinsight

ISBN9781864711684(pbk)

SpirituallifeSelf-actualisation(Psychology)

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ForKaelynnandMckenna

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’mingratitudeformanypeoplewhoinsomewaycontributedtothisbook.Firstandforemost,Iwouldliketothankthemanyindividualsworldwide,existingacrossallreligions,whokeeptheideaofanauthenticspiritualconsciousnessaliveandthriving.Itisyourquietfortitudethatisliterallysavingtheday.

Also,specialmentiongoestoLarryDosseyforhisbookThePowerofPremonitions.Hesomehowalwaysproducesalandmarkworkjustwhenitistimetopopularizeastepforwardinhumanawareness.ThankstoDr.RussellBlaylock,wholeadsthefightagainstdangerouschemicaladditivesinourfood.AndMichaelMurphy,whoholdsthespaceforsomanywhoseektobridgethegreathumandividesofourtime:firsttheColdWar,andnowReligiousandCulturalIntolerance.AlsoI’dliketoacknowledgetheworkofCarlJohanCallemanandJohnMajorJenkinsconcerningtheMayanCalendar.AndasincerethanksgoestoPhilCousineauforhisbrilliantanalysisofcomparativereligiousthought.

Closertohome,ImustsaymanythankstoLarryKirshbaum,andmypublisherJamieRaab,whograspedthevisionandhelpedtoshapeitsideas;tothemanypeopleatGrandCentralPublishingwhohelpturnamanuscriptintoabook;toKellyLeavitt,whoseartfuleyealwaystracksforimpactandcomprehension;toAlbertClaytonGaulden,forhiscosmologicaltiming;andtoLarryMiller,whosemanyconversationshavesparkedmythinking.Also,thankstoSteveMaraboli,whoseBetterTodaycommunityisaprimeexampleoftheemergingTwelfthInsight.

Mostofall,I’dliketoexpressgratitudeandlovetomywife,Salle,whosesupportanddeepinsightnurturedmyspiritalongtheway.

CONTENTS

CoverTheworksofJamesRedfield

TitlePageCopyrightImprintPageDedication

AcknowledgementsEpigraph

SUSTAININGSYNCHRONICITY

CONSCIOUSCONVERSATION

MOVINGINTOALIGNMENT

RECOGNIZINGIDEOLOGY

THEGODCONNECTION

THEGREATCOMMISSIONING

THEARTOFTUNINGIN

THEONENESSINTENTION

OPENINGTOPERCEPTION

WHATHEAVENKNOWS

THERISETOINFLUENCE

THERETURN

EPILOGUE

Visitcelestinevision.comRandomHouse

Inatimeofuniversaldeceit,truth-tellingbecomesarevolutionaryact.

—GEORGEORWELL

SUSTAININGSYNCHRONICITY

Iturnedontothefreewayandhitcruisecontrol,tryingtoeaseupabit.TherewasplentyoftimetomeetWilattheairport.SoIforcedmyselftorelaxandtakeintheautumnsunshineandtherollingsouthernhills.Nottomentiontheflocksofcrowsslinkingalongtheshouldersofthehighway.

Thecrows,Iknew,wereagoodsign,evenifIhadbeenbattlingwiththemallsummer.Infolklore,theirpresenceindicatesmysteryandanimpendingrendezvouswithone’sowndestiny.Somesaytheywillevenleadyoutosuchamoment,ifyouchancetofollowthemlongenough.

Unfortunately,theywillalsoshowupintheearlymorningstoeattheyoungpeaplantsinyourbackyardgarden—unless,ofcourse,youmakeadeal.Theylaughatscarecrowsandshotguns.Butifyougivethemtheirownrowofplantsneartheforest,theywilltendtoleavetherestalone.

Justthen,asinglecrowflewoverthecarandoutinfrontofme.ThenturnedcompletelyaroundandheadedbackthewayI’dcome.Itriedtofollowitintherearviewmirror,butallIcouldseewasadarkblueSUVaboutahundredyardsback.

Thinkingnothingofthevehicle,Icontinuedtowatchthescenery,takinginadeepbreathandhittinganotherlevelofrelaxation.Aroadtrip,Ithought,nothinglikeit.Iwonderedhowmanypeople,inhowmanyplaces,wereexperiencingthisexactkindofmoment—gettingawayfromthestressofanunsureworld,justtoseewhatmighthappen.

Only,inmycase,Iwasalsolookingforsomething.Formonthsnow,Ihadbeenrunningintototalstrangersalltalkingaboutthesamething:thesecretreleaseofanold,unnamedDocument.Supposedly,ithadcomefromacoalitionrepresentingtheworld’sreligioustraditions,andwordofitwasalreadywidespread,atleastamongthosewithanearforsuchthings.Yetnooneseemedtohaveanydetails.Rumorhaditthatitwasnowbeingreleasedaheadofschedule,outofnecessity.

Forme,therumorswerebothintriguingandslightlyhumorous.Theideaofacoalitionamongthereligioustraditionswashardlynew,butithadalwaysproventobeallbutimpossibleinreality.Thedifferencesinbeliefswerejusttoogreat.Andintheend,eachtraditionwantedtoprevailovertheothers.

Infact,Ihadbeenreadytodismisstherumorswhensomethingelsehadoccurred:IreceivedafaxfromWil.Hesentmetwotranslatedpages,ostensiblyfromthisoldDocument.InthemarginofthefirstpagewasanotationinWil’shandwritingsaying,“ThishasbothHebrewandArabicorigins.”

AsIreadthepages,itseemedtobeatreatmentofmoderntimes,proclaimingthatsomethingimportantwasgoingtobeginintheseconddecadeofthetwenty-firstcentury.Igrimacedatthedate,thinkingitmightbeonemoreend-of-the-worldprophecy—anotherinalonglineofdoomsdaypredictionsmisinterpretingeverythingfromtheMayanCalendartoNostradamustoRevelation.AllshoutingtotheendsoftheEarth:“Haven’tyouheard,theworldisendingin2012!”

Foryearsnow,themediahadbeenpushingthe“endtimes”scenario,andpeople,thoughworried,alsoseemeddeeplyintrigued.Thebigquestionwaswhy?Whatcouldbecausingthisfascination?IsitjusttheexcitementoverbeingaliveattheprecisetimetheMayanCalendarisscheduledtoend?Orwasitsomethingelse?Maybe,justmaybe,ourfascinationwiththeendrevealedalatentintuition,increasinglynoticeable,thatsomethingbetterwasabouttobeborn.

ThemoreIreadofWil’sfax,themorethepagesbegantocarryakindofnuminousattraction.Thestylewasupbeatandvaguelyfamiliarinsomeway,andtheauthentictonewasconfirmedwhenIsawasecondnotationfromWilonthelastpage.“Thiscamefromafriend,”hehadscribbled.“It’sforreal.”

Ilookedoverattheverysamefaxpageslyingonthepassengerseatbesideme.Lightfromtheafternoonsunflickeredoverthem.Wil’swrittencomment,Iknew,meantthattheoriginalwas,atleastinhismind,wellfounded—andprobablyextendedthemessageofwhathadalwaysbeenhissingularobsession:theoldCelestineProphecythathadbeendiscoveredinPeru.

ThethoughtspawnedafloodofmemoriesasIrecalledhowquicklywordoftheFirstNineInsightsofthisProphecyhadcirculatedaroundtheplanet.Why?Becausetheymadesenseinaworldtooshallowandmaterialistic.ThemessageofthisProphecywasclear.Beingspiritualismorethanmerelybelievinginsomedeityintheabstract.Itentailsthediscoveryofanother,entirelydifferentdimensionoflife,onethatoperatessolelyinaspiritualmanner.

Onceonemakesthisdiscovery,onerealizestheuniverseisfilledwithallsortsoffortuitousencounters,intuitions,andmysteriouscoincidences,allpointingtoahigherpurposebehindourlives,andinfact,behindallofhumanhistory.Theonlyquestion,then,fortheseekerwhowakesuptothisrealityishowdoesthismysteriousworldreallyoperate,andhowdoesonebegintoengageitssecrets.

Inthosedays,Iknew,somethinghadpoppedinhumanconsciousnessandhadleddirectlytotwomoreInsights:aTenthandEleventh.TheTenthdelvedintothemysteryoftheAfterlifeandchronicledadecadelongfocusonHeavenanditsinhabitants,foreverdispelling,alongtheway,anage-oldrepressionofdeathandwhathappensafterward.Oncethatblockwaslifted,anexplorationofeverythingspiritualseemedtobegin.

QuicklycamethenextInsight:theEleventh,bornofacollectiveknowingthatweareallheretoparticipateinsomeasyetundefinedagenda—aPlanofsomekind.Itinvolvedthediscoveryofhowtomanifestourdeepestdreamsandtolifttheworldtoitsideal.Intheyearsthatfollowed,thisintuitiongrewintoallsortsoftheoriesaboutSecretsandPrayerPowerandLawsofAttraction,theoriesthatseemedrightbutnotquitecomplete.

Thosetheories,Iknew,broughtusuptorecenttimesandlasteduntilthematerialbottomfelloutfromunderallofus—intheformofaworldwidefinancialcollapse.Afterthat,wefacedmoreimmediatematters,suchaspersonalsolvencyandnotlettingthedoomsayerstakeustoofarintofear.Wewerestillawake,andwestillwantedmorespiritualanswers.Butfromthenon,thoseanswershadtobepracticalaswell.Theyhadtoworkintherealworld,nomatterhowmysteriousthatworldturnedouttobe.

Ifeltasmilecomingup….HowinterestingthatWilhadfoundthesewritingsnow.HehadlongpredictedtheemergenceofanotherInsight,theTwelfth—whichhefeltwouldsignalafinalrevelationforhumanity,pickingupwheretheEleventhhadleftoff.Iwondered,wouldtheTwelfthfinallyshowushowto“live”thisspiritualknowledgeatagreaterlevel?Wouldthischangebegintousherinthisnew,moreidealworldweseemedtosensewascoming?

Iknewwewouldhavetowaitandsee.WilhadsaidonlytomeethimattheairportandfromtherewewouldheadtoCairo,ifitworkedout.Ifitworkedout?Whatdidhemeanbythat?

Adeerdashingacrossthefreewaybrokemyrumination,andItappedthebrakestoslowdown.Thebigdoeranfullspeedacrosssixlanesandjumpedthefenceontheotherside.Adeerwasalsoagoodsign,asymbolofattentionandalertness.

AsIlookedoutatthehillsthen,theirfallcolorsnowbathedinthelightofanamber-tintedsunset,IrealizedIfeltexactlythatway:morealertandalive.Allthesethoughtshadsomehowinducedagreaterenergylevelinme,liftingmetoaplacewhereIwasattendingtoeverydetail—thesunset,thelandscape

whizzingby,thethoughtsenteringmymind—asthougheverythingwassuddenlymoreimportantsomehow.Anotherhugesmilespontaneouslyerupted.ThiswasastateofmindI’dexperiencedmanytimes

before.Andeverytimeithappened,itcaughtmetotallybysurprise—surpriseinonewayoveritssuddenoccurrence,andinanotherwayoverwhyIhadeverlostitinthefirstplace,itseemedsorightandnatural.

Thereweremanynamesforthisexperience—theZone,HeightenedPerception,andmyfavorite,SynchronisticFlow—allnamesseekingtocaptureitscentralcharacteristic:asuddenelevationinone’sexperience,whereinwetranscendtheordinaryandfindahighermeaningintheflowofevents.ThisSynchronisticperception“centers”usinsomewayandfeelsbeyondwhatcouldbeexpectedfrompurechance—asthoughahigher“destiny”isunfolding.

Suddenly,abuildingcomingupontherightcaughtmyeye.ItwasalittlesportsbarcalledthePubthatWilhadpointedoutyearsagoashavinggoodeatsandhomemadepies.Ihadpasseditmanytimesbuthadneverstopped.Plentyoftimenow,Ithought.Whynotgrababitehereandavoidtheairportfood?Itooktheexitandheadeddowntheramp.TheSUVbehindmealsotooktheturn.

Afterparkingunderagiganticoaktreeinthefadinglight,Iwalkedinside,findingtheplacefullofpeople.Couplestalkedaroundthebar,andfamilieswithkidsatecasuallyatsixorseventablesinthemiddleoftheroom.Myeyesimmediatelyfixedontwowomensittingatatableagainstthefarwall.Theywereleaningtowardeachotherandtalkingintensely.AsImademywayinthatdirection,Inoticedasmalltableopenbesidethem.

WhenIsatdown,theyoungerofthetwowomenglancedatmeforamomentandthenturnedbacktoherfriend.

“TheFirstIntegration,”shesaid,“suggeststhere’sawaytokeeptheSynchronicitygoing.ButIdon’thavealloftheDocument.Moreofthesewritingsexistsomewhere.Ihavetofindthem.”

Myenergysurgedagain.WasshetalkingaboutthesameDocument?Thewomanspeakingwaswearingjeansandcomfortablehikingshoes,andaroundherneckwasdrapedamulticoloredscarf.Asshespoke,shekeptpushingherblonde,taperedbangsbehindherears.Icaughtthefaintscentofroseperfume.

AsIwatchedher,Ifeltanoddattraction,whichshockedme.Shelookedaroundinstinctivelyandcaughtmestaring,makingdeepeyecontact.Iquicklyturnedaway.WhenIglancedback,ashort,stockymanwalkeduptohertable,surprisingthetwowomenandcreatingaroundofsmilesandhugs.Thewomanwiththescarfgavehimseveraltypedpages,whichhesilentlyread.IpretendedtolookoverthemenuasIwaited,sensingallthemorethatsomethingimportantwashappening.

“WhyareyougoingtoArizona?”themanasked.“Becauseitkeepscomingtomind,overandoveragain,”shereplied.“Ihavetogowithit.”Ilistenedintently.AllofthepeopleatthetableseemedtobeatthesamelevelofflowthatIwas.“Ihavetounderstandwhymymothercontactedme,”thewomancontinued.“Thesewritingsare

goingtotellme.Iknowit.”“Soyou’releavingrightaway?”themanasked.“Yes,tonight,”shereplied.“Justfollowyourintuition,”themaninterjected.“Synchronicityseemstobehappeningforyou.But

becareful.Whoknowswho’slookingforthisinformation?”Icouldn’tstanditanylonger.Iwasabouttosaysomethingtothemwhenalarge,muscularmanata

tablenearminemumbled,“Whatacrock!”“W-w-what?”Istammered.

Henoddedtowardthewomenandwhispered,“Whatthey’resaying.Whatabunchofbull!”Foramoment,Ididn’tknowhowtorespond.Hewastallandaboutforty-five,withunrulybrown

hairandafrownonhisface,leaningtowardmeinhischair.Heshookhishead.“Thisisgoingtobethedeathofourcivilization,thiskindofmagicalthinking.”Jeez,Ithought,askeptic.Ididn’thavetimeforthis.Hewasreadingmyface.“What?Youagreewiththem?”Ijustlookedaway,tryingtohearwhatthewomanwassaying,buthescootedhischaircloser.“Intuitionisamyth!”hesaidfirmly.“It’sbeendisprovedmanytimes.Thoughtsarejustnervefirings

inthebrainreflectingwhateveryouthinkyouknowaboutyourenvironment.AndDoctorJung’scrapaboutSynchronicityisjusttheactofseeingwhatyouwanttoseeintherandomeventsoftheworld.Iknow.I’mascientist.”

Hegrinnedslightly,seeminglypleasedthatheknewtheoriginofthetheoryofSynchronicity.I,ontheotherhand,wasgettingmoreirritated.

“Look,”Isaid,“I’drathernottalkaboutit.”Iturnedtolistenagainbutitwastoolate.Thewomanandherfriendswereupandwalkingtoward

thedoor.Theskepticgavemeasmirkandthengotupandwalkedoutaswell.Ithoughtaboutfollowingthembutdecidedagainstit,concernedI’dlooklikeastalkerorsomething.Isatbackdown.Themomenthadbeenlost.

AsIsatthere,IknewtheenergyIhadmarshaledinthecarhadtotallyvanished.Inowfeltflatanduninspired.Ievenpondered,fleetingly,whethertheskepticmightbecorrectinhisassessment,butquicklyshookofftheidea.Toomuchhadoccurredinmylifeformetobelievethatnow.Morelikely,whatIthoughthadhappened,hadhappened.IwasonthevergeoffindingoutmoreabouttheDocumentwhenIwasbushwhackedbythebaneofmylife:askepticouttodebunkeverythingspiritual.

ImighthavegoneoninmyfunkhadInotsuddenlynoticedanindividualstaringatmefromthecorneroftheroomnearthedoor.Hewasdressedinabrownleatherjacketandhadshorthair.Apairofsunglasseshungfromhisshirtpocket.Whenoureyesmet,hesteppedbehindagroupofpeoplebunchedupatthebar.

Carefully,Ilookedaroundtheroomandcaughttwomorepeoplelookingatme,alldressedinvaryingcasualattirebutsportingthesamemonotonalstare.TheyalsolookedawaywhenIsawthem.

Great,Ithought.Thesewereprofessionaloperativesofsomekind.Igotupandeasedtowardtherestroom.Noneofthemreacted.Walkingpastitdownasmallhallway,IfoundwhatIwashopingfor,abackdoor.Iwalkedouttothepoorlylitparkinglot,seeingnoone.Then,asIgotclosertomyvehicle,afigureduckedbehindapaneltruck.WhenIstartedwalkingagain,thepersonbegantowalkaswell,anglingtocutmeoff.

Istoppedandhestopped,andthenIsawsomethingfamiliarinhisposture.ItwasWil!WhenIgottohim,hepulledmedownandlookedbackatthePub.

“Whatareyouintohere,myfriend?”heaskedinhiscustomaryhalf-humoroustone.“Idon’tknow,”Iblurted.“Isawseveralpeoplewatchingmeinside.Whatareyoudoinghere,Wil?”Inoticedforthefirsttimethathewascarryingalargetrekkingbackpack.Henoddedtowardmyvehicle.“I’lltellyoulater.That’syourCruiser,right?Let’sgetoutofhere.

I’lldrive.”Asweenteredtheautomobile,Ilookedoveratthefarendoftheparkinglotandspottedthewoman

withthescarfstandingwithseveralothers.Shockingly,onewastheskeptic.Iwantedtocontinuewatching,butIsawsomethingbeyondthemthatstartledmeevenmore.The

blueSUVIhadnoticedbehindmeearlierwasparkedahundredfeetaway,nearabackfence.Evenatthisdistance,Icouldseetwomensittinginthefrontseats.

Igrimaced.Ishouldhaveknown.AsIwatchedbehindus,Wildroveustothefreewayandturnednorth.Nooneseemedtobe

following.“WhydidyoucomeheretothePub?”Iaskedagain.“Justahunch,”hesaid.“Ididn’tknowhowelseIcouldfindyou.Ibegantoseepeoplewatchingme,

too,soIdidn’twanttouseacell.Afriendwasdrivingmetotheairport,andIrememberedthisplaceandthoughtyoumighthavestopped.Whenwefoundyourcar,Ihadhimdropmeoff.”

Helookedcloselyatme.“Whataboutyou?Whydidyoudecidetostophere?”“IsawthePubfromthefreewayandrememberedyoupointingitout.Ithoughtitwouldbeagood

placetograbsomefood….”Hesmiledatmeknowingly.WebothknewitwaspureSynchronicity.AsIlookedathim,Inoticed

thathehadagedwellinthepastfewyearssinceIhadseenhim.Thereweremorelinesinhistannedface,buthismovementsandvoicemadehimseemlikeamanmuchyounger.Hiseyesstillsparkledwithalertness.

“TherearemorepeoplelookingforthisdocumentthanIthought,”hemused.“Bettertellmeeverythingthat’shappenedtoyou.”

Aswetravelednorth,Irelayedallofit:theideasthatcametomewhiledriving,theblueSUV,thesuddenflowofSynchronicity,andeverydetailofwhatI’dexperiencedatthepub—especiallythepartwheretheskepticbroughtmedownandthemenwereobservingme.

WhenIfinished,Ididn’twaitforhimtocomment.Iaskedhimaboutthesurveillance.“Idon’tknowwhotheyare,”hesaid.“IstartedtohavethefeelingIwasbeingobservedafewdays

ago.Thenyesterday,Isawoneortwoofthematadistance.They’reverygood.”Inodded,feelingnervous.Iliftedthepagesoftranslationbymylegandasked,“Whosentthisto

you?”“AfriendwholivesinEgypt,”Wilreplied,“oneoftheforemostexpertsinancienttexts.I’veknown

himalongtime,andwhenwetalkedbyphonehesaidit’sunquestionablyauthenticandprobablydatesbacktothefourthorfifthcentury.HewassentonlythefirstpartoftheDocument,alreadytranslated,buthethinksitreferstoourcurrenttimeperiod,justliketheoldProphecydid.”

Weexchangedglances.“There’smore,”Wilcontinued.“TheDocumentsayswe’reinsomekindofaracehere.Myfriend

saidthesefragmentsarepoppingupallovertheworld.Apparently,whoeverisreleasingthisDocumentissendingselectedpartstovariouspeoplewithsomeendinmind.That’sallIknow.MyfriendandIweredisconnectedinthemiddleofthecall.Ihaven’tbeenabletoreachhimsince.”

Mymindwasabuzz.ThewomanIsawatthePubhadapartoftheDocumentandwasgoingtoArizona.ButwhereinArizona?Wassheindanger?Werewe?

Therealityofthesituationwassinkingin.TheDocumentwasfascinating,butwehadjustseenthatsomeoneofficialalsohadaninterestaswell.Weretheytryingtorestrictaccesstoit?Howfarwouldtheygo?Apangoffearrushedthroughme.

“Well,IguessourtriptoEgyptisoff,”Isaid,lookingforhumor.Wilgrinnedforamoment.“Ihadafeelingwemightbegoingsomewhereelse.”Suddenly,helookedhardintotherearviewmirror.BehinduswasanotherSUV,alongwayback.“Ithinkthisone’sfollowingus,”hesaid.

AtthispointWilbeganaseriesofstrategicmoves.First,heaskedtoborrowmysmartphoneandpulledupthemapofthelocalarea,turnedthephoneoff,andpulledoutthebattery.Thenhesloweddown,whichmadetheSUVslowdownaswellinordertokeepitsdistancebehindus.Afteraminute,Willquicklyspedup,amovethatopenedalotmorespacebetweenusandtheSUVandallowedWiltotakethenextexitunseen.

Hetookanimmediaterightontoasmallpavedroad,thenaleftontoagravelroadthatIknewwouldn’thavebeenonthemap.

“Howdidyouknowaboutthisroad?”Iasked.Heshotmealookbutsaidnothing.Theoldroadwasfullofpotholesandruts,butiteventuallyled

toanotherpavedroadthatinturntookusbacktothefreewayagain,aboutfivemilesfarthernorth.Whenwehittherampitbecameclearthatthefreewaybehinduswascompletelybackedup.Wecouldseebluelightsandafiretruckparkedatthepointofcongestion.

Wilspeddowntherampandontowhatwasanalmostemptyroad.Everyoneelsebehindus,includingthoseintheSUV,wascompletelyblocked.

IwasstaringatWil.InthepastIhadseenhimdomanythings,butnothingthisrapid.“Howdidyouknowtomakeallthoseturns?”Iasked.Helookedatmeandaskedinreturn,“HowdidyouknowtostopatthePubsothatwecouldconnect

witheachotherlater?”“Okay,”Iacknowledged.“Intuition.Butwhatyoudidseemedsofast.I’veneverdoneanythinglike

that.”Lightfromtheoncomingcarssweptoverhisface.“I’vebeentalkingtopeoplewhohaveseen

differentpartsofthisDocument.Itdescribesmanyabilitieshumanshaven’tdevelopedyet.That’swhatthisDocumentseemstobeallabout.Eachpartisdevotedtowhatitcallsthe‘Integration’ofspiritualknowledge,anditrefersdirectlytotheinsightsoftheoldProphecy.”

“Waitaminute,”Isaid.“ThatwouldmeantheauthorofthisDocument,whoeveritwas,hadtohaveknownabouttheProphecy,waybackthen.”

“Yeah.”Ithinkit’ssomekindofcompanionpiece,likeaguide.MyfriendsaidthereareelevenpartsofthisDocumentfloatingaroundoutthere,eachdevotedtoaparticularIntegrationofknowledge.AndittalksaboutaTwelfth….”

“ItrevealswhattheTwelfthInsightis?”Iasked.“Apparently,butnooneseemstohavethatpartyet,oratleastnooneistalkingaboutit.The

DocumentsaysthateachIntegrationmustbeactualizdinorder,oneaftertheother,beginningwiththeFirst:learningtosustainSynchronicity.”

Hepausedandlookedatme,adding,“Thathasalwaysbeenaproblem.”Iknewwhathewasgettingat.EveryoneglimpsesSynchronicity.Thechallenge,justasinmycase,

wastosustaintheexperienceandkeeptheflowgoing.OfallthedifficultieswithSynchronicity,thiswastheonemostpeoplevoiced.Synchronisticexperienceseemedtocomeintoourlivesalmostasatease,stayawhile,andthenend.

Turningaround,Igazedbehindusagaintochecktheroad,findingitstillclear.Iremainednervous.“I’mnotsureIwanttogetinvolvedwiththisDocument,Wil.Itmaybetoodangerous.”Henodded.“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”“Iwanttogotoapolicestationandgetthesepeopleoffofus.MaybeIcanhelpgetthewordout

afterthecontentsareknown.”“Whatifthatdoesn’thappen?AndtheTwelfthisneverfound?”Ilookedathimandsmiled.We’dbeenthoughalotinthepast,andWilhadneversteeredmewrong.

Iwantedtohearwhathehadtosay.“Look,”hecontinued.“Allthatwe’vediscovered,thewholesearchforthetruthaboutspiritual

experience,itmaybecomingdowntothismoment.Youdecide,butatleastletmetellyouwhat’satstake.”

Wilslowedthecarandexitedthefreeway,sayinghewantedtoconcentrate.Henoticedalittlesideroadjustofftherampandbackedinandturnedthelightsoff.

“TheDocumentspeaksverydirectly,”hebegan.“Itsaysthatduringthecurrentperiodofhistory,theeasymateriallifewillgetharder,withwidespreadfinancialandsocialdisruption.Yetitproclaimsthatallthechallengesareevokinganevengreaterspiritualawakeninginus,wherewecanrealizemanynewabilitiesandperceptions.

“Buteachofushastomakeadecision.Willweembracethisdeeperspirituality,orgointofearandforeboding?Itisachallengeofcourage,butalsoofpracticality.Insomesense,eventsareforcingustoputourbeliefsintoaction.Theonlywaytosurvivethelevelofturmoilwearefacingintheworldistopursuelifeinadifferentway.

“ItsaysthefirstabilitythatwillmanifestisourbeingabletosustainSynchronisticFlow.Whenthemysteriouscoincidencescomemorefrequently,we’lleventuallylearnthatweareguided,evenprotected,fromthedangersofthishistoricalperiod.”

Hepausedandcaughtmyeyeinthedimlight.“There’smore.TheDocumentsaysthatthoseofus,earlyon,whodiscoverhowtosustainthisflowandintegratethisknowledgewillmakeiteasierforotherstoopenuptoitlater,justbecauseoftheinfluencewehave.

“Butontheotherhand,iftoomanyofusfailtomoveforwardinthisregard,theknowledgemightnotbeactualizedatallandcouldbelosttohistory.”

“Itsaysthat?”“Yes,exactlythat.”Hesmiledatmeinasympatheticway.“That’showimportantitis,”hecontinued.“Yetweallhavetomakeourownindividualchoices.”“Tellmemore.”“TheDocumentfocusesontheSynchronisticexperiencefirst,”Wilcontinued,“becauseitisthe

phenomenonthatleadseachofusforward.Ifwemakethisexperiencemoreconsistent,thenwerealizeourlivesaretryingtotakeoffinadestineddirection.Wefeelmorealive.”

Exactly,Ithought.Morealive.I’dusedthatexactexpressionearliertodescribemyownexperience.AndbecauseIhadjustbeenthinkingofthereleaseoftheDocument,IknewthemeetingwasbeyondchancewhenIsawthewomenandheardtheirconversation.Iwasmeanttobetheresomehow.Then,ofcourse,theskepticappearedandtheexperiencewaslost.Icouldfeelmyenergydropevennow,justthinkingaboutit.

Wilseemedtonotice.“WhenweenteraflowofSynchronicity,clarityandalivenessiswhatweget.Whenwefalloutoftheflow,itiswhatwelose.

“Thepointis,wehavetheopportunitynowtofinallyreachahigherclarityaboutnotjustthephenomenonofSynchronicity,butalsoaboutourentirespiritualnature.Andifwedon’t,thenallourfutures,andthefuturesofourchildren,couldgoinanentirelydifferentdirection.”

Hepausedasacarmovedalongtheroadinfrontofus.Itpassedusandseemedtobeofnoconcern.“Sotheideaisthis:wefindthepiecesofthisDocument,oneatatime.Eachpartbuildsuponthe

previousone,sotheyintegrateseamlesslytogether,yieldingbothagreaterunderstandingandahigherconsciousness,andallthesenewabilities.

“TheDocumentsayswhenweintegratealleleven,wegetthefinaldownload:theTwelfth.Afterthat,we’llunderstandnotjustthefullpictureofspiritualityinthislife,butwe’llbeableliveitmostof

thetime.”Anothercarwentby.“Butagain,”Wilcontinued,“theFirstIntegrationgetsthewholethinggoing,becauseitinvolves

learninghowtostayintheflowofSynchronicitythatwillleadusforward.”“WhatdoesitsayaboutstayinginSynchronisticFlow?”Iasked.“Itsaysallwehavetodoislearntoremember.”“Rememberwhat?”“Thatthisflowispossible!Thatitexists!Inthepast,whenyoufirstreadtheInsightsofthe

Prophecy,andwewereallthinkingandtalkingaboutSynchronicity,didn’titseemtohappenalot?Well,thatwasliterallybecausewehadtheexpectationofitinmind.That’sallittakes.Allyouhavetodoisremembertoremember.”

Ihadtothinkaboutthisforamoment.Wasitthatsimple?Earlier,asIwasdrivingtothePub,IcertainlyletgoandbeganthinkingabouttherealityofSynchronicity.Andyes,Isuddenlyfellrightintoit.

“Inpractice,”Wilclarified,“itboilsdowntoconsciouslyexpectingthenextSynchronicitytocome,whichmeansweshouldgointoapostureof‘expectantalertness,’amoodthat’snotthateasyrightnow,becausewealwaysthinkwe’rebehind,withtoomuchtodo.Butstayinginthisstateofalertnesshelpsusimmediately,becauseithastheeffectof‘slowingdown’time.”

Iknewthatwasexactlytrue.Anytimeyouareexpectingsomethingandwantittohurryupandhappen,ittakesforevertoarrive.Timedoesseemtoslowdown.

“Slowingdowntimeisagoodthingrightnow,”headded,“becausesomanyofusfeeloverwhelmedbyproblemscomingatusatlightspeed.Themorewecansloweverythingdown—andwaitonaSynchronisticeventtoshowustheway—theeasierlifeistohandle.

“So,tobegin,wehavetoputastickynoteonthebathroommirror,ortellafriendtocallusfirstthinginthemorning,anythingtoremindourselvestosetupanexpectationforSynchronicityfirstthingeachday.Eventually,itbecomesahabit.Andonceallthemysteriouscoincidencesarehappeningandourdestinyseemstobeunfolding,allthatisleftistostayinthatflow.”

Hepauseddramatically.“Andtodothat,”hewenton,“wehavetolearntocommunicatewhat’sgoingonwithustoothers.”“What?”“ThinkaboutwhathappenswhenwelosetheFlow,”heexplained.“Doesn’titoccurbecausewehit

somesituationwherewehavetointeractwithotherswhoaren’tinaflow,andwhocan’treadilyseethemeaningsweareseeing?Theeffectistoknockusoutofitaltogether.”

Ithoughtaboutwhathappenedtomewiththeskeptic.Itwascertainlytrueinthatcase.“WhenI’mintheflow,”Isaid,“Iusuallytrytogetawayfrommostpeople,sotheycan’tknockme

outofit.”“Iknow,”Wilsaidinamockaccusatorytone.“Areyousaying,”Iasked,“thatIshouldhavetakenthetimetotalkwiththatskeptic,eventhough

that’snotwhatIwantedtodo?”“No,I’msuggestingthatyoushouldhavebeenopenandtruthfulwithhim,maybeaskinghimtowait

aminutewhileyoutalkedtothepeopleatthetable.Hewasneedlingyou,butyoudidn’tloseyourflowbecauseofhim.Youlostitbecauseyoudidn’tfindawaytohonestlycommunicatewhoyouwereandwhatyouweredoing.”

“Idon’tthinkhewasinterestedinhearinganythingfromme.”“You’remissingthepoint.I’mnottellingyoutodefendyourselfortoconvincehimofanything.You

justhavetogivehimthetruthofthesituationasyouseeit,withthemainpurposebeingtokeepyourselfcenteredintheflow.Ifhe’dwalkedawayorthoughtyouwererude,sobeit,butyouwouldhaveheldyourflow.”

Againhepauseddramatically,thensaid,“Andbyhandlingitthatway,youwouldhavealsostayedopentowhetherhehadsomeinformationforyou!YouknowfromtheoldProphecyinPeruthatyoumusttreathisperceivedinterruptionnotasathreatbutasapotentialSynchronicityitself—inthelongrun,perhapsbeingofequalimportancetowhatyouwerelearningfromthewoman.”

Thereminderbothjoltedandinvigoratedmeatthesametime.IfIwasgettingallthisright,thentellingthetruthofone’ssituation,whateverithappenedtobe,kepttheflowgoing—andprimarilybecauseitkeptonecenteredintheclarityofone’sowndeeperlifeexperience.Again,Ihadtoquestionwhetheritcouldbethissimple.

WhenIvoicedthequestiontoWil,hechuckledandsaid,“It’sassimpleandashardasthat.AndifyouwanttofollowthroughwithfindingtheIntegrations,youhavetostartbyconcentratingontellingtheabsolutetruth,toyourselfandothers,aboutwhatishappeningtoyou—nomatterhowesotericitgets.”

AsIcontinuedtothink,Wilstartedthecarandpulledontothefreewayagain.Afterashortdistance,hemovedintotheleftlanetoavoidacarparkedontherightshoulder.Insidewasthesilhouetteofalonedriver.Lightflickeredacrosshisface.

“That’shim!”Istammered,notquitebelievingit.“TheskepticatthePub.That’shim.”Willookedback.“Areyousure?”“Yes.”Aswewatched,themanpulledontothefreewayandtookthefirstexithecameto.Wilglanced

questioninglyatme.“What?”Iasked.“Youlooklikeyou’remoreintheflownow.Perhapsyou’rebeinggivenanotherchance.”“Youmeantotalkwithhim?”“Well,”Wilsaid,lookingatthedash,“youwantedtoknowwherethewomanyousawwasgoing.

Andyousaidhewastalkingtoherintheparkinglot.Weneedgas,sowecouldgobackandfindhim.”IlookedatWilandnodded,notexactlylikingit.“Okay,I’min.ButI’mnotsureI’llknowwhatto

saytothisguy.”“Justtellhimthetruth,”Wilsaid,“thatyoubelievemeaningfulcoincidencesarereal,andoccurfor

areason…andthisisthesecondtimeyou’vecrossedpathswithhim.”

CONSCIOUSCONVERSATION

Weturnedaroundandtookthesameexitandpulleduptoahuge,well-littruckstop.Adozentruckswerelinedupbehindamainbuildingthathousedarestaurant,showers,andstore.Onlyafewcarswereatthegasolinepumps.Theskeptic’sbrownrentalwasoneofthem.

“Remember,”Wiloffered,“carrytheattitudeofexpectingSynchronicityallthewayintotheconversation.Ilikethemovieanalogy.SynchronisticFlowfeelsasthoughyouareslowingdownandincreasingyourfeelingthatyouarethecenter,orstar,ofyourownunfoldingmovie.Keepthiscenteredclarityandyou’llknowwhattosay.”

WilsmiledandpulledtheCruiseruptoapumpdirectlyacrossfromtheskeptic,thenmadeonemorecomment.

“TheDocumentsays,”headded,“thatifyoucommittoholdingyourtruth,itincludesalltheideasthatcomeupintuitivelytosaytohim,evenifyou’veneverthoughtoftheideasbefore.”

InoddedandgotoutandbeganputtinggasintheCruiser,feelingthatnuminoussensationagain,asthoughthiswasgoingtobeanimmenselyimportantconversationforeverythingthatwasgoingtohappenlater.

Theskepticwasdirectlyacrossfromme,busyfuelinghisownvehicle.Finally,hespottedmeandlaughedoutloud.

“Well,it’stheloverofcoincidences,”hesaid.“WhataSynchronicitythisis!”“Maybe,”Isaid.“Wepassedyoubackonthefreeway,andweturnedaroundtotalktoyou.”Icouldn’tquitebelievethatIhadstartedoffthatdirectly,butitdidseemtohelpmestaycentered.“Andwhatdoyouthinkwehavetotalkabout?”heasked.Histonewassarcastic,yetsemifriendly,andIsuddenlyrealizedhewasspeakinginthejousting

stylefavoredbyscientists,amodeoftalkingthatismorelikeafriendlydebate.Thekeyelementofthisstyleistotakegreatcarenottoinadvertentlyconfirmsomeideaortheoryheldbytheotherparty.IntheworldofScience,toaffirmacolleague’spositionisneversomethingtobetakenlightly.Ithastobeearned.Sotheideaistobeveryskepticalatfirstandtocheckoutwhetherthepersoniscarryingtheproperscientificattitude.

Iftheotherpartycrossesthelineandtakesapositionthatispoorlythoughtoutortoospeculative,thentheconversationisoverimmediately.Ontheotherhand,iftheotherpersonisbeinglogicalandtentativewithhispronouncements,thenthedebatecangoon.Ihadalwaysthoughtcommunicatinginthismannerwasboringandtimeconsuming,butIknewIcoulddoit.

“Idon’tknow,”Ireplied,“whetherwehaveanythingtotalkaboutornot.Iguesswe’llhavetosee.I’mtryingtomakecontactwiththewomanwesawbackatthePub.ShewastalkingaboutanoldDocument,andInoticedyouspeakingwithheroutside,later.DidshetellyouwhereinArizonashewasgoing?”

“What’syourinterestinthisdocument?”heaskedguardedly.“I’minterestedinwhatitsaysaboutspirituality.”Helookedatmesharply.“Youthinkit’sgoingtoconfirmyourideasaboutSynchronicity?”

“Thepartwehavehasalreadydonethat.”Heshookhishead.“Iwouldn’tgivethiskindofwritingtoomuchweight.Thebestitcoulddoisadd

toourknowledgeofsomeancientpeople’smythologyandsuperstition.”“Yeah,butyoucancomparewhatitsaystoyourownexperienceandgofromthere.”“Inordertodowhat?”“Toidentifyphenomenatobeinvestigatedthatmayhavebeenmissedbefore.”Hegazedatmequestioningly.“Look,”Isaid,“Ibelievethatthere’smoretotheUniversethanastrictlyskepticalattitudeallows

intoexperience.Sometimesyouhavetobracketyourskepticismlongenoughtofullyexperienceanewphenomenon.Don’tyoueverwonderifthereissomethingrealanduniversalbehindpeople’sspiritualexperiences?”

Hegavemeahintofasmile.Iwasn’tconvincinghim,butIcouldtellhelikedmytact.“WeneedScience,”Iadded.“Butweneedittolookateverything.”“WhatdoyouknowofScience?”heasked,givingmeasuperiorlook.“Scienceisaveryprecise

processwhereindividualsexploreanddrawconclusionsaboutthenatureoftheworldaroundthem.Anditsactivityisveryprecise:onescientistsuggeststhatsomethinginnatureworksacertainway,andotherscientiststrytorefutethathypothesiswithotherfactstheythinkaretrue.Slowly,consensusisreachedabouttheissue.Inturn,thisconclusionaboutrealityisreplacedwithsomethingthatisevenmoretrue,andsoon.That’showscientificfact,andtheresultingsocialrealitythatflowsfromit,isestablished.It’saprecise,orderlyprocess.”

Helookedawayandadded,“Atleastthat’sthewayit’ssupposedtowork.”“Whatdoyoumean?”Iasked.“Well,latelyalotofcorruptionhashappened:moneyedinterestssuchasbigpharmaceutical

companiesandfoodprocessorshavetakenoverthemedicalschoolsanduniversitydepartmentswithbiggrants,andnowtheygettheresultstheywantfromstudies.Otherindustriesdothesamething,buthealthandfoodaretheworst.It’spitiful.”

IthoughtofthewritingsofDr.RussellBlaylock,whotalksaboutwhydangerousadditivesstillremaininourfood,thenrealizedsomethinginaflash:thisskepticI’mtalkingtoisanidealist.

Somethingelsecameintomymindtosay,andIrecalledWilstressingthatsuchideashadtobevoiced.

“Look,”Istated,“maybethekeyisheighteningpublicawarenessofthescientificprocess,andthenapplyingittoeverypartofourworld.WhatifthisdocumentisrightaboutSynchronicitybeingapartofthenaturalorderofthings?Shouldn’titbeinvestigatedwiththesamevigorasastarorbacteria?”

SomethingaboutwhatIsaidirritatedhim,andhetookthegasnozzleoutofhiscarandslammeditbackinitsplaceatthepump.

“W-w-whatI’msaying,”hestammered,“isthatsomethinglikethisdocumentcan’tbetrusted.Synchronicityistoosubjective.TheproblemwithSciencenowisthattheemphasisonbasictruthisbeinglost.Oncewestartallowingtoomuchspeculationorcorruption,theculturecanslipintofantasythinkingandevendelusionarymovements.”

Hewaslookingatmehard.“Don’tyouseethatcivilizationishangingbyathread?Itonlytakessomanypeoplelosingagriponthebasiclawsofnaturetounderminelogicalthinkingandscientificallyestablishedrealityaltogether.Andifthathappenswefallbackintosuperstitionandanewdarkage.”

Inoddedandsaid,“Butwhatifascienceofspiritualitycouldbelogicalandorderly?”Hedidn’tanswer.Insteadheshookhisheadandwalkedintothebuildingtopay.Wilwasstillseated

behindthewheelandsmilingatme.Hehadheardtheentireconversationthroughtheopencarwindow.“Aren’tyougoingtogetintothis?”Iasked.“Nope,”hesaid.“Ithinkit’syourstofinish.”

Whenthescientistcameoutofthebuilding,Iapproachedhimagain.“Look,”Isaid,“you’reright.Noonewantsanewdarkage.Butletmeposetheissueinanother

way:whatwouldittakeforscientistslikeyoutobeabletostudyspiritualphenomenainawaythatisorderlyandlogical?”

Foralongmomentheseemedtobegenuinelyconsideringmyquestion.“Idon’tknow….Wewouldhavetodiscoversomethinglikethenaturallawsofspirituality—”

Hestoppedandshookhishead,thenwavedmeoff.“Listen,”hesaid.“Ireallydon’thavetimeforanymorespeculation.Believeme,noneofthisis

goingtohappen.”Inoddedandthenintroducedmyself.HeshookmyhandandsaidhisnamewasDr.JohnColeman.“Enjoyedtheconversation,”Isaid.“MaybeI’llseeyouanothertime.”Hechuckledatthatandthensaid,“Thewomanyouwereaskingabout…hernameisRachelBanks.

ShewasgoingtoatownnorthofPhoenix,alittleplacecalledSedona.”

Isatupstraightinthepassengerseat,strugglingtowakeup.Aswedrovealong,sunlightfrombehinduswasjustbeginningtofillthecar,andthesweetsmellofOklahomafarmlandfilledmynostrils.Wilnoddedwhenhesawmestirring,thenimmediatelylookedbackattheroad,appearingtobedeepinthought.

Whichwasfinewithme;Iwastalkedout.BecausewebothknewSedonawell,WilandIhadconversedlateintothenightaswetraveledwest.Foryears,thetownhadbeenahotbedofspiritualthought,asitwassituatedinthefamousredrockhillsofNativeAmericanlore.Becausetheenergywassostrongthere,itwasclaimedbysomethatthetownhadmorehousesofworship,newagecenters,andartistspersquaremilethananyplaceinAmerica.

ThequestionthathadmostintrigueduslastnightconcernedRachel’smotivations.WhywereherintuitionspointingtoSedona?Wasitbecauseonewouldlikelyfindmorepeopletalkingaboutsuchwritingsthere?Orwasitbecauseonecouldunderstandesotericinformationingeneralatadeeperleveljustbybeinginthosehills—thefamous“Sedonaeffect”?

Ishookoffthethoughts.AllIwantedtodoatthispointwaslookoutatthelandscape.WehadtraveledfromthemountainsofGeorgiaandTennesseetotheflatlandsofOklahoma,andnowtheskywasbigandblueinthemorninglight.MunchingonnutsandapplesthatWilhadpackedforbreakfast,Iwatchedthescenerygobyforawhile.

WhenIawakenedfully,Inoticedtwoneatstacksofpagesontopofthedashboardinfrontofme.IlookedoveratWil,figuringhehadplacedthestacksinfrontofmeforareason.Hekepthiseyesontheroadbutliftedoneeyebrow,whichmademechuckle.Ireachedover,grabbedthestackontheleft,andbegantoread.

ThepagesdescribedtheFirstIntegrationalmostexactlyasWilhadrelayeditearlier,andthenreiteratedthatonceSynchronicitywasbeingsustained,oneshouldbeonhighalert—foritwasthatmysteriousflowthatwouldrevealtheotherIntegrations.

Readingon,theDocumentdividedthetwelvetotalIntegrationsintotwogroups.ItcalledthefirstfiveIntegrationsthe“Foundation”ofspiritualconsciousness,andtheremainderitcalledthe“RisetoSacredInfluence.”

RisetoInfluence?Ihadnoideawhatthatmeant,butIrememberedthatWilhadsaidthoseofuspursuingtheIntegrationsnowwouldmakeiteasierforotherstodosolaterbecauseofsomekindofmysteriousinfluence.

Comingtotheendofthefirststack,Ipickeduptheotherstackoftext,whichbegantoaddressthe

SecondIntegration.Thisstepupinconsciousnessbegins,itsaid,whenwerealizethathumanconversation,regardlessofthesubject,isalwaysanexchangeofoutlook,orworldview—andthusisthebasicmechanismofhumanevolution,takingusfromonehistoricallevelofknowledgetothenext.

Whenhumaninteractionisdonewhileincentered,Synchronistictruth,thisprocessofexchangingworldviewsisliftedintofullconsciousness.ItcalledthismoreawareinteractionConsciousConversation.

IlookedoveratWilagainandsaid,“ConsciousConversation.Doyouknowwhatthismeansexactly?”

HelookedatmeasthoughIwaskidding.“It’swhatyouwereengaginginwhenyoutalkedwithColeman—onlytherewasonepartmissing.”

“Whatwasthat?”Iasked.Henoddedformetoreadon,andintheverynextpassage,theDocumentsaidthelevelof

conversation,andtheconsciousnessoftheparticipants,areelevatedwhenbothpeopleareawareofthe“historicalcontext”surroundingtheinterchange.

IlookedbackatWil.“Soit’sreferringtothesecondInsightoftheoldCelestineProphecy?”“That’sright,”hereplied.“DoyourememberwhattheSecondInsightis?”“Yeah,”Isaid,“Ithinkso.”Ilookedaway,myminddriftingintoanintensecontemplationofthequestion.TheSecondInsight

wasessentiallyanunderstandingofthelongerhistoryofWesternsociety,inparticularthepsychologicalshiftthathappenedatthebeginningoftheModern,secularage.Inessence,itmarkedanawakeninginconsciousness—onewe’vebeenhavingtroubleholdingontoeversince.

TheoldProphecyhadpredictedwewouldonedaybeabletokeepthislongerhistoryfullyinmindasasurroundingcontextforourdailyactivities.Andwhenwecould,thishistoricalunderstanding,initself,wouldcompletelychangeourindividuallives.Itwouldkeepusfullyawaketothespiritualsideofexistence.

TheModernworldview,Iknew,hadbegunjustafterthefallofthedarkMedievalperiodofhistory.Inthosetimes,therewasnoscienceintheWest,noindependentthoughttospeakof,andverylittleknowledgeofnaturalcauses.ThemenofthepowerfulCatholicChurchruledpeople’smindsanddecreedthatalltheeventswenowcallnaturaloperatedsolelythroughthehandofGod—includingbirth,allthechallengesoflifeandillnesses,death,andwhatcameafter,HeavenorHell.ThechurchmendeclaredthemselvestheonlyinterpretersofGod’swill.Andtheyfoughthardforcenturiestodisallowanychallengetothisauthority.

ButthentheRenaissancebegan,motivatedbyanincreasingdistrustofthechurchmenandagrowingawarenessthatourrealknowledgeoftheworldarounduswaswoefullyincomplete.Otherinfluencesquicklyfollowed:theinventionoftheprintingpress,agreaterawarenessofthephilosophiesoftheancientGreeks,andthediscoveriesoftheearlyastronomerssuchasCopernicusandGalileo,whichcontradictedtheastronomyespousedbythechurchmen.

WhentheProtestantReformationoccurred—adirectrejectionofPapalauthority—thestructuresoftheMedievalworldbegantocompletelybreakdown,andwiththem,theestablishedrealityofthepeople.

Preciselyhere,Iknew,waswheretheModernagebegan.Forcenturies,thechurchmenhaddictatedastrictlytheologicalpurposeforexistenceandfornaturalevents.Andthenthatpictureoflifehadsystematicallyeroded,leavinghumansinastateofdeepexistentialuncertainty,especiallyconcerningtheirspirituality.Ifthechurchmen,whohadalwaysdictatedthefactsofspiritualreality,werewrong,thenwhatwasright?

Theoptimisticthinkersofthatdayhadasolution.WewouldfollowthemodeloftheancientGreeks,theysaid.WewouldcommissionSciencetogooutandinvestigatethissuddenlynewworldwefoundourselvesin.Andintheenthusiasmoftheday,everythingwasonthetable,includingourdeepestspiritual

questions,suchasWhyarewehere?Whathappensafterdeath?Andisthereaplananddestinyforhumankind?

Withthisnewmandate,Sciencewassenttolookattheworldobjectivelyandtoreportback.Overthecenturiesitwonderfullymappedthephysicalrealitiesofnature,fromthemovementofgalaxiesandplanetstothebiologyofourbodies,thedynamicsofweathersystems,andthesecretsoffoodproduction.Butitdidnotquicklyreturnwithanobjectiveanalysisofourspiritualsituation.

Atthiscrucialpoint,wemadeacriticalpsychologicaldecision.Intheabsenceofexistentialanswers,wedecidedtoturnourattentiontosomethingelseinthemeantime.Whilewewerewaiting,wewouldfocusonsettlingintothisnewworldofours,devotingourselvestothebettermentofhumankind.Weabatedouruncertaintybystrivingtomakeoursecularworldmoreabundantandsecure.

