How to explain my impressions? I felt like I am at HOME again. Bounds of my western nature suddenly melted away and mentally I rolled up together with strangers.

What is that dance of whirling dervishes? I remembered Gurdjieff‘s recollections about his visit to strange and particularly secret place, where, according to his story, warded over all mysteries of the world ancient brotherhood of Sarmung. Here he first time saw incredible sacred dances of members of that brotherhood. Straying from the point I would like to set out what I think about Enlightenment. Maybe I forestall my later finding, but I do it because consider it useful.

Is it hard to be religious today? Is it easy to remain quiet, kindly, sympathetic, understanding and other? All this features I mentioned is boring and undesirable in your curriculum vitae. Thanks to God and my strong will I successfully kept my religious feelings and contrived to transfer it into my daily round and even into my office. I hope all what I do, leads me to Enlightenment, because I make my business hours, leisure time, holidays ready to hand for my spiritual fancies. All movements (mental or physical) of human are his secret helpers for spiritual perfection, but first of all he has to decode them and to specialize for practice. I understand those inquisitive, who looking at airy like fairies hermits are dreaming to indulge into pleasure of lasting meditation. Well, it is romantic, but not every of us have so willpower and patience. I knew one writer, who spent long time in India trying to force her body to concentrate for meditation. God, rest her soul! Poor she couldn‘t instil for her mind and body to meditate. Now I think that it was big mistake of her. All movements and thoughts, which are going only by free will, can lead humans to liberation. All spiritual schools and teacher can to describe only transparent guidelines to Enlightenment; all other work human must do himself.

Back to Gurdjieff‘s recollections I want to say that I was surprised none the less nor author himself when he was honored to watch ancient and sacred dance. It was language of past, covert message for those brave humans, who had enough resolution to obtain consent to stretch secret knowledge. Whirling dervishes was still rolling but my thoughts began thin out. One of viewers began to cough, another was miserably sighting, third was trying to discuss the performance with his neighbor. What can I say? It looks like I was one of those rare persons, who closely watched dancing.

As I said before, I have a pity on myself because I didn‘t caution people what type of show they are going to watch. Various interferences of them caused me to think, what difference between me, dervishes and other viewers is. Incredible prayers of dervishes expressed by dancing were something like sacred movements of members of brotherhood of Sarmung. Gurdjieff didn‘t tell it directly, but he really supposed that human must to sustain a lot of lives (beings) to obtain that covert vein of knowledge. Near loud sounds dervishes contrived to keep silent, quiet and stay focused on pray. My best respects for them!

I always knew that this city has certain relations with The Crescent City, first of all both that cities are similar to crescent form. But it isn’t the main thing. Looking at the map of The Crescent City I see The Hill of Gifts… almost the same position.

Why The Crescent City is named Big Easy? City without any questions, rummage, doubts… Just facile victory hovers over the heads of buildings like a secret golden inscription on banners during jazz funeral… It seems as though The Hill of Gifts coughs the same aura. If you think that you breathe The Hill’s of Gift air, you are in the wrong… it the city breathes you, piece by piece tugs your mind, thoughts and body into swampy slough.

Everything here smells like eternal, immortal jazz funeral…

Yes, it is the core… Sacred double meaning of such kind of funeral brought together those two cities. The Crescent City always was gently occupied by secret societies, which sustained their good reputation by invisible force and good will of surroundings. I will not embroil into the big secret of those wonderful men, who in accordance with European standards are so-called as freemasons.

And then, the best part… The Hill of Gifts, the small city of small country, was hidden under a charming pseudonym by strangers. Jews found the true power of this city earlier then indigenes, thus, it’s a great pity, but the best places, which supports powerful energy was occupied by pleasant people from Jesus land… Thus one day usual city became The Hill of Gifts. I tried to find more information about this name, but with a big disappointment found that reference I have is just a small crumb of a big uncertain stage of history.

Around those places, where some time ago prospered quarter of Jews, now stands burial office, near it, only in the next side of street – wonderful small church. All that funeral matters still suck radiant energy, which was discovered some ages ago by Jews. Why I want to underline posthumous importance moment? The Hill of Gifts has one amazing sign – the general, very old cemetery on the high hill. All main features of this city testify importance of burial customs and traditions, which are very famous in The Crescent City, where always reigned ancient burial traditions of descendant of Africans. Strange, when new-comers from France came, very mysterious funeral rituals became business of various secret societies, hidden by social aid and pleasant clubs’ name. Once I heard that all that performances are directed by the same pleasant man – freemasons.

