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Assyris

Tale of Death and the Fire Heart

There once was a girl named Alyonushka. While her parents were alive, they all lived happily and joyfully. But, one day, it so happened that her parents died — and Alyonushka became an orphan.

A distant relative took her into her house — which was both large and rich. But things did not go well for Alyonushka there. She had to live in the house as a housemaid, and reproaches were the only reward for her labor.

That relative was very greedy! She turned her home into — a hotel. And Alyonushka did not even her own room. She slept in the storeroom, which was next to the kitchen.

In the hotel, travelers could spend the night, have lunch, and have dinner — while on the road to the capital town or back from it. From morning till evening, Alyonushka worked tirelessly. She washed, cleaned, stoked the furnace, carried water, prepared food, weaved, and embroidered. In all things, Alyonushka was a skillful worker! But only rarely did she receive appreciation, only rarely did she hear a good word, and it was only from guests. But the housewife did not compliment Alyonushka. She only scolded her. No matter what Alyonushka did — it was not enough for her! She would constantly nag, saying: “I have taken in an orphan — and there is neither use of her, nor thanks!”

But Alyonushka — was kind and affectionate with everyone, she did not take offense to the offensive words, and she was not angry at the injustice.

She only wanted to have at least something positive in her life. But nothing happened.

It was only at dawn that she had some little joyful time, when she walked to the river for water, washed, and met the rising sun.

In such moments, the sun would smile to Alyonushka! And Alyonushka would smile to the sun too!

Alyonushka would think that, perhaps, somewhere there is a happy, joyful, free life. But how to find this life?

When times were particularly sad and difficult for Alyonushka, she would recall how joyfully the sun smiles, and how it caresses by its rays all creatures — and then things would get easier.

One day at dawn, Alyonushka thought that the sunny light shined brighter than usual, as if there was Someone Invisible next to her.

And Alyonushka called:

“Where are You, beautiful Gods? How can I bring the dawn into my life? How can I understand all that I do not know? How can I learn to live in happiness and in the Light?”

… And Alyonushka felt that the Light around shined brighter. And she thought that her words had been heard.

But the days went by one after the other, and nothing happened, and nothing changed. And Alyonushka forgot about that moment.

* * *

Soon, a royal messenger came to their village and announced that the prince is sick with an unknown disease, and that the one who will find the cure of that disease — will get as much gold, silver, and precious gems as that one can carry.

Alyonushka heard about that and felt sad for the prince, thinking: “I thought that troubles exist only among the poor, but it turns out that even the royal house is not exempt from misfortune.”

And then it happened that a young traveler stopped for the night in their house.

It was evident that he was a noble man, yet he did not show his nobility and wealth. He behaved calmly and politely.

He paid the hostess with gold. And he paid so much, that she was not herself untouched from pleasure, and began trying to please.

But the young traveler went up to his room and asked them to serve him a dinner and to not disturb him.

* * *

Alyonushka brought dinner to the guest and was about to go.

But the traveler suddenly turned pale, staggered, and, bearing one hand on the table, painfully sat down into a chair.

Alyonushka ran up, fearing for the guest, and helped him to lie down on the bed.

“Do you feel unwell? Should I call a doctor?”

“No. Do not worry! Do not call a doctor, I have seen many of them! Another one will not change anything. I’m going to die soon, but not right now, I still have a little time left. You cannot help me, and no one can! Go… No, wait a bit, just sit with me, if you can.”

… Alyonushka sat by the bedside and began to listen to him as closely and carefully as she could. And yet — hugged him with kindness, warmth, and heart love.

The young traveler said:

“You do not know me, I do not know you, we will never see each other again — and so I can talk to you freely and tell you everything that has been a weight on the soul.

“You are still so young that you probably will not be able to understand me. But, perhaps, due to your purity, it will be easy for me to talk to you. I can even tell you that I am trying to hide from myself: the thoughts of which I want to run and run. But it is impossible to run…

“I am the king’s son. I lived for many years without worries and even did not think about why I live. I ate on gold gourmet plates, my ears were charmed by the best singers and musicians, and I was attended and catered to.

“But death knocked on my door… The best doctors told me that I will live no more than two or three months. And now — the senselessness of my whole life has opened up before me!

“It seems to me that death came to me before its time. I’m still young! Yet I have no time left to even do something good! I have not even understood why I live — and now my end is so near! I do not want to die!…

“Before now — death, for example, in battle seemed heroic to me and it did not force me to think about the meaning of life. I did not feel the reality of death, but saw only exploits and fame. But now, I do not even have those things, for which there would have been no pity to die!

“I thought that a prince should be willing to die for his country. But I did not know my people, and I have not learned to love my country! Only now, traveling incognito, do I see the troubles and problems of the people of my kingdom! If I were still alive and began to rule, I, perhaps, would be able to help so many! But I do not have time!

“My life is almost over — and I did not do anything important or necessary!

“Have I even brought joy to someone, have I, at least, made someone happy? It turns out that, no, I have not!