Andthat’swhatwedid,creatinginthefollowingcenturiesthegreatestsurgeinmaterialabundancetheworldhadeverseen.Butevenasweputourenergiestobetteringourphysicalcircumstances,waitingaswewereforthehigherquestionstobeanswered,Scienceitselfwaspushingthathighermandatefurtherintothedistance.

Infact,asthecenturiesproceeded,Sciencebegantopondersuchquestionslessandless.Inasense,theseinquirieshadbecomeavictimofScience’ssuccessinthephysicalrealm.Themoreitsucceededinexplainingtheouterworld—andcreatednewtechnologiesthatincreasedthepopulation’slevelofsecurity—thelessimportantspiritualquestionsbecame.Letthereligionsfightitoutoverthelargerissues,scientistsbegantothink.We’llsticktothephysicalworld.

BythetimethetheoriesofIsaacNewtonwerefilteringthroughScience,thedismissalwasalmostcomplete.Newtonestablishedthemathematicsthatdefinedtheuniverseasoperatingstrictlyonitsown,followingbasicmechanicallaws,inacompletelypredictablemanner—likeagiantmachine.Now,theUniversecouldberegardedfromacompletelysecularperspective.Goddidn’tmovethestarsinthesky.Gravitydid.

TheModern,secular,materialisticworldviewhadbeenbornand,pushedbyScience,wasexportedaroundtheplanet.TheideaofGod,orofadeeperspiritualexperienceforthatmatter,nowseemednotonlyunnecessarybutunlikelyaswell.Andasfortheinnerevidenceforaspiritualreality—higherstatesofconsciousness,Synchronicity,premonitionsandintuitiveguidance,Afterlifeexperiences—thesecouldallbewrittenoffaspathologicalhallucinationorreligiousdelusionandremovedfromthedebatecompletely.Evenmanyreligiousinstitutions,sufferingfromdiminishedattendance,becameevermoreorientedtowardsecular,socialactivitiesratherthantowardanydiscussionofrealspiritualexperience.

Andasscienceandotherinstitutionswent,sodidtheindividual.Theworldseemedsonormalandmanageableandcertainthatsuchhigherquestioningnolongerseemedvalidanditbegantobepushedoutofeverydayconsciousnessaswell.

Justworkhard,wetoldourselves,andfocusonbetteringyourlife.Enjoyallthefrillsandgoodiesofmodernexistence.Forgetaboutwhetherknowingthepurposeoflifemightgiveyouhigherguidancealongtheway,orbringmoreenlightenedrelationshipswithothers.Juststayfocusedontheeverydaystuffandyou’llfeelfine,rightuptotheend.Ifevertheprospectofdeathraisesitsuglyhead,orquestionssqueezeintoyourmindaboutwhathappensafter,justgetbusywiththesecularactionagainuntilthethoughtsarelostinthedin.

Preciselyhere,Iknew,wecouldseetherealpsychologicaltruthofourlongerhistory.WehadlaunchedSciencetogooutanddiscoverthetruthofourspiritualexistence,andwhenitdidn’treturn,wededicatedourselvestoimprovingourearthlyconditions.Andthen,gradually,everyoneforgotwhatwewerewaitingfor.Slowly,ourpreoccupationwiththesecularworldbecameafull-fledged,psychologicalobsession.

Andlikeanyobsessivebehaviordesignedtorepresssomething—inourcase,themissinganswersaboutthetruepurposeoflife—ittakesevermorefrenziedactivitytokeepfromrememberingwhathaunts

us.BythetimetheModernworldviewpeaked,sometimeinthelatertwentiethcentury,suchobsessive

behaviorhadmadethecareersofdozensofexistentialpsychologists,whomappedoutthevastvarietyofwayswekeptourselvesfromwakingup:compulsiveworking,shopping,decorating,arranging,eating,gambling,drugging,sexing,smoking,running,exercising,gossiping,celebrityandsportswatching,andtheendlesssearchforpersonalrecognitionfromothers—ourfifteenminutesoffame.

Theseobsessionscouldbefoundeverywhere.Andtheyincluded,especiallyinrecentyears,themostironiccompulsionofall:religiousfanaticism,wherepeoplekeptthemselvesasleeptorealspiritualexperiencebyconcentratingonlyonthedoctrinesandtrappingsofaparticularreligion—eventothepointofviolentlyattemptingtoforcetheseassumptionsoneveryoneelse.

Then,thankfully,astheyearsprogressed,weslowlybegantowakeup.Overthepastfewdecades,something,indeed,hadpoppedinthecollectivehumanpsyche.Why?Perhapsitwastheinherentinabilityofrepressiontoendure,ormaybeitwasthesteadyinfluenceofthehumanpotentialtheoristsoftheseventiesandeighties.Anotherreasoncouldhavebeenthesheerweightofnumbersofthebabyboomgeneration,comingtopeakinfluenceinthenineties—andquestioning,astheydid,allaspectsofhumanculture.Certainly,theoldProphecyfoundinPeruhadsomelevelofinfluenceaswell.

Inanycase,ourpreoccupationwiththemateriallifebegantocollapse.Likedrowningmenreachingthesurface,webegantogaspfortheairofhighermeaning.Sincethen,infitsandstarts,morepeoplehaveglimpsedanewworldofwonderaroundthem.Asalargerculture,webegan,finally,todiscovertheexperienceofSynchronicity.

Thisreawakening,Iknew,wastherealhistoricalcontextsurroundingourcurrentlives.Wearewakingupfromoursecularobsessionandtakingupwhereweleftoff.Wewanttoknowourtruespiritualsituationonthisplanet.Andwhilethosestillobsessedwiththesecularmightdeclaresuchaquestimpossible,intuitionsaysotherwise.

Suddenly,IrealizedWilwasstaringatme.Hehadbeendrivingalong,waitingpatientlyformyreverietobeover.WhenImethiseyes,hehumorouslylookedathiswatch,makingmelaughoutloud.

“Sorry,”Isaid.“It’sthewaymymindworks.”Henodded.“SoIpresumeyourememberedtheSecondInsight?”“Yeah.”“Whatdiditsayaboutamoretruthfulhistoricalcontextsurroundingourinteraction?”“Itsayswe’rewakingupfromafive-hundred-year-longpreoccupationwiththematerialandsecular

world,wantingtoknowwhatlifeisreallyabout.”Wilbeamed.“That’sright.AndtheDocumentsaysanyonewhosustainsSynchronicity,and

remembersthecontextofawakening,willbeguidedintoaflowofConsciousConversation.Andhencewillbecomepartofaworldwideconsensus-buildingprocesstodiscoverthetruthofourspiritualnature.”

IlookedatWil.“Won’tthattakeforever?”Insteadofresponding,henoddedtowardtherestoftheDocumentinmyhand.WhenIbeganreading,

IrealizedIhadonlyonepageleft,whichwastornoffatthebottomandcontainedonlyoneparagraph.ItsaidthateachpersonwhoholdsthetruthofhisSynchronisticjourney,whilelisteningforthetruthinanother’sjourney,helpstobuildanew,moretruthfulworldview.Andbecauseofthishonoringofevolvingtruth,thatpersonexudesaspecialinfluenceontheworld.Allwehadtodowaskeepourenergyup.

Iperkedup,thinkingagainoftheDocument’sreferencetothelastgroupofIntegrationswewould

discoverasaRisetoInfluence.IlookedbackoveratWil.“It’sthecenteringofourselvesintruththatcreatestheInfluence,isn’tit?”Henodded.“We’llfindoutoncewediscovertherestofthisIntegration.”Indeed.Ihadnodoubt.WewereonlyontheSecondIntegration,yeteverythingwasoccurringjustas

theDocumenthadsaiditwould.TheFirstIntegrationshowedusthatexpectingSynchronicityandtellingtheabsolutetruthtootherskeptthesemysteriouscoincidencescoming.AndnowtheSecondIntegrationseemedtobesayingthatifeveryonewasdoingthat,andthusstayingawake,wewoulddiscoverwhatweneededtoknow.Theonlythingsmentionedthatweren’tfullyclarifiedyetweretheideaofinfluenceandthecrypticremarkabout“keepingourenergyup.”

Suddenly,WilwaspullingtheCruiserovertothesideoftheroad.“It’syourturntodrive,”hesaid.

Allmorning,Idrovewest.Thebigskyhadstayedblue,andthesunshinevivid,overhundredsofmilesofwheatfieldsandpastureland.ForhoursIjustgazedoutontheflathorizonuntil,atonepoint,Ifeltmyselfgetslightlyboredandhungry.

Justbeforenoon,IstoppedataroadsidegasstationandfilleduptheCruiserwithgas.Unabletoresist,IboughtapackagedapplepiefromthecounterandateitslowlyasIdrove.Ittastedreallygood,maybetoogood.WithintwentyminutesmyheadbegantohurtandIfeltasuddendropinenergy.Thefunklastedforseveralhours.WhenWilfinallywokeup,ItoldhimwhatI’ddone.

“Letmegetthisstraight,”hesaid.“You,thediscipleofBlaylock,ateamass-processedpierightofftheshelf.Youknowbetterthanthat.”

IknewhewastalkingabouttheproblemwithglutamatesthatBlaylockrailedagainst.Glutamates,MSG-typesubstancesresultingfromtheprocessingofvariousproteinsandoils,areoftenaddedtoprocessedfoods,mainlybecausethey,likeMSGitself,aretasteenhancers.Theydon’thaveatastethemselves,butthefirstbitesendsimmediatesignalstothebrainthatyouareeatingthetastiestthingintheworld,despitewhatareprobablyverybadingredients.

Thefoodindustrysaysthey’renotharmful,butaccordingtosomeexperts,glutamateshavebeenprovedtoinflamethebrainanddisruptotherorgans,contributingtoamyriadofmoderndiseasessuchasdiabetes,Alzheimer’s,andespeciallyobesity.

“Letmeguessthesymptoms,”Wilsaid.“Maybealittlenaggingheadache,tiredeyes,lowenergy,absolutelynoinspirationtodoanything.Allforasmallinitialhitoftasteeuphoria.”

Heshookhishead.“EatingisoneofthemostobsessivethingswedointheModernworld.Ifyourparticularfeel-gooddistractionisfood,itbydefinitionhastotastereallygood,becauseotherwiseitwon’tgiveyouthatpacifiedandsatisfiedfeelingthatcomeswhenglutamatereceptorsinthebrainareactivated.Thefoodmakersfindawaytoartificiallydothatforyouwithglutamates.

“Thebigproblem,”hewenton,“isnotjustthehealthimpact.It’showitaffectsyourconsciousness.Youcan’tkeepyourenergyupandstayalertspirituallyifyouaredrugged.”

Hestoppedandlookedatme.“What?”Iasked.“TheDocumentstatesthatkeepingourenergyupisimportanttodevelopinginfluence.”“Yeah,Iremember.”Heglancedoverandcaughtmyeye.“Foodisthefirstlevelofenergyweallowintoour

consciousness,soit’sbasictointegratingahighermasteryoverlife.Andtheironicthingisthatrealfood,thekindthat’sorganicandpure,andfreshlypicked,stimulatesthosesamereceptorsinthebrain,andgivesusjustasmuchnaturaleuphoria—withoutbringingusdownlater.Didyouknowthatmostpeople

havenevertastedafresh-pickedorganicvegetable?Mostofwhatwebuyinregularstoresisweeksoldandstonedead.”

Atjustthismoment,Wilabruptlystoppedtalkingandwasstaringatthetopofanexitrampwewerepassing.Heshookhishead.

“What’swrong?”Iasked.“TherewasanSUVparkedatthatlastexit.Ithappenedlastnightaswell.”“Youthinkthey’restillfollowingus?”“Notfollowingus,justobserving.Theymustbetrackinguswithasatelliteorsomething.”“What?Thatwouldmeanthesepeoplearehighlyconnectedwiththegovernment.”“That’sright.Butatleasttheydon’tseemtowanttodetainus.Theycouldhavedonethatanytime

afterdaylight.Theyjustwanttoknowwherewearegoingforsomereason.”IlookedWilintheeyes.“Youthinkit’stheDocumentthey’reinterestedin?”Henodded.“Looksthatway.”Fortherestoftheday,wedidn’ttalkmuch.Iperiodicallyfeltanxiousaboutoursafety,buteachtime

Imanagedtoshrugitoffandrecovermywaiting-for-Synchronicityattitude.Atthispoint,IfelttherewasnoalternativetopursuingthisDocument,atleastforawhilelonger.TheonlyeffectIsawonWilwasthathebecamehypervigilantaboutfindingcleanfood.

“Yougettingpoisoned,”hesaidtome,“wasareminder.”Everytimewestoppedforgas,he’daskforthelocationoforganicfoodstoresandfarmer’s

markets,andwewereabletoshopatseveral.Ateachmealtime,we’dexitatatruckstopandfireupthelightweightpropanecookerWilcarriedinhispack.Infifteenminuteswe’dhaveenoughsteamedvegetablesforagreat,nutritiousmeal.Aftertwenty-fourhoursofthis,Ifeltincrediblyenergizedandclearthinking.Icouldevenseewithgreateracuity.

BynightfallwewereinAlbuquerque,whereweeasedintoanenclosedgarageownedbyafriendofWil’sandhadthevehicleandallourbelongingsscannedforsurveillancedevices.Everythingwasclean.Afterward,wespentthenightatasmallhotelnearby,whichwepaidforincash,androseearlythenextmorningtodrivetoArizona.

Atmidday,webegantonoticethevehiclesagain,andbymidafternoon,wetooktheexittoSedona,drivingrightbyoneoftheSUVssittinginplainsight.

“Theywantustoseethem,”Wilcommented.“Whoarethesepeople?”Iasked.“Idon’tknow.Butyoucanbetthatsoonerorlaterthey’regoingtotellus.”Ijustshookmyheadandtriedtofocusontheredrockhillsweweredrivingthrough.Enteringthe

Sedonaareawasalwaysareminderthatsomeplacesarepurepowerspots.Ifyou’reclearenoughtosenseit,drivingthroughthelittletownofOakCreek,andthenupintoSedonaproper,isajourneyintoahigherworld.

Itfeelslikepurealivenessandclarity,andasyougazeoutatthespectacularhillsandformationssurroundingthesmalltown,youimmediatelyfeelachangeinyourperception.Everythingaroundyoustandsoutmore,andtheSynchronicityliterallyexplodesinfrequency,justbyvirtueofbeinginthisplace.

Wedroveslowlyalongthemainstreetleadinguptown,lookingaroundatthepeopleonthesidewalks.Thereseemedtobealotoftouristsandlocals,andjudgingfromtheirdressanddemeanor,peoplefromoutoftownwhoweren’ttourists.Theylookedlikeserioustrekkerswho,likeus,were

lookingforsomething.Forawhilewecruisedarounduptownseeingwhatmighthappen,andforamoment,IfeltasthoughIwasabouttorunintosomeoneofimportance.Yetnothingoccurred.

Sinceourfoodhadrunout,IsuggestedwedrivewesttowardthesinkingsunandstopattheNewFrontierGroceryforasalad.Whenwearrived,insteadofparking,Wiljustletmeout,tellingmehewantedtogolookforsomeHopifriendsofhiswholivedinthearea.IwentinandorderedmysaladandoneforWiltogo,thensatdownatatableinthecornertoeat.

Ihadalmostfinishedwhensomeonecaughtmyeyeatthedoor—itwasColeman.Hehadn’tindicatedhewascomingtoSedonawhenwetalkedatthetruckstop.Butherehewas,walkingstraightovertome,likeamanonamission.

“Isawyoucomein,”hesaid,pullingsomeloosepapersoutofhisbriefcase.“Haveyouseenthis?It’spartoftheDocumentyou’vebeentalkingabout.”

Iquicklylookeditover,andindeeditwasthesamepassagesabouttheSecondIntegrationI’dreadearlier,butitincludedtenmorepagesIhadn’tseenbefore.

“Wheredidyougetthis?”Heshookhisheadandsmiledinamazement.“Ihadn’tbeenheretenminuteslastnightwhenIran

intoyourlady,Rachel.”“She’snotmylady,”Iprotested.“Itwasjustamannerofspeaking.Anyway,we’restayingatthesamehotel.Thenlater,Icamedown

tothelobbytogetacupofcoffeeandoverheardtwopeopletalking.WhenIgotcloser,IrealizedtheyweretalkingaboutthisDocument.

“Iwalkedupandintroducedmyself,anditturnsouttheyarescientists.Doyoubelievethat?Andtheywerediscussingtheveryquestionyouposedearlier:howrealscientistscouldstudythetopicofspirituality.Andthat’snotall.TheyhadthefirstandsecondpartsoftheDocumentwiththemandwererelatingittoanoldProphecythatbecameknownyearsago.”

Helaughedoutloud.“Youthinkmymindwasblownorwhat?ThemoreItalkedtotheseguys,themorewefoundwehadincommon.Wealltooktooneanotherimmediatelyandwounduptalkinghalfthenight.Andguesswhat?Earlythismorning,wehikedoutintothedesert,andIgotit!IunderstandthatSynchronicityisreal,andhowtosustainit,andthatwe’rewakinguptosystematicallyexploreourspiritualnatureagain.TheygavemeacopyoftheSecondIntegration.Iwasn’tsurprisedwhenIsawyouagain.”

Hewasfullofenergy,talkingninetymilesanhourabouthavingallthisSynchronicity.Ichuckled.ThiswasthetypicalSedonaeffectthateveryonetalksabout.

“Goahead,”hesaid.“Readit.”IstartedwhereIhadleftoffwithWil’scopy,findingthatitcontinuedonthesamepoint,emphasizing

theimportanceofConsciousConversationforbringinginanewconsensusaboutspiritualexperience.“Doyouseewhatthisissaying?”heinterrupted.“It’snotusingtheprecisewords,butmynew

scientistfriendsandIagree.Itcallsforapplyingthescientificmethodtoourindividualsearchforspiritualtruth.Everythingitsaystodoiswhatgoodscientistsdoalready.

“Thisprocesshasyieldedallthebasiclawsofphysicalreality,fromThalestoNewtontoEinstein,andIseenowhowitcanbeappliedtotheinnerexperienceofspirituality.Forinstance,considerthephenomenonofSynchronicity.Becauseitfeelsthesameforeveryone,wecandiscussitandcomparenotesandreachconsensusabouthowitworks.”

Iwasjustlistening,notbelievingIwastalkingtothesameperson.Eventhebasicexpressionsonhisfaceweredifferent.Insteadofcontinuingtofrownanddebunkspirituality,hehadexperiencedsomethinghecouldn’texplainfromhisoldpointofview,andhadsnappedawake,justthatquickly.

“Listen,”hesaid.“Iowemyinterestinallthistoyou.IfIhadn’tsaidsomethingtoyouatthePub,orifyouhadn’taskedhowSciencemightinvestigateSynchronicityandspirituality,Imightneverhaveseen

thetruthofit.Iwasn’tevenintendingtocometoSedonauntilItalkedtoyouatthegasstation.”Hesmiledatme,thencontinued.“Youknow,Ihaven’tbeenverysuccessfulasascientist.Icouldn’t

keepmymouthshut.IwasfiredfromMITbecauseofmyoppositiontocommercialinterestsbuyingparticularoutcomesofstudies.Buttheideaofengaginginamethodofinquirythat’shonestanddedicatedtotruth,that’swhatI’vealwaysbeenabout.You’vereallyhadaninfluenceonme.”

Influence,Ithought,thatwordagain.HenoddedtowardthepagesIwasstillholding.“Andthislastpart,itfitsexactlywithsomething

I’vebeenfascinatedwithforalongtime,asthoughthatpartofmylifewaspreparingmeforallthis.”Igavehimapuzzledlook.“TheDocumentspeaks,”hesaid,“ofsomethingImmanuelKantadvocatedcenturiesagowithhis

ideaofacategoricalimperative.”Inodded.IknewalittlebitaboutKant.Hewasthefatherofaphilosophycalledphenomenology,

whichessentiallycalledforthinkerstosuspendtheirordinarywayoflookingatagivenphenomenoninnatureinordertoseeitinafreshway.Infact,I’dusedhistermbracketingassumptionswithColemanearlier.I’devenheardoftheimperativeidea—livingandconductingyourselfasifotherpeoplewouldbecompelledtoliveandbelievetheexactsamewayasyou—because,saidKant,thatistheexactinfluenceweactuallyhaveonthem.

“DoestheDocumenttalkaboutallthis?”Iasked.“No,notinKant’sterms,”hereplied.“Butit’ssayingthesamething.Everyonehastonotonlybe

honestbuttentativeintheirbeliefsbeforemakinggreatproclamations,otherwisewecanbepullingothersinthewrongdirection,justbythismysteriousinfluencewehaveonthem.TheDocumentsaysthatwehavetocometogripswiththefactthatourpersonalrealityiscontagious.”

Hepausedandlookedatme.“Itsayseachofusmustfirstandforemost‘provetoourselves’thatourconclusionsaboutspiritualityactuallyworkbeforewepassthemalongastruth.Andbecauseweareaddingspiritualknowledgetooursecularreality,weshoulduse‘logicfirst’asweproceed.”

Heleanedclosertomeandhushedhisvoice.“YouknowtherearealotofscrewballideasfloatingaroundhereinSedona.”

Ilaughed.Hewasright,ofcourse,andsomeofthesecrazyideaswerebeingpushedbyoutrightcharlatans,outjusttomakemoney.But,asColemanwaslearning,theeffectoftheplaceitself,thehillsandstreamsandoverallbeauty,wasasgenuineasthelightofday.

“Italsosays,”Colemancontinued,“thatwhenwefeelconvincedinsidethatourspiritualexperiencesarereal,thenwemustlivethemfullyandopenlyandtelleveryoneaboutthem,becauseiftherereallyisaninfluence—andIbelievethereis—thenithelpseveryonegettoahigherlevelofexperiencefaster.”

Hewassuddenlyonhisfeet.“Keepthistranslation,”hesaid.“Imadecopies.”“Holdon,”Isaid.“Howdoyouthinkthisconsciouswayofconsensusmakingisgoingtounfold?”“Itwillcometogetherlikeanyotherscientificconsensus.First,therewillbeever-largerareasof

agreement,ascommonexperiencesarediscussedandfoundtobethesameforeveryone.Thenthesewillcoalesceintostilllargerprinciples,aswithNewton’sandEinstein’stheoriesaboutthesecularworld.Eventually,we’llarriveatcertainlawsgoverningthewholething:thebasic,naturallawsofspirituality.”

Withoutsayinganythingelse,hescribbledhiscellphonenumberonthetoppageoftheDocument,gavemeawink,andboundedoutthedoor.

WhenWilpickedmeup,Iwasstretchedoutonabenchnearagroveoffragrantjunipers,enjoyingthefirstpinkstreaksofsunset.AsIclimbedintotheCruiser,thesunsankbelowsomethincloudsnearthe

horizonline,turningintoaredblazethatnowcoloredthecloudswithstreaksoforangeanddarkamber.Thebeautyofthemomentwasstriking.Everythingaroundus—thesculpturedpeaksofthe

surroundinghills,thesmallbusinessesacrossthestreet,andeverycloudinthesky—wascastinapleasantgoldenaura.Peoplewerestoppingonthesidewalksandpullingtheircarstothesideoftheroadjusttowatch.

AnothermagicalSedonasunset,IthoughtasIlookedoveratWilinthedriver’sseat.Hegrinnedbackatme,andIsuggestedwedriveovertotheAirportVortextowatchthedramaticfinalethere.Wilnoddedinagreementandintenminuteswewereclimbingarockformationnearthevortexthatwasshapedlikeacircularpyramid.Atthetop,itflattenedoutintoonecrowningareaofrockaboutfortyfeetindiameter.

Foralongtimewejustwatchedandsoakeduptheenergyofthelight.Icouldn’thelpthinkingmoreaboutthemythologyofSedona.Allaroundthearea,manybelieve,arespeciallocationsthathaveaparticularupliftingeffectonpeople.Somearelargevortexesliketheonehere.Halfadozenorsoofthesehavebeenmarkedandidentified.

ButlegendhasitthatnotonlydothesemajorvortexesdottheSedonalandscape,butother,smallerplacesofpowerarehiddenaboutinthesurroundingravinesandmesasaswell,waitingforthecasualhikerwhochancestositdownnearby.Asthemythologygoes,thereisapersonalvortexwaitingforeveryonewhojourneystoSedona,aspotofourownwhereeachofuscanbeliftedupintoconsciousnessandintoagreaterdestiny.Allyouhavetodoishikearounduntilyoufindit.

Iwondered,giventhelifeclarityColemanwassuddenlydisplaying,ifhehadalreadystumbleduponhis.

Ismiledandlookedoutatthehorizonagain.HereattheAirportVortexthefeelingisaboutlettinggoofallone’sconcernsandsoakingupwhatcanonlybedescribedasasupportive,healingenergy,asenseofbeingtotallycontentandsafe.Ileanedbackontherocks,feelingmyselflettinggotoit—wantingtobenowhereelsebesideshere,inthismoment,baskingintheglow.

Wewatchedthesunsinkbeneaththehorizonanddisappear,sendingoutamoreyellowishlight,andthenapalegray.IlookedoveratWil.Henoddedandgotup,andwestarteddownthehill.Aswewalked,ItoldWillaboutseeingColemanandreadingtherestoftheSecondIntegration.

“ImetwithmyHopifriends,”hereplied.“TheyshowedmetherestoftheSecondaswell.”“Whatdoyouthinkaboutthisideaofbuildinganewconsensusaboutspirituality?Colemansaidit

waswhathewasmeanttodo.”Wilstoppedandpulledmetotheedgeofthetrailasagroupofpeopleheadinguptheslopewalked

pastus.Severalofthemlookedusover,asifwonderingwhetherseeingusherewasaSynchronicity.Wesmiledbackandnodded,andtheywalkedon.

“Ithinkthatmanypeopleknow,”hesaid,“thatsomehowSynchronicityiscallingustogethertodosomethinghistorical.Theworldisamess,butwecanfixitifwestayalertandkeepourhistoricalcontextinmind.Wehavetostayawakeandhelpeachotherstayawake.”

Wilwaslookingatmewithdetermination,andinthatmoment,IfeltafullelevationintotheclarityoftheSecondIntegration.Howmanypeopleoutthere,Iwondered,havenoticedthesamequickening?WerewealreadyinfluencingoneanothertowakeuptoConsciousConversationandtoKant’smysteriousinfluence?Andifso,wherewouldourconsciousnessgonext?

“WhatabouttheThirdIntegration?”Iasked.“HadyourHopifriendsheardanythingaboutit?”Henodded,abigsmileeruptingonhisface.“Yes,theyknewitwell,althoughtheydidn’thaveany

copieswiththem.ItsaysthatwhenpeopleinanyculturebegintowakeupandholdConscious

Conversation,theyquicklyfindthekeyspiritual‘principles’builtintothefabricoftheUniverse.”“Really?”Icommented.“Colemanguessedthat.Hesaidwewoulddiscoverthelawsofour

spiritualnature.Didyourfriendstellyouaboutit?”Wilbeganwalkingdownthehillagain.“Yeah.TheThirdsaystheselawshavealreadybeen

discovered.Andinordertogoforward,weonlyhavetoprovethemoutinourownlivesandthencomeinto‘Alignment’withthem.Italsosaysinthistimeperiod,wewillhaveextramotivationtodojustthat.”

“Whatkindofmotivation?”“WehavetocomeintoAlignment,”herepeated,“becauseit’stheonlywaytoavoidsomethingelse:

aquickeningKarma.”

MOVINGINTOALIGNMENT

IwokeuptoWiltappingonmyhotelroomdoor.WehaddriventotheBellRockInnandcheckedin,andIhadturnedinbeforeeleven,expectinganearlydeparturebutnotthisearly.Iglancedattheclockbythebed:oneA.M.

“Wakeup,”WilwaswhisperingthoughthedoorasIopenedit.Hurryingin,hehandedmealargepackandsomenewclothesandboots.

“What’sallthisfor?”Iasked,stillgroggy.WilmovedovertothewindowandlookeddowntowardtheparkinglotwheremyCruiserwas

parked.“Takealook,”hesaid,pointing.Istrainedtoseeinthefaintlight.“What?”“Ourfriendsareback.ThereonthestreetbehindyourCruiser.”Ittookafewseconds,butfinallyIspottedanSUVwellhiddenamongsometrees.Severalmenwere

gatheredtogetherbesideit.Onewasonaradio,lookingtowardus.“Yeah.Iseethem.”Wilshookhishead.“Lookstomelikethey’reabouttodosomething.Putonthenewstuff,andleave

yourotherclothesandbootsintheroom.Someonemayhaveplacedalocatoronussincewe’vebeenhere.”

“Waitaminute,”Isaid.“It’sthemiddleofthenight.Whatareyouthinkingweshoulddo?”“Wehavetolosethemagain,whichmeanswemustleaveyourvehiclehere.Don’tworry.The

Hopiswillkeepaneyeonit.Rumorhasitthere’sagroupofpeoplecampedwayupBoyntonCanyonwhohavemoreoftheDocument.WeneedtogetourhandsontheThirdandFourthIntegrationsassoonaspossible,andwedon’twanttochancebeingdetained.Weneedtogetdeepintothewilderness.”

WilwashelpingmepackmynewstuffandinspectingeverythingelseIwasplacinginthepack.IknewtheBoyntonarea,whichwasknownasasacredplaceandheldmanyNativeAmericanruins.Ihadtriedtohikeitseveraltimesbuthadalwaysdecidedtoreturnafteronlyashortwalk.Somethingaboutitseemedspooky.

“That’satightcanyoninplaces,”Isaid.“Wegetupinthereandwe’retrapped.”Hegavemeoneofthosedeterminedlooks.“Therearewaysout,ifyouknowwheretheyare.”IknewWilwellenoughtoknowthiswasn’tahumorousmoment.Fromthelookonhisface,hewas

leavingmycourseofactioncompletelytome.Icouldcomeornot.Andhewouldbeperfectlyfineleavingmerighthere.

“TheHopisconsiderthiscanyonaplaceofpurification,”hefinallysaid.“ItmaybejustthelocationtounderstandAlignmentandKarma.”

Ilookedathimamomentmore,notingthathehadmentionedKarmaasecondtime,thensaid,“Okay,let’sgo.”

Wegatheredtherestofourthingsandsneakedoutthebackdoorandacrosstheedgeofthedarkparkinglotintosometrees.ThenWilledusthroughtheshadowsintoanotherlot,whereanolddiesel

Mercedesthatsmelledlikepeanutoilwaswaitingforus.Thecarwasdrivenbyasmall,muscularmanwithlongblackhair.Climbinginasquietlyaspossible,Istruggledtoaccountforthesmell.Finally,itcametome.Thecarwasrunningonbiofuelmadefromrecycledcommercialfryingoil.

“ThisisWolf,”Wilsaid,introducingmetothedriver.“HeismylongtimeHopifriend.”Wolfappearedtobeaboutfiftyyearsofage,exceptforhiseyes,whichlookedmuchyoungerand

werelightamberincolorandverypiercing,exactlylikethoseofarealwolf.Hegavemeasmileandnodded.

NoonetalkedasWolfdroveusdownafewstreetsandthendoubledbackseveraltimestocheckifanyonewasfollowing.Weevenstoppedforawhile,turningthecarlightsoff,justtobesure.Wheneverythingseemedsafe,wetookaroadthatwovethroughasectionofhouses,andthenenteredthemainroadheadingwestoutoftown.

“Bettergetcentered,”Wilsaid,andlookedaway.Iknewexactlywhathemeant.Itookabreathandremindedmyselfofwherewewereintheprocess.

ExpectingSynchronicitywasnowfullyingrainedinme,soIfocusedonkeepingthetruthofourlongercontextfullyinmind.Immediately,Ifeltmoreawakeandalert,rightontheedgeofunfoldingevents.

Afterafewmoremiles,WolfslowlypulleduptotheBoyntonCanyontrailhead.Tooursurprise,dozensofcarswereparkedallalongtheroad.WilandWolfglancedateachother.Aswewerecollectingourgear,Wilhandedmeaflashlightandtoldmetowatchforrattlesnakes.

Wolflaughedandthenwalkedcloser.“Remember,”hewhispered,“canyonsareforpurification,butmountainsareforfindingVision.”Iwantedtoaskhimwhathemeant,butWilwasmotioningformetofollowhim.AsWolfdrove

away,weheadedintothecanyon.Afteraboutamile,ImovedclosertoWilandasked,“Istherealargermountainnearhere?”

Wilstoppedinhistracksandturnedtofaceme.“Whydoyouask?”“SomethingWolfsaid.”“There’salargewildernesscalledSecretMountainafewmilesnorth.”Hewalkedaheadagain,thenturnedandadded:“OneaspectofWolfyoushouldknowabout—he

oftenknowswhat’sgoingtohappen.”IhadheardofSecretMountainbutknewonlyofitsgenerallocation.Onethingforsure,the

wildernessitwaspartofwashuge.IfiguredwewouldhavetowaittoknowwhatWolfhadmeant,andsurprisingly,Iwascontenttodoso.Ishouldhavebeenapprehensiveaboutoursuddenflightintothewild,butthedeeperwepenetratedintothewilderness,themoreenergizedIfelt.AndinsteadofthespookyfeelingIhadexperiencedthelasttimeIwasinBoynton,Iwasnowfeelingtheoppositeemotion—asenseofbeingathomesomehow,andtrustingthatwhatevermighthappenherewasgoingtobebeneficial.

Wewerenowwalkingthroughanareaofjuniperandmesquiteinterspersedwithhugeredbouldersandoutcroppings.Askyofbrilliantstarsmadetheflashlightsalmostunnecessary.

“Why,”IaskedWil,“dotheHopisbelievethisplaceenhancespurification?”“Becauseofitsimpact.Itrepelsanyonewhoisn’treadyforabreakthroughofsomekind.Butwhen

youareready,thepowerofthisplacehelpsyou.”“Youmeanenergeticallyhelps?”“Yes.Accordingtolegend,ifyougofarenoughinhere,sayatleastacoupleofmiles,itinevitably

testsyourassumptionsaboutlifeandinspiresareanalysisofhowyouforgeyourwayinthisworld.Again,itmakesperfectsensethatwearebeingledintothiscanyontostudytheLawsofSpirituality.

“Allthisisupforpeoplebecauseoftheeconomicdownturn.Duringthematerialage,wetendedtothinkwewerecreatingoursubsistencewithourknowledgeandreason,thecommonassumptionbeingthatifyouusedyourheadandworkedhard,youcouldprosperinlife.

“Butinreality,everyoneknowsthereareintangiblesatworkindeterminingwhohassuccess.Youcanbeequallyaslogicalandhardworkingasthenextpersonandnotdoaswell.There’salwaysbeenanunknownfactorconcerningwhoisfortunateandwhoisn’tinthislife,andwe’reabouttofigureitout.”

Hestoppedsuddenlyandgazedouttowardaflatareaabovethetrailtotheright.“Let’sgoupthere,”hesaid,“andsetupcampandsleepforalittlewhilebeforedawn.”Wemadeourwayuptothelocation,andinjustafewminuteswehadbothtentsupandthefood

baggedandropedinatreetoprotectit.Afterward,anotherquestioncametomind.“SoyouthinkthemissingfactoristhisAlignmentthing?”Henodded.“AccordingtomyHopifriends,theThirdIntegrationsaysthatduringatimeoftransition

suchaswe’rein,wheneconomiesarefalteringandpeopleareactingcrazy,we’llallbeshownanewwayofgettingourworldlyneedsmet.”

Wilwasalreadyclimbingintohistent.“Let’sseewhathappenstomorrow.”

Thenextmorning,IwasawakenedbytreelimbsbreakingoutsideandWilyelling.Ipulledonmybootsandlookedthroughthetentflap.Itwasbarelydaylight,andWilwasrunningtowardthetreewhereourfoodwastied.WhenIgotthere,Icouldseethelimbwasbrokenandthebagcontainingourprovisionswasmissing.

“Didyouseeher?”Wilasked,pointinguptheslope.“Shewasbig.”“Icouldn’tsee,”Iresponded.Welookedarounduntilwefoundsomelargetracks.“Strange,”Iadded.“Ididn’tthinkthereweremanybigbearsaroundhereanymore.”Closebywereseveralfreeze-driedmealsthathadfallenoutofthesackasthebearhaddraggedit

away.“Wecouldtrackher,”Isaid,pickingthemup,“andtrytorecoupsomeofthefood.”WiljustlookedatmeandIknewwhathewasthinking.Notagoodidea.Weweren’tarmed,andthat

wasaverylargebear.Perhapssheevenhadayoungcub.WemadeourwaybacktothetentsandWilgotouthiscookerandbeganpreparingoneofthemeals.

Achillwasintheairnow,andalightrainwasfalling.“Thequestion,”Wilsaid,“iswhattodo?Withnofood,wehaveadecisiontomake.Wemighthave

tobeinthiswildernessformanydays.Weneedprovisions.Ontheotherhand,ifwegobacktogetthem,wemightrunintothoseguysfollowingus.”

“Whatchoicedowehave?”Iasked.“Wecouldjustkeepgoing.Letthisplayout.”Iwasresisting.“Wecan’tstayupherewithoutfood.”Wiljustlookedatme.“Well,it’sachallenge,butisn’tthesamethinghappeningoutthereinthe

world?Thinkaboutit.Millionsofpeopleareexperiencingthissamesituation.Theygointoworkonedayandhearthey’refired,andsuddenly,nomoremoneyforfood.They’reinthissamesituationwe’reinnow,onlyworse.”

“Buthowwillweeat?AresomeofyourHopifriendsupheresomewhere?”“No,”hesaid.“They’realreadylookingfortheFourthIntegrationfartherupnorth.We’llhaveto

relyongettingfoodfromstrangers.”Isquinted.“Thatmightnotbeeasy.”“No,butagain,inrealityisn’tthatwhatweallhavetocounton?We’reallinbusinesssomewhere,

aren’twe?Evenifweworkforthegovernment,ifothersdon’tbuywhatwe’reselling,ornolongerneed

ourservice,wecan’tsurvive.Sotosomeextentweallhavetobefortunate.IftheUniversedoesn’tsmileonyou,ifyou’renotlucky,thenyou’reinbigtrouble.Intimeslikethese,especially,wecometorealizewearesolelydependentonstrangersshowingupto,ineffect,giveusfood.”

I’dneverhaditputthatstarkly,butIknewWilwasright.Cuttothebone,we’reallalwaysatthemercyofothers.

“Soitfigures,”Wilcontinued,“thattherearesomeesotericrulesworkingbehindthescenesdeterminingwhetherpeoplearegoingtoshowupornot—rulesthatwecanfigureoutandgetintoalignmentwith.I’mtellingyouthisbecauseitisexactlywhattheThirdIntegrationsays.”

“Okay,”Isaid,“thenlet’sseehowitplaysout.”Withinminutes,wehadconsumedthestew,putthetentsandwaterinourpacks,andheadedupthe

trail.Afterawhile,Willookedbackatme.“There’ssomethingelse.Rememberthatothercultureshaveawakenedinhistoryinthesameway

wearenow.Thesecultureshavealwaysbeensmallerandsomewhatisolated,buttheyhavealwaysdiscoveredthesamebasicspiritualprinciplesthatoperateinthisUniverse.”

Iranupbesidehim.“SoyouaresuretheThirdisgoingtotelluswhatthelawsare?”“Yes,thebasiclawsareknown.TheHopitoldmesomeoftheseprincipleshaveaspectsthataren’t

fullycompleteyet,andofcourse,theyhavetoabsolutelybeprovenoutinone’sownlifebeforetheycanbebelievable.Butyes,weknowwhatthebasiclawsare,beginningwiththeonewe’vealreadybeenusing.”

“Whatisthat?”“TheLawofTruth.WeusedittokeepourSynchronicitygoing,anditgovernsthesituationwhenwe

swaptruthsinConsciousConversation.Justrememberthatit’seasytostayintruthwhentheSynchronicityisflowingtohelpyou.It’smuchhardertomaintainthehabitwhentheeconomicstakesgethigh.”

Suddenly,inthedistance,Isawtwopeoplewalkingalongthetrailinfrontofus.“Therearesomepeopleupthere,”IsaidtoWil.Wespedupuntilwecouldseethemclearly.Twomenwerewalkingtogether,dressedinhikinggear

andfloppyhatsandbearinglarge,expensivepacks.IlookedoveratWil.“Whatdoyouthink?”Heshrugged.“Theylookokaytome.Idon’tthinkthere’sanythingtoworryabout.”“Okay,”Isaid,feelingforsomereasonIshouldhandlethematter.“I’llgoaheadandtalktothem

aboutbuyingsomefood.”WillookedslightlysurprisedthatItooktheinitiative,butsmiledandnodded.Campers,Iknew,wereusuallyextremelyfriendlyandhelpful.Iwassurethat,aslongasIdidn’t

appearthreatening,theywouldsharesomeoftheirfood.WhenIreachedthemtheybothturnedaround.Igavethemabigsmileandintroducedmyself,andtheytoldmetheirnameswerePaulandDavidfromCalifornia.IknewimmediatelythattheyweretouristsandprobablyknewnothingabouttheDocument.

Atfirsttheyseemedveryfriendly,butjustasIgatheredmythoughtstobringuptheissueoffood,theylookedatmesuspiciouslyandbeganbackingaway.

“Listen,somethinghashappened,”Isaid.“Weweresupposedtobringsomefoodtofriendscampinguphere,andourfoodwasstolen.It’sreallyimportantthatwegetthererightaway.”Iwaspullingmywalletfrommybackpocket.“IwashopingyoumighthaveextrafoodIcouldbuy.”

“Wehavetogetmoving,”Paulsaid,fidgeting.Andhisfriend,David,addedquickly,“Thereareparkrangersonthistrailallthetime.I’msureonewillcomealonganyminute.”

Bothofthemwerealmostrunningupthetrailnow,lookingbackasiftheythoughtImightgivechase.Theyhurriedaheaduntiltheywerecompletelyoutofsight.

Wilcameupbehindmewithaperplexedlookonhisface.

“Thatdidn’tlooklikeitwentwell,”hesaid.“Whathappened?”Iwasjustasconfusedandtoldhimeverywordoftheconversation.Hewasshakinghishead,

smiling.WhenIgottothepartwhereIhadtoldthemourfoodhadbeenstolenandweneededmoretotaketosomefriends,Wilgrimacednoticeably.IfeltembarrassedbutrationalizedthefibbysayingIwasafraidtheywouldthinkwewerecrazyorunstable,sincewehadn’tjusthikedouttogetmorefood.

Wilstaredatme,remainingsilent,stillshakinghisheadindisbelief.Atthesametime,IrealizedhowweakandnervousIhadbecome.Ihadlostallmycenteredclarity.

“Wewerejusttalkingabouttellingthetruth,”Wilsaid.“IguessIoutsmartedmyself,”Ireplied.“Itreallybroughtmedown.”Helookedatmesympathetically.“Onceyouelevateyourclarityandenergyinanauthenticway,then

it’sprettydramaticwhathappenswhenyoulieaboutsomething.It’sanimmediatecrash.”Imovedoverandsatdownonarock,andWilsatbesideme.“Look,”headded.“It’sthecanyon.Itaccelerateseverything.Itdoesn’tfeelgood,butwhathappened

isahelpfulSynchronicityjustthesame.Youjusthavetoseewhatit’sshowingyou.DuringtheModernage,we’vebeenbendingthetruthforourobsessivepersonalgain,ortofurthersomepoliticalend.That’swhy,aswewakeup,weseecorruptionandgreedeverywhere.

“Butasyoucansee,athigherlevelsofconsciousnessthere’snosuchthingasalieoradistortionthatisokay.TheLawofTruthisabsolute.Ifwedon’tstayhonest,toourbestawareness,ithurtseveryone:usindividually,becauseitcollapsesourenergyandclarity;andothersbecausewefailtogivethemthebenefitofourtruthandpositiveinfluence.”

HewasupandheadingdownthetrailagainandIfollowedalong.“Thisbringsus,”hesaid,“tothenextspiritualprincipletheHopistoldmeabout:theLawof

Connection.”

Justatthatmoment,wecaughtsightofacrowdofpeopleinfrontofus.Walkingcloser,werealizedeveryonewaslookinginonedirection,fartherintothecanyon.Thenweheardtheobjectoftheirattention:thesoundofahelicopterinthedistance.

Wilgavemealook,andweeasedupslowlytowheretheotherswere.Fromherewecouldseethechopperhoveringonlyseveralhundredyardsahead.Itstayedthereafewmomentsmore,thenslowlydescendedtothegroundandcutitsengines.

Willeanedoverandwhispered,“Thatisn’tatouristhelicopter.It’smilitary.”Someofthepeoplewhoseemedliketouristsbegantowalkcasuallyupthetrailagain.Buttwo

groupsheldback:usandagroupofaboutadozenmen,allofdifferingculturalbackgrounds.SomewereclearlyEuropeansandAmericans,butjudgingfromtheirspeakingpatterns,mostofthemseemedtobefromoutofthecountry,probablytheMiddleEast.Astheymovedaround,Isawtwowomenwiththemaswell.

Oneofthewomenturnedtofaceus,andIrecognizedherimmediately.ItwasRachel,thewomanI’dseenatthePub.ShewalkedawaythenandbegantalkingtotheotherwomaninwhatsoundedlikeHebrew.AsIwatched,IsuddenlyfeltarushofemotiontowardRachelsimilartotheoneIhadfeltbefore.

IquicklylookedawayjustasWilgrabbedmyshoulder.ManyofthemeninRachel’sgrouphadspotteduslookingatthemandwerestaringhardinourdirection.

“Let’swalkon,”Wilwhispered.Weheadeddeeperintothecanyon,wantingtoputsomedistancebetweenthemenandus.Outofthe

cornerofmyeyeIcouldseethemglaringatusaswewalked.Finally,whenwewereoutofsight

completely,Wildartedoffthetrailtotheright.“Ithinkweshouldgetoffthistrail,”hesaid,andledusstraightuptheslopeaboutahundredyards,

whereweduckedbehindalargerockoutcropping.Oncethere,Ifeltmorehidden,yetwecouldstillseesomeofthemaintraildownbelowthroughthescrubpinesandjunipers.Theeasternwallofthecanyontoweredbehindus.

ItoldWilI’dseenRachel.“Really,”hesaid.“Thatwasher,huh?Iwonderwhothosepeopleareshe’swith.”“Theylookednonetoofriendly,”Iremarked.Wewaitedthereforalongtimeasmorepeoplecamewalkingdownthetrail.Therewasnomore

noisefromthehelicopter,soIfigureditmuststillbesittingwhereitlanded.Thequestionwas,whowasinit?Andwherearetheynow?Wasitthesamegroupthathadbeenfollowingus?

Finally,Wilsaid,“Look,IthinkyouhavetounderstandwhattheHopistoldmeabouttheLawofConnection.”

“Okay.”“Yousaidthosetwoguysyouaskedforfoodearlierhadstartedtobackawayfromyouevenbefore

youbegantalking.”“That’sright.”“Doyouhaveanyideawhy?”“Notreally.”“ItwasbecauseoftheConnectionwehavewithoneanother.It’sbuiltintoourbrains.TheDocument

saysthatbecausewe’reallconnected,wesensewhatothersarefeelingandthinking.AsweprogressthroughtheIntegrations,itsayswewilldevelopthissenseevenmore.Buteveryonealreadyhasthisbasicperception.”

“AreyoutellingmetheycouldtellIwasn’tgoingtogivethemtheexactstory?Myintentwasn’ttoharmthem.Iwantedtogivethemmoneyfortheirfood.Ijustleftoutsomeofthedetails.”

Heshookhishead.“It’snotthattheyknewwhatyouweredoingexactly.Theycouldfeelwhatyouwerefeeling,andasthelieyouwerecontemplatingbroughtyoudown,theyfeltthatdrainthemselves,andthusbecamemoreconfusedandunclear—whichwasanunconscioussignaltothemthatsomethingwaswrong,andthatyouwereprobablyuptonogood.Sotheybackedaway.”

Hepausedamomentasiftolethiswordssinkin.“Andthissensitivity,”Wilwenton,“increasesasourconsciousnessincreases.Humanityisreaching

thepointwhereyou’dbetternotlie,evenalittlebit,becauseifyoudo,therewillbemorepeopleeverydaywhowillbeabletosenseit.Lyingisjustnotgoingtoworkmuchlonger.”

Wewereinterruptedagainaswenoticedothergroupswalkingbyonthemaintrailbelowus.“Alotofpeoplearecomingintothecanyon,”Wilsaid,suddenlyconcerned.“Andmanyofthemare

packedforlong-termcamping,probablyallwithoutpermits.Eventually,they’regoingtodrawtheattentionoftheparkrangers.We’dbetterfindoutwhatwecanbeforetheyshowup.Timetomove.”

Hegavemeaseriouslook.“Keepyoureyesopen.Watcheverythingthathappens.”Wecarefullywalkeddowntothetrailagain.TherewasnosignofRachelorthegroupshewaswith.

Aswewalkedslowlyforwardintotheheartofthecanyon,webegantonoticepeoplesittingaroundtalkingeverywhere.Wefoundaspotoutofthewayandstopped.

“Listen,”Wilsaid.“IfeelIshouldwalkupaheadaloneandseeifanyoneknowswhatthathelicopterisabout.Ifyou’llwatchthepacks,I’llgodothat,andberightback.”

Inoddedandsatdown.StayingherewasfinewithmesinceIwantedtothinkmoreabouttheLawofConnection.Ifthiswasatrueprincipleofourspirituality,itmeantthatitwasthesameforallofus.HowfarcouldwedevelopthisConnectionwitheachother,Iwondered.Wouldweeventuallybecometelepathic?Foralongtime,Iponderedwhatthatwouldbelike.

Suddenly,Iheardsomeonewalkingupbehindmeandturnedaroundtoseeanupbeatmanofaboutthirtysmilingandofferingmehishand.

“I’mJeff,”hesaid.“How’sitgoing?”Ishookhandswithhimandintroducedmyself.Atfirst,Ifeltaslightdownturninmyenergy,butthe

morehetalkedenthusiasticallyabouthowbeautifuleverythingwasinthecanyon,themoreIbegantothinkhewasokay.

Atonepoint,IevenaskedhimifheknewanythingabouttheDocument,buthesaidhewasn’tawareofit.AfterwetalkedabitmoreaboutSedona,hesaid,“Iseeyouhaveaknife.IwonderifIcouldborrowitforafewminutes.”Hewaspointingtowardmybeltatmyprizedeight-inchhuntingknifethatIalwayscarriedinthewoods.

“We’resettingupcampoverthere,”hecontinued,“andIjustneeditforafewminutestocutsomerope.”

Ilookedthroughsomemesquiteandsawtwomenandawomaninthatdirectionputtingupatent.FiguringhewouldbeclosewhereIcouldobservehim,Itookofftheknifeandgaveittohiminthescabbard—thenwatchedashewalkedbackandbeganworkingwiththetwopeople.

Afreshbreezewasblowingup,andItookabreath.Themorningrainhadclearedandthesunwasbeamingdown.Slowly,Ifeltmyselfrecoveringmylostenergyandnoticedhowbeautifulthisparticularareawas.Smallpinetreesandjunipersdottedtheentirecanyonfloor.

