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Contemporary knowledge about God, Evolution, and the meaning of human life.
Methodology of spiritual development.
Tale of Marusya, the InventorOnce upon a time, there was a girl named Marusya. On the surface, she was ordinary, not too special or conspicuous, and quiet. But — she smiled sweetly to all. And her gaze was kind and warm — because it manifested the light of a loving heart. She was kind and friendly — not only to the people that lived nearby, but to all beings: to grass and flowers, to birds and mammals, and even to insects. Many mocked her because of her kindness, teasing her for saying: “Don’t pick a flower in vain, don’t crush a bug, and don’t step on an ant…” … One time, this story happened to her. Some other girls and her walked to a meadow. And there was so much beauty there, an expanse, fragrant flowers, and butterflies and bees that were flying! And the girls decided to tell fortunes on chamomiles: to find out which of them is loved by different boys? They began to pick flowers and tear off their petals, saying: ”Peter loves me — he loves me not, he loves me — he loves me not. Ivan loves me — he loves me not, he loves me — he loves me not.” But Marusya tried to dissuade them: “Look: each flower loves everything and everyone around! It gives away its beauty! “Instead of ruining them for fun, it would be better to learn to love as they do: like these flowers love! “And will one of these boys love you, if you offend the flowers like this? “Here, these flowers, they are like little suns, giving us their tenderness! Look at them: they open up their hands-petals to all directions, and all of them are saying to each of us: ‘I love you!’ “Or — these bluebells! Hear how they sing their song:
“Ding-ding, let us fly in the blue of the sky! “Ding-ding, banish the evil in yourself! “Be kind: for this — is the essence of life! “Ding-ding, let it be a joyful day!
“You’re a restless inventor, Marusya!” — the girls laughed. But Marusya was not hurt by these words. * * * As time went on, Marusya grew. But people still sometimes made fun of her purity and kindness: “You are already of marriageable age, soon it will be time for you to get married! But you behave like a little girl: caring only about nonsense!” Marusya, though she was embarrassed at times, sometimes replied with wisdom. She could say something so that everything around became fun! And sometimes — she replied in such a way that people began to think: “Why do we live?”, “How to discern: what is good — and what is bad?”… * * * In those days, festival-celebrations were often held in those lands. Young people from neighboring villages would gather and have fun: all sorts of competitions were organized, and they would weave wreaths of flowers and place them on their heads… At these festivals, girls and boys often met their future mates. Once, at such a festival, the young boys and girls wanted to start uprooting flowers — to make wreaths. But Marusya suddenly suggested: “It would be better if we became flowers ourselves! Choose any flower’s name — and be this flower!” And then the fun continued with inventing and guessing names. … There was a guy who was liked by many girls. In everything, he was the best. He was both brave, clever, skillful, strong, and beautiful. His name was Egor. And he was liked by Marusya too. Egor asked Marusya: “How would you call me: by what flower name? Which is most like me, what do you think?” “I think you look like the edelweiss flower. It grows high up in the mountains, like a silver star. There, above the clouds, on inaccessible cliffs, such ‘stars’ blossom suddenly in the spring. As if they are — guests who wanted to live on the Earth for a little bit and who have each chosen a hill, from which they can easily see the other stars in the sky… It is said that all, who are in love, are like this flower. But maybe I’m wrong… Lovers, too, make mistakes,” — Marusya said this, looking into the eyes of Egor, and then lowered her lashes and blushed… * * * After the festival, many dispersed in pairs. Marusya and Egor also went hand in hand. Egor asked: “What do you want most in life now? What are you dreaming about?” … Frankly, Egor was hoping that she would want to kiss… He had already kissed other girls… But Marusya said: “I want to be a Magus! I can already do miracles a bit. But people do not always notice them. “I also want to learn how to help people become kinder. “What do you think God waits for in people in general? And what does He want from every human being?” “Maybe God wants us to become better: wiser, kinder, and stronger… What do you think?” — Egor was slightly taken aback, not expecting such a turn of the conversation. “I think that God, as the Creator, that is, our common Supreme Parent, wants His children to become like Him, well, at least a little, a little bit… “And God — what is He? He is large, even huge, wise, kind, and all-powerful. And — just… “Oh, look: the swans! The swans are flying! Two of them: a male and a female… “Would you like to fly with your girlfriend like them above the land?” “Don’t be silly! You are a fairly-eccentric and restless inventor!” “And people shoot at them… Would you shoot swans on the hunt?” “No, I would not! I have pleasure in watching swans in the sky, and hearing their songs…” “That’s good…” — Marusya said. — “I