“It pains me to think about all the time that was wasted in my life! And it is terrible to think of death! But I cannot even think about it! Perhaps you think that I’m just a coward… But I am oppressed by not only the fear of the unknown beyond the threshold of death, but by the senselessness of my life!

“I did not want to spend the rest of my days in bed — dying slowing before a crowd of doctors and my pitying parents! I did not want to see sad faces! I did not want to be a source of income — for doctors of all kinds! And so, I left.

“I have very little time, but I should have enough time to find the answers to the questions: ‘Why do I live?’, ‘Why do people live?’, and ‘Why does death end everything?’”

… Alyonushka listened to the prince quietly, carefully, and as no one had even listened to him before. She took his hand, as if trying to ease the suffering. Her tenderness, kindness, and peace as if warmed the heart of the prince.

“Why do you speak as if death has already occurred? After all, you are alive and, therefore, you can understand and do a lot more! You can still help, for example, a lot of people!”

“Well, you’re right, I’ll try!

“Here is what I have devised: take this ring. I had to give it to my bride-beloved. I suppose, I will not be able to help a lot, but, at least, I can help you! This is — a sign, according to which the king and queen will take you as my wife and the heiress to the throne. They will not reject my last will. You, eventually, will inherit the power of the kingdom and will provide comfort to my parents in their retirement years! For — I see it — you have a good heart! You will be a good queen! You do know first-hand the hardships of people’s life! Tomorrow morning, we will be married in the temple, according to the custom of our country, so that no one will be able to challenge your rights. I will write a letter to my parents — and they will welcome you! Then, when you meet someone whom you love and who will love you — you will marry and make him the legitimate ruler. You both, for sure, will be happy and will be able to do a lot of good!

“Please do not refuse! Allow at least one good deed to light up my life!”

“To rule the country, one needs wisdom and strength, not only a good heart! How can you trust all of it — to me?”

“I’ve learned along the way how to differentiate people. And if I could live longer, I would not seek a bride better than you. And as for those who will give you advice on how to rule — that will not be a problem: they will run up from all sides… And only a loving heart will be able to identify: who is sincere and honest, and who is only looking for benefit!”

“You have not even asked me my name! Is it possible to deal with such cases so quickly?!”

“What’s your name, my darling?”

“Alyonushka. For a princess — the name is not appropriate…” — Alyonushka gently blushed, and then lowered her lashes.

“Well, now we know each other! And I’m — Prince Elisey!

* * *

The marriage ceremony was held the next morning in the temple of this town. Only, there was no wedding feast. And there were no guests either.

Before they said goodbye forever, Elisey and Alyonushka were alone. They sat side by side.

Alyonushka said:

“I will wait for you, Elisey! I believe that you, for sure, will find the answers to your questions! And that you — definitely, will get well!

“I have loved you! I heard that a girl should not say such words first, but I’m afraid that, if I do not say this, you yourself will not be able to guess. And now you know — and my love will be with you!”

“I also have loved you, Alyonushka! This is — the greatest happiness in my life!”

“Can I go with you now?” — Alyonushka asked, filled with new hope.

“No, honey, you do not have to go with me! In front of me — death is waiting, while in front of you — there is a long and happy life! I really want you to be happy, and so let it be!

“And, moreover — you can do a lot of good for all the people in this country! You can do what I did not have time to do! You will do it both for me and for yourself! And then you will meet a decent young man, love him, and become his wife.”

… Alyonushka shook her head, wiping away her tears.

They sat for a long time embracing each other…

And then the prince went in one direction and Alyonushka, in a beautiful carriage, which was hired for her by Elisey, — to another.

* * *

Prince Elisey went on his way to find answers to his questions about the meaning of life and death.

Previously, he was trying to flee from death out of fear of it. But due to this — it was as if death was chasing after him and overtaking him everywhere. He had always thought of death, even though he had tried to forget about it… But everything around him had constantly reminded him of the inevitability of this terrible end. And his questions about the meaning of life remained unanswered…

Now the prince decided… not to run anymore, but, to as if move towards his fear, saying: “Since death is coming anyway and very soon — I should live the rest of my life in a way that will make at least some sense! And — so as not to be ashamed in front of Alyonushka for the way I finished my life!”

And the prince began to look for a dignified death.

He rushed to save a drowning person or entered a burning house to rescue a child. Fate increasingly provided him with opportunities to do good — and, in each instance, death retreated, as if taking as a ransom the willingness of the prince to die for others.

He used every opportunity to give his life to save others — and death over and over again, it seemed, yielded. Death no longer frightened Elisey as before. On the contrary, the memory of death gave him courage and strength! He now performed all his actions — as if they were the last in his life!

Now he was trying to help everyone whom he met on his way, including in cases where there was no risk to his life.

He even began to forget about his illness, rejoicing in the saved lives and happy smiles of those people who were grateful to him.