Oh, yes, one more thing… Parades! Looking at astonishing extended lines of joyful people during jazz funeral or Mardi Gras, who colors streets of The Crescent City I weave a great plan to adorn the main street of The Hill of Gifts with such beautiful heritage of recent events. Mardi Gras such a wonderful festival always associated with similar feast of all saints on 1^st of November, very popular celebration in The Hill of Gifts. The main attribute during this festival is disguise…

Talking about disguise… What people hid under various masks? Faces, features or dependent on any secret society?

I can understand such gathering in The Crescent City, because sometimes even secret societies must stick out and to come in view and to perform their private mysteries to surrounding world. But niggling thoughts disturbs my stillness… If The Hill of Gifts demonstrates such resemblance to The Crescent City, maybe sometimes surpasses it, so why the great parades of jazz funeral can’t to gladden old streets of The Hill of Gifts. I see this city has enough secrets, secret societies, receptivity to burial traditions and… yes, there is any dying, who want to be buried by jazz funeral traditions? Yes, no?.. Didn’t you ramble, folks?

Jazz funeral

Because if you are not very wise, unexpected fortuity may solve each obstacle. But don’t forget, it must be very reliable friends…

Scenario may be very simple: late evening, a girl (maybe she is a present writer?), four guys (maybe they are her friends?). A girl and four guys are sitting on a bench of indefinite place. They are real friends but for a moment they stand in different front sides. Brave girl is sure that there is a great deal of truth in what she says (she says that problems are result of behaviour), the four are sure in their truth, too (they contend that problems are ordeal that God send to us).

A girl don’t understand what that four are talking about. What test, what trial?.. She says that somebody made a fool of guys, because God is symbol of Love, Peace and Faith, not Fear, Waiting of disaster and Distrust… Return guys are loud laughing that there are not any privat decision of behaviour, because everything is in God’s will… They say that God decided each action of play long time before…

Debates run high and both sides are ready to join a battle, but suddenly one of guys tooks something out of his pocket. Thunderous hurrah scares brawler’s friends, birds on trees and not far lounging cat… Rosy piece of paper maintains peace and friendship. “Problems lies in their solution” could read all characters.

You see, sometimes evening shadow covers common sense, but unexpected detail can become a great leader.

Which type of Buddhism do you follow?

After this question the present writer fell into deep despair…

What type of answer do you expect?

But instead this insolent response she gave a pause.  

Skip it up!

When blond teacher acquainted her with Buddha, there wasn‘t types sorts or varieties of Buddhism.

Inesa, this is Buddha, Buddha, this is Inesa! Pleased to meet you! And that’s all!

Writer to her horror gave thought to poor Buddha and all His pieces: Zen Buddhism, Tao Buddhism, Pali Buddhism, Greco Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism… Plenty of Him!

How unlucky, Mr. Andreyev, Madame Blavatsky, the present writer and other naive! Such pacific mosaic has so many details; other religious mosaics are motley like a woodpecker, too…

It means we have to put out of our mind expectancy about the Universal Brotherhood, the Rose of the World? Or it means something else? Or it means skip it up? Or it means go ahead, Bodhisatta!?

But that day most attention attracted picture of Shroud of Turin. Bloodcurdling look from the sheet radiated strange light so I made interested eye too. There were times I couldn’t tear away from such pictures, but today my intent had a formula. Well, long time ago, when I was a student we had logic lectures, which, unfortunately, couldn’t help me to dispose elements of fantastic in my thinking, but I have learned one very useful thing. A formula!  

All human are mortal,

Socrates is human,

Socrates is mortal. 

It is very nice formula, right? Now, let’s change name of character. Let’s imagine me in Socrates place: 

All humans are mortal,

Inesa is human,

Inesa is mortal.  

This version isn’t worse too, I think. Now let’s do shocking version.  

All humans are mortal,

Jesus is human,

Jesus is mortal. 

