This chapter starts off with our man depressed -- turning over the thoughts and possibilities in his mind due to the conversation he had with another ghost about the situation they're in and the question about the sincerity and altruism of their spiritual guides. He's doubting -- big time. Then he overhears another interesting conversation. A female "ghost" is arguing with a "Bright Person" about going up to the mountain. She is told that the struggle against the weightier/more solid earth will disipate over time. The "Spirit" (Bright Person) tells her that she's dead already (after she says she'd "rather die" than go. She doesn't want to have these being be able to look right through her.
She sobs and says she wishes she'd never been born. "What are we born for?" she cries. The Spirit answers her:
"For infinite happiness. You can step out into it at any moment..."
"But, I tell you," she protests, "they'll see me."
"An hour hence and you will not care. A day hence and you will laugh at it. Don't you remember on earth -- there were things too hot to touch with your finger but you could drink them all right? Shame is like that. If you will accept it -- if you will drink the cup to the bottom -- you will find it very nourishing: but try to do anything else with it and it scalds."
Very profound statement, indeed.
This female almost went with the Spirit, but then pulled back and protested. The Spirit then blew a horn and loud as thunder hoofs came rumbling over. They were unicorns. Our main character takes off...
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at April 16, 2007 12:44 PM