And yet, he very often recalled Alyonushka. In the evenings, he took a pen and paper and wrote letters to her. He told her of his love, of everything that happened to him, of what he saw and understood. But he did not send those letters…

… As time went on, severe bouts of illness happened to him more and more frequently. His body was becoming weaker and weaker.

The prince had long ago given away all the money that he had with him, to people in need. He spent his nights now on the bare ground, covered only by a cloak. He ate nuts, berries, and mushrooms, and only sometimes — what he was granted by the people whom he helped.

He became more like a tramp than a king’s son.

* * *

Then one day, in one town, he saw the preparations for an execution: “Death is here again — and for this man it comes right now!” — he thought.

The prince looked at the person being sentenced. He was calm and did not seem afraid to die, even though he was young and his body was full of health and strength.

“What is he being executed for?” — the prince asked the guards.

“He worships a different God and preaches a false doctrine. There cannot be multiple faiths, or the kingdom will crumble to pieces!”

“Why do they want you to be executed?” — he asked the person being sentenced. — “Are you guilty — or did the slander and libel of foes bring you here?”

“I told people about One God and of the common Laws of Existence of the entire universe — the Laws of Love and Goodness! I do not see guilt in it!”

“And I do not see any reason to for you to be deprived of life! I am ready to die instead of you!”

… The prince realized that now, if he were to name himself and order to release the young man — he would not be believed: the executioner and the guards would only be angry, looking at his worn-out clothes and haggard face.

The prince turned to the executioner, and said:

“This man is innocent, I am ready to die instead of him! Let him go!”

The executioner laughed from this unprecedented situation and said:

“It is impossible, tramp! But, if you had money, his life could be redeemed. Try to find someone here who agrees to help this person. You have a full five minutes!

“And you,” — the executioner turned to the person being sentenced — “pray to your ‘One God’, because after a few minutes you will not be able to do it!”

… “And these are — the laws of my country!” — Elisey was horrified once again. — “If the offender is rich, he is not afraid of justice, but if he is poor, then a righteous judgment does not exist for him…”

For a long time now, the prince did not have any money. He only had a gold medallion inscribed with a monogram. He believed that this would allow them to identify his body — so that his family would be able to know about his death.

The prince took off the medallion, and said:

“Is this enough?”

The executioner eagerly held out his hand.

“First, let this man go!”

… The executioner removed the shackles from the person being sentenced. The young man, still hardly believing what had happened, came down the stairs of the wooden platform on which he was to be executed.

The crowd, which had gathered to witness the execution, began to disperse in disappointment.

“I wonder why people are willing to look at death, to the suffering of others — for entertainment?!” — thought the prince.

* * *

The young man who had been saved came up to the prince and thanked him, saying:

“I have never met anyone who could so easily be willing to give his life for the first comer!”

“My merit is not as great as you think. But my fault, it turns out, is a lot more than I thought!

“My life — costs almost nothing: I am sick and soon to die.”

“Yes, you really do not look well… Come with me!” — the man who was saved pronounced.

They went into the forest, away from the town.

“Well, I guess that the price of my life is not too expensive!” — the young man joked. — “Just a little gold trinket!”

“I had nothing else… I'm sorry…” — the prince replied.

“I was not laughing about that!”

“Tell me, where are you leading me?”

“I should repay your good deed with a good deed of my own! You have saved my life — I must save yours!”

“That you cannot… Let’s rest for a little while!” — the prince smiled without a trace of sadness.

“Be patient: we are almost there! I am not a healer or a teacher. But the One to Whom I take you — He can do anything!”

… It started to rain. The prince several times slipped and fell, and when he was unable to get up — the young man carried him on his back…

* * *

In the forest, people gathered at a clearing. They came here in spite of the rain. They were waiting for the Master and tried to light a campfire.

He Whom they called the Master or the Shepherd, spoke with one person who stood slightly apart.

The rain died down, when the young man with Elisey approached.

But the fire still did not flare up.

The prince took out from a linen bag, in which now were all his belongings, the letters that he wrote to Alyonushka, and offered them — so that those people could start a fire, dry off, and warm up. He wrote those letters almost every day, there were many of them. “Well, at least these people, who came to listen to the Master, will be warm!” — he thought.

But at that moment, the Master came, stretched out His hand — and the flame flared up.

The campfire burned evenly and strongly. The Master took off His cloak, spread it next to the fire, put the letters back in Elisey’s bag, and made a convenient pillow out of it for Elisey, placing it near the top of the cloak. Then He helped to put the prince on this bed next to the fire.

The Master began to speak with the people.

… Prince Elisey knew that he was dying.

Sometimes it seemed to him that he was already dead. He saw his body lying by the fire, and people sitting side by side, with the Master speaking to them. He was a little surprised that he continued to clearly hear everything and could see everything — as if through a light golden mist.

Then the people gradually began to disperse to their homes, taking in their hearts peace, love, and a new understanding of how they should live. Each of them had learned from the conversation something that was necessary and significant from the simple and wise words of the Master.

