The water flowed gently beside Aaron, its soothing sound merging harmoniously with the melodious calls of numerous birds that populated the area. High above, perched in the branches of ancient trees, colorful songbirds filled the air with their melodic chirping.Desert sparrows, laughing doves, little green bee-eaters—a symphony that seemed orchestrated solely for his moment of tranquility.
Beyond the stream, a small meadow spread out, embraced by the dense canopy of a vast forest. Acacia Trees stood sentinel around the clearing, with their spines small and strong.. Interspersed among them were date palm that gleamed softly in the fading light of the setting sun. Wildflowers carpeted the ground in hues of yellow and crimson, their delicate petals swaying gently in the breeze.
The air was crisp and clear, tinged with the earthy fragrance of damp soil and the subtle perfume of blooming herbs. Wild mint and lavender mingled with the sweet aroma of artemisia and the spicy notes of wild thyme, creating an intoxicating blend that permeated the atmosphere.
As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, its golden rays painted the sky in shades of violet and gold. The tranquil scene before Aaron seemed to shimmer with a divine glow, casting long shadows that stretched across the meadow and into the depths of the forest.
In this moment of perfect harmony between man and nature, Aaron felt a profound sense of peace wash over him. The beauty of the natural world unfolded around him, a timeless sanctuary where the rhythms of life continued undisturbed by the complexities of the human world.
It didn't take long before his breaths were now down to three per minute, so shallow that a passerby might mistake him for lifeless, standing there by chance.
Despite his tranquil state in deep meditation, Aaron remained keenly aware of his surroundings. What set him apart this moment, was the ability to disidentify himself from every sound, thought, scent, or taste that crossed his path. His consciousness had reached its purest form, detached from the distractions of the physical world around him.
As he fell deeper into meditation, a familiar sensation overtook him—he drifted off into sleep, a state he often reached after hours of practice.
Meditation encompasses various levels and stages. Beginners often find themselves drifting into sleep within the first quarter of deep meditation. As one progresses, the duration of meditation increases. Each level consists of one to six stages, typically lasting 15-20 minutes depending on the chosen meditation technique.
There are seven widely recognized methods of meditation: Dynamic Meditation, Mindfulness Meditation, Spiritual Meditation, Movement Meditation, Mantra Meditation, Visualization Meditation and Transcendental Meditation.
Among these, Transcendental Meditation is considered the most challenging, demanding many hours and progressing through numerous stages. However, the key lies in selecting the method that suits one's needs at any given moment, ensuring the ability to complete it. Regardless of the stage achieved, meditation consistently yields positive results.
Beyond the stages lies a realm achieved by few, such as Aaron's teacher, who once meditated continuously for seven days—a feat that defies ordinary endurance, abstaining from food and water. The mere thought of such an accomplishment is enough to evoke physical discomfort.
In general nowadays, very few people use the meditation method anymore since humanity evolved genetically and technologically. Meditation means the ability to be with yourself. It means being with yourself. There is no need for the other in such a state; meditation is the joy of solitude, not the misery of loneliness...
The previous peaceful landscape was no longer there and instead, Aaron found himself in front of a huge crossroads. Six divergent paths unfolded, each leading to a distinct person and situation.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
At the end of one path stood Mr. Marlowe, engaged in conversation with an obscured figure. Aaron strained to listen as Marlowe's voice carried faintly.
"I think you've got your credentials that I'm keeping my word. You'll be in the top twenty for sure. That way you'll be able to compete for a good spot in a company or engage in politics. Either in security, or in an office, whatever you want. "
Before he could discern the other person's response, the scene blurred and their voices faded into obscurity. Aaron turned his head to an other path. Mateo and Tiara were there, engaged in a discussion about their next adventure. Aaron could hear their laughter and excitement, their voices filled with camaraderie and loyalty. She was touching his cheek and was saying somethink to him.
"I never expected to feel this happy and carefree. My life was a mess before I trusted..."
Before he could hear the name, the scene blurred again and nothing could be heard.
"Alright, I must have dozed off again," Aaron muttered to himself, bemused.
Glancing toward another path, Aaron spotted Mikaela at the end of another path alone. She looked worried and scared when suddenly an unknown person approached bringing her sudden comfort. Aaron strained to see the stranger's face, but the scene repeated, leaving him grasping at fleeting impressions.
Further down, Aaron's family strolled leisurely. They seemed to pass carefree hours so Aaron didn't pay much attention them.
Aaron's gaze wandered catching sight of an unknown beautiful woman in her thirties just sitting there, staring at him with a look of excitement and longing. Aaron was momentarily lost in her eyes. Before he could ask who she was, the scene repeated itself.
At that moment a voice was heard from behind him.
"Facing the torment of choices is preferable to the despair of having none. Life's essence is insecurity—unchanging and innate. Conversely, death offers complete safety. Opting for safety unknowingly embraces death. Choosing life, you unknowingly embrace insecurity. So, don't dwell. Remember: acceptance alone keeps you centered, even in the absence of choice..."
His teacher was there, with that creepy subtle smile of his, lecturing some kids from the fourth house.
"Teacher!" Aaron cried out.
Pointless. Everything blurred before Aaron once more, plunging him into confusion.
"The Sixth Path! Where does it lead?" Aaron's breaths grew louder in frustration. He strained to look around, but everything was fading.
"Damn it! Not again!"
As awareness of waking up dawned on him, a door imperceptibly appeared at the end of the sixth path. The glimpse was so fleeting that Aaron almost forgot he had seen it.
It must have been between four and five o'clock in the afternoon when Aaron opened his eyes. The day's lessons had ended, and he knew he had missed catching Mateo at the tavern.
Reflecting on his thoughts, he glanced around and took a deep breath. His teacher's last words before coming to the academy came to his mind.
"The bird struggles to break free from the egg, yet the egg is its world. To be born, one must first destroy their world. Nothing is permanent. We are a wave that rolls and adapts to the shape it meets. Seeking implies having a goal, but finding means being free, adaptable, without a fixed destination. Truth has a milion faces, yet it remains singular. And you can grasp it only through living it."
"For that, my young fighter, go and live your truth. I'm certain your journey will be profoundly fascinating!"
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Starting tomorrow, the academy would close for the next ten days. Lionel Valdez, head of the Valdez family and the 7th house, lost his life during a reconnaissance exploration. In the coming days, a new leader would be elected.
The process of selecting the head of this house is steeped in mystery and intrigue. They say a ghostly ceremony takes place, from which the new leader emerges. The following day, the chosen leader would announce nine followers, bound by proclamation. On the third day, the previous leader's family relinquish control to the new one, and the burial of the old one takes place. The culmination comes on the fourth day with a nationwide celebration lasting until dawn.
Due to the fact that the city of Kallida is located in old Algiers 2300 kilometers away, the academy administration decided to extend the break by five days. The journey there spanned 15-35 hours, depending on the mode of travel and encountered obstacles.
Mikaela was definitely going, because she was very good friends with Lionel and Dahlia's daughters, and she had invited Aaron as well. She had also arranged seats with the African National Railways.
"The train leaves in an hour at the most, and that scoundrel is nowhere in sight. If only he dares not to show up, that's all I'm hoping for!!"