JustthenWilcamebackandsatdownbesideme.“Nooneseemstoknowwhatthechopperisdoing,”hesaid.“Ikeptmydistancefromit,butIcould

seeitwasempty.Andit’sdefinitelymilitary.”Hewassittingonhispack.“Let’sjustwaithereforawhile.”Ismiled.“Youcouldtellmeaboutthenextspirituallaw.”AsWilformulatedasentence,Iagainlookedovertowardthecampsitewherethemanhadbeen

working,onlytofindthathewasnowheretobeseen.Ijumpedupandrantothecampsiteandaskedthecouplewherehewas.Theytoldmetheydidn’tknow,thathewasn’treallypartoftheirparty.

“Hejustcameuptotalk,”thewomansaid.“Heofferedtogoborrowaknifeforus,tohelpuscutsomerope.Heseemedtobealittledownonhisluck.”

IwasabouttogolookforhimwhenWilcameup,andIquicklyfilledhimin.“Hestoleyourknife?”Wilremarked,alookofwonderandamazementonhisface,asifsomething

importanthadhappened.Ibrusheditoffandproceededtolookallaroundthearea.Therewasnosignofhimanywhere.Afterabouttwentyminutes,Ireturnedtowherethepackswere,findingWilsittingpatiently,waitingforme.

“I’vehadthatknifealongtime,”Isaid,sittingdownnexttohim.“Well,”Wiloffered,tryingnottogrin,“youwantedtoseehowallthiswouldplayout.”Iwasinnomoodforanalysis.Ijustwantedmyknifeback,butWilwaspersistent.“Rightbeforeyou

sawtheguywasgone,didn’tyouaskmewhatthenextlawwas?”Iremainedsilent,stillsulking.“Well,”hecontinued,“it’stheLawofKarma.”

Itwaspastnoon,andWilhadleftagain,tellingmehewasgoingtolookforfood.ForalongtimeIjustsataround,wonderingwhatkindofpurificationwasgoingonhereinthiscanyon.Then,aboutthetimeIwasreadytogolookforhim,IsawWilcomingback.Hesatdownandlookedoveratme.

“Findsomefood?”Iasked.“Yeah,alittlebit.IhadlunchwithsomepeopleImet.Iwantedtobringyousomebuttherewasn’t

enough.”Ijustlookedathim.“Whyshouldn’tIfindfood?”heresponded.“IhavegoodKarma!”Hewasusinganoverlydramatic

tonetohisvoice,thenburstintolaughter,barelyabletocontrolhimself.AsusualwithWil,hishumorwassocontagiousIcouldn’thelpbutlaugh,too.“Okay,”Isaid.“WhatdidtheHopitellyouaboutKarma?”Instantly,hewasserious.“TheDocumentsaysthatit’sreal,andinourtime,itrespondstoour

actionsmorequicklythaneverbefore.”“SoI’mtheposterchildforit.”“Well,takealookatwhathashappened.Youtriedtostealfoodfromsomeone,andthatcreateda

karmicresponsefromtheUniversethatresultedinsomeguystealingyourknife.”Ibeganresistingagain.“Whatabouthim?Maybehe’sjustaserialthief.”“Maybe,ormaybehe’saniceguyandhedecidedtomoveupthetrailsomewhereorgobackto

town,andhejustforgottogivebackyourknife.Eitherway,youhavetoaskwhythishappenedtoyourightnow,justwhenwe’retalkingaboutallthisandrightafteryoutriedtostealfromsomeone.”

“Waitaminute.Stopsayingthat.Iwasn’ttryingtostealfromanyone.”“No?Didn’tyoutellalieinordertotrytomanipulatesomeoneoutofhisfood?Tryingtodoitand

doingitisthesamethingkarmically.”“TheDocumentsaysthat?”Henoddedandthenstaredatmeforalongtime.“Look,”hefinallyadded.“Theselawsseemhardtobelievebecausewe’veallbeentrainedtothink

theUniverseonlyhasphysicallaws.Andthereasonpeopleareslowtoputthistogetheristhatweallshadethetruthattimes,especiallyinbusiness,ortosaveface,andweallhavethingshappentousthatarebad.Sothereseemstobenorelationshipbetweenthetwo.Wethinkitdoesn’tmatterifweliealittlebit,becausebadthingshappentoeveryoneanyway.”

Helookedatmehard.“ButaccordingtotheDocument,thatisn’ttrue,andanyonecanproveittohimselfbyjustbeingobservant.BecauseKarmaisspeedingup,theconsequencesfromanuntruthfulmanipulationcomebackveryquickly.”

“Butwhyisitspeedingup?”Hestopped.“Idon’tknow.IaskedtheHopisthesamequestion,buttheysaidtheDocumentdidn’t

say.TheyonlyhinteditmaybepartoftheenergythattheCalendarispointingto.”“YoumeantheMayanCalendar?WhatdotheHopiknowofthat?”“TheclassicalMayawereNativeAmericans,too,youknow.”“Anyway,”Wilcontinued,“proveittoyourself.TheDocumentsaysthatwhenenoughofusrealize

thisisthewayKarmaworks,it’sgoingtoleadtoaneweraofIntegritytoreplacethecorruptionwehavenow.

“Andthere’smore.It’simportanttoseethattheLawofKarmaisdesignednotforpunishment,buttoaffectapositivecorrection.Itapparentlyworksthisway:theUniverseissetupspirituallytosupportandencourageourspiritualgrowth.Ifyoucenteryourselfintruth,thenyourSynchronicitywillsoar.Ifyouparticipateinuntruth,thenyoudrawintoyourlifeapersonwhodoesthesamethingtoyou,againnotaspunishmentbuttoshowyouhowitfeels,soyoucanmovebacktowardtruth.

“Whathappens,”Iasked,“ifwedon’tgetthemessage?”“TheDocumentsaystheresponseofKarmagetsmoreextremeinanefforttogetourattention,

something,again,thatwecanalsoprovetoourselvesatthismomentinhistory.Allwehavetodoispayattentiontowhathappensinrelationtoourownbehavior.”

“Okay,whatifoneisrandomlyselectedandmurderedbyaserialkiller?Isthatpaybackforsomethingwedidearlier?”

“No.Remember,Karmahasnothingtodowithpayback.Itreflectsbacktoyouwhatyou’redoing.Ifyouareanarmedrobber,forinstance,youarestandingfortheuntruththatsaysthatbehaviorisokay.It’sthesameasalieordeceptiontogetthemoney,onlyworse.Andyouwillhavemoneytakenfromyoutoshowyouhowitfeels,soyoucanchange.TheproblemisthatsomepeoplejustusetheKarmaasanexcusetokeepthesamebehaviorgoing,thinkingeveryoneisdoingittome,whyshouldn’tIdoittothemaswell?They’remissingthefactthattheyarebeingshownsomethingsotheycanchange.

“Whensomeonebecomesthevictimofaserialkiller,unlessthepersonisaserialkillerhimself,it’samatterofbeinginthewrongplaceatthewrongtime.It’stheresultofchance,notKarma,andhappensbecauseofthecurrentstateoftheworld’simperfection.Weknowpsychologicallyandgeneticallywhat’sgoingonwithserialkillers,fromstudiesofchildhoodtraumaandgenetics.Intheideal,someonewouldhavenoticedthesefactorsandintervenedwiththepersonearly,sohewouldn’thavebeenabletohurtanyone.Unfortunately,wejustaren’tenlightenedenoughtoinstitutethosekindsofinterventionsyet.Hopefully,onedaywewillbe.”

“Iguess,untilthen,wehavetohopewe’relucky.”“Yeah,atleastuntilwecanmovethroughtheIntegrationsenoughtorealizewecanbe‘protected.’”“Whatdoyoumean,protected?”Willeanedtowardme.“MyHopifriendstoldmethatthesekindsofrandomaccidentsandmishaps

aren’tsupposedtohappen.TheDocumentsaysthat,asspiritualconsciousnessrises,wewilllearnhowtodetectthehunchesandpremonitionsthatallowustoavoidimpendingaccidentsandattacks.Theysaidwe’llgettothatlevelattheFourthandFifthIntegrations.”

Abruptly,weheardtheraspyenginesofseveralATVscomingupthetrailbehindus.Inthetimeittooktograbourpacksandduckintothethickerbrush,theyweredrivingup.

“ThoseareParkServicefour-wheelers,”Wilshouted,leadingusfartheruptheslopeawayfromthenoise.Aswehurriedaway,wecouldseepeoplescurryingforcovereverywhere.Oncenearthecanyonwall,wesawtwomenupaheadattemptingtoclimbthesteepfaceofawallofrock.

“They’resportclimbers,”Wilsaid,urgingmealong.“Theyprobablyhavepermits.”Suddenly,aswewatched,oneoftheirropeanchorsrippedoutoftherock,flippingoneofthe

climbersupsidedownandthreateningtodrophimfiftyfeettothejaggedrocksbelow.Thenanotheranchorbrokefreeanddroppedhimanothertenfeet.Hescreamedinterror.

Withoutthinking,Idashedtowardthecliff.Thesecondclimberwaspointingfranticallytowardsomethingonthegroundneartheirtent.Iimmediatelysawafulllengthofextrarope.Ipickeditup,thenquicklymademywayuptherockandoutonaledgetowithintenfeetofthehelplessclimber.

Ithrewhisbuddytheendoftheropeandheknewexactlywhattodo.Heputtheendthroughasolidlyhammeredanchornearhim,pulleditthrough,andloweredtheendtohisfriend—who,despitehispanic,wasabletotieitaroundhimself.Afterthat,allIhadtodowasholdmyendoftheropetightlytosecurehimfromfallinganyfarther.Afteraminute,hewasabletocuthimselfloosefromtheotherropes.WiththehelpofWil,Iloweredthemansafelytotheground.

Aswegatheredupourstuff,thetraumatizedclimberwassoupsethewasunableeventotalk.Hisfriendgavehimsomewaterandspokewithhimprivatelyforaminute,thenpulledustotheside.Wecouldhearthefour-wheelersalloverthecanyonfloorbelowus,buttheclimberseemednottonotice.

“Ifyouhadn’tcomeby,”hesaid,“Idon’tknowwhatmighthavehappened.I’vegottogethimbacktoSedona.Iwishtherewassomewaytorepayyou.”

WilandIglancedateachother.ThenItoldthemthetruthofoursituation,thatweneededfood.

“Well,”theclimbersaid,“wecansurehelpwiththat.Weweregoingtostayhereforfourdays,butmyfriendistooshaken.Hewantstoleavetomorrow.Wehavelotsoffoodyoucanhave.”

Afterpackingthefood,welefthurriedlytowardthenortheastandfoundanotherplacewherewecouldhideintherocks.Fromtherewehadanevenbetterviewofthecanyonfloor,wherepeoplewerebeingdetainedorturnedaroundbytherangers.IlookedhardforthegroupRachelwaswithbutcouldn’tseeanyofthem.

“Weshouldstayhereforawhile,”Wilsaid,“untilallthisdiesdown.”Hewasstillgivingmethatlookofastonishmentoverwhathadoccurred.

“Iknow.Iknow.Allthismeanssomething,”Ireplied.“Meanssomething?It’sthemostpointedrunofSynchronicityI’veeverseen.Rememberwhenwe

weredrivingawayfromthePubandImadeallthosemovestolosethecarbehindme,andyouthoughtthespeedoftheSynchronicitywasamazing?Well,you’renowoperatingatjustthatlevelofspeed.

“Thinkaboutit.YouwereshowntheLawofTruthwhenyoutriedtomanipulateforfood.YouwererejectedbythetouristsinaperfectillustrationoftheLawofConnection.Then,rightafter,youhadsomethingstolenfromyou,throughsimilarfalsepretenses,illustratingtheLawofKarma.Andnowyou’vejustsecuredourfood,whichiswhatyouweretryingtodoallalong.”

Ilookedathim,notquitegettingthelastone.“Don’tyousee?”hepressed.“Youaidedthosepeoplebyintuitingimmediatelyhowyoucouldbest

help.Itcametoyouhowtohelp,andyoudidit,fast.”Iknewhewasright.Ididn’treallyeventhinkmuchabouttheactions.Somehow,Ijustknew.“It’scalledtheLawofService.Andagain,it’sbuiltintothewaytheUniverseoperatesandhowour

mindsaredesigned.Wesomehowknowwhatothersaroundusneed,andwhenweactinresponse,wefallintoalignmentwiththislaw.Allyouhavetodoisthink,‘HowcanIbeofservice?’Andsomethingwillalwayscometoyou.Alltheresourcesyouneedwillbeprovidedinordertohelp,andyou’llfeellikeyou’realwaysintherightplaceattherighttimetomakeadifference.”

Hepausedforamomentandthenasked,“DoyouseenowwhattheThirdIntegrationis,intotal?It’sallaboutgettingintoAlignment.Andagain,youprovedittoyourself.Youplayeditoutrighthereinthiscanyon.Andanyoneelsewhoobservessincerelycanseeitjustasclearlyinhisorherownlife.

“It’sthenextstepinourawakening.LikeIsaid,duringthismaterialage,wehavegrowntothinkalittlelying,alittleshadingofthetruth,isokay,evenexpected.It’sadog-eat-dogworld,right?Salespeoplearetrainedtopracticeshadingthetruth.Politiciansgetelecteddoingit.Contractswithfineprintareawayoflife.

“Yetthinkabouttheworldrightnow.Corruptionsareimmediatelyfoundout.Scandalseruptdaily.Theswindlersgetswindled.ThisiswhathappenswhenmostofthecultureisbombardedwithaKarmathatiscomingfasterandfaster.It’stheretoshowustheimperfectionsowecandosomethingaboutit.

“Butonceyoubeginlivingthebesttruthyouknowandseethatbeingofservicetoothersandsettingagoodexamplearethebestthingsyoucandoforyourself,well,everythingchanges.YoumoveintoAlignmentwiththewaytheUniverseisdesignedtooperate.Youstopmanipulating,andsoyounolongerdrawmanipulatorsintoyourlife.

“Infact,theoppositeoccurs.WhenyouseekAlignmentandthinkhowtobeofservice,youbegintodrawpeopleintoyourlifewhoaretheretohelpyou.AndthenyourSynchronicityandyourdreamsreallytakeoff.

“Wheneveryonegetsthis,thehumanworldwillimmediatelychange.Businesseswillchangehowtheyoperate.DoingbusinessinAlignmentmeansalwaystellingthetruthaboutyourproductsandalways

beingservice-minded.Andifyoudo,otherswhoneedwhatyouofferwillshowupmysteriously.”IhadneverseenWilthisexcitedbefore.Ithoughtabouttheideaoftithingandaskedhimaboutit.“That’sjustpartofbeingofservice,”hesaid.“Moneyisonlyaformofstoredenergy,anditfollows

thecurrentsofKarmainone’slife.Ifyoumanipulateformoney,yougetmanipulatedoutofmoney—orsuddenlyhaveawaveofbreakdownsandunexpectedexpenses.Tithingisawaytorighttheshipquickly.Insteadofspendingeverydime,denyyourselfalittleandsavetenpercentofyourincomeonemonth.

“Thenjustwaitforanintuitionofwhomtogiveitto.You’llgetone.Someonewhoneedsanangelwillcrossyourpath,andyou’llgetthethrillofhavingthemeanstobeofservice.Andagain,itwilljustacceleratetheflowofhelpcomingbacktoyou.You’llgetmoreopportunitiestobesuccessful.”

Hestoppedandlookedatme.“I’veneverknownanyonewhotithedinthisspiritwhodidn’tprovetothemselvesthatitworks.”

Foralongmoment,WilandIjustlookedateachother.IknewhewasfeelingthesamesensationIwas:anotherriseinconsciousnessandenergy.WehadfullyintegratedtheThirdstep,andaddedonemorepiecetothepuzzleofspiritualreality—Alignment.

“DidtheHopis,”Iaskedfinally,“sayanythingaboutthenextIntegration,theFourth?”Wilnodded,hisfaceturningserious.“TheysaidtheFourthIntegrationisperhapsthemostimportant

partof‘thefoundation,’becauseitwillshowuswhatisfullyatstake.Oncewe’reabletostayinAlignment,intruth,wewillseehowpervasivesomesystemsofuntruthareintheworld.

“Wecan’tgoforwarduntilweunderstandthesegrowingideologiesandseehowdangerouslytheyarepolarizing.Onlythenwillweknowhowtoseparateourselvesfromthisuntruth…andbreakthroughtoaplacewherewecanstanduptoit.”

RECOGNIZINGIDEOLOGY

Westayedintherocks,watchingeverythingthatwashappeningdownatthetrail.Ourplanwastohidethereuntildarkandthenfigureoutwheretogonext.FromWil’sdescription,itsoundedasthoughtheFourthIntegrationmightbechallengingandmoredangerous.Maybeitwastheeffectofthecanyon,buttheprospectofdangerdidn’tdisturbmeasbefore.Iwasfullyintothejourneynow.IputouttheexpectationformoreSynchronicityandheldthecontextthatwewerediscoveringtherealityofhumanspirituality,vowingtostayinAlignment.

Suddenly,Wilsatup,strainingtolookuptheslopetowardthecanyonwall.Agroupofpeoplewerewalkingaboutahundredyardsaway,headingfarthernortheast.Astheymovedthroughagroveofsmallpines,wesawitwasthegroupthatincludedRachel.Shewasnexttolastinline.

AsIwatchedher,sheimmediatelystoppedandlookeddownthehillinourdirection.Althoughunabletoseeus,sheseemedtobesensingwewereobservingher.Atallmanwithabeard,walkingbehindher,saidsomethingandpushedherforwardpointedly.

IlookedoveratWil.“Didyouseethat?She’sbeingheldagainstherwill.”“Looksthatway,”Wilresponded.IcouldtellheknewtherewassomelinkbetweenRachelandmyself.“Listen,”hesaid,“IthinkIshouldgouptherealoneandseeifIcangetcloseenoughtoheartheir

conversations.They’llseeusifwebothgo.”IknewWilhadbeentrainedinsurveillance,soInoddedinagreement.Wilwaslighteninghispack,handingmesomeofthefood.“IfIdon’tcomebackbynightfall,”hesaid,“I’llfindyoulater.Okay?”Heslippedovertherocksandheadeduptheslope.ForalongwhileIjustgazedinthatdirection,

catchingsightofhimafewtimesashecreptbetweentheoutcroppingsandtrees.Thenhewasgone.Afterafewminutes,someonetalkingdownbythetrailattractedmyattention.Fourrangerswere

walkinginmydirection.Igrabbedmypackandslippedaroundtherocksintheoppositedirection,hopingtomakemywaybacktowardtheclifffacewheretheclimbershadbeen.

Suddenly,someonegrabbedmyarmandjerkedmetoastandstill,sendingmypackflyingaheadofmeandcausingmetolosemyfooting.Alargemanwithsunglassesandtrekkingpantsstareddownatme.Anothermanwalkedupfrombehindhimandleanedforward,thenpolitelyliftedmetomyfeet.

“Rememberme?”themansaidinaBritishaccent.“Where’syourfriend,WilsonJames?”IimmediatelyrememberedhimastheblondmanwhohadbeenobservingmeatthePub.“Willeft,”Ireplied.Therangerscameup,andthemangavethemalook.Theynoddedandheadedbackdownthehill

again.“Nomatter,”themancontinued.“Youtwoareprettyslippery,butIwantyoutoknowwewishyou

noharm.We’retryingtohelpyou.”Hepulledmeoveraboutfivefeettowheretheotherscouldn’thear.“Wedon’thavemuchtime.But

I’mgoingtotellyousomething.Youmustlistenverycarefully.Weknowaboutthereleaseofthis

Document,andweknowyou’relookingfortherestofit.We’reveryinterestedinwhatithastosay,andwewantyoutokeepsearchingandtelluseverythingthatyoufindout.”

Hegavemealookthatwasonlyslightlymenacing.“Whoareyou?”Iasked.“Whoareyouworkingfor?”Hesmiled.“Let’sjustsayI’mspeakingforagroupthatexistsatthehighestlevelsofeveryWestern

government.”Iwasstrugglingtoholdontomyclarity.“Whatcouldyoupossiblywantwithanesotericdocument

likethis?It’saboutspirituality.”Helookedatmealongmoment,perhapsawarethathecouldnotwinmeoverwithoutgivingme

moreinformation.“Iwanttotrustyou,”hesaid.“Thisreleaseaboutspiritualityisoccurringatatimewhenthewar

betweenreligionsisourmostdangerousproblem.Anddon’tbefooled.That’swhatitis,awarbetweenthosehavingprimarilyonereligiousviewintheWest,andthosecountries,primarilyintheEast,thathaveanotherview.Thiswarmayseemquieteronsomefronts,butunderneath,thetensionsareaccelerating.Wehavethebestmindsworkingforus,andthey’reallconvincedweareonadownhillslidetowardtotaldestruction.

“Theproblemissimple.It’stheoldissueoftheCycleofRevenge.Everytimewekilloneoftheirs,tenmorejointhefight.Andeverytimetheykilloneofours,there’sacallinhighplacestodosomethingmoredrastictoprotectourselves.Thereisnomiddlegroundhere.Andtheworstisyettocome.Thewholeconflictisabouttogonuclear.”

Hesteppedtowardme.“DoyouknowthereligiousaffiliationofthePresidentofIran?He’samemberofasectcalledTwelvers.TheybelievethatArmageddon,thewarthatisprophesiedtodestroytheworldinthelastdays,isagoodthing—becausetheythinkwhenitapproaches,theirversionofaMessiah,whotheycalltheirTwelfthImam,willcomeoutfromtheclouds,vanquishalltheirenemies,andthencreateanidealworldbasedontheirbeliefs.

“Justtoshowyouhowcrazyitisoutthere,wefindsimilarviewsamongJudeo-ChristianfanaticsintheWest.TheyalsothinkthatArmageddonisdesirable,sincetheybelieveitwillbringforththeirMessiahfigurestolikewisedefeattheirenemies.Somepeopleinbothcampsseemtothinkitistheirdutytoactuallybringaboutthisgreatwar.

“Thiskindoffanaticismseemstoreflectagrowingtendencytogiveuponthisworld.Peopleeverywherearehangingontotheirreligiousdoctrinesatallcost,thinkingtherestoftheworldisgoinginsane.Andthey’rehopingGodwillintervenetoendthemisery.”

Helookedgenuinelyworried.“Don’tyouthink,”hecontinued,“thatit’sstrangehowtheIraniansaretalking,evenaftereverything

theIsraelishavetried?Iranismuchfurtheralonginitsnuclearcapabilitythananyonethinks.Andmanyofitsbasesarefarunderground.That’swhyevenbombingattacksdon’tdeterthem.Someanalyststhinktheyalreadyhavenukesnow,andthey’rejustworkingonthedeliverysystems.”

Hereachedoverandhandedmemypack.“Idon’tclaimtoknowwhat’sinthisDocumentyou’restudying.Itseemslikeabunchoftalktomesofar.ButweknowthereputationofWilsonJames.IfthisDocumenthasarealsolution,wewanttoknowaboutit.”

Hegavemeaseriouslookandadded,“Otherwisemeasuresaregoingtobetakenbyourgroupthatnooneisgoingtolike.”

Inspiteofthethreat,Ibegantothinkhewasbeingsincerewithme.“Don’tworryaboutgettingintouchwithus,”hereplied.“We’llfindyou.Wehavepeopleinevery

departmentofyourgovernment,sowehaveeverythingweneedtokeepupwithyou.”Hepausedandlookedatmeforalongmoment.“There’sonemorething.Thisgivingupontheworldisnotjusthappeninginreligiouscircles.It’s

happeninginthepoliticalrealmaswell.BothLeftandRightarequicklypolarizingintomoredangerousgroups,whoalsothinktheworldiscollapsing,andthustheyarejustifiedintheirextremeaction.Itisanotherreasonwemighthavetoact.Soyouwanttomakesureyoualignwithusinthismatter.”

Withthat,heshookmyhandforcefullyandtoldmehisnamewasColonelPeterson,thenreachedintoasatchelonthegroundandpulledoutsomepapers.

“Here’spartofthetranslatedDocumentwefound,”hesaid,walkingaway.“TheThirdandFourthIntegrations.Someofthepeopleweinterviewedtoldusmoreofitwasrumoredtobenorthofhere,nearalargermountain.”

Foralongtime,Ijusthuddledthereamongtherocks,myheadbuzzingfromallthis.Thesunwasnowblockedbyanotherthicklayerofclouds,andanominouscoolwindbegantoblowfromthenorth.Iopenedmypackandpulledoutawindbreaker.Now,atleast,weknewwhowasfollowingus.Andifhewascorrectaboutthegeopoliticalsituationandpeoplegivinguponthisworld,maybethiswaswhytheDocumenthadbeenreleasedatthistime.

Iwonderedsuddenly,intheinterestoftruth,whetherIshouldhavetoldPetersonaboutthemenwhoseemedtobeholdingRachelagainstherwill.Probablynot,Ifigured,sinceIdidn’tknowforsureifthatassumptionwastrue.IthoughtforamomentaboutreadingsomeofthetwoIntegrationsPetersonhadgivenme,butIfoundIcouldn’tconcentrate.Iwasgettingantsy—Ihadtodosomething.

Finally,IdecidedtomoveaheadinthedirectionWilhadtraveled.“ExpectSynchronicity,”Iremindedmyselfoutloud.“Andstaycenteredinthetruthofwhatyou’re

doing,andinAlignment.”IproceededcarefullyupthecanyonuntilInoticedanothertrailthatboretotherightthrougharocky

gaptowardthenortheast.Thetraillookedtoberarelyusedoverall,butitcontaineddozensoffreshhumantracks.Followingthem,IproceededtoanotherlargemoundofredrockwhereIcouldsurveytheflatsfarthertothenorth.

Aboutaquartermileahead,Icouldseeasmallclearingwheremanypeopleseemedtobecamped.ItwasjustacrossthelineintotheareaWil,andnowPeterson,hadtalkedabout:theSecretMountainWilderness.Themultiridgedmountaintoweredinthedistance.Camping,Iknew,wasexpresslyforbiddeninthiswilderness.Whoeverallthosepeoplewereintheclearing,theirpartywasn’tgoingtolastverylong.

Asagrayduskdescended,Ihikeddowntheslopeandintotheflats.Heretheterrainwaslessrockyandmuchmoregreen,dottedwithlargeareasofjunipers,andlargeoaks.SeveralrabbitsflushedfromtherocksasIwalked.

WhenIreachedtheclearing,Icouldn’tquitebelievehowmanypeoplewerethere.FromwhereIstood,Icouldseeatleasttwoacresfilledwithcampers.Dozensofpeoplewerewalkingaround.Itwasasthoughsomeonehadorganizedamusicfestivalofsixtypeopletwomilesoutinthedesert,inaspotwhereeveryonehadtohiketo.Inreality,itseemedtobeatotallyspontaneousgathering,bornofrumorandadesiretofindoutabouttheDocument.

Thelargerrealityofwhatmightbeoccurringstruckme.Ostensibly,thepiecesofthesewritingshadbeendispersedallovertheworld.Wassomethinglikethisgatheringhappeninginmanyotherplaces,allatthesametime?

Suddenly,Icouldhearthelowwhineofafour-wheelerfarbackinthedistancetowardthecanyon,andIknewtherangerswereabouttomovethisway.Hurryingahead,Ipickedoutaspotneartheeastsideoftheclearing,figuringIcouldmakeaquickgetawayintothejuniperswhentherangerscame.Aroundmewastheglowofeightortencampfires.

Icookedupsomesouponthestoveandateit,waitingforcompletedarkness,andthenIventuredouttoseeifWilwashere,orRachel.ForhalfanhourorsoIwalkedaround,glancingatthepeopleandlisteningtotheirconversationsabouttheDocument.Differentgroupsweretradingcopiesandtalking

abouttheirexperienceswithConsciousConversation.Forthemostpart,IwasaheadintheIntegrationscomparedtothoseIwaslisteningto,andIdidn’t

feeltheurgetoengageanyone.Iwantedtocruisearoundfirstandseewhowashere.Afteralongtime,Ihadcompletelycheckedoutmostofthesites,exceptforseverallargergroupsnearthesouthernedgeofthecampingarea.Thefirstoneincludedatleasttwentypeople,allcampedtogether.

Inthecenterofthegroup,asmallgascampinglanternhungfromatree,floodingtheareawithanoddyellowlight,likethebuglightsyouseeonporchesoutinthecountry.Mothsanddragonflieseerilycircledthelantern.

AsIwalkedcloser,Ialmostranintoanothermanwhowasenteringthecampatthesametime.Weactuallyhadtostoptoavoidcrashingintoeachother.Ipaused,wonderingifthismeetingwasaSynchronicity.

“Excuseme,”hesaid,inafriendlymanner.“That’sokay,”Ireplied.Hegavemeasecondlook.“Hey,IsawyoubackatBoynton.Youmustbelookingforthe

translations.”“Yeah,that’sright.”“Wheredidyoucomeinfrom?”Icouldtellhewassizingmeupforsomereason.“Georgia,”Isaid.HeintroducedhimselfasRobert,fromIdaho.“FromGeorgia,huh?”hecommented.“Somepeopleinourgrouparefromthere.Wehaveallofthe

translationsthroughtheThirdIntegration.”Atthatmoment,anothermanwalkedupandhandedhimacupofcoffee,andRobertaskedmeifI

wantedone.“Sure,”Ireplied,certainnowthatIwasbeingshownsomethingimportanthere.Wewalkedovertothefireandsatdown,andIwashandedacupofcoffeethatwasveryhotand

smelledwonderful.“It’sterrificthatthisDocumentiscomingoutnow,”Robertsaid.“Thecountryisingreatdanger.

Maybethiswillgetpeoplemotivated.I’mprettysurethegovernmentwillbedeclaringmartiallawprettysoon,andpeopleneedtobeprepared.Thefirstthingthey’lldoistakeupallthegunsandmanybooks.”

ItwasbecomingclearthatIwastalkingtosomeoneontheextremeRightpolitically.“Waitaminute,”Isaidcasually.“Noneofthatcanhappen.Thereareconstitutionalsafeguards.”“Areyoukidding?”hereacted.“OneortwomoreLeftistjudges,andthatwon’tbethecase

anymore.Thingsareoutofcontrol.Thecountrywegrewupinisbeingchanged.Wehavetodosomethingnow.WethinktheDocumentisgoingtocallforarealrebellionagainsttheLeftists.”

“What?”Isaidforcefully.“Ican’tseeanyonegettingtheideaofarebellionfromthisDocument—maybeamoreenlightenedCentrism.Haveyoureadit?”

“Muchofit,”hesaidloudly.“Ourpeoplearestudyingitmorecloselynow.They’llletusknowaboutthedetails.Youmaynotbelieveit,butthingsareabouttodegeneratequickly.Youhadbetterdecidewhoyouwanttosidewithwhenithappens.”

Severalotherpeopleinthegroupheardhimandbegantowalktowardus.“Everyonehastowakeup,”hewenton.“TheLeftistsareslowlyunderminingtheConstitutionby

overregulating.They’retakingadvantageofthisfinancialcrisistoconsolidatepower.”Hestoppedandlookedhardatme.“Ithinkyou’reoverstatingrealityhere,”Isaid.“TherewasaswingtotheLeftthatoccurredduring

thecrisis,whenmoreofasafetynetandconsumerprotectionweredemanded.Butifanything,there’sbeenaturnintheotherdirectionsincethen.”

Hesuddenlysteppedbackandbegantolookatmewithmoresuspicion.

“Well,boys,”hesaidtotheothers,“IthinkwehaveaLeftyrighthere.”BeforeIcouldrespond,severalotherpeoplejumpedinwiththeirownthoughtsonthesubject,

basicallyechoingthefirstman’spointofviewandarrogantlyemphasizingmynaïveté.Astheycontinued,Ibegantofeelslightlyconfusedandoffcenterandnolongerwantedtoarguewiththem.

SomuchforthisbeingaSynchronicity,Ithought.Besttoleavenow.“Look,”Isaid,walkingaway.“Everythingyouaresayingcanbedebated,butyou’renotopento

that.Thereisanothersidetoalltheseissues.”Isetthecoffeecupdownonarock.Robertwaslaughingnow,butsomeoftheothersweregivingmeintimidatinglooks.“Youbetterwakeup,”oneofthemyelled.“YoupeopleontheLeftareruiningthiscountry,and

we’renotgoingtostandforitmuchlonger.We’dratherhavethecorporationstakeoverthanyouidiots.”

Walkingbacktothetent,Icouldfeelmyclarityofmindfinallycomingbacktome.IhadnoideathattheextremeRightwouldhaveaninterestinthisDocument,ifindeeditwasagenuineinterest.Morelikelytheywerejusttryingtouseitfortheirownpurposes.Mostupsettingofallwasthefactthatmyenergyhadcollapsed.IfeltIhadheldontoamorerationalviewwiththem,whichIconsideredmosttruthful,butIhaddefinitelybeenaffectedbytheverbalonslaught.

Thenitdawnedonme.Thesepeoplewerecontrollers,inthesamesensethattheOldProphecyhaddescribedthemintheFourthInsight.WehadcometotheFourthIntegration—soofcourseIwouldberunningintocontrollers!

AstheProphecyhadshown,controllerswerenotinterestedintruth,andonlymarginallymotivatedbyoutcomes.Whattheywantedaboveallwasthefeelingofpowerthatcomesfromdominatingothers.Inordertodothis,theymakeupanyfactsnecessarytothrowtheotherpersonoffbalanceandunderminehisself-confidence.Andifthecontrollingwassuccessful,thevictimswouldeventuallylosetheircenteredclarityaltogetherandbegintodefertothecontrollers’opinions—which,ofcourse,wouldgivethecontrollersahitofenergyandpowerfromtheothers’attention.Controllingisobsessivebehavior,usedtopushawayinsecurity.

ThistypeofcontrollingisthechiefcharacteristicofthosebothLeftandRight,whohaveaprimarilyideologicalapproachtopolitics.Theydon’twanttodebatetheissues.Theywantonlytoshoutdowntheoppositionandwin.TheoldProphecypredictedthatthisselfishinsecuritycouldberesolvedonlywhenonefoundtruesecurity:aspiritualconnectioninside,whereseekingthetruthandbeingofserviceweremoreimportantthanwinning.

Shakingofftheexperience,IcontinuedtolookaroundforanysignofRachelandWilbutsawnooneIrecognized.IwasabouttoheadbacktothetentwhenIheardsomeonetalkinginaloudvoiceinacampsitetomyright.Ilookedaroundandtriedtoseethroughthedim,flickeringlight.Thenightwasnowdrapedinaslightfog-likehazefromthesmokeofthecampfires.

Finally,Ispottedfourorfivepeoplestandinginagroup,illuminatedbyalargecampfire.Twomenwereopposingeachotherinaheatedinterchange.Oneofthemwasshouting,andtheothermanwas…Coleman!

IwassogladtoseehimthatIrushedoverandstoodjusttotherightofhimforsupport.“You’reoneofthoseRight-wingers,”theloudmansaid,wavingafingeratColeman.“Ifyou

weren’t,youwouldn’tbetalkinglikethis.”Colemanshookhishead.“I’monlysayingthatittakesabalance.Somepeoplewantbiggovernment

totallyregulatingeverythingandotherswantbigcorporateinfluenceandverylittleregulation.Ithinkthebestpositionisrightinthemiddle,withjustenoughregulationtoprovideadequateconsumerprotection.”

Hisopponentwasn’tlistening,goingoffonatiradeabouthowthosewerejustcodewordsfor

Right-wingintentionstoundermineprogramsforpeople.HecalledColemanafascistextremistouttocontroltheeconomiesoftheworldandoppressanyonewhowasn’trich.

Atthatmoment,alightbulbwentoffinmyhead.WewerenowseeingthereverseofwhatI’dexperiencedearlier.WhenItriedtodiscusspoliticswiththeRight-wingguyfromamoremoderateposition,hecalledmeaLeftist.AndnowIwaswitnessingamanontheextremeLeft—becauseColemanwasalsocomingfromamoderateposition—accusingColemanofbeingfromtheextremeRight.

Bothextremistswereusingthesametactic.Ifsomeonedisagreedwiththemevenslightly,theyweresimplypushedintotheoppositeextremecategory—sotheycouldbedismissedanddehumanizedandnottakenseriously.Thatway,eachside—farLeftandRight—couldjustifytheirownextremebehavior.Eachthoughtofthemselvesasthegoodguyshavingtofighttosavecivilizationfromasoullessenemy.

Astheothermancontinuedtoshout,Colemangavemeanexasperatedlookandnoddedthatweshouldleave.

“Whereareyougoing,Right-winger?”oneoftheothermenshouted.“Youaren’tgoingtowin.Ifwehavetoinstalladictator,we’lldoit.Youaren’tgoingtowin!”

Oncewewereoutofsight,ColemanstoppedandpulledacopyoftheFourthIntegrationfromhispack.

“Weneedtotalk,”hesaid.

AswewalkedbacktowhereIhadsetupcamp,Igushedouteverythingthathadhappened,includingexperiencingtheThirdIntegration,seeingRachelandthestrangegroupshewaswith,andlisteningtothefarRightguyactingjustasirrationalastheguyColemanwasarguingwithontheLeft.

Colemanlistenedandbusiedhimselfwithpickingupsomedeadmesquitelimbs.SeveraltimeshepausedtotellmehehadhadsimilarexperienceswiththeThirdIntegration,notfromlosinghisfoodbutfrombeingaloneandlosinghiswayandseekinghelpfromothers.Wewerebothatthesameplace:inAlignmentandbeginningtoseektheFourth.

Whenwearrived,IusedsomestarterwoodWilhadplacedinmypacktobuildasmallfire,listeningatthesametimeforanysoundsthatmightindicaterangerswereapproaching.

Colemanwaswatchingme,growingmoreexcited.“HaveyouseenwhattheDocumentsaysabouttheFourthyet?”

“Notyet.”“We’reseeingallthisforareason!TheDocumentsaysthatduringthetransitionfromamaterial

worldviewtoamorespiritualone,civilityisthefirstthingthatgoesoutthewindow.Thoseholdingontotheoldworldviewoftenbegintoclingtotheirobsessionswithevergreaterferocity,untiltheirbeliefsbecomeanideology,asystemofideasthataren’tbasedontruthanylonger.Itisbasedontheperceivedideathatthereisanenemyouttherethreateningtheworld.Andinsuchadiresituation,theyfeelitisokaytogiveupontruthfuldemocraticdebateandlegalprocedures.

“ThepoliticalLeftandRightarebothmovingtotheextremebecauseeachthinksthethreatissogreatfromtheothersidethatextrememeasuresneedtobetaken.Andofcourse,it’sallself-reinforcing.Whenpeopleexaggeratethefacts,theyabandontruth,andthentheLawofKarmakicksin,andeachsidedrawsintheiroppositeswhoarelyingaswell,andtheyjustfaneachother’sflames.

“What’sworse,”hewenton,“isthatthoseinthemiddle—aswejustsaw—areconstantlyaccusedofbeingextremebybothsides,sograduallyeveryonetendstobepushedtowardtheextremeoppositepoles.”

Hepokedthefirewithastick.“TheDocumentsaysthedangerliesinthisincreasingpolarizationofpoliticalthought,withmorepeoplemovingtotheextremeseveryday.Thisisaverydangeroussituation.

Eithersidecanbecomeviolentordespotic.TheDocumentsaysthoseinAlignmentmustfindawaytostanduptothoseinextremeideologiesbycreatinganew,enlightenedcenter,devotedtothetruth.Itsaysthisisespeciallytruewhenconfrontingreligiousideology.”

Ijustlookedathim.“Iwasveryinterested,”hesaid,“whenyouweretellingmeaboutthegroupRachelwaswith.”“Whyisthat?”“BecausetheDocumentsaysreligiousideologywillalsobeincreasinginourtime.Inthisperiod

wheremanypeoplewantanopendiscussionaboutspiritualitysowecanbuildaconsensusaboutourspiritualnature,manyinestablishedreligionswillbegintofeelthreatened.Andinanefforttodefendtheirdoctrine,theywillmovetoextremesaswell,eventothepointofgivingupandwishingfortheendoftheworld.”

IrememberedwhatColonelPetersonhadtoldme.“You’retalkingabouttheend-timespeople,”Isaid.“ThosewishingforArmageddon.”“Yes.”

Justatthismoment,thelowwhineoffour-wheelersinterruptedourconversation.Theywerestillfarawaybutwerebearingdownonusatafastpace.Peopleeverywherewerehurryingtobreakdowntheirtentsandgathertheirbelongings.

“We’dbettergetoutofhere!”Isaid,jumpingupandloadingmypack.“I’llgetmytentandberightback,”hesaid,rushingintothedarkness.Justthen,Iwasjoltedbyawoman’sscreamaboutfiftyfeetaway.Severalmenwithbigflashlights

hadgrabbedherandwerelookingallthroughherbelongings.Severalmoremenwereheadingmyway.Withnootherchoice,Istuffedeverythingintomypackandranintothedarkness.Alloverthearea

now,Icouldseemenwithflashlightssearchingthroughpeople’scampsites,obviouslylookingforsomething.IcrouchedlowasonegroupofmenrushedintoacamplessthanthirtyfeetfromwhereIwashiding.Beamsfromtheirlightssweptoverme.

“Letushaveyourtranslations,”oneofthemensaidinanArabicaccent.AnothershoutedtoanassociateinwhatwasclearlycontinentalIndian.IrecognizedoneofthemenasbelongingtothegroupholdingRachel.Hewasthetallmanwithabeard.

Nowthefour-wheelerswereonus,andthemenquicklyscattered,theflashlightssuddenlygoingdark.Imovedawayfromtherangers,lookingaroundasbestIcouldforanysignofColeman.Finally,Ihidamongsomerocksaboutahundredyardsaway.Dozensofrangerswereherdingpeopleintogroupsandmovingthemoutoftheclearing.Iheadedfarthernorth.

Afteraboutanhour,Ifroze.Someoneseemedtobecreepingtowardmefromtheleft.Thesoundstopped,andIbackedawayintheotherdirectionandrightintothegraspofalonefigurewhopushedahandgunintomyribs.Iwaswrestledtothegroundbyanotherman,andoneofthebigflashlightspoppedoninmyface.

Theypulledmealongforaboutahalfmilefarthertowardthenorthintoanareaofthickpines,wheremorethantwentypeoplemetus.Asmallcampfireflickeredlightoverthescene.ThiswastherestofthegroupthathadRachel.

Amanwhoseemedtobetheleadercameoverandgazedatmeforalongmoment.Hewasthicklybuilt,haddarkhairthatwasgraying,andwasdressedinmilitaryfatigues.Heshookhisheadandturnedaway.Itookadeepbreath,tryingtokeepmywitsaboutmeandstayoutofpanic.Afterall,Itoldmyself,Rachelhadbeenwiththesepeopleforawhile,andshehadn’tlookedtooupsetearlier.

Ontheotherhand,theyhadjustcomeintotheclearingandhadterrifiedeveryone,apparently

lookingforpartsoftheDocument.Icouldseefoldersandloosepapersstackednearalonecactus.Onemanwalkedoverandbegansearchingthroughmypack,easilyfindingmycopies.

Suddenly,twootherpeopleemergedfromthedarkness.OnewasRachelandtheotherwasanArabmaleofaboutthirty-fivewhowasattiredinmoreformalArabdress.Rachelmovedcloserandsawme,oureyesmeetingforjustaninstantbeforeourviewwasblocked.

Theleaderthenwalkedoverandcasuallysatdowninfrontofme.“WherearetherestofyourDocuments?”heasked.ItwasthesamemanI’dheardspeakingwitha

continentalIndianaccent.Iwasdeterminedtostaycenteredandtobetruthfulorsaynothing.“That’sallIhave,”Isaid.HegavemewhatIcouldonlydescribeasaserenesmile.“Okay,myfriend,thenwheremightwe

findtherestofthisartifact?”“Idon’tknow.Onehastobeguidedtoit.”“Andyou,areyouguidedbyColonelPeterson?”Iwasstunned,whichmadetheleader’seyeslightup.Hewasobviouslypleasedwithhimselfthathe

knewofthecolonel’sexistence.“Oh,yes,”headded,“Iknowallabouthisgroup.AndIwantyoutotellmeallyouknowabout

him.”“That’seasy,”Isaid.“Ionlymethimforthefirsttimeearliertoday,andIdon’tknowanythingabout

him,exceptthathe’sinterestedinwhatthisDocumenthastosay,justasyouapparentlyare.”“Yes,we’restudyingitrightnow,”theleadersaid.HiseyestellinglyglancedatRachel,whowas

sittingbesidethestackofpapers.“Sowhataboutyou?”Iasked.“WhatdoyouthinkaboutthisDocument?”Heseemedtobeamused

thatIwoulddaretoaskaquestioninthiscircumstance.“Ithasnothingtotellus,”heasserted.“Wealreadyhavethetruth.”Heturnedandbegantalkingtothewell-dressedmanwhowaswithRachel.HecalledhimAdjar.Atthatmoment,Rachellookeddirectlyintomyeyes,whichwassooverwhelmingIhadtoshiftmy

gaze.Theconnectionwasn’tromantic—atleastIthoughtitwasn’t.Butitwasdefinitelyunusual,andIfeltitatdepthsIhadnoideahowtoexplain.AsIlookedatherwithmyperipheralvision,Irealizedshewastryingtocommunicatesomething.

Cooperate,sheseemedtobesayingwithhereyes.Don’tmakewaves.Whichthrewmeintoaquandary.Tostayclear,Ihadtoremaincenteredandaware,andtodothatIhadtotellthetruthasIknewit.Iwouldhavetophrasemytruthfulcommentsinawaythatwouldkeepmeoutoftroublewiththisguy.

Theleaderwaswalkingbacktowardme.“Thisideaofideology,”hesaid.“Itreferstopeoplewhoarelivingliesandknowit,yes?Likethose

wholieandstealformoney,likeyoupeopleintheWest.”HelookedcloselytoseeifIwasgoingtodefendModernlife,butthethoughtcametometogoin

anotherdirection.“IthinktheDocumentispointing,”Isaid,“tothosepeoplewhohavesetideasaboutrealityand

aren’topentoanydiscussionaboutit.Theystopgrowingandjustrepeatthepast.Theyaren’tconsciousintheirconversation.”

“LikePeterson?”“Well,Idon’tknow.”“Youknow!”Forthefirsttimehelookedfullymenacing,andIknewIwasontrickygroundhere.“Okay,”Isaid.“Ithinkheistryingtofindawaytostopthewaroverreligionbeforeit’stoolate.”Helookedasthoughhewastryingtocontrolaninneroutrage.“Heonlywantspowerforhimself,”hesaid.“Besides,thewarcannotbestopped.Itisdestined.I

thinkyouaretryingtodeceiveme.”Withthatheturnedawayagain.Rachelwasstaringatme,cautioningmetobecareful.TheleaderlookedatAdjar.“Setaguardoverthemallnight.”AdjarnoddedtotwoothermenwholiftedmeupandhadmesitbyRachel,thenhesaidsomethingto

theotherwomaninHebrew.Shemovedovertoarockabouttenfeetawaytowatchus,anUzimachinepistolinherlap.HecalledherHira.

IleanedovertowardRachelandnoticedherroseperfumeagain,whichinthissettingmadeherseemotherworldly,orangel-like.

“Whoarethesepeople?”Iwhispered.“I’vebeenwiththemawhile,”shesaidquietly,“andIstilldon’tknowmuchaboutthem.They

mostlybelongtoArabicsects,buttheyhaveWesternerswiththem,too,JewsandChristiansfromallover.TheonlyconnectionIcanseeisthattheyareallintoend-timesProphecy.Theleader’snameisAnish.He’stheonewhoholdsthemalltogether.”

IquicklytoldherwhatPetersonhadsaidaboutreligiousextremistsdesiringArmageddon.Shethoughtforamoment.“IknowAnishisplanningsomething.Ijustdon’tknowwhatitis.They

callthemselvesApocalyptics.”“Andtheywon’tletyouleave?”“Ihaven’tpressedtheissue.TheymademeagreetohelpthemunderstandtheDocument,although

onlyafewofthemarecomprehendingit.”SheglancedoveratAdjarwhoquicklylookedaway.ItookabreathandthentoldRachelaboutthementerrifyingthecampersattheclearing.“Iwasthinkingtheymightbeforcingpeopletogiveuptheircopies,”shesaid.Shelookedatme,tryingtofindmyeyesagain.“HowfarhaveyougottenwiththeIntegrations?”“I’mthroughtheThirdandsomeoftheFourth.”“Soyougettheproblemwithpolarizingideologies,andthedisregardofmoderateviews?”“Yes.”Sheseemedtolightup.“Well,theconclusionoftheFourthisrevealing.Itsaysthereisonlyone

solutiontotheproblemofpeoplewhoarelostinideologies.TheDocumentsaysthoseofusinAlignment,holdingacentralpositionoftruth,havetoreachthem.”

“Whatdoesthatmean?”“ItexplainsthatenoughofushavetomovethroughtheIntegrationsuntilwehaveenoughinfluenceto

persuadethem,beforeit’stoolate,thatAlignmentistheonlyway.Peoplecanchangeintheblinkofaneye.”

“Araceagainsttime,”Isaid.Shegavemeapuzzledlook.“JustsomethingafriendtoldmewhenIfirstheardabouttheDocument.”

Atthismoment,theleader,Anish,walkedupandsaidsomethingtoAdjar.Thenhegavemealonglook.HeseemedtogrowirritatedthatIwasreturninghisstare.Hestormedover.

“Whoareyoutolookintomyeyes?”heyelled.“Showdeference!Youarehere,alive,bothofyou,becauseIallowit.Whenyounolongerserveourcause,Icandispensewithyouinaninstant.”Hesnappedhisfingerstoillustratethepoint.

Then,strangely,hisdemeanorbecamecalmagain,andhesmiled.“Tomorrow,youwilltellmeeverythingyouknow.”

Heglaredonemoretimeatbothofusandwalkedoff.Thethreatwasconvincing,andIfeltmyenergyplummet.Rachellookedatmehard.Sheglancedat

ourguard,Hira,whoreturnedherlookwithconcern.Hirajumpeddownfromtherockwithamazingathleticease,readyforwhateverwasgoingtohappen.Rachelnoddedather.

IrealizedthenthatRachelmusthavedevelopedafriendshipwiththiswomanwiththeUzi.Infact,RachelseemedtohaveaConnectionwithbothHiraandAdjar.Aftershewassurehewasn’tcomingback,Rachelleanedoveragain,stillsearchingformyeyes.

“There’sonelastthingintheFourth,”shesaid.“Allofusmustadmitthatwecan’tmarshalenoughinfluenceonourowntostanduptosuchpeople.Itsayswehavetobreakthroughtoalargerpartofourselves…andfindour‘protection.’”

THEGODCONNECTION

Isatalone,staringatthedyingfire.Thewell-dressedArabman,Adjar,hadreturnedandtalkedforalongtimewithRachelastheygatheredupthecopiesoftheDocument.

Afterward,hesupervisedasIerectedmytent,thenescortedRacheltoherowntent,leavingmealoneexceptforHira,ourguard,andthreeextremistswhoweresittingtogetheronthefarsideofthecamp.Occasionally,themenwouldburstintomutedlaughterastheysmokedcigarettesandtookturnsdrinkingfromabottleofwine.