The prince had imprinted most vividly just what he longed to hear: “Man does not live only once on the Earth in a material body. Only the body dies. Souls continue to live. After leaving the body, the soul rests, and then again it comes back to the Earth, being born in a new body. And the soul then has the opportunity to continue to improve. The meaning of life on the Earth consists in improvement, in perfecting oneself. But one does not remember one’s past lives, so as not to be crushed by a load of mistakes and sins, or not to become proud of achievements and feats of the past. Only a very few are allowed by God to remember who they were. They are those who have already become mature and wise souls.”

The Master also explained much about the One God, about how to help people to live, and about the principles by which the perfection of the soul is attained…

Everything in the outlook of Elisey had now been established in its place. He now felt that he would very much like to go on living in this body of his!

He addressed a question to God: “How can I not forget all of the most important things that I’ve already learned at the threshold of death? How to remember them — so that I can live and help others in this?”

But there was no answer…

The campfire was burning brightly in the night, sometimes bright sparks, like golden stars, flew into the sky, showering the transparent depth of the night.

The young man, who was saved by the prince, came to the Master, and said:

“This man saved me from death today — and so I brought him here. Can You heal him?”

“You did well! I’ll take care of him, do not worry! But, in the future, be cautious with your sermons of Love and Goodness!

“It is impossible to make people smarter or nicer by persuasion and appeals! There is only one way to do this: by realization of the Teachings in their own lives! And then — the people, who really need it, will reach out to you.”

… The young man went home, comprehending how to make everything heard the foundation of his life.

* * *

The prince died, knowing that his time had come. He was now just watching what will happen next. He did not know: is it a dream, reality, or has death occurred already?…

It seemed to him that his body was immersed in a flame of a huge Fire. And he saw that this Fire had Hands, which were extended into his body, and that they withdrew the black as coal traces of the disease.

A feeling of lightness and weightlessness increased.

Later on, a Face, consisting of Light, leaned over him.

Elisey asked:

“Who are You? God?”

“It is better to say: I am a Part of His Universal Omnipotence, Love, and Wisdom. There are Many Who are like Me. And We are called the Sons and Daughters of God.”

“Why do You appear as a man?”

“So that — it is more convenient to talk. But We can use a different manner!” — He said and transformed His appearance into a vast and shining Light, which was similar to sunshine!

“Am I already dead?”

“You are not a body but a soul! You just left the body. But you can come back to it if you want: you now have correctly learned a lot.”

“Yes, I would like not to forget all that I have learned, and to do what I could do, if I am returned to the body.”

“Good! When life in the body finds the true meaning, God can bestow the healing! Here — I give you a new heart!”

… The Fire Hands took a particle of the Flame, and created a new heart out of it, which He then placed into the chest of the prince.

Life flowed into the body. A flow of Fire filled the blood vessels and this blew new life into every corner of the body. States of happiness and immense love for all and everything — covered Elisey!

Love united the soul with the Light in One! Elisey could never have imagined that there could be such happiness!

* * *

When the prince woke up — the rising sun was shining.

He still was not sure what had happened to him that night — but he was alive!

Above him, the Master carefully bent. He was like that Man-God from the night’s events. Bodily, He was tall, broad-shouldered, with brown hair which, in soft waves, fell down to His shoulders, amazing blue eyes shined with a gentle warmth and light. In appearance, He looked to be about thirty years old or so. But something unusual was in His eyes and in the movements of His body, as if He was here by only a small Part of Himself. A special peace surrounded Him and hugged both the prince and the space around.

“I dreamed that I was dead and then revived,” — Elisey said, and he was surprised at how his voice sounded.

“Drink this!” — the Master offered a cup to Elisey. The infusion of aromatic herbs and honey blew heat throughout his body.

“Who are You?”

“I am the Shepherd. However, My flock is scattered all over the Earth, and I now go through the world and gather back those who are willing to listen to Me.”

“I dreamed that You cured me? But can one be cured of death?”

“When life in the body finds the true meaning, God can bestow the healing!” — the Teacher repeated the words from the prince’s dream. — “You are healthy, but you’ll have to stay with Me here for a little while longer in order to learn to live in a new way and to actually obtain the Fire Heart!

“Such a Heart, full of Divine Love, Wisdom, and Power, — one cannot just get as a gift from one to another, even if this other is God! It must be developed by man himself or herself!

“Now, get up! You need to wash!”

To his surprise, Elisey was able to easily get to his feet unaided.

The Teacher and the prince went to a spring, which filled a huge deep bowl in a rock with transparent and clear bluish water. From this bowl, a loud babbling brook began.

“Swim here. The water in this spring is clean and always cold. It’s good for you!”

… Elisey submerged himself completely several times. At first — he gasped for air because of the cold water, but then… he, it seemed, was born again: tenderness, purity, strength, and joy filled him! It was as if spring streams flowed within his body! Never before, even when he was quite well, did he feel so much energy and joy in the soul and the body!