And here I would like to quote Jim Morrison: “This is the end, my only friend, the end…”

Logical formula proves that basis of Christianity is a bubble… What a pity, because Christianity have pride place among my favorite religions. Even so, I should to settle my mind, because if Jesus is mortal it doesn’t mean that his good deeds are mortal too. No way! Thus there is the general point of his immortality – good deeds.

Face of prophet 

It is a Shroud of Turin? Maybe, but I would like to determine another picture of this man, exactly man. I don’t have volume of Bible any more, because seeking of secrets of Christianity I wore down them to scraps. Well, this sacrifice was avail, because… I have found many arguments that hereinbefore character is divine birth, but I haven’t picked up any proofs, where Jesus says he is the God. No. Conversely, he always repeats: I’m son of Human. Other testimonies deprives of authority. And… all humans are mortal.

My blond teacher taught me to see all circumstances commonly, even then appears required facts. Common view, which has a context, can reveal innermost secrets, because all this world and universe balance harmonious.

The common view of Jesus and Christianity shows that there is not any Christianity in well-known meaning.

Remember Buddha Shakyamuni we exclude Him of Hinduism, religion and environment where He grew. When we say Jesus, we have in mind Christianity. Can I ask you why? Don’t know? Me too. Now I remember funny story about Christmas card, where author depicted Mary and baby Jesus in cowshed, and beyond this sweet act on the hill stood Crucifix. Jesus was Jew, so his native religion was ancient Judaism (?). Like Hinduism was native religion of prince Siddharta.

The Old Testament isn’t real part of Christianity. It’s just context of Jesus and his deed act. The Old Testament is world before Christ like the New Testament is world after Christ. And itself Christ is just an image of Messiah, good mental power of all mankind, desire and hope of Salvation. Christ, the prospective Messiah and Jesus, quit prophet suddenly became selfsame. Christ had rich dowry: the Old Testament with all those faces of God, traditions and strong Confession. Jesus brought his wise with oriental flavor, ideas very similar to Buddha’s speeches (strange, really?) and concept of United God’s Kingdom. When this subordination was finished everybody realized that we got very low dose of necessary treasure for our common spirit. We got nothing.

Christianity is not Holy war, inquisitorial procedures and that boring church liturgy during the course of it you can fall asleep sweetly like a child. Christianity is words of Jesus and nothing else. Other thing is just a context, source which nurtured him.  

Why prophet died? 

Maybe he died of interest? Maybe all chances got out of hands? Maybe there wasn’t any crucifixion?

People are able to construct anything they want, even horrible ending of tender and innocent teacher and prophet. When I said people I meant ancient world, where were thrived various religions, gods, goddesses, divine beings and mythology was daily feeding. Biography of Jesus is too similar to some ancient legends and myths, thus it is non-negotiable option. There were popular myths of dying and resurrected god, thus in springtime all streets of ancient cities were obstructed of devotees, triumphant of ordinary Resurrection. By the way, did you know that December 25^th is birthday of Indo-Iranian god Mitra. If somebody is interest I suggest attending to this coincidence, because there are too many analogies with Jesus birth. Of course we will laugh off that god Mitra is a little bit elder then Jesus. 

Again remains only real person of Jesus in his context with deified scene. Exclusive real thing in Christianity is saying of our gentle Messiah, because good thoughts can’t be falsification.

Other thinks that Calvary is necessary element of Christianity, but I didn’t find useful sides of such sacrifice. When I tired out to search, then decided that Crucifixion is another accidental act and don’t have any relations with person of Jesus.  

Where is prophet now? 

He is absolutely dead and this is end point. After suffering he sustained none mortal can stay alive even he is fakir, wizard or yogi. Try to imagine the pose of torment and add scholarly conclusion that such pose identical to deadly intoxication.

But since when we began to hear common sense?

Of course Jesus is alive; he lives in India in Himalayas with other immortal Mahatmas and is waiting for Buddha Maitreya to teach him of basics to be Messiah…  

Epilogue  

Now I’m looking at what I wrote and wondering at that. Me, nomadic soul and votary of all religions, is trying to teach those who are matured believers… I’m sorry if I offended your bright heart, but sometimes I think that implicit faith destroys primeval feature of human race. That feature is Love. The general key of all lectures of remarkable man Jesus was Love, but I think long time it was lost.  

Richard Thompson From Galway to Graceland. Singer – unknown

Well, my kindness conceals sordid motives, because if my telling won’t be fairly vivid descriptive, the general task of melody will be to append my words.