Mymindwasspinningoverthesituation.Myenergyhadcrashed,andIhadnoideawhattodo.IthoughtmomentarilyoftheDocument’sideaoffindingProtectionbutfoundnohelp.Whateverwasintendedbythatwordwouldremainamysteryuntilsomethinghappenedinmyexperiencetogiveitmeaning.Untilthenitwasjustonemoreabstractterm.

LookingagainatHira,IfiguredIcouldmakearunforitandperhapsgetaway,butthatmovewouldleaveRachelherealone,andIwasn’tgoingtoabandonher.Hiralookedaroundsuddenlyandstaredhardatme,andwhenoureyesmet,herlookshiftedintosomethingakintocuriosityorinquisitiveness,butonlyforaninstant.

Somethinginherlookmademefeelbetter,andIthoughtabouttryingtospeakwithherbutdecidedagainstit.Thedayhadbeenlong,andinspiteofthefear,anirresistiblefatiguewasdescendingonme.ForafewminutesIlookedoutintothenightandtriedtoconjureupanexpectationofSynchronicity.ThenIcrawledintomytent,literallyunabletostayconscious.WherewasWil?Iwondered.AndColeman?

Iwasawakenedbythemuffledsoundofconversationoutsidemytent.Atfirst,IthoughtIwasdreaming,butthenIheardRachel’svoicedistinctly.Iglancedatmywatch.Itwasanhourbeforedawn.

“Don’tyousee?”shesaidinaloudwhisper.“Wehavetofigureouthowtobridgeourdifferences.”IpeakedthroughthetentflapandcouldseeRacheloutsidebythefire.Adjarwassittingacrossfrom

her.Therestofthecampwasdarkandsilent.Hirawasnolongerontherock.Rachaelwaspressing.“Spiritualitycannotbeforced.Peoplemustdiscoveritforthemselves.”Hewasshakinghishead.“Whatwebelieveisthatculturemustbeshapedandkeptspiritual.The

spiritualrulesmustbemaintainedbythoseincharge.Otherwise,ourpeoplewouldbespoiledandlazy.Lookattheindecencyanddegradationofyourmoviesandmusic.Andyouholdupyourcorruptpoliticsassomethingtobeproudof?”

“Look,”sheargued,“Idon’tlikepartsofourculture,either.Butfreedomisimportant,formenandwomen.WhatiftheDocumentiscorrect?Youunderstandwhatitsays.You’veexperiencedtheAlignment.Whatifpeopleeverywherecouldlearntopracticeaspiritualitythatestablishesthedisciplineyouspeakof,butisvoluntaryandengagedinbecauseofthethrilloftheexperience?”

Suddenly,HirareturnedwithanalarmedlookandbeganspeakingtoRachelinHebrew.Adjarlookedasthoughhewantedtostrikeher,butheturnedandwalkedafewpacesawayindisgust.

Ipushedthroughthetentflapthenandstartledthemall.RachelshotmealookofgraveconcernandwalkedovertoAdjar.

“SomeoftheothershaveopeneduptoHira,”RachelwhisperedtoAdjar.“Anishissayinghe’snotgoingtoletusgo!Youhavetohelpusgetaway!”

Adjarsaidnothing.“YouknowwhattheDocumentissaying,”Rachelpressed.“Itsayswecanexperiencea

Breakthroughofsomekind.Wehavetofigureoutwhatthatis.Itcouldleadtoaresolutionbetweenbothsides.WhatifArmageddondoesn’thavetohappen?”

Adjarturnedawayagain,asthoughunderterriblestress.Finally,hesaid,“Okay.Getyourbelongings.”HiraranuptoRachel,hergunhangingfromhershoulder,pointedtoherself,andsaidsomething,

whichseemedtomeanshewasgoingwithus.Rachelturnedandlookedatme,smilingasthoughthoroughlyastoundedthatherpleahadbeen

granted.Iwhirledaroundandbegandismantlingmytentasquietlyaspossible.Withinminutes,thethreeofuswerecarefullywalkingtothenorth.Behindus,Adjarwasstandingmotionlesswatchingusgo,thefirelightglisteningonhistallforehead.

“WhataboutAdjar?”IwhisperedtoRachel.Wewereclimbingupthesteep,woodedinclineinthedirectionofSecretMountain.

Shestoppedandlookedbackathim.“Idon’tknow,”shesaid.Rachelfoundabreakinasteepoutcroppingwherewecouldmakeourwaytotherightalongasmall

ridge.Suddenly,weheardaloudsequenceofyellsandarguingbehindusattheApocalyptics’camp,apparentlyatthediscoveryofourabsence.Icouldseethelargeflashlightscomeonagainandagroupofmenbeginheadingourway.

Wehurriedourpacetowardthenorth,everdeeperintotheSecretMountainWilderness.Thisarea,Iknew,wasatleastfortysquaremilesofroughterrain.Wewalkeduntilwellaftersunrise,andateachriseintheterrainwestoppedtorestandtocheckiftheextremistswerefollowingus.Eachtimewewouldseethemstillbacktherebutnotcatchingup.

Asthesunrosehigherinthesky,wequickenedourpaceuntilwecouldn’tseethemanymoreandthenpushedforwardintotheearlyafternoon,whenwevirtuallycollapsedfromexhaustion.Wesetupcamponariseofrocksurroundedbythickbushesexceptononeside,whichallowedusaviewdowntheridge.

Fortherestoftheday,weatecampstewandtookturnskeepingwatchandsleeping.Finally,weallgatheredontheedgeoftherockstowatchthesunset.Rachelsatdownbesideme,andHirasatafewpacesaway,watchingformovementandstillappearingverynervous.Asthesunsetunfolded,swirlingcirruscloudspickedupthelastofthelightandbegantolooklikelittlepinkAngels.

“Iguesstheywereprotectingusbackthere,”Rachelsaid.Inodded.“You’restillgoingtoneedthem!”Hirasuddenlyshouted.Ahundredyardsaway,agroupofsevenextremistswerejoggingupthehilltowardus.Someofthem

hadassaultweaponsontheirshoulders.“Comeon,”Isaid.“Wehavetogetoutofhere.”Inminuteswehadgrabbedeverythingandwererunninguptheslopetowardthetopofthemountain,

scalingrockyoutcroppingsandmakingourwaythroughthickclumpsoftrees.Hirahadmovedinfrontofusandwasdirectingtheroute.

“Letherlead,”Rachelsaidtome.“SheusedtobeintheIsraelimilitary.”WeweremakingourwayaroundoneofthetightledgeswhenmyfootsuddenlyslippedandIfelt

myselftopplingofftheedgetowardanotherspireofrocktwentyfeetbelow.AtthelastsecondIleapedtoaboulderabouttenfeetdownandslidtoaproneposition,scrapingmyarmonthejaggedrocks.

“Areyouallright?”Rachelwaswhisperingfromabove.Icouldseetherewasnowaybackuptoher.“Yeah,”Isaid,“butI’llhavetofindanotherwayup.I’llmeetyouaheadsomewhere.”Shenodded,andItookoff.Glancingbehindmeinthedescendingdarkness,Icouldseethe

flashlightsoftheApocalypticsflickeringonagainandbobbingupanddownastheyclosedinonus.Suddenly,asingleshotrangout,reverberatingagainstthemountaininaseriesofechoesthatchilledmysoul.

DespiteeverythingIcoulddo,myenergybegantofadeevenmore.Isoughttobolstermyconsciousnessbytellingmyselfhowimportantitwastomakeitthroughthis,tofindtheremainingIntegrations.IeventriedtoexpectSynchronicityagainandtosomehowseekProtection,butIknewfullwellthattherewasnooneouthereinthiswildernesstocometoouraid.

Iwasrunningthroughthedarknessnow,jumpingfrombouldertoboulder.Atonepoint,tomyhorror,IfoundIhadnowayforwardwithoutmovingbackdowntheslopeinadirectionclosertothebobbinglights.Worstofall,upahead,theslopeendedinasheerrockface.Iwouldhavetoclimbvirtuallystraightuptherockstogetaway.

Anothergunshotrangout,whichthrewmecompletelyintopanic.Itallseemedmeaninglessnow.Nowtherewasonlyfear,andthedesperatedesiretogetaway.

WhenIreachedtherockface,IchosethebestwayIcouldseeandclimbedformylife.Ateachledgeofrockreached,thelightsflickerederraticallyoverme,tellingmethemenwereclimbingaswell.Weretheyalreadysightinginonmewiththeirweapons?Thethoughtsentmeintoeverlargerwavesofpanicuntilthelevelwassimplyunbearable.Atthatmoment,Ibegantofeeltheresignationofimminentdeathdescendingonmelikeawetblanket,sappingmyremainingenergy.Mylegsbegantofeellikelead.

Thensuddenly,Iwasbuoyedbyamemory.Thisexactcircumstancehadhappenedtomebefore,yearsago,duringthesearchfortheProphecyinPeru.Iwasintheexactsamesituation,givingintodeathasarespitefromterror.Backthen,IhadopeneduptoaconsciousnessIhadn’texperiencedbeforeorsince.

Withthatthoughtinmind,Iregainedsomeofmybalanceandclimbedtothetopoftherockface.ThenIsqueezedthroughanarrowopeningbetweentwolargeoutcroppings,attemptingtofindawayuptomyright.Tomyshock,Ifoundmyselftotallyblockedoffandstymiedbyasheerdrop-offaheadofme.Again,justasinPeru.

Rocksslidingdowntheslopebehindmetoldmetheextremistswereclose.Myrubberylegsbegantofailagain,andIslumpedtotherocks.Againtheblanketofsurrenderbegantocoverme—onlythistimeIdidn’tfullyletgo.Apartofme,thepartthatrememberedtheexperienceinPeru,didn’tgivein.ImovedintoazonewhereIwasthepureobserver,thedetachedwitness,thereonlytowatchtheunfoldingdramathatwoulddeterminemyfate.

Takingabreath,Ilookedoutatmysurroundings,waiting,andthen,justasinPeru,somethingbegantochange.Withoutinvestment,Iwatchedasmyconsciousnesssuddenlyenlargedandreachedouttoeverythingaroundme,givingmeanoddfeelingoffamiliarity,asthoughIwasrecapturinganaturalpartofmyselfthathadbeenlost.

Instantly,myperceptionwasfilledwitheverythingIhadn’tnoticedbefore:Smallmothsandflyinginsectscircledaroundmyhead.Crickets,orperhapsgrasshoppers,sangtheirsongfromthetreesandrocks.Ibecameawareofalargebird,perhapsahawkorowl,awakenedbymyrudeintrusion,whichcriedoutandflewaway.Icouldheareachthumpofthewings,asifitwasflyingoffinslowmotion.

Aboveme,thesliverofmoonthathadguidedmywaywasnowhanginglowerinthesky.AsIlookedatit,Ifeltanotherexpansionofmybeing,oneIalsorememberedfrombefore.Nolongerwasit

merelyanartifactinthesky,two-dimensionalinitsappearance,likesomethingseenontelevision.Thissliverwasnowperceivedbytheobservingpartofmyselfinalargerway,sothatIknewinmy

perceptionthatthephasesofthemoonarereallyachangeinthewaythesun’slightreflectsoffthemoon’sround,three-dimensionalshape,hangingthereinspace.

Theperceptionstretchedmyawarenessevenmoretoincludenotjustthemoonbutthesunaswell,hanging,asitwas,underneathEarth’swesternhorizonandshininguponthemoon.TheeffectwastoextendmysenseofspacepastthelocalareaaroundtheledgeIwassittingon,outtothelargercosmosinalldirections—andnotjustovermyheadandtoeachside.IfeltitundermyfeetontheothersideofEarthaswell.

Withthat,everythingwassuddenlythrownintogreaterrelief,akindofsuperthree-dimensionalitythatenhancedthepresenceandrealnessofeverythinginmyperceptualfield,fromthesmallinsectsclosetomyfaceallthewaytothegalaxyofstarsbehindthemoon.IwaslookingateverythingfromthelargerperspectiveoftheentireUniverse.

Everythingaroundmecamealivewithanoverwhelmingbeautyandmajesty.Therocksandtreesvirtuallyglowedwithcoloraseveryreflectionoflightoutlinedtheircontoursandcreviceswithmulticoloredreflections.Thelargepinetreethatborderedtheledgetomyrightseemedtoexplodewithathousandvariationsofredandbluehighlights.

Asifpulledonbymygrowingsenseofbeauty,IthenfeltmyselfexpandattheemotionallevelintoaprofoundfeelingofloveandConnectionwitheverythingaroundme.Somethingintheareaofmyheartburstoutward,andIknewwithoutadoubtthatIwasnowhomeandcaredfor,andabsolutely—Icouldn’tbelieveit—Protected.

ForawhileImerelysoakeduptheemotion,butthenmyimageofmyselfasapersonbegantoshift.Somehow,inthismomentofeuphoria,thewitnesspartofmyselfcouldnowseealltheeventsofmylifeasonelongmovie.IcouldseealltheSynchronicities,allthethoughtsandideasthathadcometomeatjusttherightmomentinmypasttoguidemylifeforward—revealingnowahiddenpurposebehinditall.IcouldseethatallIhaddonecamefromatruthIhadcomeintotheworldtotell.ButIcouldalsoseethatmytruthwaspartofalarger,hiddentruth,aPlanforallofcreation.

Thisrecognitionliftedmeintostillanother,evenlargeremotionalopening.Thelove,theeuphoricsenseofbeingathome,ofbeinginvolvedinaUniverseofhigherpurpose,wereallstillthere.ButalongwithitwasrisingaprofoundsenseofappreciationforthisConnectionandsupport.ItwaslikesuddenlyrealizingthatsomeDivineforcehadbeenbehindmeallalong,withoutmyfullyknowingit—andnowwassuddenlyjumpingfrombehindthecurtain,yelling“Surprise!”

Onlyitwasmoredeeplyheartfeltthanthat.Tounderstand,atthislevelofillumination,thatIwaspartofsomethinglargerandolderandlongerwasalmostoverwhelminginitsimpact.

Andhere,inthismomentofappreciation,somethingelsealsoseemedtobeoccurring.IwassensingsomepersonalpointofConnectionfromwhichthisloveandbelongingemanated.Whatwasthis?WhenItriedtoanalyzeit,itsimplydisappearedaltogether.YetwhenIconcentratedonfeelingtheloveandwell-beingandappreciation,thereitwasagain.ItwasasifappreciationcompletedacircuitofConnectionsomehowandbroughtthepointofcontactcloser.

Foraverylongtime,Ijustsatthere,somehowfeelingeverythingatonce,theheightenedperception,theloveandwell-being,thesensethatthere’saPlantowardwhichweareallbeingguided,andfinally,thiselusivepointofConnectionIcouldn’tunderstand.Ididn’twanttomove.

Thenightskyhadvanishedinthefirstlightofdawn,andeverythingaroundmewasstandingoutevenmoreinvividcoloranddistinctiveness.Suddenly,Ifeltmyattentionbeingpulleddowntheslope.Gradually,IrealizedIwashearinghumanvoices.Ileapedtomyfeetsoeffortlesslyitamazedme.Mybodywasmovingdifferently,notjustwithmoreenergy,thoughthatwastrue,butalsowithmorecoordinationandprecision.Squeezingthroughthebouldersagain,Iquietlymovedbackdownthroughtherocks,realizingthevoiceswerecomingfromapointahundredfeetorsotomyright,behindsometrees.WhenIcamecloseIcouldheartheaccentsandknewitwastheApocalyptics.

Withoutfear,ImovedslowlytomyrightsothatIcouldlookdownonthem.Anishandthetallbeardedmanweretalkingloudly.BehindthemwereRachelandHira,andalargermansittingontheotherside.Whenheturned,IrealizeditwasColeman,andhelookedterrified.Anishandthebeardedmanwerearguingoverwhatshouldbedonewiththethreeprisoners.

“Theyknowwhatwe’regoingtodo,”thebeardedmansaid.“Toreleasethemwouldthreatenourproject.”

“Whatdotheyknow?”Anishsaid,glancingatRachel.“Nothingthatcanhurtus.Theendisapproachingandnoonecanstopit.”

Thebeardedmanlookedangered.“Wecan’tkeeptakingchanceslikethis.Whatarewedoinghereonthismountain,anyway?ThisidiotDocumentmeansnothing.Whyarewelookingformoreofit?WehavetogettoEgypt.”

Anishturnedhisback.“Ihavetoinsist,”thebeardedmansaidforcefully,“orwemustgoourownway.”Severalarmed

mensteppedforwardfrombehindhim.“No,no,”Anishsaid.“Ourcoalitionistooimportantforthat.”HelookedoveratRachelwithahint

ofpity.“Youdon’twanttodothis,”Rachelsaid.“TheDocumentwillexplaintheendtimes,whatallthe

Propheciesreallymean.Iknowit.Wecanallfindthetruthtogether.Itcouldbringpeace.”Atthismoment,Iunderstoodinaflashthatallofus—Rachel,Adjar,Hira,Coleman,myself,and

Wil,whereverhewas—werehereforareason.WewerepartofthePlan.Wewereintherightplacetointercedewiththeseextremistssomehow.Wecouldlearntoreachthem,astheFourthIntegrationsaid.Buthow?

Theideasuddenlycametometomovefarthertotherightandtrytocreatearockslidethatwouldn’thitanyonebutmightcreateenoughofadisturbancetoallowourgrouptoescape.IwasabouttodojustthatwhenIcaughtsightofsomeoneelseintheexactareaIhadinmind.Suddenly,ahugerockcascadeddowntowardthepines,jarringotherrocksloose,includingonethesizeofabathtub.Astheroarstarted,theApocalypticsbeganrunningintheoppositedirection.

IknewIsomehowhadtogetRachelandtheotherstoruntowardme,andIfeltmyselfspontaneouslygointoastateofintention,akintoprayer,onlyitwasn’tjustme.IcouldsomehowfeelaConnectiontomanyotherswhowerehelping.Whowerethey?

Almostoncue,RachelgrabbedHiraandranthroughsomerocksinmydirection.Asoureyesmet,Rachelslowedforamomentandseemedtostagger.Hirasawme,too,andgrabbedRachel’sarmtokeepfromstumbling.LasttoseemewasColeman,whoheldontotoarockforbalance.IcouldtelltheywerebeingliftedintothesameconsciousnessIwasin.

Rushingthroughtheblindingdustandconfusion,IgrabbedRachelandHiraandledthembackthewayI’dcome.Colemanwasrightbehindus.Rockswerecontinuingtocrashdowntheslope,andasweranIlookeduptowardthesourceofthelandslideandnoticedmovementagain.Ipulledallofthembehindanotheroutcroppingnearalargetree,wherewecouldn’tbeseen.Theyweresmilingupatme,feelingnoconcernaboutthedangers.

Abruptly,someonepeekedaroundthetreeandlookedatus—

Wil.Thesightofhimliftedmyawarenessevenhigher,andwhenhelookedatme,Iknewhewasalsointhesameconsciousnessastherestofus.

“Followme,”Isaidspontaneously.“Iknowwherewecango.”IquicklyledthembackuptotheoutcroppingwhereIwasearlierandthroughthenarrow

passagewayontotheledge.Rachel,Hira,andColemanstillseemedtobeconsumedbytheirstateofconsciousnessandfoundseparateplacestositdown.

WilandIwalkedbackoutsidetokeepwatch.“Youstartedthatrockslide,didn’tyou?”Iasked.Wilnodded.Ilaughed.“Ithoughtaboutcausingarockslidemyself,butyouthoughtofitfirst.”Helookedatmeandsaid,“Whoknows?Maybeyouthoughtofitfirst,andIheardyou.Orperhaps

wethoughtofitatthesametime.That’smyguess.”IknewhewasreferringtotheConnectionwenowallseemedtohavewithoneanother.Itookasteptowardhim.“Doyouthinktheseextremistswill…?”WilcompletedtherestofmythoughtbeforeIcouldgetitout:“Followus?Iwouldn’tbesurprised.”Hemadethecommentwithoutalarm,asthoughhehadn’tacareintheworld.Whichseemedodd

givenourcircumstances,untilIrealizedIfeltexactlythesameway.Wewerethinkingandactinginhyper-speed,doingwhatwehadtodo.Butpartofwhatwewerefeeling—thelove,beinghome,guidedbysomemysteriousintuition—wasdefinitelytheconstantsenseofbeinginvulnerable,asthoughnothingcouldhappenthatwewouldn’tbeabletohandleorbeguidedthrough.

Ilookedathim.“YoufeeltheProtection,too,don’tyou?”

Atthismoment,Isuddenlythoughttolookdownthehill.Wilwasalreadymovingpastmetodothesamething,climbinghigherontheoutcroppingtogetagoodview.Iwasrightbehindhim.Whenwegotinplace,wecouldseemovement.Asmallgroupofmenwereheadinguptowardus,weaponsinhand.

“Iknewit,”hesaid,rushingbacktotheledge.SodidI,Ithought,tryingtokeepupwithhim.Aswemovedthroughtheopening,somethingelsecametomind.WhenIwasoutontheledgethe

nightbefore,itwasdark.Maybetherewasawayofftheledgeanddownthehillinthatdirectionafterall.Whenwearrived,RachelwasalreadylookingovertheledgewithColeman,searchingforthatexactthing:anescaperoute.AllofourmindsseemedtobeworkingtogetherinsomekindofsuperConnection.

Colemanwasnowtotallyinsync.“Whatishappeningtous?”heasked,smiling.“IknewtheFifthwasabouthavingaBreakthrough,

butIneverexpected—”“JustconcentrateonthesenseofProtection,”Isaidinstinctively.Hisfacetoldmeheunderstood.“There’stheway,”Hirasaidabruptly.Shewaslookingovertherightsideoftheledge.“Wecan

dropdowntothenextrockandmovealongtheslopetotheright.”Imovedoverandlooked.“That’safifteen-footdrop!”“Youcandoit,”shesaid.Turningaround,Icouldseeeveryonegettingtheirgearready.Wilgavemea“let’sgo”look.Hirawasfirst,droppingherpackandthenjumpingbesideitlikeitwasnothing.Colemandropped

hisbelongingstoHiraandthencreptouttotheendoftheledgeandhungmomentarilybyhisarmsbeforedropping.Wildidthesamething.ThenRachelwalkedovertomeandItookherbythearmsandheldherovertheledge.AsIdidso,oureyeslockedintothedeepestConnectionI’deverexperienced,asthough

oursoulstouched.Iheldherthereforalongmomentandthendroppedhereasilytotheothers,beforejumpingdownas

well.AsIdropped,IthoughtofsomethingI’dlongforgotten.Allmylife,sinceIwasverysmall,I’dfallenperiodically,sometimesfromgreatheights.Once,whenonlythree,IthoughtIcouldflyand,withanaprontiedaroundmynecklikeaSupermancape,hadswandivedoffaneight-footretainingwall,landingunhurt.

Later,asayouth,Ihadclimbedatwenty-five-footextensionladderoveraconcretefloortohelpputupalight.ThefootoftheladdersuddenlykickedoutandIfelltheentiredistancetothefloor,landingontheladderprecisely,withmyhipandshouldereachhittingarungintheladdersoastobreakmyfall—theonlywaypossibletohavekeptfrombeingseriouslyinjured.Iwalkedawayunharmed.

Andfinally,I’dfallenincollege.Whileworkingasanelectrician,Ifellfromtheatticofashoppingcenterthroughtheceilingofajewelryshopbelow,landingsquarelyontopofaneight-footglassdisplaycaseandshatteringmywaythroughfourglassshelvesuntilIbouncedtothefloor.WhenIlanded,Icarefullyremoveddozensofswordlikeglassshardslyingallacrossmybodyandgotup—again,withoutascratch.

Duringeveryoneofthesefalls,timehadsloweddownandasenseofcertaintyhadsweptovermethateverythingwouldbeallright,thesamefeelingIwashavingnowasmyfeetlandedontherockbelow.IwonderedifIhadtunedinbackthen,somehowunconsciously,tothissamesenseofProtection.

HiraledthewayandwefoundaroutethattookusaroundalargeravineandbackdowntheeasternsideofSecretMountain.AsHirakeptupagoodpaceaheadofus,Inoticedshewasrockhardandmuscular,likeagymnast,andnowburstingwithenthusiasm.

“Don’tfallbehind,”shesaidatonepoint,butevenbeforeshespoke,everyoneofushadinstinctivelybeguntopickupthepace.

Afteraboutahalfmile,wehadcomedowntotheflatsnortheastofBoyntonCanyon.ThereIbegantogettired,andtheeuphoriaandclarityseemedtobewearingoff.Hirastoppedforaminute,allowingustocatchourbreath.Asshelookedatme,herfacewasdifferent,asifshewassuddenlyworriedagain.Ilookedattheothersandwasmetbynewfoundexpressionsofconcern.Clearly,everyonewascomingbacktonormalagain.Ilookedbackuptowardthemountain.

Withoutwarning,anothergunshotechoedacrossthedesert,throwingallofusintopanicagain.Wewereinthelastofagroupofsmalloutcroppingsbeforetheterrainopenedintoalarge,flatareaofmostlydesert.Wehuddledlowintherocks,facingadilemma.

BehindussomewhereweretheApocalyptics,andaheadofusweretwohundredyardsofopengroundbeforewereachedastandofjunipersthatwouldprovidesomecover.Wecouldeitherrunstraightacrossorgototheright,wherethickerpinesandrocksofferedmorecover.

Wilwasupahead,crawlingbacktome.“Areyouholdingyourcenteredness?”heasked.Ilookedathimandshookmyhead.“Justbarely.”“Remember,”hesaid,“thatwhatjustoccurredwasaBreakthrough,aglimpseofaconsciousness

thatwenowknowispossible.Butwe’llhavetoworkourwaybacktoit.”Justthen,severalmoreshotsrangout,strikingtherocksfiftyfeetaway.TheApocalypticsdidn’t

knowexactlywherewewere,buttheywerestillbehindus.EveryonewascrawlingovertoWilandme.“They’reshootingfromtheledgewherewewere,”Hirasaid,hervoiceshakingslightlynow.“Whatarewewaitingfor?”Rachelsaid.“Weshouldjustrunstraightacrosstothenexthill.”“Areyoucrazy?”Colemansaid.Hewaslookingupattheledge.“Icanseetwoorthreeofthem.All

withweapons.There’smorecovertotheright.Useyourlogic.”Ashetalked,animageofusrunningtotherightcrossedmymind,andthenmylevelofenergy

seemedtocrashevenmore.Ilookedattheroutestraightaheadanditseemedbetterforsomereason.I

wascertainthatgoinginthatdirectionwastherightoption.“Whatdoyouallthink?”Wilasked.“Ithinkweshouldgoforward,”Isaid.“What?”Colemansaid.“Notme.They’llcutusdown.”EveryonelookedatRachel.“Ithinkforward,”shesaid.Colemanshookhishead,thentookofftotheright,runningthroughthejunipersanddartingfromone

spotofcovertoanother.Secondslater,therestofusbeganrunningstraightacrosstheopenspace,spreadingoutthebestwecouldaswezigzagged.

Suddenly,ahailofbulletsrangoutinthedirectionofColeman.Lookingback,IcouldseethatsomeoftheApocalypticshadtakenapositiononthehilldirectlyabovehimandwerepouringfirestraightdowninhisdirection.Everyonewasslowingdown,lookingbackinhisdirection.

“Go!Go!”Wilshouted,justasthegunmenonthecliffopeneduponus.Bulletsbegantokickupsoiltoourleftandworktheirwaytowardus.Atthatmoment,IcaughtWil’seye,andforthefirsttimeeversawalookofresignationonhisfacethatwemightnotmakeit.AndthenIfeltagainthatsamefeelingwhilefallingasayouth,thateverythingwouldbeokay.

Suddenly,wecouldheartheroarofahelicopterflyingtowardus.Whenitwasalmostdirectlyoverhead,ittiltedinourdirection,andIcouldseeseveralmeninthebackcompartment.OneofthemwasPeterson.Herecognizedmeanddidadoubletake,justasseveralmoreshotscutupthegroundclosertous.Realizingwhatwashappening,Petersonbeganmotioningtothepilot,andthehelicopterspedaheadandbuzzedtheApocalypticsontheoverhang.Thefiringstopped.

“Let’sgo!”Wilyelled,andweallranuntilwecametothefirstredrocksofthenexthill.Oncethere,welookedasthehelicoptercircledtheextremistsafewmoretimesandthenleft.

“Howdidthechopperknowweneededhelp?”Hiraasked.“Theydidn’tknow,”Isaid.“Theyjusthappenedtobeflyingby.”Shegavemeapuzzledlook.“ItwasaSynchronicity,”Iclarified.“Wewereprotected.”

THEGREATCOMMISSIONING

Afterthreehoursoftoughhiking,wemadeittothefirstpavedroad.Earlier,wehadwaitedalongtimeforColeman,thinkinghemighttrytogetacrosstowherewewere.Weeventhoughtaboutgoingbacktolookforhimincasehewashurt,butwefoundourwayblockedbyahostofpolicecarsandForestServicejeepsracinginacloudofdusttowardthemountain.WewerealltiredandshakenexceptforWil,whowasbuoyantaboutwhathadhappened.

“Youknow,”hesaid,atonepoint,“allthathappenedwasshowingusexactlywhatweneededtosee.Ihaven’tseenagroupofpeoplespontaneouslyopenuptoanexperiencelikethatever.TheDocumentsayswecan’thandleviolentideologiesalone,thatweneedtohaveaBreakthroughandfindourProtection,andthat’sexactlywhathappened.”

Inodded,toofatiguedtocomment.“TherewillbeplentyoftimetorestinJerome,”headded.“AndIhaveafeelingColemanisokay.

We’llfindhim.”Jerome,Iknew,wasanoldminingtownwestofSedona,nowfavoredbyartists.“Whythere?”Iasked.Hegavemeasmile.“That’swheretheHopisarewaitingforus.”Withouttalkinganymore,wecaughtaridewitharanchertothenearestpayphonewhereWilcalled

Wolf,andwithinabouttwentyminutes,hearrivedinthesameMercedes.Asweallpiledin,hecaughtmyeyeandgrinnedatmydirtyclothes.

“Haveanyvisions?”heasked,snickering.Inodded,thencollapsedintothebackseat.Wolftookusuptothehillyminingtownandthenpastit

aboutamiletoasmallhomestead.Thehousewasadobe,coveredbyanewtinroofwithsolarpanelsbuiltin.Acrossfromitwasapolebarnandcorral,holdingthreewell-groomedhorses.Aflockofchickensscatteredaswedroveup.

WeweregreetedbytwootherNativeAmericans,anolderwomanofabouteightyandateenageboywholookedfifteen.Theyquicklyservedusahugemealofcornfritters,chicken,andguacamolewithonions.Inanhourwehadshowered,eaten,andsleepilyerectedourtents,barelysayinganything.Bysunsetwehadallturnedin.

Isleptwithoutdreaminganddidn’tawakenuntilarayofsunlightshonethroughtheflapofthetentandhitmyface.Achorusofbirdssanginthesmallcottonwoodsovermyhead.AsIpulledonmybootsandcrawledout,Isawafireandsatdownbesideit.Forthefirsttime,Inoticedthatthelandscapeslopedawayfromthehousetoanacre-sizepondborderedbyanotherverylargecottonwood.Severalcrowscawedfromarockyareabeyond.

Lookingoutatthelandscape,Ifeltasthoughthepastseveraldayshadbeenadream,andIwasbacktomyoldself.Ideeplyneededthecupofcoffeetheyoungboyhandedtome.

“What’syourname?”Iaskedhim.“Tommy,”hesaidinperfectEnglish.Inoddedtowardtheolderwomanwhowasstandingnearby.“Issheyourgrandmother?”“Yes.”“What’shername?”“Grandmother.”“That’sheronlyname?”Henodded.Justthenshecalledtohimandheranovertoherandhungontoherneck,beamingbackatme

proudly.Isweetenedmycoffeewithsomehoneyfromajarsittinginabasketnearthefireandthensippedit

slowly,notwantingtothinkaboutourexperiences.Iknewtherewouldbeplentyoftimeforthatlater.Rightnow,Iwantedonlytositandappreciatethesimplebeautyoftheplaceandfeelthenormalcyforawhile.Acrowsuddenlyflewoverthecorralandlandedonapostnearbytostareatme.Ishookmyheadandlookedaway.

“Upalready?”Rachelabruptlyaskedfrombehindme.Thetimbreofhervoicewasslightlydifferentfromwhenwewereonthemountain.

“Yeah,”Iresponded,standingup.Whenoureyesmet,Iblushedforsomereasonandavoidedhereyesagain,asifwehadjusthadaone-nightstandorsomething.

Shesatdownonaburlapcushionnearthefireandtheboyservedhercoffeeaswell.Reachingintohersweaterpocket,Rachelpulledoutadollarbill,whichheatfirstrefusedtotake,glancingathisgrandmother.Rachelinsistedandhesmiledwidelyandstuffeditintohisjeans.

AsIwatchedRachel,someofourexperiencesonthemountainforcedtheirwaybackintomyconsciousness,atleastintellectually.IknewI’dexperiencedwhatcouldonlybecalledaDivineConnection,andrealProtection,alongwithadeepinteractionwithRachelandtheothers.ButIknew,aswell,thatmuchmorehadoccurredthatIcouldn’trecall.

IrememberedWilsayingitwasaglimpseintowhatcouldbe,onethatwewouldhavetoworktoregain.Istilldidn’tknowwhatthatmeant.Afteramoment,Iletgoofallthethoughts,suddenlyfeelingvulnerable,andbegantoconsiderleaving.Mylogictoldmeenoughwasenough.Agroupofextremistshadjusttriedtokillus,andeventhoughwehadescaped,whytemptfateanylonger?

Suddenly,Rachelslidhercushionclosertomeandsaid,“Allthatoccurredbacktherewasimportant.”

“Really,”Ireplied,notsureIwantedtohearit.Shegavemeanupbeatlook.“TheDocumentsaysthattheopeningtotheGodConnectionhappens

muchmorefrequentlythanmostpeoplethink.It’salsostructuredintothenatureoftheUniverseandintohowourmindswork.”

Hersmilewasbeguiling,soIflowedwithhertrainofthoughtandconsideredtheworkofJungagain,wishingColemanwerehere.TheSwisspsychiatrist,Iknew,haddiscoveredmorethanthephenomenonofSynchronicity.Hewasalsofamousforhisnotionthatourbrainsandmindswerestructuredbyarchetypes.

Hethoughthumans,forinstance,wereabletolearntowalkwithoutthinkingabouteveryindividualmuscleinvolvedbecausethepatternofmusclecoordinationnecessaryforthisactivitywasalreadybuiltintothestructureofourbrains—containedinwhathecalledpreestablishedarchetypalpathwaysthatweregeneticallypasseddown.

Towalk,wehadonlytoseeotherswalkingandtryitourselves,whichfiredupthepatternofneuralpathwaysthathelpuslearntheactivityquickly.Becausethesepathwaysarebasicallythesameineveryone’sbrain,learningtowalkfeelsexactlythesametoallhumanbeings.

Jungarguedthatspiritualdevelopmentwasstructuredinthesamemanner,inalatentpathwaythatwaswaitingforustofireitup.Andagain,thisexperiencefeelsidenticalforallofus.

“Somuchhappenedyesterday,”Isaidfinally.“It’shardtogetahandleonit.AndIcan’tseemtogetbackthatfeelingwehadonthemountain.”

Shelookedatmewithexcitement.“Yes,buttheFifthIntegrationsayswedon’thavetorememberit.Wejusthavetokeeponintegratingtheremainingstepsandwe’llrisebackintoit—youknow,theRisetoInfluencetheDocumenttalksabout.Theonlypartoftheexperiencethatwecankeepnow,aspartoftheFifthIntegration,isthesenseofloveandprotection.”

“That’swhatWilsaid,”Iremarked,noddingforhertotellmemore.“TheFifthIntegrationiscompletingwhattheFourthsetup,”shecontinued.“Ifweintendtoholdthe

truthandstayinalignmentinthefaceofthemostdangerousideologicaluntruth,somethingopensinourbrainstohonorthat.Weknowwecan’tfacethiskindofdangerbyourselvesmerelywithourownstrengthofego.Noonecan.Yetthatrecognitionfiresupapathwaythat’salreadythere,andweexperienceaBreakthrough—onethatgivesusaDivineConnection,andthepremonitionsandSynchronicitynecessarytobeprotected.”

Inodded.ThefeelingofProtectionwascomingbacktome.Untilnow,horriblethingshappenedtopeopleatrandombecausewedidn’thavetheconsciousnessnecessarytohearthewarningsthatcouldsteerusclearofsuchdanger.

IftheDocumentwascorrect,Protectionseemedtobeanaturalpartofourinnatespiritualability,growing,Isupposed,outoftheLawofConnection.Withthisthought,animagecametomeofthefuture.Wouldhumanitysomedaybesoawareofourpremonitionsthatwewouldallknow,forinstance,toleaveacityforhighergroundjustbeforeatsunamiorearthquakearrived,justastheanimalsdo?

Rachelwasstaringatme.“Nextforus,”shesaid,“istobegintosystematicallyrecapturetheexperiencewefoundonthe

mountainsothatwecanbegintoliveiteveryday.We’reattheSixthIntegration.RemembertheProphecyfoundinPeru?We’regoingtodiscoveramission.”

Sheturnedalittle,tryingtolookintomyeyesagain.Ilingeredjustabitlongerinhergazebeforeturningaway.

Suddenly,Wolfwaspullinguptothehouseinhiscar,andwejumpedtoourfeettomeethim.Surprisingly,hehadColemanwithhim,andanothermaninthebackseatIcouldn’tsee.Wehurriedtothecarandfinallycaughtsightoftheman’sface.ItwasAdjar.

Wilcameoutofthehouse,andWolftoldushehadfoundColemanwiththeotherscientistsinSedona.He,too,hadescapedwhenthehelicopterhaddistractedtheextremists.AsforAdjar,someoftheotherHopisintownhadspottedhimatamedicalclinic.WolfsaidAdjarhadbeenabletoescapeafterbeinginterrogatedbytheextremists.

“Unfortunately,”Wolfadded,“eventhoughthepolicewerewellawareoftheextremists’presence,noneofthemwerecaught.”

“Didyouhearthat?”Hiraresponded.“Thatmeanstheycouldbecominguphererightnow.Wehavetodosomething.”

“Whatisthematterwithyou?”Adjarburstout.“Can’tyoujustbeatpeaceforamoment?”“That,comingfromyou!”Hirascreamed.“Youpeoplearethegreatdestroyersofpeace!”RachelimmediatelyrestrainedHira,andGrandmotherledAdjartowardthehouse.Forthefirst

time,IsawthatAdjarhadalargecutonhisforeheadandwasholdinghisarm.WilwaslookinghardatWolf.“Whereisthatplaceyoutoldmeabout?”heasked.“Downtherebythepond,”hesaid,nodding,“nearthelargetree.Wecallittheplaceofharmony.”“Good,”Wilreplied.“We’regoingtoneedalotofthat.”

Formostofthedaywerestedandateourmealsalone.Adjarnevercameoutofthehouse,andHirawasmostlysilentandreserved.Aftertellingmebrieflyabouthisexperienceofbeingcapturedbytheextremists,Colemansleptvirtuallythewholeday.Heseemeddistracted,asthoughhewasworkingonsomethingandhadtogothroughhisprocessbeforetellingmeaboutit.

Asforme,IwastotallyobsessedwiththeideathatourBreakthroughexperiencewasbuiltintoeachhumanbrain.Ifthisnotionwastrue,thenitmightmeanthatalltheIntegrationswerebuiltintothestructureofourbrainaswell,andhencewereinsomesensedestinedforallhumanity.IbusiedmyselfreviewingtheFourthandFifthpartsoftheDocument,whichcorrespondedexactlywithwhatIhadbeentold.

Aboutdusk,IturnedaroundandsawAdjarandHiratalkingwithWil.Atthebeginningofthediscussionsbothwereraisingtheirvoicesandturningtheirbacksoneachother.Towardtheend,however,thetwospoketogetherforafewminuteswithnorancor.Eventually,allthreewalkeddowntothebigcottonwoodandjoinedWolf,whowasthrowingwoodonalargebonfirebuiltinthecenterofacircleoflogs.IknewWilandWolfwereplanningsomething.Youcouldfeelit.Therewasapalpablesenseofexpectationintheair.

Iheadedthatwaymyself,andonthewayIwalkedbyRachel’stent.Shecameoutcarryingalittlejournalandsmilingatme,asthoughwe’dsetaspecifictimetogettogether.

“Iwantedtomakeafewnotes,”shesaid,wavingthebook.“Wilisgettingustogetherforsomething,”Icommented.Shegavemeacrypticsmileasthoughshealreadyknewwhatitwasbutwasn’tgoingtogiveit

away.Asweapproached,InoticedColemanwalkingupaswell,buthedidn’tlookatus.Igotthedistinct

feelingthathe,likemyself,wasthinkingdeeplyaboutoursharedexperience.Bythetimewereachedthefirecircle,itwasalmostdark,andeveryonewasthere:RachelandIwerelocatedononesideofthefire,withAdjar,Hira,andColemanontheotherside.

Wilwasstandingapart,asthoughhewasgoingtoaddressus,andWolfpositionedhimselfatonesideofthefire,holdingalongpolehe’dbeenusingtostoketheblaze.Grandmotherwasbehindallofus,directlyunderthecottonwood,makingextremelyslowdancingmoveswithherfeet.Tommywasbyherside.

Atthismoment,Wolftookhisstickandspreadthefireoutintoawiderarea,killingmostoftheflamesandsendingawhirlwindoftinysparksintotheair.ThenWilaskedustositdowninacircleacrossfromeachotheronthesixsmalllogssurroundingtheglowingcoals.

RacheltossedmeaglanceandmadeherwayovertositdownoppositeColeman.Andasithappened,HiraandAdjarsatdirectlyacrossfromeachother.Toolate,IrealizedIwastheoddmanout.Iwasabouttocommentwhen,tomysurprise,Tommywalkedup,andwithamaturitybeyondhisyearsraisedhiseyebrowsasiftoaskmypermissiontositacrossfromme.

“Ofcourse,”Isaid.Foralongtime,wejustalllookedatoneanother,thehotcoalscastingaredhueoverourfaces.It

wascompletelydarknow,andeventhoughwewerealllessthantwelvefeetfromthepersonacrossfromus,inthelowlightitwashardtobringeachother’sfacesintofocus.Itwasalmostasthoughwewerebeingforcedtojustlookatthepersonasawholeshape,withfewcuesfrombodylanguageorfacialexpressiontoguideourreactions.Settingupthefirethisway,Ithought,mustbeaHopipsychologicaldevice.

“Iwantedtogetyoualltogether,”Wilbegan,“becauseWolfwasabletofindtheSixthIntegration.Ialsoknowmanyofyouhavemadearrangementstoleave,soIwantedtotalktoyoubeforeyoudidso.

“TheDocumentsaysthatonceonehasexperiencedtheBreakthroughtoaGodConnection,thenone

hascompletedtheFoundationofSpirituality,aplateauofstableconsciousnessfromwhichwecanproceed,ifwewantto,withtheremainingIntegrations—ajourneyitcallsaRisetoSacredInfluence.

“TheDocumentdescribesthisriseasasystematicrecapturingofthefullDivineConnection,piecebypiece,asweelevateourconsciousnessbacktothathigherstate.ItculminateswiththediscoveryoftheTwelfthlevel,andatthispointwewillbeabletomaintainthisconsciousness.”

Wilpausedhereandlookedoutatus.“However,”hecontinued,“itsays,veryclearly,thatallthosearoundyouduringatimeof

Breakthrougharethereforanimportantreason.TheyrepresentagroupthatcanhelpyoumovemorerapidlythroughtheremainingIntegrations.AndaccordingtotheDocument,theyhaveanotherimportantpurposeaswell:togetheryoucanformwhatitcallsaTemplateofAgreement,whichservestheroleofagreeingonthetruthabouteachIntegrationandinfluencingotherswiththepowerofthatagreement.

“Thesetemplategroupsareveryimportantbecause,totheextentthattheyaremadeupofpeoplerepresentingdifferentreligioustraditions,theyacttocounteractandresolvethedangerouspolarizationandhatredgrowingbetweenreligiousextremistsintheworld.”

Wilwalkedclosertous.“Thetemplateshavesuchaneffectontheextremistsbecause,asweproceedthroughtheremainingIntegrationsandgrowininfluence,wewillbebeamingonecentraltruthouttotheworld:that,intheiressence,thereligionsareallpointingtothesameexperienceofGodConnectionthatmostofushavenowshared.Itisthiscommonexperience,oncerecognized,thatcanservetohelpreconcilethedifferencesbetweenreligionsandhelpthemcometounity.Truth,remember,iscontagious.”

Icouldn’tseetheirexpressionsentirely,butIcouldfeelthegrimacesonAdjar’sandHira’sfaces,andmaybeevenColeman’s.Thelastthingmanyofusseemedtowant,goingintothisgathering,wastohangaroundlongenoughtomakeitthroughtoday,muchlesslongenoughforsomekindofunificationtotakeplace.

Wilwaspausingagain,knowinghehadjustdroppedabomb-shelloneveryone.IlookedovertowardWolfandsworeIcouldfeelhimwink.

“Beforeyoumakeyourdecisionsinthisregard,”Wilwenton,“IwanttotellyouwhattheDocumentsaysisatstake.AswithearlierIntegrations,enoughpeopleintheworldmusttaketheseremainingstepsinorderfortheInfluencetobecomepowerfulenoughtocounteractthedangersthatarerapidlygrowingoutthere.Tonotactistosendoutanotherkindofcontagion,oneofgivingupontheworld.”

Thatdidit,Ithought.Nowallofuswereinthesamebind.Wemightwanttofleeandsaveourselves,butifwedid,thecontinuedpolarizationmightbringtheworldtodestruction.Inreality,thesituationhadbeenthesamesincetheFirstIntegration.Noneofushadanychoiceatall.

Aswelookedatoneanotherinsilence,InoticedHirawasfidgetinginherseat,asthoughsheknewsomethingthatwedidn’t.

Finally,sheshouted,“Ifthisisalltrue,whatarewedoingjusttalkingaboutit?Let’sgetgoingwiththis!They’restilloutthere.Weneedtofigureallthisout!”

ShelookedatRachel.“ThewholetimeIheardyouandAdjardiscussingtheDocumentsandexperiencingtheelevations,Iexperiencedthemwithyou.ButIdidn’ttellyousomethingimportantandneitherdidAdjar.Anishandtherestofthesepeoplealreadyhaveaplantodestroytheworld.Andthey’regoingtodoit!”

ShelookeddirectlyatAdjar.“YouknowwhatI’msayingistrue!Tellthem!”Adjargotupandlookedaway,andforamoment,Ithoughthewasgoingtojustwalkintothe

darkness.Instead,helookedbackatusandslowlysatdown.

“That’sright,”hesaid.“Theyhaveaplantoforcetheendoftime.Thegroupwewerewithiscomposedoftwoextremefactions,onelookingtotheMuslimtraditionofAllah,andthosefollowingtheWesternreligionsofGodorJehovah.Bothfactionsbelievethatbeforetheendtimescancome,certainhistoricalevents,outlinedinscripturalProphecy,mustfirsttakeplace.

“Eachsidealsobelievesthatwhentheseeventsoccur,theirrespectiveholymenwillreturntogatherupthetruebelievers,vanquishtheirenemies,andsetupacompletelyspiritualworldonEarthbasedontheirparticulardoctrine.

“Buttheirdominantbeliefisthatitistheirdutytobringaboutthesepropheticeventsassoonaspossible.Theyhavesuspendedtheirhatredinordertocooperatewithoneanother,atleastforawhile.TheycallthemselvesApocalyptics,andtheyhaveonestatedgoal:tobringaboutthislastwarthatwillmakeallthishappen—Armageddon.”

Icouldn’tbelievewhatIwashearing.AdjarwasdescribingthesamethreatthatPetersonhadwarnedof,onlythiswasworse:acoalitionofWesternandArabicgroupswhowereactivelyworkingtogethertoendtheworld.

Itallmadesensenow,thefactthatthegrouphadbothArabicandWesternmembers,andthattheywerearguingamongthemselvessomuch.Theyhadformedanuneasytrucetogooutandstartthelastwar,afterwhichtheywouldjustletthebestreligionwin,sotospeak,witheachsidethinkingtheirtraditionwouldbetheonetoprevail.

Ashetalked,IcouldfeelAdjarsoftening.He,too,knewnoneofushadachoice.Iftherewasawaytogainsomekindofinfluenceoverpeoplestuckinthiskindofideology,whowerecapableofdoingsuchincredibledamage,wehadtoatleasttry.

“Ioncebelieved,”Adjarcontinued,“thatthisworldwasdoomed,andI,too,wishedforthecomingoftheDivinesoastobringaboutanidealworldtoreplaceit.SoIjoinedtheApocalyptics.Butthisgrouphasnowdecidedtouseallviolencenecessarytoprotecttheirplanandprovokeatotalwar,andthatiswhyIhadtoleavethem.WhenIescapedfromthem,IalsoexperiencedaBreakthroughthatchangedeverythingforme.”

HelookedopenlyatHiraforthefirsttime,andIcouldsenseherrecallingmoreofherBreakthroughexperienceaswell.

“Itisthesamewithme,”shesaid.“ThecomingoftheDivinemusthappen.Andhumansmusthelpsomehow.Buttheendtimesshouldnotbepushedtooccurthroughviolence.IhadtorejectthewayoftheApocalypticsaswell.”

Suddenly,Irememberedsomething.Forsomereason,thetalkaboutGodinterveningtosavetheworldbroughtbackthemysteriouspointofConnectionIhadexperiencedonSecretMountain.Thememoryfloodedbackintomymind.Duringtheinflowofloveandeuphoria,Ihadexperiencedapoint,orsource,fromwhichtheloveseemedtobeflowing.IhadevenexperiencedaflashofknowingthattheendtimesProphecieshadanothermeaning,notyetunderstood.

“TheDocumentsays,”Wiloffered,“thatatemplategroupcan’tgoforwardunlessallthemembersrealizeitistheirtruemissiontobeinvolved.”

Therewassilenceaswelookedatoneanother,or,aswasthecaseinthelowlight,atoneanother’sforms—andmaybeatoneanother’sspirits.Slowly,Irealizedwewereallbeginningtocometogetheragain.IcouldfeelitintheexactsamewayIcouldfeelitonSecretMountain.AndTommyandAdjarwerenaturaladditions.

IlookedoveratWolf.WeretheseHopissosmarttheyknewhowtohelpmoveusbacktowardConnection…withafire?

Whatensuedwasaroundofmutualself-revealing,whereeachofusdescribedhowourspiritualjourneyhadbroughtustothismoment,andtoourpreferredreligioustradition.AdjartoldushewasschooledasaMuslimandinthepastfewyearshadbecomeinterestedintheProphecyoftheIslamicMessiahfigure,theTwelfthImam.AndHira,whohadlivedallherlifeinIsrael,saidshewasmostinterestedintheJewishutopiathatwouldbecreatedafterthearrivaloftheirexpectedMessiah.