As they returned to the fire, the Master, as if in passing, said:

“A lot of people, to get rid of severe illnesses, could use the help of such a simple remedy: bathing in ice water. But it must be done without coercion and without fear. Even with just a few of such plunges — the energies of diseases can leave the body.

“But no lasting healing is possible without a previous transformation of the soul. If a person continues to live a vicious life, the disease will come back.”

… While they had breakfast by the fire, the Master spoke again:

“I suppose that you want to hurry now to your beloved Alyonushka. But before you go home, you would do well to learn a lot more — to actually start helping other people! Do you want this?”

“Do You know everything about me?”

“I know what I need. Are you willing to stay with Me and learn?”

“Yes, I want to learn! I understand that the prolongation of life in this body has been given to me for this purpose.”

… So, Elisey stayed with the Master.

* * *

Now let’s see what happened to Alyonushka during this time.

When she arrived at the palace, the guards would not even admit her past the doorstep until she showed the ring and the letter of the prince.

The king and queen met her unkindly.

“Our son got married?! Without our knowledge?!” — the queen sighed.

“That cannot be! She is an impostor who wants to lay claim to the throne!” — the king said indignantly.

“But no: it is — Elisey’s handwriting and his seal!” — the queen handed the letter to the king, having read it.

… Alyonushka quietly stood on the side, waiting for this storm of emotions to pass.

Then the king and queen softened up and began to ask her about Elisey.

Alyonushka told them everything that she knew.

So, she stayed in the palace.

… As time went on, Alyonushka, by her kindness, soon became a favorite not only of the king and queen, but of all the courtiers.

However, Alyonushka was not happy with her new life. She could not accustom herself to live without working! But all the work in the palace was done by servants. The king wrote decrees, while the ministers listened. The queen was sad about Elisey and gave instructions to servants.

And how to execute Elisey’s instructions: to establish a better and kinder life in the kingdom — she did not know.

Once, Alyonushka decided to wake up early in the morning and wash the floors everywhere, but only awkwardness resulted from it. She could not complete even half of the work: the palace was huge! And then the servants woke up and were alarmed. The maids — were in tears, saying: “What does this mean: do we not do a good job?! Is the queen going to drive us away?!…”

The king and queen edified Alyonushka, saying:

“It is not your place — to wash floors! You are the princess! You have to become a queen!”

Then Alyonushka said:

“What should my role be?”

… The queen could not tell Alyonushka that her role was to relax, choose fancy outfits to wear, and enjoy life in the palace. The queen could not say such a thing to Alyonushka, because she saw: such things were not important to Alyonushka or needed by her!

The king, too, became thoughtful.

And Alyonushka then told him:

“Since I need to be a queen, then teach me — how do you govern the whole kingdom!”

… From that day on, the king began to inform Alyonushka about affairs of the state.

And Alyonushka, too, told much to the king. She could always see the unfairness of things! And she would tell these things to the king in such a way that he began to carefully listen to her advice. Many good deeds were performed by the new royal decrees.

* * *

Meanwhile, Elisey began to learn the science of how to acquire the Fire Heart, which was all-loving and full of great strength. And he also began to learn how to help people living on the Earth.

Every morning, starting at dawn, his studies would begin, and they would come to an end only in the evening. But the evenings were not wasted. They were filled with wise conversations of the Teacher with His students. The problems and difficulties of many people, who came to the Teacher for advice, and how He answered them — were also a form of learning on the art of cognizing souls — both large and small, good and not good.

Once, Elisey asked the Teacher:

“What is the name of the God, Whom You serve?”

“There are many directions of religion and belief, and there is a lot of names, but there is only one God! He is the Creator of all the universe! He is everywhere, though not visible to the eyes of the body. But He is easily seen by a loving soul!

“God is here and present in every moment! He is not somewhere far away — but near you, around you, and within you. But He can be cognized only by a loving spiritual heart.

“He holds your life in His Hands. He offered to you now the best conditions for your further development! You are now able to quickly master the Straight Path: from human life — to the Divine life!

“The creative Power of God is at the other side of the door, which you can start to open now.

“Love and kindness of the soul are the main conditions for this! You and God now will create together a new reality for your fate, your life. Everything around you will come to life and will be lighted by that Sun, which a lover of God lights in his or her spiritual heart!

“Look now at the rising sun! The Light of God, Which healed your body, — looks similar to that sunlight.

“In the space inside your chest, where you feel the emotion of love, the spiritual heart can be found. It begins its development — from here.

“The warm and shining state of a soul, which is called love, is already awakened in you. This is due to the meeting with your Alyonushka.

“God is Love! He alone — is the Greatest Soul that loves everyone and everything!

“You should learn about His Love, Which is infinitely greater than the love of a man to even the most wonderful woman!

“You should also cognize His Power and Wisdom, Which are superior to any power in any kingdom!

“You must learn to be God and at the same time still remain Man!