would also like to love like them: to be together for the whole life…” “And what would you do at the wedding feast: would you eat a roast swan?” — Egor made a joke. “I will not, no way!” — Marusya seriously answered. “And chicken?” “And I will not eat a chicken either! I never eat any birds or mammals, nor caught fish!” “So, they tell the truth about you… And I thought, they were making everything up… And what should we eat then?” “Mushrooms and berries, garden vegetables, cereals, bread, and all kinds of greens — is this not food?” “But you pity each sprout and flower!” “It’s a pity — if we pick them in vain. “But when the ears are ripe — then they do give their seeds to the soil for new shoots, and they give seeds also to people who have nurtured those ears.” “You talk so strangely! How can you live — like that? Not shooting birds, not stepping on an ant, and not picking flowers in vain…” “That’s how I live,” — Marusya lowered her lashes… “Who will marry you, a weirdo?” “You…” “That’s your fantasy! To marry me — every girl would be glad! And I can choose anyone!” “But I am not just anyone. I have already chosen you…” * * * Then the boys and girls again began to call upon each other to hold a new festival, and have fun… This time they invented to choose a guy who is the strongest, and the girl who is the most beautiful. At first, the boys began to fight: the losers — were eliminated, and the winners were to compete with each other more. In the beginning, it was nothing more than a joke contest. But then — the fight grew angrier. Egor — had surpassed all the others! He was recognized as the most powerful! … Then they began to choose the most beautiful girl. Egor, flushed by the struggle and proud of the victory, tried to fix his eyes on Marusya. But he saw that she had stepped aside, and did not wish to dance for the title of most beautiful… … He turned and looked around at the fun, where he was being called to join the other guys, but, instead, he waved his hand to them — and went to catch up to Marusya… “Why are you running away? Are you afraid that you will not be elected the most beautiful?” “No, I already know that I will not be elected. But many others will not be elected too. Only one will be elected. “But every girl has her own special beauty, for which the guy could fall in love with her… “I would rather have a different competition: who is more kind?” “In this, you would most definitely win!” “But no, I’m wrong: such a contest would not work. Here, there cannot be a winner: no one will be able to choose among the acts of kindness: which is — the best. “There are a lot of different situations in which kindness is needed! “Sometimes, just a smile or a kind word can save man from a big sorrow, for example, by bringing back hope… “But sometimes, even a great military feat can have qualities that are not good. “Here you are: during your competition, you were the best and most powerful of the guys. But one of them has a swollen eye now. And Roman limps: his leg is very injured. And Fedor — he harbors malice that he had not won… “Is it good to have such a game?” “If people obeyed you, they would all be like cowardly sheep…” “Do not say that… For good can be both courageous and strong. “But the courageous and strong, however, are not often kind…” * * * Meanwhile, among the most beautiful girls, Anfisa was elected and named the beauty queen. And Anfisa ordered: “Now, the one who is the most daring — will be chosen! Let’s all go to the river bank, to the precipice! Whoever will jump into the river from it — I will kiss!” … The river, which flowed in these places, had a harsh current, and was wide. And where Anfisa suggested to jump — there was a dangerous bend and whirlpool… And the precipice in that place was high, continually being washed away by the river, and the edge of it could collapse under one’s feet at any moment… And the other girls echoed after Anfisa, saying: “And we will also kiss those who are daring, those who will not be afraid to jump!” But Marusya could not stand it: “What is clever here? Where is the bravery in this? Do not come close to the edge! There is a channel with a whirlpool here, and the stream is rapid! The water is cold! What silly dispute have you started?!” But she was answered by both boys and girls: “Go away, coward! It was not you, but the queen of beauty who appointed this contest! This challenge is for brave men!” … Marusya departed from the people who were arguing with her, and began looking for Egor, hoping that he would support her, because no one would call him a coward… But Egor said nothing… … With the older children, one small boy had tagged along. He came up to the very edge of the cliff — to see from the ledge: where would it be least scary to jump from? But the edge of the cliff collapsed — and the boy fell into the river from a great height. At the same moment, Marusya jumped after him. Egor also jumped as well… … Marusya and Egor pulled the frightened boy to the shore, and took him home. * * * After that case, Egor noticed a new sensation, which he had never noticed in himself before: he understood how important Marusya now was to him! Now he was worried about her, he wanted to be her friend and protector… He understood that there was no one who was more dear to him than this kind and brave girl.
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