ThencameRachel,whosaidshewasChristianinherbelief,butshehadstudiedendtimespropheciesaswell,especiallytheRapture—theideathatallbelieverswouldbeliftedupinaspiritualbodyandprotectedfromArmageddon.ShefounditmeaningfulthatmosttraditionshavesomeidealofaRapture-likeeventintheirownProphecies.

Tommyspokeupnext,lookingslightlynervous.HeglancedatGrandmotherandthensaidherepresentedtheNativepeoples’tradition,ashehadstudiedtheMayanProphecyandgrewupwithbothHopiandYaquiinfluences.Duringhisvisionquestlastyear,he,too,hadbeengivenaBreakthroughexperience.NowhewasmostfascinatedbytheMayanCalendar.ThisCalendarcouldalsobedescribed,hetoldus,asitselfanend-timesprophecy,becauseitcalledforanendofastageincreationandthebeginningofsomethingmoreideal.

“AccordingtotheMaya,”hesaid,“wewillenteratimewhenenlightenmentismorereadilyavailable,butitwillnotbeimposed.Wemustrealizethatthequestsharedbyallthosealivetodayistoaccesstheunknownpartofourselvesfromwhichthisconsciousnesssprings.”

Icouldn’tbelievemyears.I,likesomanyothers,hadintuitedthattheCalendarwaspointingtosomethingnewinhistory.Andherewasayoungmanprofessingtounderstanditwhowassayingthesamething.Ashetalked,IbegantofeelthatunderstandingtheCalendarwouldbeabigpartofthecomingIntegrations,especiallytheTwelfth.

WithTommy,allthemajortraditionswerecovered,exceptforEasternreligions.Everyonelookedaround.

“I’vealwaysleanedtowardtheEasternpath,”Wilabruptlysaid.Hethengaveusaclearsummaryofhislife,oneofadrivensearchforapracticalunderstandingofspiritualconsciousness.

NowtherewassilenceagainasalleyesmovedtoColeman.Hetoldusgenerallyabouthislifeandhismovementfromspiritualskeptictoexplorerofourdeepernature.Butwhenitcametoreligion,hejustshruggedhisshoulders.Everyoneseemedtoacceptthat,butIstillfelthewasthinkingaboutsomethinghedidn’twanttomentionyet.

WhenIfocusedagainonthegroup,Icouldfeelalleyeswereonme.“Ilovepartsofallofthereligions,”Iblurted.Willaughed,buttheotherswerequietatfirst,andthentheybeganchuckling,too,untilwewereall

laughingoutloud.Inthatmomentwecametogetherevenmore.WeweremovingtowardthatpeakConnectionwehadexperiencedonthemountain—withalmostthesameeaseofinteractionandspeaking.

“TheDocumentstates,”Wilfinallyadded,“thatoncethemembersofagroupexperiencetherealityofaDivineConnection,theyunderstandthatitisthesameforeveryone,regardlessofreligiousbackground.Andtheycanseeoneotherthingaswell:thateachreligionintheworldemphasizesonlyafewaspectsofthisexperience.Otherelementsareminimized,andstillothersareleftoutaltogether.

“Thinkaboutwhatthismeans!”hecontinued.“Amongallthereligions,theexperienceisadequatelycovered.Buttakenalone,eachreligionisincomplete.Therefore,whatisneededisforeachreligiontoteachwhatithascorrectaboutDivineConnectiontoalltheothers,andthenlearnfromtheotherswhatismissinginitsownteachings.

“Thisistheonlywaythewholeexperiencecanbeunderstoodandultimatelymadepartofhumanity’severydayreality.Thisisthepurposeofthetemplategroups—toreachaconsensusconcerningthisnaturalreconciliationofthereligions,foralltosee.

“Andremember,therearemanygroupsofthiskindcomingtogetheroutthere.Somewillhaveit

morerightthanothers.Butovertime,throughConsciousConversation,themosttruthfulreconciliationswillevolveinthepublicmindandbecomemorepowerfulintheirinfluenceonhumancultureasweallmovethroughtheremainingIntegrations.”

Wewereallfollowinghimcompletely,maintainingandevenbuildingontheenergylevel.Nowwewerenolongerjustmembersofvariousreligions.Wewereagroupofsoulswhohaddecidedtohelpmakehistory.

WhenIawakenedthenextmorning,myheadwasstillbuzzingfromtheexperienceofthenightbefore—especiallytherevelationthattheextremistgroupalreadyhadaplantostartArmageddon.Howmanytemplategroups,Iwondered,wouldittaketoreachtheseApocalypticsandotherslikethem?Athousand?Tenthousand?

AsIpushedmywayoutofthetent,Isawthattheotherswerealreadydrinkingcoffeeandwatchingacolorfuldawndanceacrossadarkbluesky.Iwalkedtowardthem,andwhenColemansawme,hedashedover,holdingseveralpagesoftheDocument.

“There’ssomethingelseintheSixthIntegration,”hesaid,pointingtowardaparticularpassage.“Righthereitsaysanothertraditionshouldbepartofthereconciliationofreligionaswell—onethatwouldengageinexploringspiritualitythroughalensthatstrivestobeasobjectiveaspossible.”

“Whomareyoutalkingabout?”Iaskedsleepily.“Usscientists!”hereplied.“Icanbringtheviewpointofthescientifictraditiontoourtemplate

group!”Manyoftheothershadheardwhathesaidandall,includingWil,werenoddingtheirheadsin

agreement.Colemanlookedatme.“Yeah,”Isaid,“ofcourse.”Bymidmorning,wehadeatenbreakfastandheadedbacktothecircleagain.Wolfhadrebuiltthe

fire,butsmallernow,justenoughtobreakthemorningchill.Foralongtime,westaredatoneanother,embracingthefeelingwe’dreachedthenightbefore.Then

Wilbegan.“TheDocumentdiscusses,”hesaid,“afewbasicagreementsthathavetobereachedbeforea

templategroupcanmoveforward,agreementsthatarekeyforthisprocesstobeeffective.Oneisthis:innowayshouldwethinkthattheadherentsofanyonetraditionshouldhavetogiveupbeliefinthevalidityoftheirchosenway—onlythattheymustseektointegratethebestoftherest.

“AndtheotheragreementisthatnooneshouldthinkoftheirpathastheonlywaytoDivineConnection.Remember,weallexperiencedthisBreakthroughdespitethedifferentreligiousperspectiveswebroughtwithus.TheConnectionoccurredbecausewewereinthesameplaceofwillingnessandneedtoopenuptoagreaterDivineConsciousness.”

WhatWilhadexpressedwasundeniablefact;wehadallexperiencedthesamebreakthrough,anditmeantthatthereweremanypaths,butonlyonedirectexperience.Foralongmoment,wealllookedatoneanotheragain,theanticipationpalpable.ThenWilsmiledandlookeddownattheDocument.

“Itsaystobegin,”hestated,“withafocusontheelementoftheGodExperiencethathasmostremainedinmemory.”

Wealljustwaitedtoseewhowouldspeakfirst.Theneveryone’seyesseemtofallonColeman.“Asascientist,”Colemanfinallysaid,“thefirstelementformeofthisConnectionwasasenseof

overridingwell-beingandlove,thefeelingofhavingrejoinedalostpartofmyself,andofbeingcaredforandprotected.”

Everyonewasnoddinginagreement.

“How,then,”Wilsaid,“wouldtherestofyoudescribethisloveandbelongingelementoftheGodConnection?”

“TheHolySpiritfilledus,”Rachelreplied.“Allahgaveushisguidance,”Adjarcommented.“Godrewardedourwork,”saidHira.EveryonelookedatTommy.“Spiritfilledtheworldanditcamealive!”hesaidwithapowerthatsurprisedeveryone.Colemanseemedtobethinkingagain.“Waitaminute.Thosearereligiousdescriptions.Weneedto

speakmorepreciselyabouttheactualexperienceofcominghometolove,anddiscernwhichtraditionemphasizesthisthemost.”

Rachelwasaboutreadytoburst.“Thereisonlyonetradition,”shesaid,“thatespeciallyemphasizesDivineLove:Christianity.I

knowthatthewordloveoftensoundshollow,andwefallshortinalwaysexpressinglove.Butwedobelievethat,ifwehumblyseekthisexperience,wecanmoveintoandfeelwhatwefeltonthemountain.Weareliftedaboveouroldlives,andallthemistakeswe’vemadearetranscended.Wearemadenewandmorewhole.

“Tome,thisexperiencefeltlikecominghome,wherewearefinallyfreefromallthosethingswewishwehadn’tdone.There’sasensethatwhenwereachthisConnection,wecanstartover.”

Noonespoke.Weallknewshewasright.Theloveandwell-beingwefeltdidfeellikeleavingthepastbehind.

“Weteachthatanyone,”shecontinued,“whowantstocomehomeandstartovercanfindthatexperience.Butitmeansrefutingtheideaofaneyeforaneye.AswesawonSecretMountain,atahigherconsciousness,there’snojustificationforaCycleofRevenge,nopossibilityofit.Thetruthisthatwehavetoalloweveryonetohavetheabilitytochange,toberedeemedintheblinkofaneye.”

Icouldn’tbelieveshewasaddressingtheCycleofRevenge.ColonelPetersonhadsaiditcouldn’tbeovercome.WasthereanothertraditionthatrefutedtheCycleofRevenge,eveniftheycouldn’tliveuptoit?

Finally,Adjarspoke.“Imustadmitthatourtraditiondoesnotemphasizethiselementofloveandforgiveness,notthewayweexperiencedit.Andourtraditiontoooftendoesholdontorevengeandpunishmentasbasicprinciples.Infact,IneverunderstoodforgivenessuntilourBreakthrough.Butwedohavepartsofourtradition,suchastheSufis,whosayessentiallythesamething—theyjustdonotreceivemuchattention.”

Severalotherpeoplethencommentedonthelittle-knownscripturesfoundwithintheirtraditionsthatlikewisepointedtothesameideaofloveandtranscendingthepast.

“So,”Wilsaid,“doweagreethatChristianityhasthebestemphasisonthiselementoftheGodExperience?Anemphasisthattheothers,tobeaccurateindescribingthisexperience,shouldintegrateaswell?”

Tommyspokeup.“Nativepeopleshavesometimesbeenfocusedonrevengeandenemies.IagreethatChristianityhasthemostemphasis.”

“Iagreeaswell,”Wilsaid.“Easternthoughtspeaksmoreintermsofbliss,butalsohascurrentsofteachingaboutloveandreconciliation.Buttransformationallove,intheChristiantradition,isthemostaccurate.”

Everyoneelsewasnoddinginagreement.“Okay,”Wilcontinued.“ButIhavetoraiseaquestionwetouchedonearlier.Rachel,I’llstartwith

you.Canyouacknowledgethatpeoplefromotherreligionscanreachthiseuphoricplacefromwithintheirowntradition?”

Shelookedathimwithtotalhonesty.“IhavetoadmitIhavealwayshadaproblemacceptingthat,

primarilybecauseofourscripture’sinjunctionthatnoonecomestoGodexceptthroughChrist.AndIknowothersherehavethesameexclusivefeelingabouttheirownpaths.”

Ilookedaround,sensingwehadreachedaroadblock.Themainchallengetoreligiousreconciliationhadbeenputsquarelyonthetablebeforeus.

Thenanideacametome,andwithoutthinkingIsaid,“ButRachel,youdobelievethat,atbaptism,ChristreunitedcompletelywithGod,right?AndbecameequalwithGodinthedoctrineoftheTrinity?”

Shenodded.“Wouldn’titmakesensethatifsomeonewassincerelysearchingforDivineConnectionandreally

foundit,eveniftheyneverknewofChrist,theywouldhavepassedalongthesamepathofexpandingconsciousnessthatChristdemonstrated?AndsowouldhavegonethroughChristinaway?Maybethat’swhatthescripturesactuallymean.”

Thegroupseemedstunnedatmyremark,andtheyalllookedatRachel.Shelookedatmeforalongmoment,thensmiled.“Yes,Inowthinkso,becauseafterourexperience,

IthinkthatConnectingisamatteroflettinggoandopeninguptoagreaterconsciousness.Therefore,Ithinkyouarecorrect,althoughitisbeliefandaffirmationthatgetsusstarted.”

NowRachel’sgazecenteredonHira,asiftoask,Willyougrantthatyourwayisnottheonlyway?Thatallothertraditionscanfindloveandredemption?

“Thiswholediscussionshakesme,”Hirasaid,returningherlook.“Likeallofyou,Iexperiencedaninnersecurityandsenseofbeinglovedandcaredfor,inspiteofeveryshortcoming.SoIwouldhavetosay,inlightofdirectexperience,mytraditionmustacknowledgethatinstantredemptioncantakeplace,andthatpeopleofotherfaithscanmoveintoConnectionwiththeoneGod.”

Shesmiled,adding:“Andthefactis,wehaveourownscripturesandprophetsthathavesaidmuchthesamething.”

ShestoppedandglancedatAdjar,whowaslookingbackatherincompleteacceptance.Wecouldallfeelathickwall,builtduringcenturiesofconflict,beginningtomeltaway.

“Iknowyourpeoplehavesuffered,too,”Adjarsaid.“AndIcangiveyouyourpath.ThereisonlyoneDivineConnection,anditisthesameforusallnomatterwhatpathwechoose,aslongasitislovingandgenuine.”

Forseveralminutes,wejustlookedatoneanotherandfelttherisingloveandConnection.Finally,Wilsaid,“Nowthereisanotherelementthatwehaveremembered:thesenseofpersonal

andcollectivemissionthatwefeltduringourBreakthrough,anexperiencethatledustoformthisgroup.WhichtraditionmostemphasizestheknowingnessthatwearehereonEarthtodosomethingimportant?”

Immediately,Hiraspokeup.“You’retalkingabouttheJudaictradition.WebelievethattobeinGod’sConnectionistobegivenaworktodo.TheConnectionwiththeDivinedoesn’tgiveusjustloveandforgiveness.Italsogivesusamissionthatweknowinourheartshastobedone.Idon’tknowabouttherestofyou,butonthemountain,Iexperiencedthecertainknowledgethatthereisaplan,andeachofusisapartofit.”

Everyonenodded,andseveralpeoplenotedthattheirtraditionsalsohadstrongscripturesthatgaveimportancetomission.Theyjustweren’temphasizedenough.

“Soweagree,”Wilasked,“thattheJudaictraditionisbestatemphasizingthepartoftheConnectionthatisarealizationofmission?”

Icouldtellthattheclarityaboutmission—reinforcedasitwaswithourdecisiontocreateaTemplateofAgreement—waselevatingourconsciousnessevenmore.WehadnowrecapturedthreeelementsofourDivineConnection:loveandallthatcomeswithit,Protectionandredemption.Andnowmission.Icouldseetheelevationoneveryface.

“Allwehadtodo,”Wilsaid,“inordertoholdtheFifthandSixthIntegrationswastorememberhowtheseelementsfeltandtoseektocomebacktothemiftheywerelost.IfwelosethisConnectionof

love,forinstance,it’sbecauseithasbeenreplacedbyoneoftheloweremotions.Seektoreturntolove,theprimaryemotionofConnection,andtheseotheremotionswilldropaway.Then,onceinlove,Protectionandmissioncometousaswell.Thekeygoingforwardistolisten.”

Wilputaspecialemphasisonthewordlisten,andIknewitwashiswayofhintingatthenextIntegration.

“DoyouknowanythingabouttheSeventhIntegration?”Iasked.Wilgaveusaknowinglook.“Wehaven’tfoundthatpartoftheDocumentyet,”Wilsaid,“butI’dbettheSeventhisabout

discoveringmoreoftheLawofConnection.Wehavetofindourfullpowersofintuitionandrealizeitishowweareguided.”

THEARTOFTUNINGIN

Asthesunbegantosinkinthewest,Isuddenlyfelttheurgetowalkdownthehillpastthepondtotherockyareathathadearlierattractedmeforsomereason.Wilhadendedourlastsessionveryabruptly—soquickly,infact,thatIhadtheeeriesensewemightbeleavingsoon,andIwantedtoseethispartofthehomesteadwhileIstillhadthechance.

AsIwalked,morethoughtsabouttheSeventhIntegrationcametomind.TheoldProphecyhadpredictedthat,atsomepoint,humanitywouldheightenitsperceptionofthoseinnerimpressionslongclassifiedasintuitions,hunches,andso-calledgutfeelings.Afteryearsofemphasizingrationalthoughtandlogicduringthedominanceofthematerialandsecularworldview,itpredictedwewouldfinallytakeseriouslythetreasureofinformationcomingfromtherighthemisphereofthebrain:thepartthatgaveusasenseofknowing,withoutbeingawareexactlyofhowweknew.

Atthismoment,Icaughtsightofalonefigurewalkingabouttwohundredyardstotheleftofme.ItwasTommy,walkingbacktowardthehomestead.Foraninstant,Ithoughtaboutturningaroundoryellingouttohim,becauseIwantedtoknowmoreabouttheMayanCalendar.YetforsomereasonIkeptwalking,certainnowthatIcamedownhereforareason.IfeltsureaSynchronicitywasabouttohappen.

Afterseveralminutes,Ienteredasandyareadottedwithpricklypearcactinexttoagroveoflargemesquitetrees.Withoutwarning,amansuddenlywalkedoutofthemesquite.Peterson!

Igrimaced.Thiswasn’twhatIwasexpecting.“Ineedtotalktoyou,”hesaid.“It’sserious.”Heglanceduptowardthehousetomakesurenooneelsewascoming,andheurgedmetofollow

himfartherintothegrove.“Doyouknowthoseextremistsarestilllookingforyou?”hesaid.“Wewerehopingthey’dleft,”Ireplied.“Someofthemdid,buttheyleftafewtosearchforyou.Doyouknowwhothesepeopleare?”Inodded.Hewasshakinghishead,worried.“Ittookusawhiletopiecetogetherwhatthey’retryingtodo.It’s

exactlywhatIwastalkingabout.They’reraisingthestakes.”“Whatareyougoingtodoaboutthem?”Iasked.Helookedaway.“Idon’tknow.WhatareyoulearningfromthisDocument?”Ithoughtforamomentaboutwhethertoanswer,thendecidedtojusttellthetruth.“TheDocumentis

describingawaytostoptheescalationofviolence.”“Thetemplates,”hesaid.Iwasstartled.“Soyou’reactuallyreadingthisthing.”“It’smyjob.”“Butdoyouunderstandwhatyou’rereading?Didyouseewewereprotected?”Hechuckled.“Isawyouwerelucky.Ifwehadn’tcomealong,youwouldn’thavemadeit.”“Idon’tthinkitwasluck,”Isaid.“Itdoesn’tmatter,”hepressed.“Listentome.Thingsareaccelerating,justlikeIsaidtheywould.

Evenwiththeactionthat’sbeentakenwithIran,nothinghaschanged.Iranisstillworkingonnukes.Wethinktheymayalreadyhavethecapabilitytogivethemtoterrorists.”

Ilookedathimhard.“IheardtheApocalypticsalreadyhaveaplantocreateawar.”Hestraightenedhissunglasses.“I’mstillhopingthiscrazyDocumentmightgiveusanotherwayout.

AsItoldyou,nooneisgoingtolikewhatwe’llhavetodotostopthisthreat.”Inthatmoment,IrealizedthatcontactingusandfollowingtheprogressoftheDocumentwas

somethinghewasdoingmuchmoreonhisownthanIhadthought.Andasweexchangedlooks,IcouldalsotellheknewIknew.

“I’mwayoutonalimbhere,”hesaid.“Andwe’rebothrunningoutoftime.”Helookedatmeasthoughaskingformoreinformation.SoIbegantodescribeasbestIcouldwhat

theBreakthroughonthemountainfeltlike,andtheideathattheTemplatesofUnderstandingcouldsomehowcreateawaveofinfluencethatmightdispeltheApocalyptics’intentions,althoughwedidn’tfullyunderstandhowtodoityet.

Heshookhishead,lookingatmeasthoughallwaslost.“That’swhatthisDocumentistalkingabout,somecrazyidealikethat?”Iknewhowhefelt.Fromtheperspectiveofthesecularworldview,itwouldseemillogicaland

silly.TherewasnowayonecouldjustreadthewordsoftheDocumentandunderstand,unlessonehadalsoencounteredtheexperiencesitwasdescribing.

“Listen,”Isaid,“Iknowitsoundscrazytoyou,butthere’sanesotericconnectionbetweenpeople.It’sarealinfluence.Ifthiscatcheson,itcouldwork.”

“Well,”hesaid,shakinghishead,“keeplooking.Andyou’dbetterdoitquickly.Itoldyou:measuresarebeingtakendomesticallyineveryWestern-leaningcountrytodealwiththisproblem.Andiftheplansgoforward,itwillhappenbeforeanyonerealizesit’sunderway.”

“Waitaminute,”Isaid.“Youactlikeyoucanjusttakeovernationsthathavealongtraditionofdemocracy.”

Helookedaway.“Unfortunately,it’snotthathard,especiallyduringdifficulteconomictimes.LookatVenezuela.Allyouhavetodoisgetamajorityofthepopulationhookedongovernmentsubsidies,andthenthreatentotakethemaway.They’llvoteforthepeoplewhopromisetotakecareofthem,especiallyifyouco-opttheworld’slargestcorporationsatthesametimeandgetthemtobuymediacompanies.

“YoujusthavetomakebothLeftandRightthinkyou’redoingittosupporttheirideology,theneveryonelookstheotherwaywhileyouhidethepowertodoitinbillsnobodyreads,andgraduallyplantyourownjudgesinkeyplaces.Onceyounationalizethepollingbooths,therestiseasy.Youjustwaitfortherighttime,therightemergency.”

Hiscertaintyatbeingabletopulloffsuchaploychilledme.Heseemedtorealizehe’dsaidtoomuchandquicklyreachedintoasatchelandpulledoutalargefolder.

“ThesearecopiesoftheSeventhIntegration,”hesaid,movingtoleave.Ireachedoutandtookthefolder.“Whereareyougettingthesecopies?”“ThisonewassenttotheofficeoftheCIAinLangley.Doyoubelievethat?Ifyouwerereleasing

partsofadocumentlikethis,wouldyousendonetothem?Imanagedtogetthemforwardedtomethroughafriendbeforeanyoneupstairsnoticed,thenranafullinvestigation.Itwentnowhere.Wedon’thaveacluewho’sdistributingthesetranslations.”

Heheadedfartherintothebushes.“YouhavefivemoredaystogivemesomeinformationIcanuse.”

IhurriedbacktothehousewhereIfoundColeman,Adjar,andHiragatheredaroundWil,alreadysensingsomethingwaswrong.RushinguptothemIrapidlyrelayedwhatPetersonhadsaid,includingthatthe

extremistswerestillhere,lookingforus.“Ithink,”Wilsaid,“thatweneedtoleaveassoonaswecan.”Adjarleanedin.“Andgowhere?HowwillweknowhowtoproceeduntilwefindtheSeventh

Integration?”IliftedupthefolderIhadtuckedundermyarm,whichsurprisedeveryone.TheygrinnedatmeasifIhadproducedamiracle,andtheneachtookacopytoread.“Where’sTommy?”IaskedWil,stillthinkingtheMayanCalendarwouldshedmorelightonallthis.“Hismothersentafriendtobringhimtoher.She’sinEgypt.”“What?Why?Isn’titdangerousthere?”“Iknowthepersonshesent,”Wilsaid.“He’sreliable.HesaidTommywasneeded.”Istoodup,feelingangry.Wilwalkedcloser.“Look,Tommyisnotanordinarychild.There’sanothertemplategrouptherethat

hismotherispartof.Tommy’sbeentherewithhermanytimesbefore.He’llbefine.”Inodded.“Where’sRachel?”“Shewentwiththem.”Ijustlookedathim,dumbfoundedandslightlydisoriented.Thingsweremovingtoofast.“Whywouldshedothat?”Iasked.“Shefeltthatshehadto.Andtherewasnotimetowaittosaygood-bye.”IwonderedagainwhyIhadn’tturnedaroundandcomebackwhenIhadseenTommy.YetifIhad,I

maynothaveseenPetersonandreceivedthecopiesoftheSeventhIntegration.IknewallthiswasjustmoreSynchronicity,movingusalong,butIdidn’tlikeit.

Wilwaslookingatthepages.“Let’sgetgoing,”hesaid.“Wehavetoreadthis!”Inodded,satdownbymytent,andbeganreading.TheDocumentopenedbysayingthat,inthis

Integration,wewouldseehowSynchronicityactuallyworked.MomentsofSynchronisticdiscovery,itwenton,feellikeweareinjusttherightplaceatjustthe

righttimetoreceiveimportantinformation.Yetifweobservemoreclosely,wecanseethattheseSynchronisticmomentsareprecededbyanintuitiveurgethatdirectsustogosomewhere,orsaysomething,thatresultsintheSynchronicity.Followingsuchguidancehashappenedallthroughhistoryatmomentsofgreatdiscoveryandaccomplishment.Butithashappenedmoreorlessunconsciously.

Itistime,theDocumentcontinued,towakeupandbringtheintuitivepartofSynchronicitymorefullyintoconsciousness.ThekeytodoingthisistobroadenourhabitofexpectingSynchronicitytoincludeexpectingtheintuitionsthatarepartofthisprocess.Andinordertodothat,wemustadequatelyidentifysuchguidancebylearningtodistinguishour“guiding”thoughtsfromordinary“egostrategy”thoughts.

IlookedoveratWil.“ThisissimilartowhatwassaidintheProphecyattheSeventhInsight.”“Readalittlefurther,”Wilreplied.“Itexplainshowtoactuallydoit.”Egothoughts,theDocumentclarified,arewordswesaytoourselvesaboutoursituationinorderto

logicallyassesshowtogetthingsdoneintheworld.Thesethoughtscomeupspontaneouslyfromyearsoflearning.

However,theDocumentsaysthatifweobserveclosely,wecanbegintodistinguishanotherkindofthought,onethatappearstobemorespontaneous.Itfeelsasifitmerelydropsintoourminds,usuallywithoutanydirectconnectiontologicalanalysis.Thesethoughtsoftencomewithanimageofusdoingsomething,orafeelingthaturgesustotakesomeactionthatwefeelinourstomachs.Thesearethoughtsthedocumentiscallingguidance.Oncefollowed,theyusuallyleadtoanimportantSynchronicity.

Ithoughtaboutthisforamoment.Thatisexactlyhowithappens.Howmanytimeswhenwesuddenlythinktocallanoldfriend,forinstance,doesthepersonsay,“Iwasjustthinkingaboutyou,”and

thenpresentaSynchronicityofsomekind?IlookedatWil,whopretendednottonoticebutgavemethehintofafrown.Iknewwhathewas

sayingtome:don’ttalk,hurryupandread.TherestofthepageswrappeduptheIntegrationbysaying,again,thatthekeytobecomingfully

consciousofthesethoughtsistostayasmuchaspossibleinthisstateofalertnessforthenextguidingintuitiontoarrive.Thekeywastonotletahunchoranimagegobywithoutatleastseriouslyconsideringit.Itdidreiterate,asbefore,thatsincewewereinatransition,addingspiritualabilitytoarational,logic-orientedworldview,weshoulduselogicfirstinfindingawaytoactontheintuition.

Onetipforbeingonthealertforaguidancewastoconstantlyaskyourself,“WhydidIthinkthatnow?”

Iputdownthepapers,realizingIalreadyaskedthatquestionofmyselffromtimetotime.HowdidIgetintothathabit?ThenIremembered:WilhadtoldmetodoitwhilewewereinPeru.

AsIreadon,theDocumentmentionedanothertechniquetousewhenoneneedsaguidingintuition,orhigherperspective,onagivensituationinahurry.Insteadofjustwaiting,onecanactivelyseekguidanceby“tuningin.”

Forinstance,whenfacingadecisionwhethertogosomewhereornot,wecanjustimagineourselvesalreadytravelingtotheplaceandarrivingthere.Thepointofthismethodistoseehoweasilythejourneycanbevisualized.Ifyoucanseeyourselfgoingthereeasily,thenthatmeansit’sagoodidea.Ifthedesiredimagesaredifficulttosee,orfailtoappearaltogether,weshouldtakeprecautionarymeasures.

TheDocumentreiteratedthatwhenweseetherightcourseofaction,thereisacorrespondingelevationinenergy,oran“urging”feeling,asthoughoneis“inspired”totaketheaction.

Istoppedandthoughtaboutthisprocessforamoment.Tuninginwasalreadypartoftheworldwidevocabulary.WhattheDocumentseemedtoberelayingisthatthereisamoreprecisewaythisartshouldbepracticed.

ReturningtotheDocument,Isawthatitmadeonelastpoint.Itsaidwecouldusethismethodtotuneintomanydifferentlifesituations,butwewouldnotdiscoverhowdeeplywecouldtunein,untilenoughpeoplereturnedtotheMount.

Thestatementthrewmeintodeepthought.Wasthatmeanttobetakenliterallyorwasitsymbolic?Andifitwasliteral,whatMount?Thereweredozensofmountainsmentionedinthesacredwritingsoftheworld.LookingoveratWil,Isawhehadplacedhispagesonhislapandwasgazingintothedistance.HiraandAdjarweredoingthesamethingnearby.WhenIcaughtsightofColeman,hewasslowlystrollingdowntowardthebigcottonwood,alsoappearingtobedeepinthought.Iimmediatelyknewwhattheyweredoing:theywereponderingourcurrentsituationandlookingforguidance.Theywerealreadytuningin.

Clearingmymind,Iattemptedtodothesamething,firstseeingifanythingjustpoppedintomymind.ForalongtimeIsimplylookedaroundthearea,lettingmyminddrift.Imusedabouthownicethishomesteadfelt,andhowsadIwouldbetoleaveit.ThenIthoughtaboutourgroup’sjointexperiencesonSecretMountain,andwhethertheMounttheDocumentmentionedmightbethatmountain.

Suddenly,Igottheimageofanotherplace,ahazy,veryrocky,mountainousregion.AndIwastherewithRachel!Whichgavemeablastofenergy.Barelyabletocontainmyexcitement,IlookedatWilagain,whoseemedtobewaitingformetofinish.

Hestoodupandcameovertome.IcaughtsightofColemanwalkingmywayaswell.HiraandAdjarwererightbehindhim.Soonwewereallstandinginacirclefacingoneanother.

“IknowwhatIneedtodo,”Wilsaid.“WestillhavenoideawheretheTwelfthpartofthis

Documenthasbeenreleased,ifanywhere.Soonerorlaterwe’regoingtohavetofindit.I’mgoingtomyfriend’splaceinCairotoseeifIcandiscoveraclue.”

Adjarsteppedforward.“I’mgoingbackhometoSaudiArabia.There’sanothermountaintherethathassomethingtodowithallthis.”

Alleyesthenfellonme.“IsawmyselfwithRachel,”Isaid.“Wherewasshegoing?”Wilgavemeabigsmile.“ShewenttothecityofSt.Katherine,Egypt,nearMountSinai!”Ijustlookedathimastheotherslaughed.Theenergywassoaring.TheDocumentsaidweallhadto

returntotheMount.Maybewewereallgoingtodifferentones.“Whataboutyou?”IaskedColeman.“Whereareyougoing?”“I’mgoingwithyou,”hereplied.“Areyousure?”“Look,allthisisnewtome.I’mtheonewhowentthewrongwaywhentheextremistswere

shootingatusfromtheridge,remember?Itriedtodiscernwhattodo,andallIsawwasmyselfwithyou,onanotherreallyrockymountainofsomekind.”Hesmiledandwinked.

IlookedoveratWil,amazedathowmuchourenergywaselevating.“Doyoufeelthis?”Iasked.“We’regettingtheSeventhIntegration,aren’twe?”Heshotmealook.“Yeah,andwe’vefeltitbefore!”Welookedatoneanother.Ofcourse.WewererecapturingthispartofourConnectiononSecret

Mountain.Wewerestuckinthisworldallalone.Wewereguided.Thefullmemorycamebacktome:thewayIspontaneouslyknewwhatIwasbeingledtodo,theexactmovestomake.

Hirasteppedforward.“Rememberthetemplate,”shesaid.“Wealsohavetocometoagreementaboutguidance.Obeying

Godistalkedaboutalotinourtradition.”“AlsointheChristiantradition,”Isaid,feelingasthoughIwasspeakingforRachel.“It’scalled

doingGod’swill.”Wilwasnodding.“InEasternthought,it’sbestexpressedinZen,asaflowinharmonywiththe

Divine.”“Yes,”Adjarsaid.“Butnotraditionpointstothisabilitymorethanmytradition.Wecallit

surrenderingtoGod.Itisthefoundationofourwholereligion.Theegomustbeputinitsproperplacebythedailyseekingofguidanceinprayer,manytimesdaily,sothatweactonlyinspirit!”

Hewasright,andweallknewit.IslamdidhavethestrongestemphasisonthispartofourConnection.

“Bytheway,”Hirasaid,“I’mgoingbacktoJerusalem.Ican’texplainit,butsomethingishappeningattheTempleMount,theplacewheretheruinsofDavid’stemplearelocated.”

Ifeltashiver.Iknewsomehowthatherintuitionwasdirectlyconnected,inawaywedidn’tyetunderstand,totheApocalyptics,andtotheirclandestineplantoendtheworld.

ForanhourIhelpedeveryonegetreadytoleave.WilhadmanagedtofindacharteroutofSedonaairporttoPhoenix,thenaflighttoNewYorkandCairo.AdjarandHiraweredrivingtoPhoenixandthenflyingtotheirrespectivedestinations.ColemanandIhaddecidedtostaythenightandthenleaveearlythenextmorning,primarilybecauseweneededalldaytotakecareofourcarsandmakearrangements.

Wolfhadsomehowsecuredcleancellphonesforallofus,andatonepointWilhandedthemout.“Thesewillhelpusstayconnected,”Wilhadsaid.“Butremember,textonly,novoice.Hereisalist

ofeveryone’snumbers.Committhemtomemoryandthendestroythelist.Everyonehasaphonenow

exceptRachelandTommy.Justusethephonesparingly.”IfollowedWilandhelpedtakedownhistent,uneasythathewasleavingagain.“Whatdoyouthinkisgoingtohappen?”Iasked.Helookedmeupanddown.“Ithinkwe’rebeginningadownhillrunnow.We’regoingtomove

throughtherestoftheseIntegrationsandfindtheTwelfth.Ijusthopealotofotherpeoplearedoingthesamethingoutthere.Nomatterwhathappens,justkeepgoing.I’llfindyouatSinai.”

WithinacoupleofminuteshewasloadedupanddrivingoffwithHira,Adjar,andWolf,givingmeonelastresolutewave.

“Hehasagreatguide,”Grandmothersuddenlysaidfrombehindme.Iturnedtofindherstandingseveralyardsaway,reachingoutwithacupofteasmellingofsageand

rosemary.“Thiswillhelpyouonyourpath,”shesaid.“Grandmother,”Ireplied,reachingforthetea,“youhelpedusgetstartedwithyourdance.”Shedidn’tanswerbutnoddedouttowardthedistanthorizon.Ifollowedhereyestoseealarger

sliverofmoonhoveringinthelateafternoonsky.Justthenacrowcawedloudlydownbythebigtree,whichmademeflinchforsomereason.“Youhaveagoodguide,too,”shesaid.“YouwillenjoyyourvisittoSisterMountain.”Shewasstilllookingintothedistance.“AreyoutalkingaboutMountSinai?”Iasked.Shewaswalkingaway.“Itisred,too,likethehillsofSedona.”“Youliveinaninterestingworld,Grandmother,”Icalledout.Shestoppedwalkingforaninstant,notlookingback,thensmiledandcontinuedonherway.

IwasleaningbackagainstasmalltreenearmytentwonderingwhyGrandmothercalledMountSinai“SisterMountain,”whenColemanwalkedup.

“Iwonderedwhereyougotoffto,”Isaid.“Ijusttookawalk,”hereplied,smiling.“Ineededsometimetoreflectoneverythingyou’vegotten

meintoonthistrip.IneverdreamedI’dhavetheseexperiences,muchlesshavetokeepascientificperspectiveonitall.”

Inodded.“Nokidding.Alothashappened.It’sforcingustoputourspiritualityintopractice,andit’sallbeenbuildingonitself.”

Colemannoddedasthoughhewantedmetoelaborate,soIjustletitcomeintuitively.“TheFirstIntegration,”Isaid,“sustainingSynchronisticflow,gotusgoing.That’swhatwassohard

todobefore.Allwehavetodoisexpectit,andithappens.Afterthatit’samatterofstayinginthat‘starofyourownmovie’centerednessbytellingothersthetruthaboutyourpathandhowitisunfolding.That’swheneachSynchronicitybeginstoleadtoanotherone.

“ThenwewereshownhowtheSecondIntegrationworks.Andhowweshouldtrytofindahighertruthwithothers,eveninuncomfortableencounters.”

Inoddedtowardhim,rememberingourfirstconversationinwhichI’dwrittenhimoffasaskeptic.HeknewwhatIwasthinkingandlaughedoutloud.

“Wewerebeingshown,”Iwenton,“thatifweparticipateinConsciousConversation,wecanalwaysreceivealargertruthabouthowspiritualityworks.Andthuswecontributetothebuildingofanevermorecomplete,spiritualworldview.

“TheThirdIntegrationgaveusanevenlargerpictureofwhathappenswhenwestayinthiscenteredtruth,showingusthatifweoperateintruth,wefallintoAlignmentwiththeLawofTruthandcanseethe

otherlawsthatsupportthisflow:Connection,Karma,andService.“Ifweholdtoourtruthasitevolveswithothers,andneverlieormanipulatebutstrivetobeof

service,thenwefallinharmonywiththeLawofKarma,avoidingitscorrections,andnaturallyattractthosewhoaretheretobeofservicetous,sothatwerapidlyflowforwardintoahigherConnectionwitheachotherandtheDivine.

“TheFourthIntegrationshowedusthestakesinvolvedinourquesttoreachthisdeeperspiritualConnection.Thosestuckinsecularobsessionarebuildingevermorepolarizedsystemsofuntruthandbecomingmoreextremeintheirdehumanizationofeachother,endangeringeverything.

“Thankfully,theFifthandSixthshowedusaglimpseofhowdeepourConnectionwiththeDivinecouldbecome,wherewefindloveand,mostimportant,Protection,andanawarenessofmission.WerealizedwehaveapartinhelpingoneanothermovethroughtherestoftheIntegrations.NowwehavetofigureouthowtoRisetoInfluenceandcreatethisTemplateofAgreementthat,supposedly,willreachthoseinfear.”

Itookabreath.“Whichbringsustothepresent.TheSeventhIntegrationshowedushowtostepuptheSynchronicityevenmorebyfollowingtheguidancethatcomestousifwetunein.”

Ipausedandlookedathim,somewhatsurprisedthatIhadbeenabletovoicetheIntegrationssoquickly.

“Youwereright,”Colemansaid.“It’sallaconsciousnessthatbuildsonitself.”Ilookedathimamoment,thensaid,“ItremindsmeofaverseIlearnedasachild.Somethinglike,

‘Ifyouarehonorableoverlittleyouaregivenmuch.’Iguessitturnedouttobetrue.”“Sowhatdoyouthinkisgoingtohappennow?”Colemanasked.“Hopefully,”Isaid,“Synchronicitywillcontinuetoleadusthroughtheremainingsteps,andwe’ll

continuetointegratemoreoftheConnectionwereachedonthemountain…untilwerememberitall.That’swhen,Iguess,we’llreachourstrongestinfluence.”

Foralongmomentwewerebothlostinthought.Finally,Colemansaid,“IjustwishIcouldunderstandonethingIglimpsedupthere.Itwaslikea

ConnectionpointwithallthatIwasfeeling.”“What?Areyoukiddingme?”“No,Ireallyfeltsomething.Itwaselusiveandseemedtocomeandgo.”Ijumpedtomyfeet.“Iexperiencedthesamething!”Helookedamazed.“Yeah,”Irepeated,“almostexactlyasyoudescribedit!”

Thenextmorningwewereupearlyand,byfirstlight,headingbacktowardSedona.Wolfhadreturnedlatethenightbefore,justintimetograbafewhoursofsleepandtohelpusloadourgear.Now,aswerodealongintheearlylightofdawn,helookedtiredbutwasstillfullofmischief.

“Ihaveasurprise,”hesaid.“Whatisit?”Iasked.Colemanwassmilingfromthebackseat.“Don’task,”hesaid.“You’llgetitlater.”Wetriedtopryitoutofhim,buthewouldn’tbudgeandeventuallyallofusfellintoalengthy

silence.Then,asweenteredthecitylimits,weweretreatedtoabeautifulSedonasunrise,andasusual,peoplewerepulledoveronthesideoftheroadandstandingonsomeofthehills,usheringintheday.IwonderedifthesunrisewasWolf’ssurprise,butIcouldtellfromhisfacethatitwasn’t.

Thesunriseinvigoratedeachofus.Wewereallcompletelycenteredandsettingatoneofexpectantwaitingwithouteventalkingaboutit.Andwewerealert,notjustforaSynchronicity,butfortheguidance

thatprecededit.Suddenly,Wolfpulledintoasidestreetandstopped,aworriedlookonhisface.“There’ssomethingwrong,”hesaidtome.“Myfriendswhowerekeepingyourcarweresupposed

tomeetusbackatthatgasstationwepassed.Theyweren’tthere.”ColemanandIlookedateachother.Wolfthoughtforamoment,thensaid,“IbelieveIshouldtakeyoustraighttothePhoenixairport,

rightnow,asfastaswecangetthere.”“Waitaminute,”Colemansaid.“Mycarisatmyhotel.Ican’tjustleaveit.Andwhatabouttherest

ofmyclothes?”Ashespoke,Itriedtovisualizeusdrivingdirectlytotheairport,easilyseeingusarrivingthereand

boardingtheplane.ThenItriedtopictureusgoingtogetthecarsinstead,andimmediatelyhaddifficulty.Infact,Icouldn’tpictureusgettingtoColeman’shotelatall.

“IagreewithWolf,”Isaid.“Ithinkweshouldgonow.”Colemanseemedunconvinced,butnotoverridinglyso.“Iguessit’sokay,”hesaid.“Icancontactmyfriendslaterandmakearrangementsforthecaratthat

time.”“Iwouldbecarefulcallinganyoneforawhile,”Wolfsaid.Colemanwasstaringatme.“Youseemedveryclearthatgoingaheadwastherightthingtodo.”ItoldhimexactlywhatIhadseen.Hethoughtforamoment,lookingaway,thensaid,“Yeah,Igetthesamethingnow.Youknow,it’sa

lothardertofollowyourintuitionwhenitmeanshavingtochangeplans.”“Yeah,”Isaid.“Youknow,”Colemanadded,“we’retuningin,followingtheSeventhIntegrationexactly.Toobad

wedon’thaveacopyofthenextIntegration.”IsawWolfperkup.“Oh,”hesaid,tongueincheek,“WilandIstoppedbyafriend’splacetogetsomefoodforhistrip.”Hewasreachingundertheseat,pullingoutafolder.“Surprise!”hequipped.“OurfriendhappenedtohaveacopyoftheEighthIntegration.Now,since

you’resogoodattuningintoyourguidance,youcanlearnsomethingelse.”HehandedthefoldertoColeman.“Youcanlearntotuneintopeople.”

THEONENESSINTENTION

Aswebeganthetwo-hourtriptotheairport,IwonderedhowweweregoingtofindRachelandTommy.WilknewtheywereheadedtothecityofSt.KatherineinEgypt.Butjustwheretheywerestayingtherewasunknown.

“It’sasmalltown,”Wilhadsaid.“You’llfindthem.Justpayattention.Somethingwillhappen.”Iknewhewasprobablyright.FromtheintuitionsColemanandIhadexperienced,wewere

definitelyheadedtothecorrectplace.Egyptcouldbedangerousattimes,butthegovernmentwasusuallyfriendlytowardtourists,especiallythosewhomightbeinterestedinapilgrimagetoMountSinai.

ColemanhadputdowntheDocument,soIgrabbeditandbegantoread.AsWolfhadhinted,theEighthIntegrationsaidwewouldbeledintoanotherlevelofConnectionwithothers,alevelthatwouldheightenourunderstandingofConsciousConversation.

Thisstuffiscomingfastnow,Ithought.MaybeWilwasrightinsayingwewerebeginningthedownhillrunthroughtheremainingIntegrations.

IremindedmyselfthattheEighthInsightoftheoldProphecyhadpredictedwewouldlearntoupliftothersinconversationbyintendingtoconnectwithanduplifttheirhigherselforsoul.Thisupliftingwasintendedtolifttheotherpersonintoahigherconsciousness,where,alongwithgettingmoreinsightintohisorherownlife,thepersonwouldbemorelikelytoprovideSynchronisticinformationthatweindividuallyneeded.

Atthetime,therewassomeconfusionaboutthemechanicsofthisprocedure,butmosttimesmerelytheintentionworked.Thepeoplebeingupliftedwouldsuddenlybecomemorealertandseeminglygainaccesstoanunconsciouspartofthemselves.Theywouldoftenprefacetheirremarksbysaying,“Idon’tknowwhyI’mtellingyouthis,”or“I’veneverthoughtofthisbefore,but…”Andthentheinformationtheypresentedwouldoftenbeexactlywhatweneededtohearatthetime.

Ilookedbackatthepagesinmyhandandmovedtothenextpassage.Itseemedtobesayingthatthisupliftingcouldnowbeexpanded,inlightoftheotherIntegrations,byconsciouslymergingmindswiththehigherselfoftheotherperson.Mergingminds?

Atthispoint,IwasinterruptedinmyreadingasweenteredthenorthernoutskirtsofPhoenixandbeganourownsearchforfood.Afteraboutthirtyminutes,wefoundahealthfoodstorewherewestockedup.Andasfortunewouldhaveit,immediatelynextdoorwasasmallshopwhereColemancouldbuymoreclothes.

Afterward,wetookabackwaytotheairport,whereWolfpulledupverycautiouslytotheinternationalconcourse.Wewereallonthelookoutforanythingunusualandtriedtobehypervigilantforanyintuitionsmeanttoguideourway.However,nothingofnotehappened,soColemanandIjumpedoutandcollectedourgear.

Finally,IwalkedovertothewindowandshookWolf’shandandthankedhim.“GettoSisterMountainassoonasyoucan,”hesaidcryptically.“You’llbeshownwhattodo.”Inlessthananhour,wewereonanairplaneheadedforCairo,taxiingouttotherunway.Ichecked

mycellphoneandfoundnomessages,thenquicklyshutitoffastheplaneliftedintotheair.

Colemanwasalreadyasleep,soIpulledouttheEighthIntegrationandbeganreadingagain.Itwentontoexplainthepassageaboutmergingmindsbysayingwecouldinitiatethismergingbyapplyingwhatitcalledthe“OnenessIntention.”

Thisterm,theDocumentwenton,meantmuchmorethantheabstractidea,voicedbymanyreligioustraditions,thatweareallone.Itdefinedanentirelynewwaythathumanscouldrelatetooneanother,theeffectivenessofwhichcouldimmediatelybeproventooneself.Further,thebestwaytounderstandthisnewwayofrelatingwastolookcloselyatthephenomenonofpeoplefinishingeachother’ssentences.

Ithoughtaboutthisforamoment.I’dalwaysconcludedthatthisabilityresultedfromhowmuchtimeonespentwithaparticularperson,primarilybecauseitseemedsocommonamonghusbandsandwives,executivesandtheirsecretaries,androommatesandofficemates.

WhenIturnedagaintotheDocument,itsaidthatwhilethisabilityiscommon,itcouldbemorereadilyfacilitated,evenamongstrangers,bypracticingtheOnenessPrincipal,whichwastogointoeveryhumaninteractionwiththeintentionofjoininghigherminds.

Waitaminute,Ithought,puttingonthementalbrakes.Wouldwereallywanttodothat?Iwassuddenlyfeelingarealresistancetothisidea.Infact,IwassoperplexedbymyreactionthatIwokeupColemanandtoldhimeverythingI’dread,andthetroubleIwashavingwithmergingmindswithothers,especiallystrangers.Perhapsbecausetheideawasplanted,Icouldn’thelpseeinghiminatotallydifferentlight.Infact,heseemedtobehaveinaslightlydifferentway,asthoughhewasmorethoughtfulthanbefore.

“Asaguywithastrongegomyself,”hesaid,“itcomestomethatperhapsyoudon’tliketheideaofmergingmindswithotherpeoplebecauseyou’reafraidtheywillpolluteyourthinkingwithgibberish.”

Ilaughed,andthenthoughtaboutwhathewassaying.Wasthatit?DidIjustwanttofeelspecialandunique,andthatledmetothinkmergingmindswithsomeonemightdilutemycreativity?

“Ontheotherhand,”hecontinued,“youcan’tdenythatourgrouphasbeenjoined,inaway,already,andactinginunison.RememberhowpowerfullythatwashappeningonSecretMountain?”

Ididremember.Wewereinthatconnectedstateforhours.Andthefactwas,IfeltnodiminishmentorlossofenergyfromtheConnectionatall.Ifanything,Ifeltenhanced.Weweresomehowallcoordinatingouractionsanddecisionsatlightspeed,likeaflockofbirdsinflightdowhentheychangedirectionsatpreciselythesametime.Andweexperiencedthesamephenomenonatthehomesteadaswell.

IlookedattheDocumentagain,anditclarifiedthatthejoiningisnotofegosbutofthehighermind,whichislinkedwiththeDivine.Tofurtherexplain,itsaidwhentwopeoplemergeinthismanner,bothfeelenlargedbecausetheyhaveaccesstonotjusttheirownhigherself,buttotheother’shigherconsciousnessaswell.Theneteffectistofeelmoreclarityandguidanceoverall.Theclarificationmademefeelbetter.

“Seemstome,”Colemancontinued,hiseyelidslookingheavyagain,“thatsinceitsaysyoucanprovethepoweroftheOnenessIntentionforyourself,youshouldjusttryitforawhile.”Withthat,hewassuddenlyasleepagain.

Lookingoutthewindow,Imusedoverthesuccinctnessofhissuggestion.Infact,itsoundedlikesomethingImighthavesaidtomyself,ifhehadn’tbeatenmetoit.Whynottryitnow?Ithought.Iquicklymovedeverythingoffmylapandwalkeduptotheattendants’stationtoaskforsomemorewater.

Onlyoneoftheattendantswasthere,anolderEgyptianwomanwithshortblackhair,dressedinuniform,whohadservedusearlier.IdecidedtodojustastheDocumentsaid.AsIwalkedup,Isilentlyaffirmedtheintentiontojoinhigherminds.

Sheimmediatelyturnedaround.“Needarefill?”“Yes,please,”Ireplied,handinghermyemptycup.“It’sgoingtobealongflight,huh?”“Yes,butit’snottoobad.Icrewthisflightseveraltimesaweek.”