“This task is feasible for a developed human being. But very few people on the Earth are currently thinking about it! But it is namely this — that is the purpose of life for many incarnate human souls!

“Yes, the Creator has established in people an opportunity to improve the consciousness and ascend to the cognition of God, up to the Union in Oneness with Him!

“… Let’s start with something small. If you now look forwards by the spiritual heart, your love will be able to embrace all the things that you look at.

“Feel your sight from the spiritual heart — as the sight of the soul! You can start to feel your face in the chest: eyes, lips, blink your eyelashes, move your lips. Say by the soul your wish to all beings: ‘May love and peace — be in all of you!’

“The look of a loving soul — is not indifferent: with every touch, it caresses all the living, but it does not gaze indifferently, like bodily eyes can do!”

… Elisey began to study it.

Every day he caressed all creatures by love, flowing from the spiritual heart. He quickly realized that distance is not important: one can caress by the soul-love also those who are now very far away.

Soon his heart was burning with love constantly — like the Sun.

Then the Master said to him:

“The fact is that what you have already cognized — is enough for man to be happy and to give heart warmth to some other people. But to help many in the country, to build a new life in it, and to establish love on the whole Earth — you need to become much bigger and stronger!

“Only that man, who grants love to others, acquires the Bliss!

“By becoming the Great Love — a person plunges into the Divine Bliss! Because God is Love!

“Do you want to continue studying?”

“Yes!”

“Then you have to grow by the soul, that is, to become much bigger!”

… And the prince remained with the Master.

Though he wanted to return to Alyonushka and make her happy too, he knew that God wanted more from him.

He began to learn how to make the spiritual heart — huge, encompassing all people, not only in his kingdom, but on the entire Earth. And — how to help people spiritually.

The Teacher said to him:

“Just as you have learned to look forwards from your heart, — you can learn to look backwards: to the depths, where the Divine Light comes from.

“You can then dive into the Light, hugging by the hands of the soul — the Love of God.

“And then — being One with God — hug by the Light everything around!”

… Elisey — even though initially only briefly — had succeeded in entering the Flow of Divine Light, Which, like an endless river, flowed gently over the land. The prince’s body was on the ground, and the soul — had merged with the Divine Light! The Light flowed by a Flow of Tenderness over the expanse, Its Bliss and Care embraced all the living. Elisey tried to embrace by himself, too, — all this, as far as he could.

“The Holy Spirit takes care of everything on the Earth!” — the Teacher explained. — “This River of Light consists of many Great Souls Who — in mutual Mergence — like solar wind, move above the land. They — are united in this Flow.

“One — by the soul — can also join into this Stream of Light and dissolve oneself in Mergence with It.

“Try to become this Living Light! For this to happen — great love-care for all beings should fill your heart!”

… Elisey understood that he must help all those people living in trouble and affliction, whom he met on his way. And — not only those, whom he had seen, but so many others whom he did not know, who are trying to find a way out from under the yoke of grief and sadness, sickness, and suffering, as well as from the enslavement by greed and power…

He poured his love into the Love of the Holy Spirit! He flew by the soul in a Flood of Light-Love, with Which he had connected!

He forgot that somewhere is His material body.

Divine Light flowed above the land and caressed — by a lot of gentle transparent Hands — grass, flowers, trees, animals, and people… Every being in this Light was seen through, each could be hugged or taken on the Palm, and be seen as a soul…

In this Flow — there was the Divine World, Which was right here on the Earth!

“It is — not your imagination!” — Elisey heard the Master’s words.

Then the Teacher continued:

“The World of Light, Love, Subtlety, and Purity — does really exist and is cognizable! Incarnate people could live in It, enjoying the harmony, if they respect the principles of peace, tender love-giving, and love-service!

“The key to this World is — the heart love. And it is quite simple to teach many people to live so!

“The key of the heart love will then open the doors to the next steps of perfecting — up to the Abode of the Primordial!”

… Elisey again plunged into the Flow of Divine Light-Love! He even tried to touch Alyonushka by this Light, saying: “I do not know if you can feel Me, My darling, but please: wait for Me! I need to learn the Great Laws of God for the life of people! When I perceive them, then I will come back to you, My Dawn!”

Elisey felt that Alyonushka sensed His Love, but did not see Him, and so she decided that she had only dreamed about her beloved…

The Teacher explained:

“For an embodied soul to feel and hear another soul at a distance — one needs to learn to listen and watch by the soul. And Alyonushka is not able to do it yet. Do not worry: her love is so pure and tender that soon she will be able to master it!”

* * *

And Alyonushka also did not forget about Elisey and his mandate: to help people in the kingdom. She was thinking about how to fulfill it.

During that time, while there was not any news about prince Elisey, the king gradually got used to requesting Alyonushka’s advice before making decisions and publishing decrees. Through this, much good and order came to the kingdom.

But even very good decrees cannot make evil people — good; or dishonest people — honest! There are always many scoundrels and cheaters, who look for how any good initiative can be inverted to benefit only themselves! And how to monitor everyone?