Thus after three months of nightmarish marriage she blew a raspberry at her middle-aged wedded, swiped his horse and made virtuoso away directly to the wide opened world. By this defiant action she became the symbol of the infighting, where spirituality wins against subordination on surrounding.

If you were lucky to acquaint yourself with incredible works of Madame Blavatsky, you could notice the seamless idea of whole the volumes, even though she talks about different things. It seams like she have wrote all those countless pages at one go. In the same breath H. Blavatsky contrived synthesize the main concepts of all cultures, religions and philosophies, which storehouse of knowledge was gathered since time immemorial. What was it: charisma, heavy work or just fluke?

However H. Blavatsky wasn’t first who made a getaway for satisfy a secret knowledge want. There were a lot of predecessors, who couldn’t find a pleasure in their environment and launched a spiritual life only on a promised land. Admittedly, a promised land may become varied locals of secret Earth. Egypt, France, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Greece, England, South America, India and Tibet became refuges for Madame Blavatsky’s mind.

Therefore nomadic maiden her main knowledge received from immortal teachers from Himalayas. Young woman exhibited her remarkable erudition without any twinge of conscience, looking at her uninhibited thinking everybody could say that Madame Blavatsky have stolen not only her husband’s horse but also discerning mind of all sages in the world. But she herself had a simple explanation – all astounding wise she received telepathically from Mahatmas of Himalayas. She designated her particular teachers: Mahatma Morya, Mahatma Kut Humi and Master Djwal Khul.

Madame Blavatsky was very attractive woman. Her beautiful mind, gentle temper and lust for the eternal verities enticed a lot of kindred spirits. She played the part of fascinating Truth, so her established Theosophical Society embodies unity of the world.

The good message of H. Blavatsky started on a journey dressed up in its best attires: idea of common mankind brotherhood, tolerance towards all religions, because each of them cherishes concept of essence of only Supreme and attempt on those basis create universal religion. A lot of countries with big pleasure welcomed such lovable guest.

In that case I would like to reveal the myth about H. Blavatsky and to mock up at rumors around this lady. Above you could learn how bright and benevolent she was. She got possibility to reach Enlightenment, but she chose the path of boddhisatta* and devoted for lost souls. All misunderstandings arose out of my words demonstrates one-track mind. Even if teaching of Madame Blavatsky is out of keeping with norms, it doesn’t denote wrong way.

Thousands of people partial to maiden of Himalayas tried to mystify picture of Madame Blavatsky. Her words that she remained a virgin her entire life they accepted directly, regardless she was rich of admirers, suitors and a medley of all kinds of men. Her words may have another meaning: the vow of chastity means being honest with yourself, hell-bent on winning war with allurement of material side of this world, ambitions to stay or become a pure human.

Whether Madame Blavatsky really was virgin (pure human)? Or she was joking?

Witnesses or her close friends related about miracles she amazed, other narrations similar to telling about Satya Sai Baba and his jolly and pleasant levitation, materialization of various things, out-of-body projection, clairvoyance, telepathy and other facilities, which usually doesn’t match to human nature. Actually my favorite story about Madame Blavatsky was told by her brother of spiritualism and close friend Henry S. Olcott. While she was writing Mr. H. S. Olcott was sitting near and keeping a close watch on her. He maintained that during creation of wonderful works of Madame Blavatsky colored circles similar to bubbles were hovering in the room.

I think nobody invents such pleasant stories about fictitious seers. I just wonder if she could become such prophetess of spiritual range if she stayed at her native land.

Why I am so curious? Well, God decided that I deserved to have only two teachers of spirituality. One of them was blond, another – dark. At the beginning of his teaching my dear blonde master gave a warning about menacing alterations of my mind. He said that fundamental desire to raze my past and present upwards in future can transform into grotesque sequels. Towhead suggested to stay for undetermined time period and to search for spirituality around. Why he didn’t keep his mouth shut?! I was doing my packing for private runaway, but hereupon received a message from my blond that he found umbilical cord, i.e. connection between wide Universe and our unexplored Earth. Bad news for my bags, that secret locates near my native places…

*Bodhisattva (sansk.)

Even so if you have some free time, for real think about the strength of good purpose, which can change you, your environment, people near you… finally whole of the world.