Shewaslookingatmyshoulder.“Isthatforme?”IlookeddownandrealizedthatIstillhadthecopyoftheDocumentundermyarm.Ihadplacedit

therewhenIwasmovingeverythingsoIcouldgetoutofmyseat,thenforgottoputitbackinmypack.“Oh,no,it’sjustacopyofanold…well,justsomethingIbroughtwithmebymistake.”“Anoldwhat?”Shelookedatmewithtotalearnestness,andIrealizedIhadtotellthetruthaboutit.“It’sanoldDocumentabouthumanspiritualitythatpeoplearestudyingrightnow.”“What’sitabout?”Istruggledtoputitsimply.“Well,it’sabouthowhumansarewakinguptothefactthatwe’reall

spirituallyconnected.”Shelookeddownasifthinking,thensaid:“I’veheardsomethingaboutthis.Mysister’shusbandis

studyingsomewritingslikethat.There’sawholegroupofthem.”Leaninginandspeakinglower,sheadded,“Youknowheusuallyisshyandreserved,butsincehe’s

beenmeetingwiththisgroup,he’sreallybecomequitetalkativeandobsessedwithtellingthetruth.”“That’sthesameDocument,”Isaid,somewhatsurprisedbythefamiliaritywithwhichshewas

speakingtome,asifshewastalkingtoherclosefriend.Icouldn’twaitfortheanswertomynextquestion.

“Wheredoesyoursisterlive?”Iasked.“Inasmalltownoutinthedesert,calledSt.Katherine.”Ihadalreadyknownwhatshewasgoingtosay,buttheSynchronicitystillshockedme.“Youwon’tbelievethis,”Isaid.“That’swherewe’regoingafterCairo.”Hereyeslitup.“Really?Ishouldgiveyouhisnumber.HisnameisJoseph.”Sheopenedadrawer

andpulledoutsomepaperandscribbleddownhiscompletenameandtelephonenumber.“Youknow,”shecontinued,“Ihaven’ttalkedtohiminquiteawhile.I’mgoingtocallhimandask

moreaboutthisDocument.I’lltellhimwemetonaplane.”“Thanks,”Isaid,thengavehermynameandnumberaswell.Theotherattendantcameupatthispoint,soIwalkedbacktomyseatandimmediatelywokeup

Colemanandtoldhimwhathappened.“YoushouldbeusedtothiskindofSynchronicitybynow,”hesaid.“N-n-no,”Istammered.“Itusuallydoesn’tgothisfastwithastranger.ASynchronicitythisontarget

usuallytakesquiteabitoftimetocomeoutinconversation,ifithappensatall.Sometimesyoufeelledtosomeone,butwhenyoutrytotalk,theconversationgoesnowhere.Twostrangersusuallyhavetobuilduptrust.”

Suddenlywideawake,helookedatmehard.“YoudidwhatIsaid,didn’tyou?YoutriedthatOnenessprinciple.”

Igavehimanexaggeratednodyes.ColemanpulledthecopyoftheDocumentoutofmyhand.“Letmereadthisforawhile.”

Whichwasfinewithme.Iwantedtospendsomemoretimethinking.MaybeIwasmakingtoomuchoutofthewoman’sopenness,butIdidn’tthinkso.Whatstruckmeasimportantwasn’tsomuchmeetingafriendlypersonwhohadabrother-in-lawinthecityofourdestination.Thatwasn’tcrazyunlikely.Thenoteworthythingwasthequalityoftheconversationitself:therewasanimmediateclosenessandrapportand,infact,honesty.AtthislevelofConnection,Ididn’thavetoremembertobedirectandhonest.Mywordsjustcameoutthatwaynaturally.

WhenIwokeup,Colemanwasalreadyawakeandarranginghisthings.Heleanedoverwhenhesawme

stirring.“Whattimeisit?”Iasked.“TwoA.M.,”hesaid.“We’llbelandinginCairointwentyminutes.”Helookedsleepy,asthoughthecrowdedseatshadfurtherfatiguedhimduringthenight.AndIfelt

thesameway.Icouldn’thavesleptmorethanafewhours.Onceontheground,wehurriedtopickupourluggageandfindourridetoSt.Katherine.Whenit

arrived,wewerepleasedthatitwasalargevanandweweretheonlypassengers.Thevehiclehadtwolongbenchseatssothatwebothcouldliedown.Wesleptthewholewaythere,rollinginabouteleventhatmorning.

Thetownwasbasicallyacollectionofcrossstreetsfilledwithtouristservicebuildingsandsmalllodges,allbuiltinthebottomofabowl-shapedvalley.Onallsideswerehuge,toweringredmountainpeaks,including,towardthesoutheast,theSinairange.

WecalledaroundonapayphoneuntilwefoundasmalllodgenearesttoMountSinai,andbythetimewewalkedintothetinyofficetocheckin,thepaceoftravelhadtakenitstoll.Myenergyhadfallensubstantially,soIwentthoughmymentalchecklistofIntegrationstogetcentered:expectintuitionandSynchronicity,stayinAlignment,andcomebacktoaloveConnection.Now,Iaddedonemore:intendOneness.

Whenwerangthebellontheattendant’sdesk,weweregreetedbyadistinguished-lookingoldergentlemanwithgrayhair.HespokeperfectEnglishbutatfirstseemedextremelycautious,askingusmanyquestionsaboutourtravelplansandpassports.Yetbythetimewefinishedcheckingin,hewassmilingandextremelyfriendly.

Hegaveusourkeys,andthen,aswewerewalkingaway,helookedthoughtfulforamoment.“Ifyoucareforahike,”hesaid,“thereisatrailjustoutsidethatleadstoanearbyhill.Itprovidesa

splendidviewofthetownandtheMountainofMoses.”Wethankedhimandheadeddownthelonghalltoourrooms,whichwefoundperfectlyplaced

directlyacrossfromeachother.Evenbetter,myroomhadanoutsidedoor,whichopenedontoasmallpatio.Wecouldseethewalkwaytothehillacrossthestreet.

“Thisisgreat,”Colemansaid.Aftershowers,wewalkednextdoorandhadagreatmealinalittlerestaurant.Whenwefinished,I

asked,“Whatdoyougetwhenyoutuneintowhetherweshouldcontacttheflightattendant’sbrother,Joseph?”

Hethoughtformoment.“Igetthefeelingweshoulddoit.It’slogicalandalsofeelsright.”IgrabbedmyphoneandtextedJosephthatwehadmethissister-in-lawandaskedifwecouldtalkto

himabouttheDocument.Ileftthephoneonsowe’dhearthereplyifonecamein.“Okay,”Colemansaid.“Let’shikethishill.”Thedaywasbeautiful.Thesunshonebrightly,withsmallpuffsofwhitecloudsdottingacrispblue

sky.Aswewalked,wegazedoutattheredmountainsrisingallaroundus.“Wow,”Colemansaid.“ThislooksalotlikeSedona.”Wefollowedthetrailovertothehillandstartedup,trulyamazedbythecolorsintherocks

themselves.Alongwiththeredwerestreaksofgrayandgold.WitheverystepIbegantofeelbetter.“ThishillfeelslikeSedona,too,”Colemansaid.Atacertainpoint,thepathmeanderedbyaflatledgethatover-hungthecity,sowestoppedand

lookeddownatthetown.JustasIwasimmersingmyselfinthevista,InoticedColemannoddingtowardsomethingupahead.

Ontheothersideoftheoverhangwasaroundedprotrusionofrock,andontop,amanwaskneelingaloneonaprayercloth.Hehadlongdarkhairandashortbeardandwaslookingoutintothedistancetowardthesoutheast.Withoutseeingus,heturnedtoaseatedposition,pulledoutacellphone,and

enteredinanumber.Suddenly,mytextringwentoffonmyphone.Whenthemanheardit,hewhirledaroundandsawus,

apuzzledlookonhisface.Thetextread:

Mysisteralreadyinformedmeofyourarrival.Iwouldlovetospeakwithyou.Pleasecall.

Ilookedbackathim.Hewassmilingbroadly.Colemanlaughedoutloud.ItwasJoseph.Immediately,themanjumpedupandwalkedovertous.“Quitegoodtiming,”hesaidwithathickEgyptianaccent.“I’mJoseph.Gladtomeetyou.”ColemangavemealooktoremindmetopracticeOneness,andIimmediatelyheldthatintention,

introducingbothofusandtellingJosephthatwewerelookingforsomeofourfriendswhohadjoinedagroupstudyingtheDocumenthereinSt.Katherine.

“Iknowonegrouphere,”hesaid.“Buttellme,howfaralongareyouwiththeIntegrations?”“We’veformedatemplategroup,”Isaid,“andaretuningintoourGuidance.We’vejustbegun

Oneness.”“Soyou’vejustbeguntheEighthstep,”hesaid,asthoughmorewascoming.“That’sright,”Colemanreplied.JosephaskedmetodescribeTommyandRacheltohimandwhenIdid,helookedsurprised.“IthinkIknowwhoyourfriendsare,”hesaid.“Ihaven’tmetthemyet,buttheyarehere.Iwilltake

youtothem.”Hetookonelastlookouttowardthemountains.“WhichpeakisSinai?”Iasked.Hepointedfarthertowardthesoutheast.“JebelMusa?That’sitrightthere.JusttotherightofSt.

Katherine’sCathedral.”Westaredatitforalongtime,andasItunedin,IthoughtIfeltacalming,welcomingsensation.A

flashofmemorysuddenlybrokethrough,andIrealizedIwasgettingahint,onceagain,ofthatmysteriouspointofConnectionIhadexperiencedonSecretMountain.

“Inoticed,”IsaidtoJoseph,“thatyouwerekneelingtowardMountSinaiwhenwewalkedup.”Hesmiled.“Oh,no.IwaslookingtowardMecca.Fromhere,Meccaisalmostexactlyontheother

sideofJebelMusa.ButwhenI’minprayer,thetwoplacesfeelalignedinsideme.”HelookedcloselyatMountSinaiagain.“ItissaidthatMoseslookeduponthefaceofGodthere.

Wouldn’tyoulovetoexperiencethat?”

Injustthirtyminutes,wewerepullingthroughthegateofalargegraystonehouseaboutamileawayfromthehotel.JosephhaddrivenusinhisToyotaSUV.

Atthatmoment,Iwashitbyastarkrealization.IwasabouttoseeRachelagain.WouldIbeabletoopenuptoherinOneness?OrwouldIfeelthesameoldhesitation?IknewwehadconnectedspontaneouslyonSecretMountain,butsincethen,forsomereasonIhadstillresistedopeninguptoher.TheConnectionseemedtoodeep,orwouldleadtocomplicationsorsomething.

Aswegotoutofthevehicle,thedoorofthehouseflungopenandRachelandTommyrushedouttogreetus.IrubbedTommy’sheadandembracedRachel,butIcutitshortandagainavoidedprolongedeyecontactwithher.

ColemancamealongandsweptRachelintoabighug.Heamongeveryoneseemedtobethemostexcitedaboutthereunion,andaswewalkedtowardthehouse,heconfidedinmeabouthisfeelings.

“Igrewupwithcoldscientistsasparents,blesstheirhearts,”hesaid.“I’veneverhadarealfamilybefore.”

Inside,wewalkedintoagreatroomthatwasfilledwithniceleatherfurnitureandPersianrugs.Adozenmorepeoplewerewaitingforus,allofthemlookingtowardmeintensely,andIlookedawayfromthemaswell.

Tommywassuddenlytuggingmebythearm,takingmeovertomeethismother.Whenwewerecloseenough,IintroducedmyselfandTommysaidhernamewasLoveofMountain.

“Tommyhastoldmeaboutallofyou,”shesaid,herarmaroundherson.“NowIknowwhyhedidn’twanttocomewithmeoriginally.Hemusthaveknownhewasgoingtomeetyou.”

“WhydidyoucometoSt.Katherine?”Iaskedher.Shelookedatmeproudly.“Tovisitmynamesake,”shesaid.“SisterMountain.Myfather,whowas

atrader,broughtmeherewhenIwasyoung,anditwasloveatfirstsight.SecretMountainandJebelMusahavethesameenergy.Theybothopenyouup.”Tommywasnodding.

AquestioncametomymindthenwithsuchforcethatIjustblurteditout.“Whydoesn’tTommyhaveaNativeAmericanname,likeyou?”

ShesmiledatTommy.“Becauseheisstubborn.”“Theyhavetriedtogivemenames,”Tommyreacted,“butnoneofthenameshavebeenright.WhenI

dosomethingimportant,Iwillknowmytribalname.”Then,asthoughsuddenlythinkingofsomethingtodo,LoveofMountainrushedoutoftheroom,

leavingTommyandmealone.Helookedatmeasthoughhehadsomethingtosay.Ibeathimtoit.“Tommy,IhavetoknowhowallthisrelatestotheMayanCalendar.Youknow,don’tyou?”“Yes,”hesaid.“Weneedtohurry.”Heledmethroughanopenentranceintoalargesunroomofsolidglasswalls,andwesatdownata

table.IcouldseeColemanintheotherroomtalkingwithRachelandseveralofthenewpeople.ForaninstantmyeyesmetRachel’sagain.Theroomwasbusybehindthem,aseveryoneseemedtobepackingforatrip.

“Itisthemythologyofmytribe,”Tommybegan,“thatthemountainsoftheRedRockareaofArizonaandtheRedMountainshereareallconnected.

“Nativepeopleshavealwaysseenmountainsassacredplacesthatliftusabovethecommonawarenesstoglimpsethesacredspirit.Thisspiritisnowseekingtocomecloser.TheMayaknewthisandcametothisworldtobringthemessageoftheCalendartous.”

“Butwhatisthemessage,Tommy?”Iasked.“Themediahastwisteditintopredictingdoomsday.It’sdifficulttodecidewhoseinterpretationtobelieve.”

Atthismoment,Colemanstrodeintotheroom,obviouslysensingthatweweretalkingaboutsomethingimportant.IsawaflashofimpatienceonTommy’ssmallface,whichbroughtupasmileItriedtohide.

“I’mcertainIneedtohearthis,”Colemansaidurgently.TommyandIbothgesturedforhimtositdown.“ThetruthoftheCalendarissimple,”Tommycontinued.“Ithasnothingtodowithdoomsday.It

spellsoutatimelinefortheentireCosmos,andthetruepurposeofhumanhistory.TheMayaconceivetheUniverseasbeingcreatedapproximatelysixteenbillionyearsago,butaccordingtothem,thecreationdidn’thappenallatonce.TheirCalendargivesthedatesofnineStepsofCreationthatwillhaveoccurredfromthebeginninguntiltheCalendarendsby2012.”

HepausedandlookedatmeasifthebeginningdateoftheCalendarwasimportant.Iknewwhy.OnlyrecentlyhavescientistsagreedonadateforthebeginningoftheUniverseatthetimeoftheBigBang,andthatdateisveryclosetotheonetheMayachose—beggingthequestion:howcouldtheMayahaveknownthedateofthebeginningthisaccurately,centuriesago?IstherestoftheCalendarjustas

accurate?“Onescholarinparticular,”Tommycontinued,“hasspelledoutthedatestheCalendarhasassigned

toeachstepofcreationwithgreatclarity.AsIsaid,thefirstStepofCreationbeganaboutsixteenbillionyearsago,andincludedtheformationoftheUniverseandthecoalescenceofmatterintogalaxies,stars,andplanets,andthebeginningoflifeanditsdevelopmentintothefirstcellsandthenintomorecomplexorganisms.TheSecondthroughtheFourthStepsofCreationbroughtusmammals,anthropoids,andfinally,twomillionyearsago,humans.

“Atthispoint,theremainingStepsofCreationfocusedontheexpandingreachofhumanconsciousness,beginningwithatribalawarenessandreaching,about103thousandyearsago,aregionalawareness,wherehumansdevelopedlanguageandbegantobecomeconsciousofotherhumangroupsinalargergeographicalarea.

“NextintheCalendarcameanationalawareness,beginningaround3115B.C.E.,wherehumansorganizedfirstintoempiresandfinallyintonations.

“ThenonJuly24,1755,anotherstepincreationbegan,yieldingaplanetaryawareness.Thiswaswhenwefirstrealizedwesharedafiniteplanetandbegantointeracteconomicallyacrosstheglobe.”

Tommypausedtoemphasizesomething.“It’simportant,”hecontinued,“torememberthatthesestepsarenotjustsymbolic.Theyentailan

actualshiftinourconsciousness.Whenwereachedtheplanetarystep,forinstance,wegainedtheabilitytotuneintoaconsciousnessthattranscendedaflatEarthperception.WeliterallycouldmorereadilyfeelthatwewerealltogetheronaroundEarth,floatingthroughspace.

“Andthenextsurgeincreation,occurringonJanuary5,1999—thegalacticawareness—gaveustheabilitytostretchourconsciousnessevenfarther.ItliftedusbeyondtheplanetandgaveusevenmoreabilitytosensethelargerCosmos.Thisacceleratedtheshiftfromamaterialandsecularoutlooktoamoreawakenedspiritualstate.Wemorereadilyknewwewerefloatingaroundinspacewithnorealunderstandingofwhy.Wewantedtherealtruthofourexistence.Religionitselfcameunderquestionbecausewewantedmorecompleteanswerstoourinquiries.

“Itwasthisquestioningthatledtoideologicalfanaticsthinkingtheyhadtodefendtheirdoctrinesandevenforcethemonpeople,sometimesviolently.Thisgalacticperspectivebeganonlytwoyearsbefore2001,whenthewarsbeganoverwhosereligionwasbest.”

Ijustlookedathim,havinghadnoideatheMayanCalendarwassospecificinitsdating.“Scholarsarestillarguingoverthedatessomewhat,”Tommycontinued,“butthegeneraloutlineof

creationismostimportant.Theypredictedthissequenceofhumanprogresscenturiesago.”IrecalledthenthatTommyhadmentionedthattheCalendarhadpredictednineStepsofCreation.He

hadmentionedonlyeight.Iaskedhimaboutit.“TheCalendarpredictsanotherStepofCreation,”theyoungmancontinued,“onethatisalready

comingandcanbefelt.Itisintendedtobringinanidealworld.”Iperkedup,rememberingthatTommyhadtoldthegroupthattheCalendarwasitselfaprophecy

similartotheend-timesvisionsofmanyreligions.MostofthesescripturalPropheciestalkedaboutacomingMessiahfigurewhowouldusherinanidealworld,andnowhewastalkingabouttheCalendaralsopointingtoanidealworld.

“TellmemoreaboutwhattheCalendarpredicts,”Isaid.Hewavedmeoffwithaflipofhishand,obviouslywantingtomakeanotherpoint.“Mytribebelieves,”hepressed,“thatthislaststepwillnotbeimposedonus.Enoughofusmust

learnhowtotuneintothenextlevelofcreation.Andtodothat,wemustfirstreceivetheconsciousnesstheIntegrationsspeakof,beginningwiththeIntegrationwe’reworkingonnow,theEighth.”HewaslookingatmeasthoughIparticularlyhadto“getit.”

Wewereinterruptedthenbythesoundsofmoremovementintheotherroom.ThroughthedoorIcouldseeLoveofMountainandseveralothersrollingbackoneofthePersianrugsandopeningahugetrapdoorinthefloor.ShelookedatTommy,motioningforhimtocomehelpher.

ColemanandIbothstoodup.“Youknowwhatthey’redoing,don’tyou?”Colemansaid.“They’regettingreadytogotothe

mountain.”“Why?”Iasked.“Idon’tknow,andtheydon’tseemto,either.Butthey’resuretheyhavetogo.”WewerewalkingbacktowardthemwhenRachelabruptlyappearedandgrabbedmyarm.“Ihavetotalktoyou,”shesaidforcefully,leadingmeintothesunroomandoutabackdoorintoa

gardencourtyard.Theareawaspavedwithflagstoneandsurroundedbythickhedgesandfloweringplants.Thearomaofwaterliliescamefromasmallpondinthecorner.

“Everyone’spacking,”Isaid.“Whataretheyplanningtodo?”“They’regoingtoSisterMountain,”shereplied.“Something’sabouttohappenupthere.”“Howdoyouknow?”Shelookedatmeseriously.“Iknowquitealot,”shesaid.“Ifyouweren’tavoidingme,youmightrealizethat!”Ijustlookedather.“Whyareyouavoidingme?”shepressed.“BecauseI’mtryingtostayinAlignment,”Isnapped,wantingtorunbackinthehouse.ShesmiledandlookedatmeasifIwasachild.“Ifyouhadjustconnectedenoughtoreallytalkto

me,youwouldn’tbeconfusedaboutthis.DoyouknowwhyI’mhere,whyI’mtryingtoreachtherealyou?Thisisn’taboutanythingromantic.It’sabouttheIntegrations.

“TheTemplateofAgreementisnotjustforresolvingtheextremepolarizationthat’soccurringinpoliticsandreligiousideology.It’salsoaboutbridgingthemythandpolarizationthatkeepmenandwomenapart.”

Sheshookherhead.“YouknowwhatIwastaughtasachildbymymother?Thatmenandwomenarecompletelydifferentanimals,withadifferentoutlookandlanguage,anddoomedforevertomisunderstandandmanipulateeachother.ShetaughtmetolieandcontroltogetwhatIwantedfrommen,andasItriedtomanipulatemywaythroughonefailedrelationshipafteranother,Igrewtohatemenformakingmedothat.

“AndIhatedmymotherfornotpreventingtheworldfrombeingthatway.Iquitspeakingtoherforyears…andthenshediedbeforeIcouldgetbackhometotalktoher.”

ShelookedoveratmeandItriedtostaywithhergaze.“Iknownow,”shesaid,“thatitwasn’therfault.Iwasn’ttheonlyonewiththismisunderstanding.

Weallplaythegameofsexandsecurity.Youthinkyouhavetobeincontrolsoyoulimityourconnectionwithme,ormanipulateitinsomeway.Butthefactis,thishabitofclosingofftosomewomenissomethingyou’veprobablyalwaysdone.

“Ibetyou’veneverreallyopeneduptoanywoman.Youwerebusymanipulating,hopingtoenticethemintoarelationshipwithyou,or,ontheotherhand,dismissingthemaltogetheriftheydidn’tseemlikeasexualpossibility.We’reallstuckinnotfullyconnectingwiththoseoftheoppositesex—womenusingtheirsexualitytomanipulatemen,menmanipulatingwomentogetsex.Butnow,aswefigureouthowtoreallytuneintoeachother,we’reonthevergeofbeingabletoblowpastsexualmanipulationaltogether.”

Iwaswatchingherspeak,struckbyheropen,authenticexpressionofallthis.ItwasdonewithadeepsoulConnectiontome—yetitwasaConnectionthatmeantnothingmorethanthat:deepConnection.

“Howdidyougetsoclearaboutthis?”Iaskedspontaneously.“Mymothertoldme.”“Ithoughtyousaidshediedbeforeyoucouldspeaktoher.”“Shedid.”Ijustlookedather,thinkingoftheimplicationsofherremark.Andinthatmoment,Irealizedthatmy

fearofconnectingwithherseemedtobefading.“I’lltellyousoonaboutmycommunicationwithmymother,”Rachelwenton.“Butthat’snotwhat

weneedtobedoingnow.Thisdistancebetweenmenandwomenhastobehealed.Formostofus,it’sbeenromanceornothingwhenitcomestotheoppositesex.Andwecan’tgoforwardintoanotherelevationofconsciousnessuntilthischanges.

“Ifatemplategroupworksatall,it’sbecauseitsetsanewpatternbyagreementandsendsthatenergyoutintotheworld,tohelpsetanewculturalstandardinthecollectivemind.SowhatyouandIhealhereandnowinfluencestheworldinthatway.WehavetogetbacktowherewewereonSecretMountain.Wehavetobesoulstoeachother!”

Shereachedintoalargesatchelthatshecarriedandpulledoutaboutadozencrumpledpages.“Idon’tknowhowmuchoftheEighthIntegrationyou’veread.Buthereitis.”

IfoundabenchnearthefountainandbegantoreadwhereIhadleftoff.Itimmediatelyheldmespellbound.

Tocompletelyjoinminds,itsaid,wemustintendOneness,butwemustalsocomebacktoalovestatethattotallytranscendssexualcomplexity.ItnamedthisemotionAgape.

Ilookedawayforamomentandthoughtabouttheword.AgapewasGreek,anditmeantaparticularkindoflove:oneofthesoulforallofcreation,butmostparticularly,aloveforotherpeoplethatisplatonicinnature.Centeringinthiskindoflove,theDocumentwenton,evenmorethanintendingOnenessorConsciousConversation,liftedthoseininteractionintotheirhighestsoulwisdom.Moreover,thiselevationwasmultipliedmanytimeswhenpracticedbyagroup.

Iputdownthepagesthenandwalkedintotheotherroom,findingRachelstandinginthedoorwaywaitingforme.Oureyesmet,andthistimeIjustletmyselfgofullyintohereyes,settingtheintentionforOnenessandopeningtolove.

Suddenly,Ifeltaperceptiblemovementinmyheart,asurgeofemotionthatcreatedanevengreatercenterednessandfreedomfromapprehensionthatIhadn’texperiencedsinceSecretMountain.Itwasright,andtotallyinAlignmentineveryway,andneverhadtobedefended.ItwasAgape.

Inmyperipheralvision,Inoticedafewpeopleintheotherroomlookingatus,butIremainedfocusedonRachel.Sherusheduptomeandturnedmeintheotherdirectiontofacethewindowsthatoverlookedthecourtyard.

“Lookhowbeautifulitisoutside,”shesaid.“RememberhowtheworldlookedonSecretMountain?We’retrulyworkingourwaybacktherewitheachIntegration.Thenextstepisopeningoursensesfullytothewaytheworldreallylookswhenwe’reallconnectedtogetherinastateoflove.”

ForamomentItookinthebeauty.Butpartofmedidn’twanttogothereyet.AllIwantedwastoexperiencethislevelofAgapeagain.

IturnedaroundtofaceRachel.Iwantedtoaskheranotherquestion,butthepoweroftheeyesstaringatusfromtheotherroomwas

drawingmetothem.Everyonewascrowdedintothedoorwaylookingatthetwoofus,includingColeman,whowasjumpingupanddownneartheback,wavingthepagesoftheDocumentheheldinonehand.

IreturnedtheirgazeswiththesamedeepAgapeIhadprojectedtowardRachel,andwithoutpayingtheslightestattentiontowhowasmaleorfemale.TheenergylevelandAgapewiththegroupexplodedwithinmeevenmore.Theyallseemeddelighted.

“Wow,”Isaidoutloud.Rachelcamearound,stoodbesideme,andlookedattheothers.“Everytime,”shesaid,“thatsomeoneintegratesAgapeforthefirsttime,itcreatesarippleof

heightenedloveineveryonearoundthem,likeheatinagreenhouse—oraconversionexperienceinacrowdedcountrychurch.”

OPENINGTOPERCEPTION

Fortwentyminutes,IwalkedaroundandtalkedwitheveryoneIhadmetinthegroup.Allofthemtooktimeforme,evenastheyhurriedtopack.MostspokeEnglish,buttheyalsoeasilyandspontaneouslyinterpretedforeachotherasamatterofcourse.

Together,theyreflectedarichcrosssectionoflifeintheregion,frombakerstoteacherstoengineers,andrepresentedmostoftheknowntraditionsandsects.Toaperson,theyhadexperiencedaBreakthroughConnectionintheirownwayandwereproceedingthroughtheIntegrationsonebyone.Aswetalked,Irealizedwewerebecomingalargertemplategroup.

Infact,manyvoicedthatAgapebetweenpeoplewasprimarilyaconceptthathadgrownoutofWestern,Judeo-Christianthought.Butthoseinothertraditionspointedoutthattheirhistorieswerealsofulloficonsthatemphasizedtheimportanceofsoullove.ImyselfwasawareofaconceptinEasternthought,fromJainism,calledAhimsa,which,ifnotconsideredacademicallyidentical,wasthesameinpractice.WefinallyagreedthatwhilemosttraditionspointedtothislevelofConnectioninsomeway,theChristianandEasternreligionsseemtogiveitthemostemphasis.

Atonepoint,IlookedatmyphoneandfoundWilhadtexted,sayingthathehadarrivedsafelyandhadexperiencedtheEighthIntegrationwithasmallergroupinCairo.Hirahadalsocommunicated,sayingmuchthesamething.ShehadfoundanothertemplategroupofherowninJerusalem.BothsheandWilhadcometothesameagreementabouttheEighthIntegrationasthoseofushere.

Soonafter,Adjartextedasifoncue.He,too,agreedwithourconclusions,andtookthetimetoexpressthedifficultyhistraditionseemedtohavewithAgapelove,especiallybetweenmenandwomenwhowerenotmarried.Hementionedsomeminorityviewsinthisregardthathethoughtwouldnowbegettingmoreattention.

Isatdownbymyselftothinkforamoment,stillhighfromtheOnenessandAgapethathadelevatedus.ThehonestyandwisdomofRachel,Iknew,hadchangedmedramatically,andIknewIwouldneverexperienceconversationswithwomeninthesamewayagain.

OfequalimpactwasthesummaryoftheMayanCalendarTommyhadprovided.Whilehedidn’tfinishtellingmeaboutthepredictedlastStepinCreation,IunderstoodevenmorewhyhehadearliercalledtheCalendaraprophecy.TheremaininglastStepinCreationwasthoughttobeacomingwaveofDivinecreation,onethatwasmeanttosomehowmoveustowardthismoreidealworldsomanyweresensing.

Ibegan,then,tonoticepeoplewalkingaroundthehouselookingatthepaintingsandplantsinaparticularway.Someofthemwentouttothesunroomandstaredatthehazysunsetthroughtheglass.Afterawhile,Irealizedtheyweretryingtoseemorebeauty.Thismadeperfectsense.ThegrouphereseemedtohavecompletedtheEighthIntegrationandwasmovingontotheNinth.

TheobservationbroughtbackthememoriesofthesearchfortheNinthInsightoftheoldProphecy.

Backthen,theoldProphecyfoundinPeruhadpredictedthatonedaywewouldbegintoseetheworldasimmenselybeautifulandevenlight-filled.

Iwasnowsittingonthearmofachairinthegreatroom,andColemancameinandsatonthesofaacrossfromme,asifhehadsomethingtosay.

“Someofthepeopleinthisgroup,”hesaid,“havealreadybeguntointegratetheNinth.They’reprettyfaralong.”

HelookedatmeasthoughheexpectedIwouldpickuponhisnextstatement.Inodded.“AndtheDocumentistalkingaboutapracticalwaytosustaintheexperience.”“That’sright!Andsomeofthemarescientists!Theythinkthatopeningtoperceptionisbuiltintothe

structureofourbrains,justliketherestofthejumpsinconsciousnesswe’veexperienced.Theynowbelieveeverystepisarchetypaland,inasense,ahigherkindofAlignmentthatwe’recalledtomaintain.”

Thatjoltedme.Agroupofscientistswereassertingthis,basedonthesimilarityofspiritualexperienceforallofus!Iwonderedsuddenlyjusthowwidespreadthisperceptionwasbecoming.

“That’swhy,”Colemancontinued,“groupsarethebestwaytoproceednow,becauseasonepersoninthegroupgetsit,othersseethenewconsciousnessandfeelit,andprettysooneveryonehasfiredupthatpartofhisorherbrain.Thisway,itallgetsproventooneselfveryquickly.It’stheprocessbehindtheideaofapositivecontagionofconsciousness.

“TheDocument,”hecontinued,“saysthattoseemorebeautyistogetclosertotheconsciousnessthatexistsinHeaven.There,peopleknowhowtousethepowerofAgapewitheveryone,especiallythoselockedinideologies.TheDocumentsaystoreachthoseinfearandangerwehavetodowhattheydointheAfterlife.

“ItsaystheNinthIntegrationisanimportantsteptowarddoingthat.Itgetsusclosertoaheavenlylevelofconsciousness.Thisisthesecretofreachingthoseinfearandanger.Wehavetobeabletoliftthemtowardthisstate.”

“Howdowedothat?”Iasked.Heshrugged.Inoticedthenthathehadafolderwithhim.“YouhavetheDocument?”“Partofit,”hesaid.“Wanttoreadit?”

AsIread,theDocumentspokeexactlytoColeman’spoint.Agape,itstated,waseasytoaccomplishwithpeoplewholovedyouback.Itwasmoredifficultwiththosewhoweremoreideologicallyopposed.Theonlywaytoreacheveryone,asColemanhadmentioned,wasfromanelevatedpositionofconsciousnessclosertotheAfterlife.

Suddenly,webeganhearingmorenoiseandmovementbehindus.Alltheotherswerenolongerjusttalkingandworking.Theyweremovingheavypacksandfoodstuffoutthedoortowardthevehicles.

ColemanandIlookedateachother,andIwasabouttogobacktoreadingwhenthethoughtcametometocheckthephonefortexts.IfoundamessagefromAdjar.AformerinsiderwiththeApocalypticshadtoldhimtheextremistsknewwewereinSt.Katherine.Theywereplanningtostopusfromgettingtothemountain.

“Iguessthat’swhy,”Colemansaid,“thepeopleherearehurryingso.Theymusthavealreadysenseddanger.I’llgotellthemwhatwefoundout.”

Wantingtothinkaboutthesituation,Inoddedandwatchedhimwalkoff.NeitherColemannorIhadexperiencedapremonitionoftrouble.SoItunedintowhetherIcouldpictureusgoingtotheMount.Ieasilysawthejourneyandfeltitwastherightthingtodo,butwhenIattemptedtovisualizeusmakingitallthewaytothesummitofthemountain,Icouldn’t.Itriedagainwithnosuccess.

Uh-oh,Ithought,anddashedoutsidewhereeveryonewasgatheringaroundthevehicles,obviouslycheckinginwitheachothertoseewhohadthebestintuitiongoingforward.

Whathappenednextwasoneofthosefast-pacedmomentsofSynchronicityandintuitionwhereeveryonespokeatexactlytherighttimeandwithperfectclarityaboutthehunchestheywerereceiving.Anditwasvirtuallyunanimous.EveryonesawthatwewererighttoheadtotheMount,butoncethere,weshouldbeverycareful.

Suddenly,Rachelwalkedtothecenterofthegroup,eagertosaysomethingmore.“Wecan’tletthesethreats,”shesaidforcefully,“interruptourprogresswiththeIntegrations.Ifwe

stayinAgape,we’llfindawaytostopthisdanger.Rememberwhereweare.TheNinthIntegrationsayswehavetouseAgapetopulltheApocalypticsintoahigherstateandoutoftheirideologysomehow.”

Therewassilence,thenTommyadded,“WewilldiscoverhowtodothatattheMountain.Thenextstepistotuneintosacrednature,openourperception,andgetclosertothespiritworld.ThisabilityhaslongbeentheemphasisofNativepeoples.Ifwepaycloseattention,theMountainwillshowustheway.”

Mosteveryoneagreedtogo,despitethedanger.Butsomedidn’t,feelingtheirpathstookthemelsewhere.Theywouldholdusinprayer,theysaid,leavingtwelveofustoloadintothreevehicles:Joseph’sToyota,LoveofMountain’sSubaru,andanoldVolvobelongingtooneoftheothers.Coleman,Rachel,andIrodewithJoseph.

TheplanwastoseparateandmeetataspecificlocationthatTommy’smotherhadsuggested:theheadofalittle-knowntrailthatledupthesoutheasternsideofMountSinai.LoveofMountainhadtoldusthisroutewouldstillbeguardedbyEgyptiantroops,butatleastitwouldbelesstraveled.Becauseofthelayoutofthetown,wewouldhavetodrivewestandthensouthtohitthetrailtoSinai.

Thetriptothetrailheadshouldhavetaken,atmost,thirtyminutes,butaswetraveled,weranintoonetrafficjamafteranother.Nowwewerewaiting,again,inalonglineofcarstomakeaturn.

“Thislittletownhasreallyfilledup,”Colemansaid.“IlookedupSt.KatherineontheInternetbeforewegothere.TheyaverageplentyofvisitorstoMountSinaioverthecourseofayear,butnothinglikethesenumbers.Theremustbeanextrathousandpeoplehere.”

Ilookedcloselyintothevehiclesaroundusandatthepedestriansliningthestreets.TheyalllookedprimarilyMiddleEastern,butagoodfourthofthemwereinternational,withlotsofEuropeansandNorthAmericansamongthem.

“Youthinkthey’reherebecauseoftheDocument?”Rachelasked.Wealllookedatoneanother.“Maybeweshouldstopandasksomeofthem,”Isaid.“Idon’tthinkso,”Colemanretorted.“Weshouldgetintothemountainsassoonaswecan.”Allofusagreed,andweheadedsouth,finallymovingoutoftownandintoaflat,rockydesertthat

wasalivewithsmallroundplantsandscrubbybushesthatseemedtobeglisteninginthefadinglight.JustlikeSedona,Ithought.

Intwentyminutes,wewereapproachingthetrailhead,andtherealityofoursituationwassinkingin:wewereabouttoscaleamountaininaforeigncountrywithoutpermission,facingagroupofextremistswhohadalreadytriedtokillus.

Ishookmyhead,holdingontomyenergylevelandremindingmyselfagainthattherewasnochoice.Tohaveanychanceofreachingtheextremists,wehadtogetupthisMountandfinishtheIntegrations.

“Ihaveabrotherwhoisahigh-rankingofficerinthisregion,”Josephsaidabruptly.“Iwantedallofyoutoknow,becausehecouldpossiblyhelpus.Hehasbeenveryextremeattimes,butI’vebeentryingtoconvincehimoftheDocument’simportance.”

Wealllookedatoneanother,andforsomereasonIfelthisbrotherwouldbeinstrumentalinwhateverhappenedonSinai.

“IalsoknowyourfriendHira,”hecontinued,“fromwhenIlivedinJerusalemduringmyyouth.MymotherwasJewish,andsheknewHira’smother.Weallstudiedend-timesProphecyintheBibleandtheTorah.Ithinkthemostfascinatingaspectofthepropheticliterature,however,isthatthepropheciesofallthreemajorreligionsseemtohavethesamestructure.Eachhasanideaofafinalconflict,orArmageddon.AndeachhasthenotionthataDivineMessiahfigureiscomingtoestablishanideal,spiritualworld.”

IrememberedwhatTommyhadtoldme.ThenextstepofCreationoftheMayanCalendaralsoseemedtohaveasimilarstructure.WhatwasSynchronicitytryingtoshowushere?

“It’sfascinating,”Josephwenton.“AndsomeofthetraditionsalsoagreethatthesameliteraleventsmusttakeplacebeforeArmageddonbegins.ThefirsteventisthattheJewsmustreturntotheHolyLand,whichhasoccurred.ThentherebuildingofDavid’stempleinJerusalemonthesiteofitsoldfoundationmusttakeplace.”

“Troubleis,”Rachelinterjected,“theDomeoftheRock,anespeciallyimportantmosque,alreadyoccupiesthatsite.”

“Anyreasonthatboththemosqueandthetemplecouldn’tfitupthere?”Iasked.Theyalllookedatmeinsilence.“Theproblem,”Rachelfinallysaid,“isthatthetworeligionsbothclaimtitletotheentirerock.”“That’sright,”Josephadded.“Andmanybelieveanattempttorebuildthetemplewouldsignalthe

onsetofArmageddonandthewholeend-timesdramawouldbeplayedout,includingthecomingoftheMessiahfigures.Forourtradition,itwouldbetheTwelfthImamwhowouldreturn.”

HeglancedatRachel.“YoumightarguethatitwouldbethereturnoftheChrist.”“Waitaminute,”Colemanremarked.“Soyou’resayingthattheseevents—Jewsreturningtothe

HolyLandandtherebuildingofDavid’stempleinJerusalem—aretheprimaryeventsinprophecythatwouldsignalthebeginningofArmageddon?”

“IwouldaddonemorefromtheArabside,”Josephsaid.“Oneofourprophetssaidtheendtimesarenearwhenthereischaosandincivilitybuildinginsociety,andageneraldishonoringofallpeople.Itisatimewhenthetruthisdisregardedformoreconvenientlies.”

“Youmeanrunawayideology?”Colemanremarked.Josephnodded.“Yes.”Iperkedup.Theenergyofthisconversationhadbeguntofeelnuminous,andIknewitwas

happeningforareason.“Thereisalsoanotherevent,”Rachelinterjected,“thatmanybelievewilloccurastheendtimes

approach.InChristianityitiscalledtheRapture,butothertraditionshaveasimilarideaaswell.It’sthenotionthatastheMessiahfigurebeginstocometoEarthandArmageddonbegins,thetruebelievers’bodieswillbeliftedintospiritandtheywillmeetthecomingGodfigureinHeaven,wheretheywillbeprotected.”

ShelookedatJoseph.“Yes,that’sright,”Josephsaid.“Inourreligion,itisthoughtthatastheTwelfthImamapproaches,

ourtruebelieverswillbetakentothesideinspiritandalsoprotected.”Colemanlookedaroundateachofus.“Thisisamazing.I’veneverputthistogetherbefore.Allthe

majorreligionsdohavealmostthesamestructurefortheendtimes,justwithdifferentnames.”

OurdiscussionwasinterruptedasAdjarturnedoffthemainroadontoabumpygraveltrackthatlefta

plumeofdustswirlingupbehindusinthefadinglight.Withinminutes,wewerestoppingataplacewheretheroadwidenedintoaturnaroundandproceedednofarther.

“ThisiswhereLoveofMountainsaidtomeet,”Josephsaid.Wewaitedanothertenminutesbeforewesawthemutedheadlightsofavehicleapproaching.“That’sLoveofMountain’sSubaru,”Rachelcommented.SecondsbehindthemcametheVolvo.Wheneveryonewasoutandready,Tommypreparedusforthe

routeahead,tellingusthefirstmilewouldberelativelyflatdesert,butthesecondwouldbeverymountainousandwouldtakeusupthesoutheasternsideofMountSinai.Hismothersuggestedwehikeinforashortdistanceunderthecoverofdarkness,andthensleepbeforeattemptingtomoveupthemountain.

“WhatabouttheEgyptianguardsyoumentioned?”Iasked.“Wewillcometoaguardstation,”shereplied.“Beforewecangopastitwemustopenour

perceptionandlearnfromthoseinspirit.”Withoutsayinganythingelse,Tommyandhismothersetarapidpacethroughthedesert.Eventually,

wecametoanareawheretheterraininclinedupwardandwebegantoseeenormousbouldersdottingthelandscape.Afteranotherhundredyards,wecametoagroupofthebigrockscircledtogether.Tommyledusthroughthemazeuntilwecametoanopen,sandyareacompletelysurroundedbytherocks.

“Wecancamphere,”hesaid.RachelandIpitchedourtentsbesideeachother,andIcouldseeTommywasintentionallylayingout

thetenthesharedwithhismotherbesideRachel’saswell.Whenthetentswereup,Ibuiltasmallfirefromthedeadlimbsofsomescrubbushesthatgrew

aroundtheedgesoftheboulders,realizingasIdidsothatthecircleofhugerockswasreflectingbackatusinthelightofthemoon,creatingwhatfeltlikeacurtainofsecurity.

Rachelseemedtobelookingoutatthemaswellandglancedatmeasshetookoutasmallcookerandbeganmakingfreeze-driedstewnearthefire.Isatdownbesideher.

“Youknow,”shesaid,“NativeAmericansnevercampsomewhereunlessithashighenergy.ItalkedtoTommy’smother,andofallthemountainsshehasvisited,theSinaigroupareherfavorites.”

Rachelshotmeasmile.“Shesaidtheyaretheeasiesttolightup.”

Thenextday,Iwasfirsttoawaken.AsIclimbedoutofthetent,onlyapartiallightwasappearingintheeast.Gatheringupsomemorewood,Istokedthefireandsatdown.Tracesofredsunlightbegantohighlighttheswirlsofcloudsoverhead.

Tommy’smothercameoutofhertent,walkingaroundasthoughshewaslookingforsomething.Sheleftthecircleofrocksandwasgonealongtimebeforereturning.Severalotherpeoplewerenowoutoftheirtentsaswell.

Shefinallywalkedovertomeandasked,“HaveyouseenTommy?Heleftsometimeduringthenight.”

“What?”Isaid,jumpingup.Shewavedherhandasiftocalmmedown.“Don’tworry.He’sdonethisbefore.We’vebeenheremanytimesandheknowstheareawell,so

unlessyousensesomethingdifferent,Ithinkitisbesttojustwaitforhimtoreturn.”Itriedtotunein,butIcouldn’treallyconcentrate.Ididn’tknowhowshecouldbesocalm.Wehad

justbeenwarnedthattheApocalypticswerestilllookingforus,andanythingcouldhappenoutthere.ShelefttotelltheothersasRachelwalkedupandsatbesideme.

“What’sgoingon?”Rachelasked.

ItoldherthatTommyhadleft.“Byhimself?Shouldn’twegolookingforhim?”“Hismotherdoesn’tseemthatworried.Shewantstowaitandseeifhewillreturn.”Rachelnoddedandsatdown,andourgazesmet.Therewasnoreluctanceonmypart,andweheld

thestareuntilwebothsmiled.Suddenly,IsawanimageofTommyinmymind’seye.Hewashigherupinthemountains…andIwaswithhim!

Thevisionwasclearlyanintuition,andIlookedbackatRachel,whowasnowdeepinthoughtherself,appearingslightlysad.

“IthinkIshouldgolookforTommy,”Isaid.“Whataboutyou?”Sheshookherhead,stilllookingaway.“Ihavetostayhere.”Igatheredmypack,andRachelwalkedovertohertentandreturnedwithafeather.“ThisisafeatherguidethatWolfgaveme,”shesaid.“Hejokedthatitwasusefultobringtwo

spiritsbacktogether,andthatIwouldknowwhattodowithitwhenthetimecame.”Shehandedthefeathertome,andItookitandsmiled,thenturnedtogo.“Beforeyouleave,Iwanttotellyousomething,”shesaid.“Don’tforgetwhereweareinthe

Integrations.Wehavetoopenourperceptionasquicklyaswecan.”Therewasstillahintofsadness.“Isawyoutuninginjustnow,”Isaid.“Didyouseesomething?”Atearwasrollingdownhercheek,butsheshookitoffandputonahappyexpression.“Don’tworry,I’llseeyouwhenyougetback.Thefeatherwillseetothat.”Shegavemeahugandteasinglypushedmeon.“Youbetterhurry.Weallhaveadestinyto

complete.”

AsIwaswalkingaway,Tommy’smotherwalkedupandseemedtoknowwhatIwasdoing.Shedescribedthegeneralroutetowardtheareaoftheguardstation,andwishedmewell.Sheaddedthatshewassureeverythingwasallright,andthatTommywouldbesomewhereinthatgenerallocation.Thereseemedtobeagoodreasoninhermindthatshewasnotgoingherself.

WhenIpassedthelastofthegiantbouldersandwasstartinguptheincline,someoneelsesuddenlycalledfrombehindme.IturnedtoseeColemanrunningupwithhispackon.

“I’msupposedtogowithyou,”hesaid.Ireachedouttograbhisarm,onceagaintremendouslygladforhiscompany.Hegavemea

determinedlook,andwelockedintheAgape.“HasanyonebeentalkingabouttheNinthincamp?”Iasked.“Notmuch,butthey’reallstudyingit.Tommyseemstoalreadyunderstanditthemost.”Inodded,andwebothwalkedonwithouttalking,headingeasttowardtherisingspiresofrock.

Afteraboutahalfmile,wemadeourwayupasteepridgethatjuttedouttowardtheeast,sothatwecouldlookoutontheascendingwavesofridgesandcrevicesrisingupbeforeus.Atthetopwasacrown-shapedsummit.

“That’sMountSinai,”Isaid.“Andthere’stheguardstationrightthere,”Colemanreplied,pointingdirectlybelowustoacement-

blockbuildinglocatedinasmall,flatareaintheridges.Severallargeantennasrosefromitstileroof,andwecouldhearthefainthumofagasolinegenerator.Twosoldierstalkedandsmokedcigarettesoutside.Webothsatdownonsomerocksandlookedtheplaceover.Thebuildingwaslargeenoughtohouseperhapstwentysoldiers.

Justthenweheardsomeonecalloutfromaboveus.Thevoicewasbarelyaudible.Wesurveyedtheareauntilwesawsomeonewavingabouttwohundredfeetuptheslope.ItwasTommy.

Wehurriedupthehillandsoonwerelookingathissmilingface.Heofferedussomewaterfromametalcup,andwetookit.Thewaterwaswonderfullycool.

“Wheredidthiswatercomefrom?”Iasked.“Rightoverthere,”hesaid.“Youcanfillupyourcanteens.”Thecrystal-clearwatercameoutoftherocksandthenrippleddownabouttwentyfeetbefore

disappearingintoacrevice.“Ithoughttherewasnowaterinthisdesert,”Colemansaid.“TheycallitthespringofMoses,”Tommyreplied.ColemanandIjustlookedateachother.Icaughttheyouth’seye.“You’reuphereforsomereason,Tommy.Whatareyoudoing?”Helookedtowardtheguardhouse.“Severalmonthsago,Imetoneoftheofficersoftheguard

station.IbelievehethinksI’mawandereroraprophetorsomething.Ihadrunoutofwaterandhetoldmeaboutthespring.Ihavetalkedtohimseveraltimesonmytripshere.HeknowsabouttheDocumentbuthehasalwaysbeenverysecretive.IalsobelieveheknowsJoseph’sbrother.”

“What?”Isaid,glancingoveratColeman.“Josephsaidhisbrotherwasahigh-rankingofficerhere,acommander.”

“Ihaveseenabigmanwholookedhighlyrankedtalkingtomyfriend.”IlookedatColeman.“WherewasJosephthismorning?”“Hehadalreadyleftcamp,”Colemanreplied.“HistentwasnexttomineandIwokeupashe

walkedoff.Itwasstilldark.”“HaveyouseenJosephupheretoday?”IaskedTommy.Heshookhishead.“Noonehasbeenhere,exceptforthetwosoldiersdownbelow.”“Wecouldprobablysneakpastthosetwo,”Colemansaid.“Itisnottime,”Tommyadmonished.“Wewon’tbeallowedupthemountainuntilwefirstlearnto

see.”

Foralongtime,westayedwherewewere.Tommysaidwemustwaituntilthesunwasinthecorrectpositionbeforetryingtoopenupourperception.Whenthesunwasnearsetting,heexplained,itradiatedalightofmystery,andextraordinaryeventscouldtakeplace.

ColemanandIspentmostofthedaytalkingabouttheoldProphecyandwhathadoccurredinPeru.IntheNinthInsight,theProphecyhadpredictedthathumanitywouldslowlyincreaseitsenergylevelandwouldsystematicallyraiseitslevelofperception.Thequestionwashowtopracticethisability.Wetalkedaboutthisforalongtime,sharingagranolabarforlunch,andwaitedpatientlyforthesuntolowerinthesky.Finally,thetimecame,andTommytoldustogatherallourbelongings.Thesunwasbarelyabovethehorizen.

“Thisisthehourthathasthemostmagic,”herepeated.“Ahumancandothingsatthistimeofdaythatcan’tbedoneatanyothertime.Justlookoutatthislight.”

Tommywaspointingtowardtheeastwhereeverythingwasnowbathedinagolden-coloredaura,andtheskyhadturnedadarkerblue.Theswirlingcloudsoverheadwerenowtakingonrichbrownsandstreaksoforange.Whatstruckmemostwashowthelightreflectedontherockandsand,bringingoutevenmoreripplinghighlights.