Alyonushka began to think about it, asking herself: “Where does evil come from? How to fight against it?”

She began to recall how her father and mother taught her the kindness of heart. Alyonushka decided that it is necessary, first of all, to teach children love, honesty, and care for others. Then they will grow up as good people — and there will be less evil on the Earth!

But how to teach them? How to enter every home to teach every child good lessons? After all, there are so many kids… Even a decree of the king will not be enough to accomplish this!

And then Alyonushka recalled those ancient tales about good, love, truth, justice, and wise God — that her mother told her in childhood. In each tale, everything was so interesting that Alyonushka sat quietly and listened with bated breath… And everything always ends well in them…

… But Elisey — had not returned, and no news had come from him…

She believed that he will definitely come back — alive, and healthy!…

Alyonushka tried to push away her gloomy thoughts, telling herself:

“I’m waiting for him, I love him, he’ll be back! And I promised him to watch over his kingdom while he is gone… So I must figure out how to do it well!”

Alyonushka decisively took a pen and paper and started to write those tales and stories which she remembered, and she herself composed those which she did not recall fully. “If such stories could be read to all kiddies — then they would become those lessons of kindness, which could enter into every house!”— she told herself.

* * *

One day, the king felt unwell and began thinking about his own approaching death… And he decided that before death — he should see his successor! He decided that it was time to find a fiancé for Alyonushka. And he figured out how to do it.

He spoke about it to Alyonushka. And she refused, saying:

“I am a married woman, and I am not a widow, nor a fiancée! No one saw Elisey dead! And, therefore, he is alive! I do not believe that he has died! I will wait for him! If it comes to it, I myself will try to manage the kingdom!”

And the king said to her:

“This is not your will here, but mine! The princess has also another problem that cannot be performed without a husband! That problem is — to give birth to an heir! If there will be no successor — unrest and war will begin! It is not just your desires which are stake here!

“And so that you do not choose an unworthy man, I want to see him before my death!

“I’ll call the noble guests from all over the kingdom! And — from the other kingdoms! We’ll have a ball! And so that no one knows who is the princess and begins to pronounce flattering speech before her — everyone will wear masks! Then you will converse with everyone. And then everyone will remove their masks. Then you will choose from them who is better for you by face and by speech! And do not argue! I’m still the king!

“Do you think that I do not hurt? Do you think that I have forgotten my son? No! But my concern is for the kingdom!”

… Alyonushka sighed but said nothing… She walked away, thinking: “What shall I do?! What am I to do, my beloved? I feel, that you — are alive! But, perhaps, it is the soul without a body — that is alive? Maybe it’s because when you think about me — I see your face, and feel close to you? Help me!”

* * *

To make a long story short, the prince had mastered much. But all this cannot be said by just using ordinary words! And all that the soul can cognize — cannot be enclosed into the tale!

Elisey learned to speak with God, to hear God’s advice in the heart. Mergence with the Divine Light — become customary for Him. Elisey also learned how to become a bigger and bigger spiritual heart, capable of containing the fields, the mountains, the rivers, and all the people living on the Earth…

Elisey also studied how, by becoming the Flow of the Divine Light, to clean both His own body and the bodies of other people.

He was shown by His Teacher how to merge with the Light within the Earth.

His Hands of the Soul, the Hands of the Spiritual Heart, — had strengthened. And it had become easy to hold the space around Him as if on a huge tray — which was on His Palms, consisting of the Divine Light.

Now He felt — like a Bogatyr* from the ancient legends — with a radiant transparent body similar to a great mountain.

He now felt as if His own heart, which was loving and consisting of the Divine Fire, had become —the heart of the Earth!

He understood, what was said in the tales and fairy tales about the Earth being the Mother, and God — being the Father for all!

Additionally, Elisey watched how the Master healed different illnesses.

Elisey now answered the questions of the people who came to visit, saying and doing what He knew.

As time passed, the Master began to show Him how to become One with the Creating Fire of God.

And then He realized the role of the Fire Heart, about which God had spoken to Him. A Particle of the Divine Fire, having been raised from the Depths, now lived in the Spiritual Heart of Elisey.

From the Depths, He now looked at everything in the world. And the meaning, of what was happening, was revealed to Him by God.

The Master once said:

“You have cognized the Creator. You have felt how infinite He is, and how infinitely powerful is His Power!

“Anyone, entering His Abode, merges with Him into One!

“A Person, Who has become One with Him, can live in the Abode of the Creator and carry His Light to people for explaining His Laws.

“All human beings are children of God. But they have forgotten about this!

“And yet, they are able to cognize this, by improving themselves.

“Those, Who have achieved the Perfection, infuse by souls into the Creator! It is precisely for this that they were sent to the Earth! The meaning of human lives in the material world is found namely in this!

“One, Who has cognized God in Oneself, that is, in the developed spiritual heart, — cognizes God in the whole universe! And such a One is able to do much for the benefit of people, being merged with the Divine Power!