“Let’swalksouthdowntothedesertfloor,”Tommysaid.“Wecanseebetterthere.”TommyledusthroughtherocksalongadifferentroutefromtheoneColemanandIhadtraveled,

windingalongthespiresandshelvesandsheerdrop-offsinamuchmoreefficientmanner,asthoughfollowingahiddentrailthatColemanandIcouldnotdetect.

Whenwearrivedataflatterarea,hestoppedandsatdown,lookingbackatMountSinai.Nowthesunwashiddencompletelyandthewholescenewascastinanevenmoremysterioustone.Wesatdownbesidehim.

“LookoutatSisterMountain,”heinstructed,“andfocusonitcompletely.Lookatthelinestheshadowsdraw.”

Thiscapturedmyinterest,andIbegantoseethehugerangeashavingaparticularlyuniqueform.Itcametomethateverymountainrangeofthissort,rockyorwooded,haddifferentlinescreatedbyitsshadows.Becauseofthis,everymountainsystemhasanentirelyuniquecountenance.

“Now,tuneintoitsbeauty,”Tommysaid,“andfeelAgapeinrelationshiptoit.”IwasremindedofmyexperienceinPeruatVicientewhenattemptingtoseetheauras,orhalos,

aroundplants.ButIhadthefeelingTommywantedustoseesomethingmorefundamentalinthelandscape.

Ifocusedintenselyonthebeautyofthemountainandtriedtoseeitasoneexpressiveform.AndthenawaveofAgapeforthemountaingushedforthinsideme.ColemanandIlookedateachother.Hewasfeelingit,too.

“Nowlookattheplantrighthereinfrontofus,”Tommycommanded.“SeeitsuniquenessandbeautyinAgape.”

Hewastalkingaboutashort,compact,roundbushthatlookedlikeaminiaturetumbleweed.Itwasnomorethanthreefeetinfrontofus.Itunedintotheplantandlookedforitsbeauty.Asbefore,myemotionsexplodedwithAgape.

“Nowlookbackatthemountainagain,”Tommysaid,“andseeitsincreasedcolorandform,asifitnowhasgreatermajestyinyourfieldofvision.”

JustasTommysaidthat,themountainliterallyjumpedoutincolorandimpressiveness.IlookedatColeman,andheshookhisheadinwonderwithoutturning,showingmehewasseeingthisaswell.

IthennoticedthatwhileIwaslookingatColeman,Icouldsensewherethemountainwas,althoughIwasnotlookingatit.IwasfeelingitintheexactsamewayIcouldfeelmyhandbehindmyback,onlywithgreaterintensity.

“Nowlookbackattheplantandfeelitsimpactonyouremotions,”Tommyinstructed.“Everythinginourperceptualfieldhasmorethananappearance,ithasanemotionalidentityaswell—whattheNinthcallsaFeelingIdentity.”

Instantly,Irealizedthesmallplantdidhaveanemotionalidentity,justaswiththemountain.Iexperiencedasuddeninsightintowhyweallhavefavoritefurniture,orcomebacktoafamiliarvistaoverandover.Objectshaveanidentitythattouchesusemotionally.

“Now,switchyourfocusbackandforthbetweenthemountainandtheplant.”Ididjustthat,focusingonandfeelingthemountainfaraway,andthentheplantclosetous.Atfirst

nothingofnoteoccurred,thensuddenly,Icouldseethembothinanew,amazingway—inwhatIcouldonlydescribeasbeingequallyinfocusatthesametime.

Ijumpedtomyfeetandlookedallaround,realizingthateverythingwasinthesamehyperfocusallaroundme,whichcreatedanenhanced,three-dimensionaleffect.Everythingstoodoutwithincredibleclarityofcolor,form,beauty,andexistence—allatthesametime.Andmore,itseemedtostretchmyconsciousness,sothatIfeltasthoughIcouldreachoutandtouchthefarthestcloudorrockypeak.

AndthenIrememberedmyexperienceonSecretMountain,whenIbrokethroughtoanapprehensionofcosmicspace.Iwasregainingthatsameconsciousnessnow.

Tommynoticedandsaid,“It’stheconsciousnessthathasbeguntobecomeaccessibleasthenextstepofcreationapproaches.”

Colemanwasnowwalkingaround,lookinginalldirectionsaswell.Thethoughtcametomethatwewereseeinginexpanded3-D,likeinthemovies.Iwonderedifthedevelopmentandgrowingpopularity

of3-Dmovieswascomingfromanunconsciousintuitionthatwewerenearingtheabilitytoseethatwayourselves.Wasanotherpathwaypoppingopeninthehumanbrain?

Theremarkableaspectofthiswayofseeingwasthatitseemedsoeasyandnaturalatthispoint.Colemangrabbedmyarmandlookedatme,beaming.

“ThisisthewayitwasonSecretMountain,”hesaid,“onlyitseemsmorenormalnow.”Thatwastheword:normal.OnSecretMountain,theeffectstillcarriedaslightmind-blowingor

adrenalinefeeling.Butnowitwascalming,ifanything,andfeltperfectlyreal,asifwewerealreadyintegratingitasawayofperceptionwecouldsustainindailylife.

Besidesthethree-dimensionality,anotherenhancementwasthatmyeyesnowseemedtohaveanadvancedacuityinwhicheverythingwasmoreclearandlitup,asthoughI’dsuddenlyenteredaninner-litwonderlandofsomekind.Andthatincludedourbodies.Theyliterallyhadtakenonasheenthatwasmoreradiantandbeautiful.Yetagain,itallstillfeltnormal.

Tommywaslookingatmewithahugesmile,hisfacealsobeamingandglisteningslightly.Wewereallinastateofpurelove,Agape—withoneanotherandwiththebeautyandmajestyofeverythingaroundus.

Suddenly,Ithoughttocheckforatext.WhenIsawonefromWil,Ilaughedwithdelight.HesaidhecouldfeelusreachingtheNinthIntegrationandhadreachedithimself.Headdedthatwhilemanyothertraditionsspokeofthiskindofperception,theNativetraditionsbyfaremphasizedthisabilitytoseenatureasitreallyis.HeendedbysayinghewasincontactwithsomeonewhoknewwheretheTwelfthpartoftheDocumenthadbeenreleased,andhewouldbeheadingtoSinaiassoonashetalkedtohim.

IputthephoneawayandturnedtoTommy.“Sohaveyoubeenseeingthiswaythewholetime?”“Mostly,”hesaid.“ButAgapewithMotherEarthhastobemaintainedandtreasured.Andonehasto

eatcleanfoodtoremainatthislevelofperception.”Welookedatoneanother.“ThisistheNinthIntegration,isn’tit?”Colemanasked.“Yes,”Tommyreplied.“Tomaintainaheightenedperceptionoftheworld,oneneedsonlytointend

totunein,inAgape,toanewlevelofbeauty,andtopracticeseeingeverythingwithasinglefocus.Themountainswilllightup.”

HelookedatColeman.“Asyouhavesaid,itcanbeproventooneself!”Justthen,outofthecornerofmyeye,Isawsomethingmoveinthedesert,andIjerkedaround.

Nothingwasthere.Colemangavemeanexpressionthattoldmehehadseenit,too.“Whatwasthat?”IaskedTommy.Hewalkedclosertous.“Atthislevelofperceptionwearemuchclosertotheotherside.”“YoumeantheAfterlife?”Colemanasked.“Heaven?”“Yes.”ColmanglancedatTommyagain.“Youthinkwhatweglimpsedwasaspirit?”“Yes,”Tommyreplied,giggling.“Butspiritsarepeople,too.Andtheyhavesomethingtotellus.”

WHATHEAVENKNOWS

AsmuchasIwantedtostayinthemountains,itwasalmostcompletelydarknow,andTommysaidweshouldgoback.Isawalookonhisfacethatconcernedme,soItunedintoourreturntrektotheCircleofRocks.Ifounditdifficulttovisualize.

Afteraboutthreehundredyards,Tommysuddenlycalledforustostop.Hewaspeeringintothedistance,listening.

“What’swrong?”Iasked.“Idon’tknow,”hereplied.“Wehavetobecareful.Keepyourenergyup.”Helookedintothenightforafewmoresecondsthensaid,“Doyouhearthat?”Ishookmyhead.Tommybeganwalkingahead.“Therearepeopletalkinguptheresomewhere.Let’sfindthem.”Wemadeourwayforwardforaboutahundredfeet,comingtoalargeoutcroppingaboutthirtyfeet

high.Aswegrewcloser,Ibegantohearthetalkingmyself.Weclimbeduptherockandfoundaplacewherewecouldlookover.AboutthirtyfeetinfrontusofwasagroupofApocalypticshuddledtogether,discussingsomethinginloudtones.Atthecenterofthegroupwastheirleader,Anish.Hewastalkingtoashort,roundmaninanEgyptianmilitaryuniform,tellinghimsomethinginArabic.

“Icanunderstandthis,”Tommywhispered.“ThatlargemanisJoseph’sbrother.He’stellinghimabouttheCircleofRocksandwhereitis.”Tommylookedatusinalarm.“Nowtheyknowwhereourcampis.”

ArushofangermovedthroughmeasIrememberedJosephtellingushewantedtocontacthisbrother.Didhegiveawayourlocation?

“Wehavetogetback!”Isaidquietly,tryingtocontrolmyself.“Now!Let’sgo!”Wemadeourwaybacktothecircleasquicklyaspossible,andIwasfightingagainstgoingintofear.

ForsomereasonIbegantorememberthingsmyfatherhadtoldmeabouthisexperiencesinWorldWarII.Gettingridofthefearisimpossible,hesaid.Allyoucandoisfocusonwhatyou’redoing,andevenifpeoplearebeingkilledallaroundyou,youconcentrateonthejobandgetitdone.Ineverquitegraspedhowhedidthat.

Asweapproachedthefirstlargebouldersofthecircle,Colemanpulledmeaside.“Youlooklikeyourenergyiscollapsing,”Colemansaid,obviouslytryingtolookdeeplyatmeto

reestablishtheAgapeconnection.Iblewhimoff.“IftheApocalypticsgettherebeforewedo,everyonecouldbekilled.”Whenwemadeourwaybacktothecirclewefoundtheothersalreadybreakingcamp.AsIrushed

uptoRachel,shenoticedthechangeinmeimmediately.“What’swrong?”sheasked.“Whathappened?”ItoldherwhattheApocalypticshadsaid,thenaddedangrily,“Joseph’sbrotherhassoldusout.

Josephhimselfcouldbeinvolved.”“Calmdown,”shesaid.“Wewereallgettingtheimagethatweshouldleaveimmediately,andwe’re

hurryingasfastaswecan.Buttherehastobesomemistake.Josephwouldnothavetoldhisbrother

wherewewerecamped.”Shepointedtoastackofpapersthatwerelyingonarocknearhertent.“Josephbroughtuscopiesof

theTenthIntegrationhe’dfound,thenleftagain.He’sstilllookingforhisbrother.Whywouldhebetrayus?”

“Idon’tknow.”Hereyesweredrawingmeinagain,andIfelttheAgapeandthepeacecomebackalittle,butmy

perceptionhadtotallycrashed.“We’vebeenworkingontheNinth,”shesaid,“atthesametimeyouthreewere.Wecouldfeelyou.

Youhavetohangontotoit.We’veevengottenintotheTenth.”“Wehavetoleavenow!”Ipressed.“Okay,okay.Here’stherestofyourstuff.”ShewaspointingtowardmyfoldedtentandafewotherthingsI’dleftbehind.WhileIwaspacking,

sheseemedtothinkofsomethingandranover,pickedupthecopiesoftheDocument,andstuffedthemintomypackaswell.

“There,”shesaid.“Youcantakecareoftheseforeveryoneincasesomethinghappens.”Hertonewasagainslightlysorrowful.Thiswasthesecondtimeshe’dsaidsomethinglikethat.I

wantedtoaskherwhatsheknew,butshehadalreadypickedupherownpackandwaswalkingaway.“Comeon,”shesaid.“Wefoundabackwayoutofthiscircle.”BeforeIcouldcatchher,sheglancedaroundandhereyesfrozeonsomethingbehindus.“Doyoustillhavethatfeather?”sheasked.“Yeah,why?”Shewasstillstaringatsomethingbehindme.Whirlingaround,Icaughtsightofthesilhouetteofa

lonefigurestandingonthehugeboulderfarthestfromus.Therewasnomistakingthatshape.ItwasAnish.Foralongmomentwewerefrozen,andthenRachellookedatmeandsaid,“Listen.Noneofuswill

makeitunlessItrytoreachhim.Goon,geteveryoneoutofhere.”Withoutmoving,shefocusedontheleader,andheturnedandlookedrightather,theirgazepalpable

inthenight.Severalothersfromourgroupnoticedandstoppedtolook,butColemanknewwhatwashappeningandpushedthemon.Iyelledatseveralpeopleclosertome,tellingthemtogetout.

“I’mnotstrongenoughyet,”Iheardhersay,andIturnedinherdirection.Itwasalreadytoolate.Anishwavedhishand,andinstantlyaflurryofbulletsraineddowntowardusfromeverywhere,hittingthedirtandtherocks.Onehitmypacksoharditknockedmebackwardintooneofthebigboulders.ThefalldislodgedthefeatherRachelhadgivenmefrommypocket,anditlandedonmyface.

Igrabbeditinstinctively,evenasIstruggledtoseeinthedustandconfusion.Suddenly,IfeltRachel’sarmsaroundme,pullingmetomyfeet.

“Thisway,”sheurged.Irealizedatsomepointshehadletgoofme,andasIstumbledalong,myheadfinallycleared.

Surprisingly,Inowhadperfectclarityandwasfeelingnofearorangeratall.Infact,myemotionalstatehadinexplicablyreturnedtoAgape.Thenightskywasradiantwithmoonlightandtherocksweremoreluminousthanever.Ihadregainedmyperception.

Rachelwasaheadofme,walkingbrisklynow,andIwasabletokeepupwithnodifficulty.Inoticedthatherbodywasmovingalongwithunusualfluidityandgrace,herclotheslookingshinyandreflective.SheledmestraighttothespotwhereColeman,Tommy,andItalkedearlier,lookingdownontheguardhouse.Thenshetookanother,hiddenroutepastthesoldiersandfartheruptowardthesummit.

Aswewalked,Iwonderedhowsheknewaboutthishiddentrail.HadTommyorhismothertoldheraboutitearlier?

“Wherearewegoing?”Iasked.“Justupaheadabitfarther,”shesaid.

Thesoundofhervoicewasdifferentsomehowandshockedme.Iwasexperiencingitasmuchinsidemyheadasoutside.Islowedupandstopped,suddenlydisconcerted.Shenoticedandcamebacktowardme.

“Wecangoslowerifyoulike,”shesaid.“Itjusttakesalittlegettingusedto.”Herfacewasnowmoreluminousthanever.Isatdownwithathudandrealizedmypackwasstillonmyback.Shesatdownwithoneeasymovewithoutusingherhands,somethingI’dneverseenherdobefore.

Andunlikewhenwewereatthecircle,herfacewastotallyupbeatnow,withoutahintofsadness.“Youknowwhereweare,right?”sheasked.“What?”“Wearen’tinKansasanymore.”“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Sheleanedincloser.“RememberItoldyouthatIreadtheTenthIntegration?”“Yeah.”“ItsaysifwefollowtheSynchronicity,wewillbeabletolearnfromthoseinHeaveninadirect

way,andthatwillelevateusintothenextlevelofconsciousness.”Inoddedforhertogoon.“Ineverfinishedtellingyouaboutmymother,”shebegan.“Ihatedherformakingacontrolleroutof

meandwasrackedwithguiltwhenshediedbeforeIcouldtalktoher.Then,maybebecauseIwasthinkingaboutwhatIshouldhavesaidtoher,Ibegantonoticelittlethingshappening.Iwouldbeshoppingforshoesandseeapairthatlookedexactlyliketheonesshewore.OrIwouldpassasoapstoreandsmellthefragranceoftheverysoapsheused.Attheoddesttimes,Iwouldhearherfavoriteoldsongs.

“Andthenoneday,withoutanythingpointingouttheway,IjustdecidedtotellherhowIfeltoutloud,asthoughshewerethere.Immediately,Ibegantointuitwhatshemightsaybacktome,onlyIrealizeditwasn’tsomethingIwouldnecessarilyhavebeenabletoguess.That’swhenIrealizedthatIwashavingarealinteractionwithher.

“TheideaofcommunicationwiththeAfterlifeseemedtoostrangeatfirst,andIstoppedforawhile,butthememoryoftheexperiencewassoenergizingandprofound,Igraduallybegantocommunicatewithhermoreoften.Eventually,shetoldmehowmuchsheregrettedthewayshehadraisedmetothinkofmen.Shesaiditwasallamistakethattormentedher,andthatshenowholdstheAgapeandspeaksfromtruth—andwishesshehadknownearlier,soshecouldhavetaughtmethisnewway.”

IwasjustlookingatRachel,puzzled.“Don’tyousee?”Rachelsaid.“TheDocumentsayswecanbegintocommunicatewiththoseinthe

Afterlifeandclearallourresentmentsandissueswiththem.Allwehavetodoisusemoreofourpowertotuneinandhaveaconversation.It’snevertoolate.Andthereissomuchmoretheywanttocommunicatetous.

“Infact,mymothersaidtheydesperatelyneedtospeakwithus,rightnow,atthiscrucialpointinhistory.TheyknowtherealPlanforthehumanworld,andit’stimeforusonthissidetounderstand.”

Sheliftedhereyesandlookedbehindme.Iturnedaroundbutdidn’tnoticeanything.Rachelmovedcloser,whichIexperiencedasanembraceofsomekind,ahug,eventhoughwewerestillseveralyardsapart.

“RememberwhattheNinthIntegrationtalkedabout?”sheasked.“I’msureTommytoldyou.EachiteminoursurroundingshasitsownFeelingIdentity,itsownsenseoftherenesstous.Well,that’strueofhumansaswell.EverypersonhasaFeelingIdentitywecandetectemotionally.”

Iwasnoddingnow,gettingit.“That’swhy,”shecontinued,“whenpeopleclosetousdie,evenwhenwethinkwearepreparedfor

it,weareoftendevastated.Whatislostisthatfeelingthatisthem,somethingwe’vealwaysfeltandtakenforgranted.That’swhywhenalovedonedies,peopleoftensayitfeelsasifapartofusdies,too.They’regrievingforthelossofthatemotionalconstantthatisnolongerthere.”

Shepausedandagainseemedtolookpastme,andIknewinthatinstantthatwereallyhadcrossedthevalesomehow.WewereintheAfterlife.

“Someoneherewantstotalktoyou,”shesaid,smiling.“Canyoutuneintothefeelingyouremember?”

Iknewwhoitwasbeforesheasked.IcouldsmellthecigarettesinhisfrontshirtpocketasthoughIwasbackinhislapasachild.Icoulddetectthestrengthofhisbeing,thewayhetalked,thechildlikelaughterofhispracticaljokes.Theywereallpartoftheuniquefeelingthatwashim.

Yetatthesametime,Irealizedthatpartofhimhadchanged—gonewasthenervousangerandfrustrationthathedisplayedeverymorningofmyyouth,forcingeveryonetowalkontiptoesinhispresenceorfacetheinevitableexplosion.Andgoneaswellwastheharshlookofdisapprovalthathadinstilledinmesuchadreadandwarinesstowardothers.Allofthishadbeenremoved.

“It’syourfather,”Rachelsaid.WhenIturnedaround,therehewas,radiantandyouthfullooking.Iwasnowreceivingthought

impressionsthatIknewmustbecomingfromhim.Hetoldmethatthecauseofhisbehavior—hisownearlyfamilyresentmentsandwariness—hadbeenresolvedintheAfterlifewithhisownparents.TheonlypartthatwasstillincompletewashisneedtoresolvetheresentmentsIwasholdingonto.

“Closingofftoothers,”hecommunicated,“isatendencythatthoseinourfamilyinherited,assurelyasthecolorofoureyes.Butseeingthehistoryofaproblem,andtruthfullyacknowledgingit,allowsustoletitgo.Andnow,”hewenton,“theAfterlifeischanging.Wedon’thavetowaituntilreunionoverhere.Youarecloseenoughtousnowtoreachouttous,sowecanresolveeverythingimmediately.Oncethoseblocksareclear,youcanunderstandwhatweknow.”

Inaninstant,Iknewmyresentmentsweregone.Imightstillgointoaloofnessoutofhabit,butlessandlesswithoutbeingimmediatelyconsciousofit.IknewfromtheoldProphecythatoncewebecomeconsciousofthedramaweplay,itsstrengthdiminishes.

Withthosethoughts,hebegantofadeuntilIcouldnolongerseehim.“Wait,”Isaidoutloud.“There’smoreIwanttoask.”Atthatpoint,Icouldnolongerfeelhim,andIalmostwentintothesamepanicIhadfeltwhenhe

died.IlookedatRachel,whosegazesaidtotunein.SoIbroughtbackthememoryofhowitfeltwhenhewaspresent,andimmediatelyhewasthere,althoughthistimeonlyasamilddistortioninspace,likeheatwavesrisingfromahothighway.Butitdidn’tmatter.HisFeelingIdentitywasthere,andthatwasthemostimportantthing.

“YoumentionedIcouldunderstandmore,”Isaidtohim.“Whatwereyoutalkingabout?”Iheard:“Justwatch.”

Afterhehadgone,Isuddenlyrealizeditwasdawnandthelightwascreatingevenmorebeautyintheskyandrocksaroundme.

TurningtolookatRachel,Iwasjolted.Shewasnowsurroundedbyseveralotherpeople.Itcametomethatthewomanclosesttoherwashermother,andinstantlyIknewthatsheandRachelhadhadacatharsissimilartotheonebetweenmyfatherandme.

Ialsoknewsomethingelse:Iwasbeingshownallthisforareason.Aswithmyfather,hermotherhadbeenunabletoturnherattentiontoothermatters,becauseshewassofocusedonresolvingwithRachel.Later,whensheandRachelhadclearedthepast,theyhadcommunicatedwhileRachelwasinthe

earthlyplaneandhermotherwasintheAfterlife.Thiscommunication,andotherslikeit,werebreakingnewground.Thehurtandresentmentwasbeinghealedacrossthetwodimensions.Thesignificancewasthatbothdimensionsofexistencehad,inthatactofreconciliation,beenmademorefreeandclear,andthusresonatedatahigherlevelofconsciousnesswitheachother.

Itunedintomyfatherandfeltasweepingconfirmation.ManyintheAfterlifeyearnedforthesamereleaseofpent-upregrets—fortruthsnotsaid,foractionsnottaken,asdidthoseonEarth.Andnow,withtheIntegrationsliftingourconsciousness,wewerecloseenoughsothatwecouldcommunicateacrossthedimensions.Andasaresult,bothHeavenandEarthwerebeingenergizedandraisedtoanotherlevel.

Suddenly,IthoughtofaBibleProphecyfromthebookofRevelationabouttheendtimes:“…AndtherewillbeaNewEarthandaNewHeaven…”NowweknewhowthisProphecywascomingtrue.

Withthatthought,theactionsuddenlystoppedallaroundme,andeveryone,especiallyRachel,turnedandlookedatme.Theyallseemedelatedatmyconclusion.

“You’regettingtheTenthIntegration,”Rachelsaid.“Allyouhavetodoiskeeptuningin,andyou’llsoonknowallthatHeavenknows.”

Withthat,thegroupsurroundingRachelstartedwalkingdowntheslope,ifyoucouldcallitwalking.Itactuallyseemedmorelikegliding.ThosewhowerepresumablypermanentoccupantsoftheAfterlifehadbodiessimilartoours,althoughtheymovedalongthegroundwithlegsthatseemedtomerelyflickerinthewalkingmotionratherthanactuallypushthemselvesalongtheground.AllRachelandIcoulddowasrunasbestwecouldtokeepup,althoughInoticed,afterawhile,thatRachelhadbeguntoappearthesamewayastheothers.

Atthispoint,itdidn’tmatter.Istillhadnofear,andasIbaskedinafullAgapestate,IknewwithoutadoubtthatIwasgoingtobeshownmanythingshere.Wewalkeduptheinclinethroughaseriesofjaggedspiresandworkedourwayontoanotherledgeofrockthathadturned-upedges,liketherailingsofadeck.Fromhere,wecouldseeamagnificentviewofMountSinai’ssummit,aswellasdowntowardthetrailsleadingupthemountain.

Suddenly,everyonebeganwatchingatroopofEgyptiansoldiershuddledtogethertowardthenorth.Somethingseemedtohavehappenedtooneofthesoldiers.Theyweredesperatelytryingtorevivehim,wettinghimdownwithwater,andfanninghiminanefforttocoolhimoff.

“Sunstroke,”Rachelsaid.Finally,theygaveupandcoveredthebody,thenliftedhimandbegancarryinghimbacktowardthe

guardstation.Wecouldseedozensofotherluminouspeoplewalkingbesidethesoldiers,seeminglytalkingtothem.Thesoldiers,however,couldnotseethemandweren’tpayinganyattention.

“Whataretheysayingtothesoldiers?”IaskedRachel.“Listenforyourself,”shereplied.Itunedintotheirconversationandinstantlyknewwhatwasbeingcommunicated.Theluminous

peoplewereusingtheOnenessPrincipleandAgapetomergewiththesoldiers,seekingtoincreasetheconsciousnessofthemilitarymen,hopingtheywouldbecomeawarethattheywerewalkingtowarddanger.

NowIcouldseewhy.Fortyyardsaheadofthemwerepeoplewithweapons,hidingneararockymound.IcaughtsightofseveralIrecognized.ItwastheApocalyptics,dozensofthem,readyingtheirgunstoprotectsomethingontheothersideofthemound.

“They’rerunningrightintotheextremists,”Iblurted,lookingatRachelandtheothers.Theydidn’treturnmygaze.Alleyeswereresolutelyfocusedonthegroupofsoldiers.

IthenlookedattheApocalyptics,andtomyamazementsawthatthey,too,haddozensofluminousindividualsencirclingthem,alsoattemptingtoliftthemintoalargerawareness,wantingthemtofindtheirownhigher-selfConnection.

Irealizedthenthattheluminouspeoplewantedthesoldierstoseesomething—aforkinthepath

aheadthatwouldtaketheminamorenortherlyroute,outofdanger.Ihurriedtoaddmyownenergytotheeffort,goingthroughtheprocedureofintendingOnenesswith

thesoldiersuntilIcouldfeeltheAgapewiththem.Itriedtovisualizethattheywouldopenup,feelthedanger.Butthesoldiersseemedundeterred,increasingtheirpacetowardtheApocalyptics.

Suddenly,IagainfeltthatcomfortingsensationthatIhadexperiencedwhenfallingasayouth,theonethattoldmeallwasgoingtobeokay.Ialsosawsomethingunusual:flickersoflightsurroundingthesoldiers.Foramoment,nothingchanged.Thecaptainofthegrouplookedtobeleadingthemstraighttotheirdoom.Then,hispacegraduallyslowedtoahalt,andhewavedtohismentotakethenortherlyroutetosafety.Awaveofcelebrationsweptthroughtheluminoushelpers.

“Howdidthatwork?”IaskedRachel.Shesaid,“ThesoldierswerebeingliftedtowardaHeavenconsciousness,atleastalittlebit,sothat

apremonitioncouldcomethroughtowarnthem.”“Isitamatterofpeopleherejustwishingwithalltheirmightthataparticularoutcomewill

happen?”“No.Insomesituations,thebestoutcometovisualizeisobvious.Butothersituationsaren’tsoclear.

Therefore,thepeopleherearepurelyseekingtojoinmindswiththoseontheearthlyside.Apparently,that’sallittakes.Ahigherconsciousnessalwayshastheeffectofliftingsomeoneatalowerconsciousnessuptoahigherlevel.”

Shegrinnedatme.“AsColemanmightputit,ifsomeonewhohasmorepathwaysactivatedinthebrainmergesmindswithsomeonewithfewer,thepathwaysinthepersonatthelowerleveltendtopopopenasaresultofthecontagioneffect.Ofcourse,thereareotherwaystoamplifyourinfluenceevenmore,asyou’llseeinthenextIntegration.Butthisisthebasicwayitworks.”

IalreadyknewtheanswerbutIaskedthenextquestionanyway.“Whatwerethoseflickersoflightaroundthesoldiers?”

Shegavemeasmile.“Angels.Theyspontaneouslycomeintohelp,especiallyifweremembertorequestit.”

Actingasthoughshewasinahurry,RachelsuddenlytoldmetherewassomethingelseIneededtosee.Wemoveddowntheslopeabitfarthertoanotherareawherewecouldseetowardtheeast,awayfromSinai.Wesatdownwithouttalkingandgazedoutoverthevistaofridgescascadingdowntowardthedesertfloor.

Amovementtomyleftattractedmyattention.Wecouldseealonesoldierstumblingdowntherocksasifdazed.Helookedmuchmoreluminousthanthesoldierswe’dseenbefore.

“Hemustbethesoldierwhodied,”Rachelsaid.Themansuddenlysatdownandstaredintospacewithoutmoving.“What’shedoing?”Iasked,thenrememberedtotunein.Immediately,Ibegantogetimpressionsof

whatwashappening.Themanwashavingalifereview,realizinghowmanyopportunitiestofollowhisdestinyhehadmissedorhadbeentooafraidtopursue.Hisfocusshiftedtohiswife,andIfelthisfacegrimaceoverhowimmatureheknewhehadbeen,preferringtospendtimewithhisfriendsandnotenoughwiththeirfive-year-oldchild.

Yethewassurethechildwasthebestpartofhisdestiny.Hehadknownfromthefirstmomenthehadseenhiswifethattheywouldmarryandhaveachild,andthechildwouldgoontoaccomplishmanythings.Healsoknewhewassupposedtohavegivenhisdaughtermanylessonsduringherlife.How,hewondered,couldhedothatnow.IlookedatRachel.

“Hewillsoonfindouthowhecanhelpher,”shesaidwithtwinklingeyes.“Won’the?”

Suddenly,themanjumpedtohisfeetandbeganlookingaroundwildly.“What’shedoingnow?”Iasked.“Heknows,”shereplied,“thatthereissomethingunresolvedwithhisfather.Andhecan’tfindhim.”Thesoldierbegantofadeuntilwecouldbarelyseehim.“What’shappening?”Iasked.“Whereishegoing?”Shelookedatmewithconcern.“Youmaynotwanttogothere.”“Why?”“It’snotpretty.”OldmemoriesofmyexperienceswiththeAfterlifewhenstudyingtheProphecyandtheTenthInsight

camebacktome.“You’retalkingaboutHell,aren’tyou?”Sheshookherhead.“Notinthewaymostpeopleunderstandit.It’smorelikelostness,orbeingso

psychologicallyrepressedyouputyourselfinaself-imposedlimbo.”IdecidedIwantedtoattempttotunein,andwhatfollowedwasajourneyintocoldnessandlow

energywherethemanfoundhisfather.Thefatherhadbeenacareermilitaryofficerallhislife,withnomodelforspiritualityatall.Hehadhadhischances,asmanydevoutandconsciousfriendshadsynchronisticallycomeintohislife.Yethehadpushedtheirmessagesoutofhismind.

Afterdeath,hisanxietywassogreat,hehadbuiltanimaginaryworldaroundhimselfofthesameunquestioningmaterialism,withdreamed-upenemiesandwarsandconquests,allreflectingtheexactwayhe’dexperiencedsuchthingsonEarth.Ibecameawareofthedrivingforcebehindthisdelusion:theCycleofRevenge.Hehadkepthimselfasleepwithanoverridinghateanddesiretopaybackthosewhohadkilledhisfriends.Anditneverended.Hewouldinflictcasualties,andthenhisenemieswouldretaliate,thenhewouldseekrevengeagain,feelingthesatisfactionofhurtingthosewhohadhurthim.

Butasbefore,Icouldseemanydeceasedlovedonessurroundingthefather,seekingtomergemindswithhim,visualizingthathewouldbeliftedupintohisownConnectionandawakening.Butthefatherremainedsteadfast,eventhoughthelackoflightwascreatinganunconscioustormentinsidehim.Finally,thedarknesswastoomuchforme,andIlookedoveratRachelagain,breakingtheConnectionwiththesoldier.Takingabreath,IsuckedinthewarmAgapeandappreciateditevenmore.

“Doesanyoneevergetoutofthatplace?”IaskedRachel.“Oh,yes.Everyonehasalatentsensethatthere’ssomethingmore.Theproblemisthatpeoplewho

areinfearandideologybringthosesameobsessionswiththemtotheAfterlife.That’swhyitissoimportantthatwestayalignedandhelpothersonEarthtowakeup.”

Sheshookherhead.“Thehardesttoreacharethosewhoholdontootighttovariousdoctrinesaboutspirituality.TheythinktheyalreadyknowthetruthintellectuallyandforgettheyhavetofeeltheloveandopentheirconsciousnesstogettoDivineConnection.”

“Comeon,”shesaid.“There’ssomethingmorethatisknownoverhere.”Sheledmefartherdowntheslopetowardtheeast,andwecametoaflatterareaofthemountain,

whereanothergroupofluminouspeoplestoodtogetherfocusingononeindividual,awoman.Shewasslightlyoutoffocus.

RachelsmiledasIconcentratedonthewomanandtunedinautomatically,attemptingtohearwhatwasgoingon.Eventually,Ibegantounderstand.Thepersonfadingwasintheprocessofbeingbornintotheearthlydimension.

Ilookedcloserandbegantopickupontheintentionsoftheothersstandingaroundthewoman.Theyweresupportingherdreamforhercominglife.Herintentwastohelpbringanewgenerationofhonest

Scienceintotheworld.ItwasclearthatthiswasherwayofcontributingtothePlan.ThePlan?IturnedaroundandlookedhardatRachel.Thereitwasagain,mentionofaplanofsome

kind,apparentlyknownintheAfterlifebutnotyetfullyunderstoodontheearthlyplane.Rachelnoddedtowardthewoman.

ConcentratingasintenselyasIcould,IfinallybegantoseeherlargercontextualunderstandingofhernewlifeonEarth.ItwasamuchlongersenseofhistorythanwehadattainedattheSecondIntegration.Itencompassedallthathadhappenedincreation,andincludedthelargermeaningbehindlifeitself.

Inaninstant,Icomprehendedit.ThewholepurposeforhumanexistencewastosystematicallyconveytheknowledgeandconsciousnessknownintheAfterlifeintotheearthlydimension,soastobringbothdimensionsintoafullconditionofUnitywitheachotherandwithDivineConsciousness.ShecarriedthisPlan—thislargerpurposeforlife—inhermindascertainlyassheknewwhatshewantedtopersonallydoafterbirth.

AsItunedinfurther,IbegantoseehowthisdriveforUnityhadplayedoutinhistory.Ithadallstartedwiththecreationoftheearthlydimensionitself,roughlysixteenbillionyearsago,whichestablishedtheso-calledphysicalplatformforourcollectivejourney.AsIwatched,thewholestoryofcreationplayedoutinmymind.

InthisearlyUniverse,gasesandthefirstchemicalelementsgravitatedtogetheruntiltheybecamesodensetheyheatedupintostars,whichlivedanddiedandspewednewelementsintotheUniverse.OnEarth,waterandthesemorecomplexelementsinteractedinshallowtidepools,andinthespiritofthisurgetoUnity,chainsofaminoacidsunifiedintolargercells.Thenthesecellsbegantounifyfurtherintomulticelledorganisms,allinamarchtowardanevergreaterlevelofcomplexityandpotentialforconsciousness.Overthemillenniacamefishthenamphibians,reptiles,mammals,andfinallyhumans.

Atthispoint,thefocalpointofthecreationstoryshiftedtohumanity.NowthedriverofthisurgetoUnitywasanever-expandinghumanconsciousnessoftheworldaroundthem.Overmillennia,individualfamiliescametogetherintotribesandvillages,thenleapedtoregionalcoalitions,empires,andnations.

Andeverystepoftheway,heroeshadbeenbornintotheearthlyrealmfromtheAfterlife—somerecognizedandsomeworkinginanonymity—strugglingtopushforwardthesegainsinunderstandingatinybitmore.Slowly,wemovedfromtheideaofnaturedeitiestoGreek-stylearchetypalgods,andfinallyintothegreattruthofmonotheism,theconceptofoneDivinesource.OvertheyearscamethethreelargerreligionsofJudaism,Islam,andChristianity,eachthinkingtheirpathwastheonlyway.

WithModerntimescametheEnlightenment,andScienceandagrowingurgetounifyhumanunderstanding.Suddenly,Isawhowthisplanetaryconsciousnesshadbeguntoprogressduringthelatertwentiethcenturyintoahigher,moregalacticperspective,andthequestionsoflifebegantoariseagaininamassway.Whatwerewedoinghere?Whatwasthepurposeoflife?

Icouldseehowthisneedforclearspiritualanswershadcreatedadeepinsecurityintheolderreligions.Theyfelttheirdoctrinesmightbequestionedordestroyedaltogether.Justaftertheturnofthetwenty-firstcentury,thewarshadbegunoverwhetheronereligioncouldimposeitselfontheothers.

AndthenIcouldseethatthewomanwasawareoftheDocumentandthemostrecenturgetoUnity:theIntegrationofspiritualinformationintodailylife,andintoafullyawakenedconsciousnessconnectedtotheoneGod.ShewasawareoftheeffortstounifyreligionaroundthecommonexperienceofthisDivineConnectionandoftheemergingTemplatesofAgreement…andfinally,sheknewoftheRisetoInfluence.

Forthefirsttime,Isawclearlythelongstoryofcreationinitstotality.Myenergylevelsuddenlyelevated,andIknewIwasexperiencingmoreoftheTenthIntegration.Itwastheawarenessthatwehad

thepotential,rightnowinourlifetimes,topullthisPlanfullyintoconsciousness.Itwouldbetheculminationofbillionsofyearsofcreation.

Yetatthesametime,IsensedtherewasonelastaspectofthePlanthatIhadn’tyetgrasped.“Didyouseeanything,”Rachelasked,“thatlookedfamiliarinthePlanyoujustsaw?”Immediately,Iknewhermeaning.ThestepsintheUniverse’slongdevelopmentwasverysimilarto

theStepsofCreationprophesiedbytheMayanCalendar.“That’sright,”shesaid,readingmymind.“TheearlyMayahadabreakthroughoftheirownduring

theirtime,whentheyrememberedmuchofthePlanforcreation.YettheirculturewasstilloutofAlignment,andtheyknewtheycouldn’tholdontotheknowledge.SotheybuiltthetimelineforthisPlanintotheirstonearchitectureandinscriptions,hopingthatfuturehumanswoulddiscoveritandtranscribetheirmessage.Andthat’sexactlywhatoccurred.”

Shepausedandlookedatme.Icouldagainfeelherenergeticembrace.“ButtheMayashowedthatcreationwasn’tcomplete,thatanotherpushwascomingintohelpus

unifycompletely,ifwecameintoAlignmentandwereabletotunein.SomescholarshavecalleditaUniversalConsciousness.Apparently,theMayathoughtofitasthefinalphaseofcreation,whichwillleadthesoulsinbothdimensionsoflifetowardfinalcompletionandUnity.Anditwill,ifenoughofusseektoembraceit.”

Shelookedreadytodriveherpointhome.“Wecanalreadyforeseethisforceofcreationcoming,andsoonitwillbeeasiertofeel.WeallsenseditonSecretMountain.”

Againshepaused.Iwaselectrifiednow.“You’retalkingaboutthepointofConnectionI’vebeentryingtofigureoutall

thistime.Youexperiencedittoo?”“Yes,thelaststepinUnitybeginswithunderstandingwhatthisphenomenonisandhowtoconnect

withitmorefully.Wearenowreadytofullydiscoverourspiritualnature,anditwillmarkthebeginningofthelastexpansionofhumanconsciousnessintounification.”

Rachel’simagewasbeginningtoblur,asthoughshewasfading.“Rememberwhatwetalkedabout,”shecontinued.“MostofthePropheciesheldbyreligious

traditionshavesomeconceptoftheRapture—acquiringaspiritualbodyandmovingintoHeaven,avoidingArmageddon.

“Humansbroughttheseimagesintoearthlyculture,becauseit’salsopartofthePlan—justnotexactlyastheprophetshavesaid.Ithastobeunderstoodsymbolically.AllthosepropheciesandscripturalreferenceshavecomeintohistoryfrompeopletryingtorememberwhattheyknewintheAfterlife,buttheydidn’tgetitquiteright.Thetruthcametothemthroughthelensesoftheirownindividualreligions,whichcreatedallthiscompetition.Inreality,thePropheciesareallpointingtowardsomethingelse,oneeventmeantforeveryone.”

Istilldidn’tquitegetit.“Don’tyousee?”sheresponded.“There’sonlyoneRapture!TheRaptureisabodilytransformation

thathappensthroughheightenedperceptionandconsciousnesssuchaswehaveglimpsed.Weshouldn’tbewaitingonGodtobringtheRapture.Godiswaitingonus!WehavetoopenuptoDivineConsciousnessenoughsothatourperceptionandenergyexpandenoughsothatitcanoccur.Anditmaytakealongtimetoachieve.Theimportantpartisthatweknowwhatweareworkingon,whatourdrivetoUnitycanachieve.Andthatmorehelpiscoming,ifwelearnhowtotunein.”

Ilookedather,gettingitfully.“You’reagaintalkingaboutthisUniversalConsciousnessthattheMayasaw.”

“Yes,butdon’tgethunguponaname.It’smorepersonal…andit’sthelaststepinunderstandingwhatHeavenknows.We’realreadysensing…”

Nowshewasfadingalmostcompletely,andIcouldn’thearherlastcomments.Allthatwascoming

throughwasonevague,urgentplea.“Justdowhatwedo,andraiseyourInfluence,”sheseemedtobecommunicating.“You’ll

understandfullywhenyougrasptheEleventhIntegrationandfindtheTwelfth.”Itriedtoaskanotherquestion,butmyeyeswouldnolongerfocus.Iwasspinningaway,falling

backwardintoablindingflashoflight.

THERISETOINFLUENCE

HoursseemedtopassbeforeIbegantoheartalkingaroundme.Istruggledtoopenmyeyes.

“He’swakingup,”IheardColemanyell.Ifelt,beforeIcouldsee,theothersgatheredaroundme.Iwasnowattherockoverhangagain,

overlookingtheguardhouseonthesoutheasternapproachtoSinai.Isawmypacklyingbesideme.TheflaphadbeenopenedandthecopiesoftheTenthIntegrationhadbeentakenoutandwerelyingaround.ButnosignofRachel.

Ilookeddownatthefeatherstillinmyhand,andinthatmomentIknew.“Wefoundyouhere,”Colemanwassaying.“Youmusthavehityourhead.You’vebeen

unconscious.”“WhereisRachel?”Iasked.Hereachedoverandtouchedmyshoulder.Theotherslookeddevastated.“Shedidn’tmakeit,”hewhispered.“ShewaskilledattheCircleofRocks.”Inoddedslowly.IknewIshouldhaveknownthewholetime,butIwasstillthrownintototalshock.

Iwasjustwithher.Ipleadedwithhim.“Areyousure?ShepulledmeoutoftheCircleduringthegunfire.Iwaswithher

foralongtime.WewereabletoobservetheAfterlifetogether.WesawthePlan.”“Icheckedhermyself,”Colemansaid.“Andrightafter,agroupofEgyptiansoldierscameto

investigatetheexplosions.TheApocalypticshadtobackoff.SoallofusexceptRachelwereabletogetaway.Youweremissing.Isawthesoldierscarryherbodyaway.ItextedWilandtheothersandtoldthem.I’msosorry.”

Atthispoint,IwasemotionallysweptintooneofthemostprofoundfeelingsoflossIhadeverexperienced.Rachel’senergyhadbeenapartofthisentirejourney,beginningwithourfirstConnectionatthePub.ShewasapartnerinmyclearingtoAgape,andnowshewasgone.MyheadtoldmeshewasstillaliveintheAfterlife,butImissedherradianteyes,andthethoughtfulnessthathadkeptmesogrounded.Amidtears,Iblurtedallthisouttotheothers.

Then,rightatmydarkestmoment,IsuddenlyfeltherhugfromadistancethatIhadfeltontheotherside,andsmelledthefamiliarroseperfumeshehadalwaysworn.

Iknew,then,thatshewasnotonlystillalive.Shewasrightherewithus!“Shehelpedmethroughsomanythingsonthistrip,”Colemansaid.“Andnowshe’sdead.”“She’snotdead!”Iprotested.“Iknow.Iknow,”Colemansaid.“IgettheTenthIntegration.WewerealltuningintothePlan.But

knowingthatshestilllivesisn’tthesameashavingherrightheretotalkwith,ortogetoneofthosefamoushugsfrom.”

“No,youdon’tunderstand,”Ishoutedconfidently.“She’srightherewithus.Now.ShewastouchingmefromadistanceintheAfterlifesoIwouldknowitwaspossiblehere.Tunein!Youcanstillgetthathug!”

Theothersweregatheringaroundcloser,listeningintently,andtheybegantosenseRachelaswell.Forseveralhours,IcarefullyrelayedtothemeverythingthathadoccurredintheAfterlife,especiallythePlanandgoalofhistory,bringingtoEarththeknowledgeandconsciousnessknowninHeaven,andRachel’sstatementsaboutthecomingUniversalConsciousness.Tommysmiledatme.

EveryonetoldmeaboutwhathadhappenedherewhentheyhadreadtheTenthpartoftheDocumentthey’dfoundinmybag.Aswetalked,ourenergyelevatedustogetherintotheTenthIntegration.

“It’saboutrealizingthattheAfterlifeisrighthere,”Colemanoffered.“Wecanresolveeverythingwithourlovedonesandreceivewhattheyknow.Thekeyistodowhattheydo:usetheirInfluenceandtheLawofConnectiontouplifteveryoneintoaConnectedconsciousness.It’sanotherlevelofAlignment.”

“Nativepeoples,”LoveofMountainsaid,“haveneverlostthisabilitytocommunicatewiththeotherworld.Developedcultureshavederidedthisawarenessasancestorworship,butwehaveheldthisConnectionasimportantsincehumansbecameconscious.”

Shegaveusaparticularlook,andIknewshewasright.Wewerenowinatemplatediscussion.EveryoneagreedthattheNativetraditionshadalwayshadthebestemphasisonthisIntegration,althoughmysticalChristianityandcertainJewishwritingsintheKabbalistictraditionspointtoAfterlifecontactaswell.

“Overhere!”Tommy’smotherwassaying.Wehadallstartedtogatherourgear,sensingwemustmovefartheruptheMount.WedashedtotheoverhangandsawJosephwalkingthroughthegateattheguardhouseandheadingbackinourdirection.Heeventuallystoppedandwentinanotherdirectionforawhile,theninanother,apparentlyattemptingtohidehistruedestinationfromthesoldiers.Whenhewasoutofsightoftheguardhouse,wecouldseehimturningtowardusagain.

“Wehavetoleavebeforehegetshere,”Colemansuddenlyshouted.“Ifhewasinvolvedintheattackonus,hemighthavesoldiersheadingourwayrightnow.”

Manyoftheothersseemedjustasfearful,andIfeltmyselfmovingintodeepangeragain.Myenergyplummeted.WhatifJosephhadbeenresponsibleforRachel’sdeath?Whatkindofmonsterwashe?Herehewas,walkingaroundfreeandalive,andshewasgone.Myemotionsweremovingfromangertoavengefulurgetogetbackathim.

Isuddenlystoppedmyself,shakingmyhead.Unconsciously,IhadgoneintoaCycleofRevenge,justthatfast.

TommywaslookingdownatJosephandspokeup.“Waitaminute.Heseemstobealone.AndIcanseenosoldiers.Ithinkweshouldtalktohim.”

“He’sright,”Isaid.“Wehavetofindoutthetruth.”WeallagreedandwaitedthereuntilJosephwalkedup.Heappearedshockedthatwewerenowin

thislocation.“You’rehere,”hesaid,walkingquicklyuptous.“Iwasn’tabletofindmybrother.Noonehadseen

him.IamafraidheiswiththeApocalypticsnow.”Joseph’sfacewassad,asthoughhethoughthe’dfailed.

Noneofusresponded,sohecontinued,“Oneofthesoldiersatthegatetoldmemybrotherhadorderedthemnottopatrolincertainareasofthemountainanylonger.”

HelookedatTommy.“Ithinkthissoldierknowsyou.”Wewerestillnotsayinganything.“Look.”Josephwaspointingtohisknapsack.“Healsogavemethis.”Hewaspullingoutastackof

papers.“It’stheEleventhIntegration!Ittellsushowto…”

Hiswordstrailedoff.Hecouldseewewerestilllookingathimintensely.“What’swrong?”heasked.EveryonesurroundedhimandweaskedJosephifheknewwhathadhappenedattheCircleof

Rocks.Hesaidhedidn’t,andwhenweinformedhimoftheshooting,hewassogenuinelyshakenhehadtositdown—promptingmostofthegrouptowelcomehimbackwithhugsandencouragement.

“Joseph,”Colemanasked,“whydidyoucomeuptothislocationnow?”“Becausetheguardssaidtherearemanymorepeoplecomingintotownfromeverywhere.Iheaded

upherebecauseIwantedtoseeifIcoulddetectanyonecomingupfromthisside.”ColemanandIlookedateachotherandthengazeddownatthetrailcomingupthemountain.Dozens

ofpeopleseemedtobeheadingourway.AstherestofthegroupcontinuedtotalktoJoseph,discussingtheTenthwithhim,Iwalkedfarther

outontheoverhang,needingtothink.IwasstillconcernedbyhowquicklyIhadslippedintorevenge.Howpervasive,Iwondered,wasthisemotionintheworldrightnow?Wasitthepredominating

emotionbehindtherashofschoolshootings,employeeoutbursts,and—ontheinternationalscene—thewillingnesstoblowoneselfandothersupinordertomaketheenemypay?Wasthisthewayhumanfearandanger,inthistimeoftransition,wasplayingout:wantingotherstosufferthewayweweresuffering?

ColonelPetersonhadsaidthisCycleofRevengewasgrowingintoanuclearphase,theurgetodeliverthefinalactofretributionandendeverything.Isuddenlyfeltasifhumanitywasrunningoutoftime.

WherewasTommy?Iwondered.IneededtospeakwithTommy.WhenIturnedaround,Isawthathewasalreadywalkingtowardme.Ilaughedoutloud,evokingapuzzledlookfromtheyoungman.

“Ineedtotalktoyou,”hesaid.“It’simportant.”“AbouttheUniversalConsciousness?”Iasked.“Yes,Iwanttotellyousomething.Mytribebelievesitwillgetmuchstronger,andsoonerthanmost

peoplethink.”“Butwhenisitgoingtohappen?”Iasked.“MostthinktheCalendar’senddateisDecember21,2012,butotherscholarsaresayingthe

beginningofthelastphaseofcreationwillstartmuchearlier,inthespringof2011.”“What?That’snow!”“Yes.Andwearen’tgoingtounderstandthiscomingforceofcreationuntilwecanfigureoutwhat

thepointofConnectionwefeltonSecretMountainreallyis,andhowtorelatetoit.WehavetogetthroughtheremainingIntegrations!”

Suddenly,Colemanwaspushinghiswaythroughustoseedowntowardtheguardhouseagain.“Lookatthat,”hesaidwithalarm.Fiftyormoretroopsweredeployingallaroundtheareaoftheguardhouse.“Theydon’twantanyofthosenewpeopletocomeupthetrails,”Josephsaid,“andIalsothinkthey

knowtheextremistsarearound,andtheywanttostopthem.”“TheApocalypticsarealreadypastthem,”Istressed.“They’reholedupnearamoundofrockover

thenextridge.”“Howdoyouknowthat?”Colemanasked.“IsawthemwhenIwasupthereearlierwithRachel.”Theyalllookedatmeinamazement,andthenColemansaid,“It’sgoingtobedifficulttosneakpast

allthesetroops.”“It’sokay,”Ireplied.“Rachelshowedmeanotherwaypast.It’salmostdark.Ithinkweshouldgo

now.”Inamatterofminutesweweremovingofftheoverhanganddowntheslope.Irememberedtheroute

clearly.Itwouldtakeusdowntheridgetoapointaboutahundredyardstotherightoftheguardhouse.There,thetrailendedatasteepdrop-offintoawidegorgethatseemedclearlyimpassable.Whatnooneseemedtoknow,besidesRachel,wasthataledgewideenoughforapersontowalkonexistedjustovertheedgeofthegorge.

Itranahundredfeetnorthtoapointwheretherewasasmallgapinthecliffwallthatwasscalable.Oncethroughthegapwewouldbehiddenfromanyonelookingfromtheguardhouse,andwecouldthenadvancedirectlyupthetiersofrockoverlookingtheApocalypticstowhereRachelandIhadbeenearlier.Theonlyplacethatwasparticularlyclosetotheguardhousewasthepointwherewedroppeddownontotheledge.

Aswewalked,IcouldseethatJosephhadintegratedtheNinthandTenthsteps,andnowhe,Coleman,andtheotherswerereadingtheEleventh.IthoughtoftheoldProphecyandtheEleventhInsightthathadgrownoutofit.Itpredictedtheactualizationoftheuseofintentionandprayer,andlearningthesecretsofusingthispower.

“DoyoubelievewhatthisDocumentissaying?”IsuddenlyheardColemanshout.Iturnedtoseehimtalkingtooneofthescientists.Colemanshookhasheadinamazementandwalked

uptome,pointingattheDocument.“ListenhowspecificitisabouttheInfluence,”hesaid.“‘BecauseoftheLawofConnection,the

wholeofwhatwebelieveandstandfor—thequalityofourcharacter—sendsoutafieldofInfluencethatimpactseveryonewithwhomweinteract.Itactstodrawthemintoourlevelofconsciousnessandbehavior,forgoodorill,andeithermakesiteasierorharderforthemtostayinAlignment.And,atthesametime,ourindividualInfluencealsoco-mingleswitheveryoneelse’sInfluenceglobally,andatanyonetimehelpstocollectivelysetanenergeticlevelofconsciousnessforallofhumanity.’”

Hewastryingtostaybesidemeaswemoveddowntheruggedterrain.“Doyoubelieveit?”hewenton.“It’slikethereisahugebalancescaleinthesky,weighingthe

relativestrengthoftwoopposingfieldsofInfluence.Onesiderepresentsthoseopeningtoahigherpersonalspirituality,andthusactingtoliftothersintothatconsciousness.Theothersideofthescalerepresentsthosewhoarestillstuckinfearandanger,whoareactingtopullpeopledownintoasimmering,untruthfulfearandrage.”

Thestatementhitmehard.Thatmeanttherewasacontagionfrombothsides,andthebalanceshifteddailydependingonhowconsistentlythoseinAlignmentcouldholdtheirtruthwithothers.

“Doyouseewhatthisis?”Colemanadded.“It’sconfirmationofKant’scategoricalimperative:Actandbeasthoughhowyouaredictatesthateveryoneelsewillbethatsameway.Hispeersthoughthewascrazy.Buthisintuitionwasabsolutelycorrect.Influenceworksexactlythisway!”

Icaughthiseye.“Rachelsaidthatwewouldintegratehowtoamplifyourpositiveinfluencetogether.DoestheDocumentsayhow?”

Colemanwaslookingintentlyatthepagesinhishand.“Itsaysthefirstthingwemustdoiskeepthebalancescalefullyinmindatalltimes,andtorememberthateverythoughtandeveryactionreverberatesfarbeyondourselves.

“ItalsosaysifenoughofusfailtoholdtheenergyofAlignment,theworldcouldslipintoevenmorefearandanger.InpoliticsthatwouldmeanthefarLeftandRightwillcontinuetheirdehumanizationoftheotheruntilonesidedoessomethingextreme,usuallyanactofdespotismtotakeoverandcontrol,outofaneedtosavetheworld.Intheareaofreligiousideology,thepolarizationgoesmorenegativeaswell.Itsaysthatinpriorcasesinhistory,theantagonismhasalwaysgoneasfarasthecurrenttechnologycouldtakeit.”

Welookedateachother,knowingthatforthistimeperiodthatmeantanescalationtothenuclear

level.

Suddenly,Irealizedwewerenearingtheguardhouse,wherewehadtobeverycareful.Wecouldseeindividualsoldierspatrollingintheareajustbelowus,soIsuggestedtotheothersthattheystayhiddenwhileImovedbackuptheslopetotakeabetterlook.

AsIclimbed,Isawamovementabovemeandfroze.AsIstrainedtoseewhoitwas,thefiguremovedintoplainview.ItwasoneofPeterson’soperatives,motioningformetocomeup.WhenIarrived,hepulledmeoutofsightandwhisperedsomethingintoamicrophonemountednearhismouth.Infiveminutes,Petersonwasstandinginfrontofme.

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”hesaid.“We’vebeenfollowingyourmovements.Andwecan’tmakeanysenseofthem.”

“It’sallintuitive,”Isaid.“TheDocumentsaysthatinordertokeeprisinginInfluence,wehavetoreturntotheMount.Something’sgoingtohappenupthere.”

Heshookhisheadskeptically.“WhatelseisthisDocumentsayingaboutInfluence?”“We’refinallyunderstandingthepowerofintentionandprayer.We’regoingtolearnhowtoamplify

ourInfluence.”“That’sit?”hesaid.“Allyouhaveleftisprayer?!”“It’smorethanordinaryprayer,”Iprotested.“Youhavetobeseekingahigherlevelofexperience.

Otherwise,youmayaddtotheenergyofthoseApocalypticsupthere.”Iwaslookingatthenextridgeaheadofus.

“Whoa!”hesaid,clearlyshaken.“AreyoutellingmetheApocalypticsareupinthesemountainssomewhere?”

“Yeah,they’reupaheadaboutfivehundredyards.WethinksomeoneintheEgyptianarmyiskeepingthesoldiersfromgoinganywherenearthem.”

Helookedaway,thinking,thensaid,“Thisisanotherpieceofthepuzzle.WeknowtheyhavesomethingplannedinJerusalemandinSaudiArabiaonthemountainwherethere’samissilebase.Nowthey’rehere.They’replanningawholechainofeventsthattheythinkwillbringtheworldtowar.Itoldyou,thechargesarealreadyplacedundertheDomeoftheRock.”

Ilookedathim,puzzled.“Don’tyousee?”hesaid.“TheythinktheyhavetodoeverythingaccordingtoscripturalProphecy,

whichmeansArmageddoncan’tcomeuntilDavid’stempleinJerusalemisrebuilt.TheMuslimmosque,theDomeoftheRock,isintheway.Ithastoberemoved,sothey’regoingtoblowitup.

“TheJudeo-ChristianfactionintheApocalypticgroupispushingforthis,becausetheyalreadyhavethecapstonefromtheoriginaltemple.Theythinkifthecapstoneisquicklyplacedonthefoundation,thenitcountsasiftherebuildingisunderway.SothebiblicalProphecycanbesaidtobefulfilled.Afterthat,alltheyhavetodoisgetthefightingstarted.”

“Butallthosepropheciescanhappeninadifferentway!”Isaid,intuitingitfullynow.“Look,”hereplied,“wehavetogetreal.We’rerightontheedgehere.Doyouhearme?We’reright

ontheedge.SoonerorlaterthisApocalypticplotisgoingtostart,andit’sgoingtocreatecompletechaosintheWesterncountries.

“IranalreadyhasmissilesthatcancompletelyclosetheSuezCanalandtheStraitofHormuz.That’swheremostoftheoilfortheWestoriginates.Whenthiswargetsstarted,gasolinewillrisetothirtydollarsagallon.Thatalonecouldcausefoodshortagesandhoarding.IfChinagetsinvolved,therecouldbeasimultaneouscyberattackonus.Thenthelightscouldgoout.Whatdoyouthinkwouldhappenthen?Nogas,nofoodinthestores.Hundredsofthousandsinthestreets,rioting.”

Hepausedandlookedatme.“Ifanyone,usorotherwise,goesinandtriestostoptheseextremistspiecemeal,thechargesgooffandthewholethingescalates.ThewildcardisSaudiArabia.Wedon’tknowhowthatplaysoutexactly,becauseyourgovernmentshouldbeabletocontrolwhetherthosemissilesarefiredornot.AndIdon’tknowwhattheyareplanninghereatSinai,either,butyoucanbetitisn’tgood.That’swhywe’regoingforwardwithourplantointervene.Wecan’twait.”

“No,listen,”Isaid.“YouractionsareasextremeasthoseoftheApocalyptics.You’replanningtotakeovertyrannicallybecauseyouthinkit’stheonlywaytosaveWesternculture!”

Icouldheartheotherslookingformedownbelow,callingmyname.“Listen,”Isaid,“Ihavetogo,butyoumustunderstand:theDocumentsaysifenoughpeopleget

consciouslyinvolvedinusingtheirInfluence,wecanstopthiswaranotherway.”Hewasshakinghishead.“Itcan’tbestopped.ItwilleruptintheMiddleEast,andonlyifmygroup

actsquicklycanwecountertheChineseandcontainthewar.Alotofpeoplewillprotest,butwecandealwiththat,too.Andbesides,you’renotgoinganywhere.You’regettinganescortoutofhererightnow.You’vehadyourchance.”

Heraisedhisradiotohislips.“Waitaminute,”Isaid.“Yougavemefivedays,remember?Thatgivesusthroughtomorrow.”IheldtheAgape,mergingwithhishigherself.Hisexpressionsoftenedeversoslightly,andhe

lookedatmewithakindoflonging,wishingthesituationwasn’tsobad.Afteralongmoment,hesaid,“Okay,youhaveonemoreday.Weruntheriskofyoustumbling

arounduphereandstartingawar.Butyouknow,Iguessthat’sokay.Wehaveeverythinginplacetodowhatwehavetodo.We’reready.”

“Comeon,”IwhisperedtotheotherswhenIgotclose.“Let’sgo.”Igrabbedmypack,myhandsshakingslightly.Thegroupfollowedmearoundalargeoutcroppinganddowntowardthegorge.

Luckily,thesoldierswerenowrunninguptowherePetersonwas,sowetookouropportunitytoslipovertheedgeofthegorge,outofsight,andheaduptheledgetowardtheMount.

Aswehurrieduptheslope,ImovedclosertoColemanagainandtoldhimwhatPetersonhadsaid.Heshookhisheadandforcedasmile.Icouldtellhewasstrugglingtokeephisenergyup.

“WhatelseistheDocumentsaying?”Iasked.“Itsaysthesolutionisthesameforalltimeperiods.Inpolitics,anenlightenedcenter,alignedinan

opendiscussionofthetruth,hastoemergetoendtheoutrightmanipulationofvotersandthecorruptionfrombothLeftandRight.

“Andinreligion,anequallytruthfulgroupmadeupofthetolerantcenterofeveryreligioustradition,allseekingthedirectexperiencetowhichwehaveaccess,hastotakecenterstage.NolongerwouldonetraditiontrytoimposetheirdoctrineonotherpeopleorclaimtheirwayistheonlypathtoDivineConnection.AllreligionswouldbegintoemphasizethoseaspectsoftheirtraditionsthatareinlinewiththisConnection,sothatthereligionswouldmoveclosertothetruthandtooneanother.”

Nowhestoppeddeadinthepathway,lookingdownattheDocument.“Thisisimportant,”hestressed.“ItsaysthefinalpartoftheEleventhIntegrationoccurswhen

peopleinAlignmenteverywhere,acrossallculturesandreligions,consciouslybegintotuneintoeachother.”

Ofcourse,Ithought.Wehavetotuneinonemoretimeatahigherlevel.“Howdoesitsaytodothat?”Iasked.“ByconsciouslyconnectinginAgapenotonlywiththosewecanmakeeyecontactwithbutwith

everyoneallaroundtheworld.WedothatbyintendingandenvisioningsuchaConnectionfullyinourminds.TheDocumentsayswhenthisConnectionismade,thenaturalinfluenceoftheindividualsinvolvedisamplifiedmanytimes.”

Inoddedandconcentratedontheclimb,whichwasincreasingindifficulty.Aftermanyhoursof

weavinginandoutofcrevicesandjumpingacrosssmallravines—wherewehadtotossourbackpackstooneanother—weclimbedontothefortlikeoverlookwhereRachelandIhadbeentogetherearlier.Thesunhadlongset,andahazyduskwasdescendingoverthemountain.Wecouldseethebareoutlineoftherockymounddownbelow.Behindit,Iknew,weretheApocalyptics.

Iawakenedthenextdayjustbeforedawn,asusual,andgotupquickly,knowingthiswouldbeaneventfulday.Outside,Ifoundeveryonestillasleep,whichwasnotsurprising.WehadbeenuplatetalkingabouttheEleventhIntegration.

Wildriftedintomymind.Wehadn’theardfromhimsincehislasttext,whichsaidhewouldsoonbeonhiswaybacktous.Thequestionnowwashowwouldhefindus.Ipulledoutthephoneandchecked.Notextsfromhim.Iwasn’tsurprised.Hewouldn’triskusingthephonetogetdirections.

Suddenly,Icaughtsightofthefaintglowofflashlightsfardowntheslope.Ileanedovertherockstowatchtheactivity.Fortunately,thelightswereheadingawayfromus,soIrelaxedagain.OurclimbhadbeenmuchmoredifficultthanIhadrememberedwithRachel,andIknewitwouldbeequallydifficultforanyoneelsetoreachusnow.

AsIwalkedaround,IsuddenlyrealizedColemanwasmakingnoiseontheothersideofhistent.Whenhesawme,hehandedmeacupofcoffee.Intheotherhandwasapairofbinoculars.

“It’saboutdawn,”hesaid.“WanttoseeifwecanspottheApocalyptics?”Inodded,andwewalkedovertotheedgeoftheoutcroppingandhunkereddownbehinditsnatural

raisededges.AsIpeeredoutthroughtheearlymorninghaze,Irealizedourpositionherewassituatedperfectly.Fromthisvantagepoint,wecouldseenotonlythemoundofrockwheretheextremistswerehiding,butalsothelarge,massivesummitofMountSinaitoweringaboveus,andallthetrailsleadinguptoit.

Themounditselfwasaboutahundredyardsdowntheinclinedirectlyinfrontofus.ForfifteenminuteswewaiteduntilitwaslightenoughforColemantousehisbinoculars.Theothersawakened,onebyone,andjoinedus.

“Iseethem,”Colemansuddenlysaid.“They’redoingsomethingtotherockbedjustbeyondthemound.”

Abruptly,Isawanimageinmymindofmyselfgoingdowntogetacloserlook.Theimagewasaccompaniedbyasurgeofurgentenergy.Igrimacedattheideaandloweredmyhead.Tommywasbehindmeandnoticed.

“What’swrong?”heasked.“IthinkIneedtogodownthereandtakealook.Anybodyelsegetthatidea?”Nooneresponded.“Areyousureyouwanttodothat?”Colemanasked.“RemembertheSecondIntegration:logicfirst.”“Iknowit’sdangerous,buttoomuchhashappenedformenottofollowanintuitionnow.Rachel

followedallofhers.”Foramoment,thewholegrouplookedatme,andIcouldseethedeterminationbuilding.“Ibettergowithyou,”Colemansaidfinally.ItunedintowhetherIwasdowntherealoneorwithsomeone,andcouldseeonlymyself.“LookslikeIhavetogoitalonethistime.”TurningtoTommyandhismother,Iaskedthemforadviceontherouteandtheypointedouttheway

theywouldgo,givingmeencouragement.“We’llfocusonhelpingyou,”Tommysaid,“liketheAngels.”Igavehimapatontheshoulderandeaseddownovertheledgeasthesunbrokeabovethehorizon

forthefirsttime.Focusingonthebeauty,ImanagedtoholdmyenergyasIcreptdowntherockyslope.Ithoughtaboutmyfather’sadviceonhowtokeepone’switswhileinsituationsofextremedanger.Andsmiled.Iknewhewasaround.

Atlast,Iarrivedataspireofrockthatroseupabouttwenty-fivefeetinfrontofme.Verycarefully,Icrawledforwardandgazedover.Withinfiftyfeetofme,aboutadozenmenwerecoveringsomethinginatwelve-footcrevicewithrocks.Anishwasnowheretobeseen.

ThenIspottedsomeonesittingalone,hishandstiedbehindhisback.Heturnedhishead,andmystomachseized.ItwasWil!

Istaredathimuntilhefeltmelookingandjerkedaroundandsawme.Heimmediatelybegantopointwithhiseyestowardthegroundtohisleft,whereahandheldtwo-wayradiowassittingonanoldleatherbriefcaseontheground.Iwasbewildered.Whatdidhewantmetodo?Grabtheradio?Icouldn’tunderstandhowthatwouldhelpus.

Suddenly,Iheardanoiseintherocksdirectlybelowme.Irolledbackwardquietlyanddroppedintoamilddepressionintherock,hopingtohide.Thenoisecontinued,andtomyhorrorIrealizedsomeonewasclimbingthesamespireIwaslyingon,comingmyway.Itriedtoduckdownbutitwastoolate.Theindividual,holdingapairofbinoculars,hadclimbedtoapointjusttenfeetbelowme.Anish.

Heturnedandlooked,recognizingmeimmediately.“Ithoughtyouwerearoundheresomewhere,”hesaid.“Icouldfeelyou.You’relikeme.Younever

giveup.”Histoneanddemeanorwerecasual,evenserene,againlikesomeonefeelinginvulnerable.Rachel

hadtriedtoreachhim,andnowitwasmyturn.AsbestIcould,ItriedtocentermyselfandmoveintoOneness,hopinghemightsensehisownDivineConnection.

“Ihavetotalktoyou,”Isaid.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’redoing,butyouhavetorethinkit.There’sanotherway.”

“Willyoustopexportingyourcorruptiontomyworld?Willyoustoptryingtoreformmyreligion?”Isatupsohecouldseemebetter.“Weallhavesouls.We’reallthesame,spiritually.It’strue,

there’stoomuchcorruptioneverywhere.Butwecanfixthat,allofustogether,ifwefindtheoneexperience.”

Helaughedandgavemealookofpity.“Theprophetsdon’tlie!Theendmustcomenow.”Foramomenttherewasonlysilence.Ididn’tknowwhattosay.ThenIthoughtofRacheland

rememberedmylastconversationwithher.“ThePropheciesallpointtoanArmageddon,”Istressed.“AndaRapturewherethetruebelievers

areprotected,sotheycanavoidthiswar.Whatifthemessageoftheprophetsisreallyforallofus?AndthemessageisthatwecanallfindahigherGodConnectiontogetherthatwillallowustoavoidArmageddon?DoyouseewhatI’msaying?Armageddondoesn’thavetohappen!”

IcouldfeelRachelwantingmetosaysomethingelseabouttheCalendarandaboutthepointofConnectionIhadfeltonSecretMountain,butIcouldn’tputittogetherinmymind.

Anishlookedatme,firstinconfusionandtheninanger.Whenhereachedinsidehisbeltforaweapon,Iwasready.Irolledoverandslippedoffthecrestofthehugerockonthesideawayfromhim.AsIdid,Iglimpsedfromthecornerofmyeyetheitemtheextremistswerecoveringup.Itwasaboutthesizeofasuitcaseandhadseveralblinkinglightsononeside.

Foraminuteortwo,Iranupthehillfrantically,thinkinghewaschasingme.ThenIheardhimyellfrombackatthemound.

“IfIseeyouagain,”hecalledout,“yourfriendwillbethefirsttodie.”WhenIgotbacktotheothers,IwassooutofbreathandexhaustedfromtheclimbthatIcouldn’ttell

themanythingforafullminute.“TheyhaveWil!”Ifinallyblurtedout.“ItriedtoconvinceAnishtostopwhathewasdoing,butit

didn’twork.Therewasn’tenoughenergy.Theyhavesomekindofdevice.”Colemanwaslisteningintensely.“Whatdidthedevicelooklike?”“It’saboxlikeitem,”Isaid,“likeasmallsuitcasewithhandles.Therearelightsononeside.”Hegrimacedandstaredatallofus.Ourheartssank.Weknewwhathewasgoingtosay.“Ithastobeasmallnuke,”hevoiced.Wewereallshockedandspeechless.Everyone’sfearhadjustturnedintoareality.“Whyhere?”Tommyfinallyasked.“Probably,”Iguessed,“tomakeitlookasifsomeonehadattackedEgypt,sothatothercountries

wouldretaliate,ignitingthewar.”Foralongmoment,wewereallalonewithourthoughts,knowingthiscouldbetheend.Everyone

ofusmightdierighthereonMountSinai.ThenIsawsomethingdownbelow.HundredsofpeoplewereapproachingMountSinaifromall

directions,pressingupagainstthecheckpointsandbeingheldbackatgunpointbythesoldiers.“Hurry,”Tommyshouted.“Wehavetoconnectwiththem.”

THERETURN

Tommywasgatheringusalltogetheratthetopoftheoutcropping.Downbelow,thecrowdswerebecominglargereveryminute.

“First,”Tommywassaying,theDocumentinhislap,“wehavetoamplifyAgapewithoneanotherandwiththeGreatSpirit.”

WeallelevatedintothatConnectioninseconds.“Then,”hecontinued,“itsaystoprojecttheAgapetoeverlargergroups,byintendingOnenesswith

everyonewhoisgenuinelyseekingspiritualConnection,acrossallreligions,especiallythosedownbelowus.”

Aswedidso,ourenergyincreasedevenmoreuntilweregainedthelevelofcollectiveintentionthatwehadfeltspontaneouslyonSecretMountain.Foramomentwelookedatoneanother,feelingtheEleventhelevationfully,thenimmediatelywentintoatemplatediscussion.

Josephquicklypointedoutthatwhilemosttraditionsemphasizedprayer,some,liketheSufiofIslam,advocatedalivedprayerveryclosetowhatwewerefeelingnow.

“Christianity,”Isaidquickly,“alsostronglyemphasizesthepowerofcollectiveprayer.”Inminutes,weagreedthattheemphasisplacedonprayerbyIslamandChristianitymostreflectedtherealityofconnectedgroupintention.Arushofenergyfromtheagreementsentussoaringevenhigher.

Ilookedatmyphone,knowingwhatwasabouttooccur.Thetextringsoundedtwice,andIopenedittofindmessagesfromHiraandAdjar,bothexpressingheartbreakaboutRachelandtellingustheyhadworkedthroughtheTenthandEleventhIntegrationsandwerefeelingUnitywithusandher.Theyweremakingpreparationstoreachoutmorewidely,mentioningthathundredsofpeoplewerecollectinginJerusalemandneartheMountinSaudiArabia.

Forseverallongminutes,wefocusedonthepeopledownbelow,andthoseinJerusalemandSaudiArabia.Atfirstnothinghappened,andthenslowlywebegantoseeindividualsatthecheckpointsgroupingtogetherasthoughtheywerepickinguponwhatweweredoing.SomehadcopiesoftheDocumentandwereshowingthemtoothers.Peoplenearthesoldiersbegantoreachoutandtalktothemaswell.

“BringthesoldiersintoAgapewithus,”Tommysaid.“SeethemliftingupintotheirownConnectionwithSpirit.”

Almostinstantly,wecouldseesomeofthesoldiersloweringtheirweapons.Someevenjoinedthegroupthatseemedtobeforming.Lookingangry,theofficerscameforwardandtriedtostoptheinteraction,butsomesoldierswereallowingindividualstowalkpastthemandheadupthetrailstowardthesummit.

Atthemound,wecouldseetheApocalypticslookingovertherocksatthescenebelow.Anishglaredupdirectlyatus,obviouslyconcerned.

“Lookatthat,”IsaidtoColeman.“Heknowswhatwe’redoing.”“FocusontheApocalyptics!”Tommyyelled.Ipicturedseeingahigherexpressionontheirfacesthatreflectedtheirsouls’desiretomoveinto

Connection.Afterawhile,severaloftheextremistsactuallylefttheirpositionstoseewhatthecrowdwasdoing.

Suddenly,myphonerangtwice.ItwasHiraandAdjar,tellingusthecrowdstherewerepushingforwardatboththeTempleMountandtheSaudiMount,JabalAlLawz.

ThenColemanshouted,“Lookoveratthemound!”Anishwasoutamonghisgroup,shoutingandgesturingdramaticallywithhisarms.Themen

hurriedlybeganpickinguptheirgunsandstrengtheningtheirpositions.Frombehindhim,anothermanwalkeduphesitantlybehindAnish.Itwastheroundmilitarygeneralwehadseenearlier.

“That’smybrother,”Josephshouted.“I’vebeenfocusingonhim.Helpme!”Josephtookoffovertheedgeoftheoutcroppingandrandowntheslopetowardthemound.

BeforeIcouldreact,IheardagaspfromTommy’smother.Shewaslookinginthedirectionofthecrowdsdownbelowagain.Moretroopshadarrivedandwerepushingpeoplebackdowntheslope.Severalbeganfiringtheirautomaticweaponsintotheair.Witheachburst,Icouldfeelourenergywaning.

Againmyphonerangwithatext,andIlookedatitquickly.ItwasAdjarsayingthatmoresoldiershadarrivedthereaswellandwerepushingeveryoneback.Secondslater,anothertextrang.ItwasHirasayingthesamethingwashappeninginJerusalem.

Ilookedbackatthecrowdsandsawtheywerebeingpushedbackevenfarther.Barricadeswerebeingsetup.Wewerefailing.

“Holdyourenergy,”Ishouted,tryingtofocus.Colemangrabbedmyshoulders.“Wearen’tstrongenough!Wehaven’tyetregainedthefull

consciousnesswehadonSecretMountain!WeneedtheTwelfth!”Immediately,IthoughtaboutthepointofConnectionwe’dexperiencedonSecretMountain,andina

flashIseemedtofeelitagain.IlookedatColemanandhisexpressiontoldmehewasfeelingthesamething.Tommy,obviouslysensingit,too,rushedover.

“ThisistheConnectionwehad,”heyelled.“Wehavetoholdthis,buildonit.”AssoonasTommymadethatstatement,wecouldn’tfeelthepointofConnectionanymore.Ithad

completelydisappeared.“Whathappened?”Tommyasked.Iwasstrugglingtoremembermyearlierexperience.“Wait,”Istressed.“Youcan’tforceit.Youhavetoallowitorhavefaithinitorsomething.”AssoonasIspokethosewords,wecouldfeelitagain,butitwasstillsporadic,appearingfora

momentandthendisappearing.“There’ssomethingwe’remissing!”Iyelled.“Whatisit?”ThenIremembered.AttheheightoftheConnectiononSecretMountainwehadexperiencedanother

emotionIhadforgottenabout:asoulfulsenseofappreciation.IalsorememberedsomethingIhadthoughtatthetime.Appreciationwastheactofacknowledgment

thatlockedintheConnection.Immediately,IfelttheConnectionmoreintensely,andasIdid,theAgapebegantoincreaseinslowincrements,almosttothelevelwehadachievedonSecretMountainbutnotquite.TommyandColemanhadalreadysensedwhatIwasdoingandweregatheringtheothersbackintoacirclewithus,explaininghowtoholdtheemotionofappreciation.

ThenIknewsomethingmore.WewerecallingthisphenomenonapointofConnection,butinactualityitwassomethingelse.Rachelhadsaidnottogethunguponaname.Wehadtounderstandmoreaboutwhatwewerefeeling.InosoonerhadthatthoughtwhenanimageofWildowntherewiththeApocalypticscametomind.Andthenanotherimagecame—oneoftheradiosittingonthebriefcase.InaflashIunderstood.Wilhadn’tbeennoddingtowardtheradio,asI’dthoughtearlier.Itwasthebriefcasehewantedmetosee!

Downatthetrailsbelow,theshootinghadstoppedandthesoldiersandthecrowdswerenowinan

uneasystalemate,thepeoplestillpressingtogoforward,thesoldiersholdingfast.“I’vegottogobackdownthere,”Isaidtotheothers.Theyvoicedagreement,sowithoutsayinganotherword,Islidofftheoutcroppingagainandhurried

downtheslope,tryingtohangontotheConnection.Theotherswererightbehindme.Colemancaughtupwithmeandsmiledaswejumpedawidecreviceintherock.Whenweapproachedthemound,wecouldseetwomenwrestlingoverarifleandseveralmorefightingtwentyfeetaway.Weavoidedthemandranaroundtothesideoftherockyprotrusion.NowwecouldseeAnishandsomeofhisownmeninanarmedstandoff.SomeofthemenhadawakenedandwerenowpointingweaponsandbeggingforAnishtogiveup.Josephandhisbrotherwereinthatgroup.Anishandseveralothermenwerefacingthem,unyielding,stillincontrolofthebomb.Oneofthemenheldasmallremotecontrolinhishand,apparentlythetriggeringdeviceforthenuke.

Closertous,Wilwasstillsittinginthesameplace.Buthehadmanagedtofreehisfeetandhandsintheconfusion,andathissidewasthebriefcase,nowopen.Fourorfivepagesofcopypaperwerescatteredbesideit.Oureyesmet,andIinstantlyknewthepagesbelongedtotheTwelfth,andthathehadalreadyreadit.Inoticed,too,thatmyhandswereshakingagain.IhadlostmuchofmyConnectioninthefaceoftheconflict.StilllockedinWil’sstare,IwentdeepintoAgapeuntilIbegantofeelthepointofConnectionagain.

Rightaway,IrealizedWilwastryingtotellmesomethingagain,butIcouldn’thearhimamidtheshouting.

“Bepreparedtodetonate,”Anishsaid,gatheringeveryone’sattention.Heseemedtohaveregainedhiscalmdetermination.

IlookedatWil.Hewasstilllookingatmeintently,sendingmeamessagewithhiseyes.BehindmewereColeman,Tommy,andhismother.Therestofthegroupwereseveralpacesbehindthem.Downbelow,Icouldseethecrowdsstillpressingagainstthesoldiers’barricades.

Anishsquintedwithfinalresolve,abouttoorderdetonation.IlookedatWilonemoretime,andfinallygotit.Rachel.HewantedmetotuneintoRachel.Immediately,Ifelthersaying,“Letgo!You’llbeshowntheway.”

“Waitam-minute!”IstammeredatAnish.“Can’tyoufeelwhat’shappeninghere?YouhadtheTwelfthIntegrationthewholetime.Youmusthavereadit!”

Anishshookhishead.“TheonlythingIfeelistheendoftimeapproaching.”“Butthat’sjustit!Somethingisapproaching,butit’snotwhatyouthink.It’ssomethingyouhaveto

feelinside.”Anishlookedatmeaskance.“Askyourself,”Icontinued,“whyyouformedthisgroupinthefirstplace,includingbothEastern

andWesterntraditions.Thememberswereallmortalenemiesandyoubroughtthemtogether.WasittheTwelfthInsightthatgaveyouthatidea?Youbeganareconciliationofreligion.AndyoucontinuedtolookformoreoftheDocumentforalongtime.Why?Maybeyouknewyouweren’tgoingfarenough.”

Helookedaway,shakinghishead.“WhydidyounameyourgrouptheApocalyptics?”Icontinued.“Don’tyouknowtheword

apocalypsemeansrevelation?Wecanhavearevelationabouttherealmeaningoftheendtimes.Itriedtotellyou.Thepropheciesaremeantforallofus.IfallofusareengagedinoneRapture,thenwecanallbesparedArmageddon.WegettheReturnwithoutthewar.We’realreadysensing…”

Istopped.Istillcouldn’texplainthispointofConnectionwewerefeeling.“No,”Anishscreamed,lookingagainatthemanwiththedetonator.Againheappearedtobeready

toorderthedetonation.Someonetohisrightyelled,“Youmuststop!”Joseph’sbrother,thegeneral,waswalkinguptoAnishnow,Josephathisside.

“YouknowyouandIbothreadthosewords,”thegeneralcontinued.“Welaughedandridiculeditateverypage,butitwastouchingusallthesame.”

Anishbecameenragedandpointedafingeratthegeneral.“Whathashappenedtoyou?”hescreamed.“Youknowourplanisfoolproof.AnuclearblasthereinSinaiandthesimultaneousdestructionoftheDomeoftheRockinJerusalemwillpushIrantoblowthecanal.SaudiArabianmissiles,underourcontrol,willflyatIran.OurpeopleinChinawilltaketheopportunitytodisabletheAmericancapabilityinthatregion.Andtheneverythingwillblow!Nothingcouldcontainit,notevenPeterson.Itwouldbetheendwe’veallbeenprayingfor.”

“No,”Joseph’sbrothersaidfirmly.“ThepropheciesareallsayingthesamethingbecausetheycomefromonlyoneDivinesource.Iknowthatnow!There’sonlyoneCreator,andonlyoneRapture:theonethatcomesfromattaininganever-higherConnectionandconsciousness.WearealreadysensingtheDivinereturn.Itisa‘Presence’thatwecanfeelwithinus.”

“That’sit!”Iyelled.“That’swhatwe’refeeling.It’saDivinePresence!”Thesoundofthewordsreverberatedthrougheveryone.WillandIlookedateachother.Thatiswhat

wehadfeltonSecretMountain:thePresenceofGodasatangiblereality.Thiswasthereturntheprophecieshadbeenpointingtowardallalong,thefinalAlignment.

Thoughtsracedthroughmymindoverthemagnitudeofwhatwashappening.Itwasnottheideaofapresence,noranabstracttheoryaboutapresence.ItwasanactualPresence:theFeelingIdentityoftheDivine—realandpersonalandwithusatthisverymoment.

Withthatthought,myenergyandconsciousnessbegantosoar,andIcoulddetectthePresenceincreasinginsideme.Timestoodstill.TheApocalypticsappearedfrozen.IlookedoveratWilagain.Hewasnoddinginexcitement.ColemanwassendingatexttoAdjarandHiratellingthemwhatwehaddiscovered.Tommyandtheotherswereawestruck.

Asweglancedatoneanother,theenergyincreasedmore.WewererecapturingtogetherthatfinallevelofenergywehadglimpsedinthewildernessofSedona.Instantly,Isensedwhattherestofthegroupwasthinking.Thiswasit:theTwelfthInsightanditsIntegration.WecanopenourconsciousnessenoughtoreachtheactualPresenceoftheDivine,rightherewhereithasalwaysbeenwaitingforus.

Spontaneously,weallfellintoaTemplateofAgreement.Icouldfeelourconclusion.AllofthetraditionsholdthatGodisarealpresence,butithasonlybeenemphasizedandreallythoughtpossibleinthemostesotericreligiousteachings.

“AcknowledgethePresenceinappreciationandthelinkwillgetstronger,”IheardTommywhispertotheothers.“Thiswillconnectourfinaltemplateconclusionwithallthoseintheworldwhoaresensingthis.”

Nosoonerhadwedonethisthanourenergysoaredevenmore.“NowjoinwiththehighersoulsoftheApocalyptics,”Tommyadded,“andliftthemintothisnew

Connectionwithus.”Aswedidso,thepresenceincreasedtoanotherlevel,anditscharacterchanged.Nowitwasnot

onlyinsideofus,itwasalsooutsideaswell,manifestingasaperceptiblewaveofluminosityallaroundthemoundarea.Thenitsweptdowntowardthecrowdsinawavethatlituptherocksasitwent.

Downatthetrails,wecouldseepeoplereachingouttothesoldiersagain,pushingatthebarricadelines,dartingaroundtheweaponsaimedatthem,andmovingallatonce,asthoughofonemind,upthetrails.

Then,inascenereminiscentofthefalloftheoldSovietUnion,thesoldiersbrokeranksandrefusedtofire,throwingdowntheirweapons.Commandersstoppedshoutingorders,resignedtotheinevitable.Somesoldierswereactuallyjoiningtheflowofpeopletowardthesummit.

Anishturnedandlookedatme,andforamomentIthoughthewasgoingtogetit.Thenhisfacehardenedagain.

“Blowthebomb!”hescreamed.“No,”Iyelled.“Don’tyouunderstand?It’sokaytoreverseyourlifedirection.Youdon’thaveto

pushthatbutton.Youcanchange.”Themanwiththedetonatorwashesitating,listeningtome,notmoving.SoAnishsuddenlycharged

him,grabbingatthedevice.Itfelltotherocks.Hehurledhimselftowardit,stretchingouthisarmstopickitup.ButJoseph’sbrotherrusheduptoblockhisgrasp.

Thengunshotsbegantoringoutasthetwofactionsexchangedfire.Reactingswiftly,Josephrantowardhisbrotherandknockedhimbehindaboulder.Simultaneously,Willungedforwardandhitmeinfullstride,alsopushingmeoutofharm’sway.Asinglegrenadeexploded,coveringuswithsmokeanddust.

WhenIcouldsee,IrealizedmostoftheApocalypticshadfled.WilandColemanweresittingbesideme.Wealljustlookedatoneanother,knowinghowfortunatewehadbeenthatthebombhadn’tdetonated.Lookingaround,wesawthatAnishandanotherextremistwereseriouslywoundedandJoseph’sbrotherhadsuperficialcuts.Nooneelsewashurt.Aboveus,hundredswereonthesummitofMountSinai,wavingtheirhandsincelebration.

Inminutes,weweresurroundedbyfreshEgyptiansoldiers,awholebattalionofthem,whoprovidedimmediatemedicalcareandorder.Hundredsmoresoldierswerequicklymovingupthetrails,usheringthecrowdsoffthesummit.Thepeopledidn’tresist,realizingclearlythatthedayhadbeenwon.Ourgroupwasrejoicingaswell.Atleastfornow,thethreatwasover.

Oneoftheofficers,alieutenant,tookourgroupintocustodyandsatusdownbythemound,takingparticularinterestinTommyandJosephandpullingthemtotheside.HewastheofficerTommyhadbeentalkingwithformonthsattheeasterngate.Thethreediscussedthesituationintenselyforseveralminutes,gesturingtowardtherestofus.

Justthenmyphonerang.ItwasAdjar,updatingusonthesituationatJabalAlLawz,sayingthatthetemplategroupshadgainedtheTwelfthInsightandIntegrationsimultaneouslywithus.Theinfiltratorsfromwithinthemissilebasehadfled.RightafterAdjar,Hiraalsotexted,oncue.TheyhadnotreachedtheTempleMountbutinsteadhadgatheredattheWailingWallatthemomentofreachingtheTwelfth.Noconfirmation,shesaid,abouttherumoredchargesundertheDomeoftheRock.

Finally,Iheardtheofficersay,“Getthemoutofhere!”JosephandTommyrushedoverandpointedoutthepathleadingbacktoSt.Katherine,tellinguswe

werefreetoleave.Wealljustlookedatoneanotheranderuptedinlaughter.Suddenly,Inoticedsomepapersblowingalongthegroundbacknearthemound.Rushingover,Iwas

justabouttoreachdownandpickthemupwhenanotherman,whomIrecognizedasoneofPeterson’soperatives,steppedinfrontofmeandscoopedthemuphimself,givingmeahalfsmileandasmallshakeofhishead.

Allaroundme,Icouldseepeoplebeingthoroughlysearched,andanythingremotelylookinglikeacopyoftheIntegrationswasseized.Whentheyreachedus,wedidn’tresist.

Iwondered:didPetersonnowthinktheDocumentwasathreattohim?Washemovingtofindanddestroyallthecopies,thesamewaythegovernmentofPeruhadmanagedtodestroyallthecopiesoftheoldProphecy?Atbest,Ireasoned,hecouldcreateenoughfearsothatpeoplewouldfeelguardedabouttalkingabouttheDocumentandwouldkeeptheircopieshidden.Suchasuppression,Iknew,wouldhavetoincludeanimmediatecleansingoftheInternetofalltraces.

WhenIgotbacktotheothers,Josephwassayinggood-bye,tellingushewouldstaytherewithhiswoundedbrother.

“Thanks,”Isaid,“forbeingonthathillinSt.Katherinewhenwearrived.”Hegavemeasmileandalittlebowofhishead.“Also,”Wiladded,“thanksfornotgivinguponyourbrother.Whateveryousaidtohimworked.Just

showsus:reachonepersonanditmaymakeallthedifferenceintheworld.”“Isimplytoldhim,”Josephresponded,“whatRachelhadsaidtome:anyonecanwakeupand

changeintheblinkofaneye.”“Oh,bytheway,”Josephwenton,“didItellyouthethreeMountains—JabalAlLawzinSaudi

Arabia,MountSinai,andSecretMountaininArizona—alllineuproughlyinastraightline?”HelookedatusamomentmorewithhisfacefillingwithAgapeandtears,thenhepulledusintoa

hugehug.“IwantedtolookuponthefaceofGod,”hemused,“butIthinkfeelingthePresenceisevenbetter.”Ashewalkedaway,therestofus,lostinourownthoughts,hikeddownthemountainuntilwehitthe

widepathtakingusbacktoSt.Katherine.Wilwasonhisphone.AsIlookedaroundateveryone,IcouldtellwewereallstillfeelingthePresence.Itwaswithusaswemoveddownthepath,automaticallyraisingtheluminosityoftherocksaswewalked.Whenwemetpeoplecomingtowardus,somewouldevenslowdownandlookclosely,asiftheysensedtheelevationinenergy.

WhenWilhunguphisphone,Iedgedoverbesidehim.“Okay,Wil,”Isaid,“whatabouttheTwelfth?TelluswhattheDocumentactuallysays.”Hiseyestwinkledforamomentaseveryonegatheredaroundhim.“ItsaystheTwelfthfiresuptheculminatingpathwaysinourbrains,”hesaid.“Itintegratesallthe

Integrations.ThinkabouthowthePresencemakesyoufeel.NoproblemwithexpectingandsustainingtheSynchronicitynow,isthere?Ortellingthetruthandacceptingitfromothersaswebuildoutthedetailsofournewspiritualworldview?HowaboutmanipulatingpeopleandbeinghitwithallthatKarma?Anybodywanttostartdoingthatagain?

“No,”hecontinued.“WewanttostayinAlignmentandintheconsciousnessthatgivesusalltheseotherabilities:premonitionsthatofferusProtection,guidingintuition,higherAgaperelationships,andanopeningtofullperception—andofcourse,allthosemessagesfromtheAfterlife.

“TheTwelfthsaysthatifenoughofusstayinthisAlignmentandinthePresence,thePlancanbecomeconsciousinhumanculture.Withthisknowledge,anenlightenedcenterwaywillariseinpolitics.Civilityandcharmcanreturntohumanculture.AndeverygovernmentandeveryfieldofhumanendeavorwillmoveintoastateofIntegrity.”

“WhatabouttheTemplatesofAgreement?”Colemanasked.“ItsaystheTemplatesofAgreementwillgraduallymoveeachtradition,”Wilreplied,“towardan

acknowledgmentoftheonePresence,allowingthedifferencesbetweenthereligionstobelessdivisive.Reconciliationwillcreateagroundbreakingunityasweallfocusontheexperiencethatispossible.”Hepaused.“Thenumbersareeverything.ItjustdependsonhowmanypeopleareholdingtheAlignment.”

Ashetalked,aquestionwasforminginmymind.“DoestheTwelfthsay,”Iasked,“howmanypeopleitwouldtaketoturntheworldaroundandto

begintocreatetheidealworldthepropheciespredict?”“Alot,justtogetitstarted.TheDocumentmentionsagainthatmanysmallergroupsinhistoryhave

reachedthepointwherewearenowandweren’tabletokeepitgoing.Theworldisstilldeepinfear.Andaswe’veseen,thestakesaregettinghigher.”

Allofuswerehuddledjustoffthepath,inacircle.“DoestheTwelfthgiveusthespecificnumber?”Ipressed.“Yes,”Wilsaid.“Itisthesameaswithsomeoftheotherprophecies.”“Whatisit?”“144,000.”

AssoonaswereachedSt.Katherine,Tommyandhismothersaidgood-byeaswell,statingthattheywantedtovisittheirfriendsatthebighouseonemoretime.Theyhadgiveneveryoneahugandwerebeginningtowalkaway.Butafteronlyafewpaces,Tommystoppedandturnedtowardme.

“There’smuchtobedone,”headded,“soI’llseeyouinSedona.”Hesmiledthenandrantojoinhismother,leavingmewonderingwhathemeant.Mostoftheotherssaidgood-byeaswellandwentwiththem,leavingonlyWil,Coleman,andme

standingtogetheronthestreet.Colemanofferedhishand.“I’mgoingwiththem,too,”hesaid.“Someofmyscientistfriendswanttostartaninstitutetostudy

allthis.Doyoubelieveit?”HewalkedoverandgaveWilandmebothabearhug.“Listen,”Isaid.“Thanksforbeingthereallthosetimes.”“Ishouldthankyou,”hereplied.“Youreachedme.Itjustshowshowthingschange,oneConscious

Conversationatatime.”WilandIwavedashejoggedoffaftertheothers,thenWilturnedtofaceme.“IwasabletobookaflighttoCairo,”hesaid,smiling.Hethentoldmehehadfinallyreachedhisfriendthearchaeologist,whohadoriginallysenthimthe

firstpartoftheDocument.Themanhadbeeninhiding,andWilwantedtoleaverightawaytotalktohim.Hepausedandwecontinuedtolookateachother,delayingtheparting.“WhataboutColonelPeterson?”Wilasked.“Thelastthinghetoldme,”Ireplied,“wasthattheywereready,andthatallittakesisacoalition

betweenthefarLeftandRighttoimplementhisplan.Istilldon’tknowwhathemeant.”“Ithinkyou’regoingtofindout,”Wilsaid.“Betterstayalert.”Inodded,thensaid,“Iforgottoask.Didyouhaveanyluckfindingthepeoplewhohadreleasedthis

Documentoriginally?”Hesmiledandsaid,“Youalreadyknowwhoitwas.”Ithoughtforamoment.“Shambhalapeople?”“TherearemoreofthemthanIthought.They’regoingtobehelpingwitheverything.I’llletyou

knowwhatIfindout.”Hewasbeginningtoleave,butIthoughtofonelastquestion.“WhydidtheysendtheTwelfthtoAnish?”Willaughedandpulledhispackontohisshoulder.“They’relikeWolf,”hesaid.“Theyknowthings.”Andwiththat,hewasgone,leavingmealone.OnlyIwasn’talone.Infact,IknewIwouldneverbe

aloneagain.

EPILOGUE

Thenextday,IbookedflightsthroughCairomyself.ButIdidn’tgobacktoGeorgia.Instead,IwenttoSedona.Duringthejourney,thePresencewasalwaysthere,anditdidn’tfadeatallunlessIfellintoegoorbecamedistractedinsomeway.

Whenthatoccurred,IhadonlytocomebackintoAlignmentagain,andmoveintoappreciation—andimmediatelythePresencewasback.Ifnothingelse,thisconsciousnesswaseminentlyprovabletooneself.

WiththePresencecametheAgapeandakindofautomaticexpectationofSynchronicityandarememberingtomakesurealongthewaythatIhadtoldtheabsolutetruthtoothers—voicingespeciallytheintuitiveideasthatIfelttheyneededtohear.Whatmadethemostdifferencewastheintentiontomergehighermindswithpeople.WhenIdidthat,themostordinaryofconversationswouldsuddenlyturnmagical,andIwouldalwaysreceivesomethingback.

Afterawhile,IwasabletoexperiencewhatWilhadcalled“theintegrationoftheintegrations”justbybeingawarethatthisenvelopingPresencecamewithmeintoanairplane,oraroomfullofpeople,oftentothedistinctperceptionofothers.ThisrecognitionofsharingthePresencekeptmeinAlignmentatanevenhigherlevel,andIknewthatifenoughofusweredoingthis,thentheconsciousnesscouldquicklyspread.

IfoundthattheemergingTwelfthInsightwasinnowayjustatheory.Itwasanewlevelofbeingthatcouldbediscoveredandlivedbyanyperson,acrossallculturesandreligions.IfwekeepthePresencewithusandstayalert,themeansnecessarytobeofservice—andtomaketheworldabetterplace—wouldalwaysbeprovided.

Theonlyrealdifficultyforanyofus,Iknew,inholdingthisconsciousness,wastheinsidiouseffectoftheold,materialworldview.Itisstilloutthere,whisperinginourear,tellingustheworldishardandunforgivingandthatleadingalifeofsomeesoteric,saintlyintentisimpossible.Thatistrue,ofcourse,ifwethinkofourselvesasbeingaloneinameaninglessUniverse.Butthefactis,wearen’t.WecanstayinAlignment,andprovetoourselvesthatweliveinaUniversethatis,inessence,aDreamMachine—justwaitingforustoturniton.

Twodayslater,whenIarrivedinSedona,IwentimmediatelytotheAirportVortexandclimbedupontherockstowatchthesunset.Therewereonlyoneortwootherpeoplethere,soItookaseatontheverytopandclosedmyeyes,feelingthewarmthofthesinkingsunonmyface.

Suddenlysomeonesatdownbesidemewithaplop.IlookedaroundtoseeTommy’ssmilingface.“Youcametotellme,”Isaid,“thatit’sallgoingtobeokay,didn’tyou?”Hegavemethatlookthatmadehimseemsomucholder.“Icametotellyouthattheflameofthisconsciousnessmustnotbeallowedtogoout.Thishistorical

momentistooimportant.Itisthehourofdecision,andeverypersonalivemustmakeachoice.”Hethenlookedatmeasthoughhemightburstoutlaughing.“Afterall,Dr.Coleman’sscaleisstillup

thereinthesky,andeverythoughtcounts.”Inodded,thenasked,“Tommy,haveyoureceivedyourtribalnameyet?”

“Yes—lastnight,fromtheelders.”“Whatisit?”“MountainTimekeeper.”Ismiled,knowingitwasperfect.HewoulddohisparttomakethevisionoftheCalendarknown.Wefellintosilencethen,andIgazedoutatafamiliar-lookingsunset—littleangelswirlsofpink

clouds,starkagainstadeepbluesky.AsIwatched,mythoughtsdriftedagaintothestateoftheworld.Would,indeed,enoughofusmove

intoAlignmenttomeetthechallenge?AsIponderedthequestion,Iheardacrowcawinthedistance.Andinthatmoment,Icaughtthefaintestfragranceofroseintheair.Yes,Ithought,I’mbettingyes.

Ifyousensethetruthofwhatisoccurringandbelievethatpeopleofintegritycanmakeadifference,takeaction.Toletusknowwhat

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