“Well! I have taught You everything that was supposed to be taught now!”

… The Master shined by bright white Light. He stretched out His Hands of the Soul — and connected with the Divine Light-Fire in One. And then His material body disappeared in a flash of blinding Light.

Elisey tried to do the same, but only entered by the soul into the Divine Fire; while the body stayed in the world of matter.

The Master reappeared again next to Elisey, and said:

“Right now, You may not be able to penetrate into the world of Fire together with the body. But You should know that it is — possible. And try to find a way to accomplish this! After all, the possibilities of perfecting oneself are limitless!

“But now, Your task is to serve many people with that knowledge, which is already Yours. This is the main purpose for which You remain to live in this body.

“You conquered death once — and therefore You can learn how to transform the body to such an extent that death will never touch it!

“But it’s enough to have accomplished the immortality of the soul in Oneness with the Divine Light. This is what You have already cognized and what should never be lost!”

“Is it possible to lose it?”

“Yes. Many, who returned to live in the material world after the Great Training, gradually forgot the Purity of the Source of Life in the universe, Which is the Ultimate Goal of cognition for everyone! They became immersed in the pleasure of the use of their power and authority. And — in narcissism and self-aggrandizement — the contact with God becomes lost!

“If the knowledge of the meaning of our existence disappears on the scale of entire countries, then the spiritual gives place to the material life of people.

“In this way, a gradual decline in each such country begins. In this case, the rulers are surrounded by luxury, while people are enslaved and exist in poverty. Then natural disasters or wars begin, leading the country to ruin.

“This happens because the Laws of God do not allow violence and hatred to triumph long. This could happen to Your country too.

“But now — everything can be changed for the better!

“You have to help very many good souls to see the Light, and to teach many people the Laws of Goodness.

“Alyonushka will help You. And You — should help her by teaching her what You now know.

“You need to hurry. Your father wants to give her in marriage.

“Here’s a horse for You. Because You cannot move Your body instantly to any place yet — the horse will help You.”

… The Teacher gave Elisey the bridle of a beautiful white horse — and He again disappeared in a flash of Divine Light.

Elisey called out:

“Master!”

“Yes, I’m here! I will be everywhere and always with You and will help You! But it is time for You to act! Ride, do not delay!”

… Elisey jumped on the horse and rode like the wind.

* * *

Elisey rode up to the palace. Music was playing there in full swing, and guests wearing masks walked through the halls, ate delicious food, and conversed about meaningless things.

How Elisey had got out of the habit of such a life! How stupid and absurd seemed such a behavior to Him now!

During the time spent with the Master, He was accustomed to the fact that His life is not measured by external events, but by stages of spiritual cognition!

Although… it was not so long ago that He had lived in such a way and could not have imagined it otherwise!…

In order not to be recognized until the right time, Elisey, too, put on a mask, then entered the ballroom of the palace.

“Is all this necessary for Alyonushka? It cannot be!” — He thought.

Elisey stood by the window and began to look for Alyonushka. He easily found her.

She felt His look, looked at Him, and then came and stood next to Him, and asked:

“Why do you not dance?”

“I do not like this ball.”

“Me — neither…”

“And, anyways, — I’m married and am not looking for a bride. I love her, My darling and My wife!”

“I am also married and do not want another man, besides the one whom I love with all my heart. But…” — Alyonushka stopped talking, not to disclose herself, because she was strictly forbidden not to give herself away.

But for Elisey, enough had been said. He took off His mask.

Alyonushka also disclosed her face. Instead of the thin, haggard by disease prince, whom she had seen the last time, a changed, shining with Light Elisey, now stood before her! Tears of happiness flowed from her eyes.

No one paid attention in the bustle of the ball — to the two beloveds who had finally found each other!

“Why did You not come for so long?”

“I’m sorry, darling, I had to not only recover, but to also learn a lot! Let’s leave this place, I’ll tell you everything!”

* * *

What to say in conclusion, dear readers and listeners?

Of course, Elisey taught Alyonushka everything He had learned Himself!

Of course, He cured His father!

Of course, He then changed very much in the country!

He proclaimed — for all to hear — the truth about God, and the Divine Laws of Goodness, Love, Harmony, and Justice!

The orders, established by Elisey, were in accordance with the Divine Laws. And then those Laws began to control people’s lives. And evil — immediately brought punishment onto itself.

Then Elisey and Alyonushka went to many other countries, and told people what they themselves had cognized.

And later, Elisey and Alyonushka had kids — a son and a daughter!

And, of course, everyone was happy!

* * *

This is the happy end of our tale!

Only now guess, My dear: what was the reason to tell this story to you?

Maybe, when the last page of the tale is closed, — something wonderful will begin to happen to you?

And maybe now you know what you need to start doing for this?

And the one, who begins to follow the Path of Love and Kindness, will soon hear God’s advice and receive obvious help from God!

Well, now — it’s the end of our tale…

Or, maybe, it is — just the beginning for you?