The House of Light

Though he could not hear the reply, the lighthouse proclaimed "I am here, but for your self inflicted deafness and determined blindness, you prevent receiving my guidance and create your own lurking cloud which is far greater than that which now encompasses you."  Lost in his self pity, the fisherman continued, if only to curb his loneliness with self echoes "Though I may not be worthy of rescue, certainly I must at least be saved of this unnecessary suffering.  For what purpose does it prevail and persevere?".

The lighthouse answered "For what purpose does a caterpillar spend the majority of its terrestrial life crawling?  It's not until he receives wings, that he learns to appreciate his life.  The butterfly revels in his beauty and freedom, while envied and admired from those below his stage of existence.  For everything must endure cycles to progress onward and upward.  Were it not for darkness, you couldn't understand light."

The last word carried undauntedly across the sea and reached the fisherman's ear as just a faint whisper.  While his craft creaked and groaned and nature smacked his face with stinging reminders, he acknowledged the word without regarding that it was impressed upon him, "Oh that I might see but a speck of light, but alas not a single star obliges me."  It wasn't until he welcomed hope and gave effort to seek, that he caught a glimpse over his left shoulder of an occasional spot of light trying to reach out to him.

As he gave less focus to his turmoil and turned his heart and mind to this one glimmer of promise, his essence began to fill with renewed vigor.  He reached out to the light, not with cold arms and frail fingers, but with his soul and reveled in its magnificence while his guided will caused the distance between them to lessen.  Simultaneously, the clouds departed further above the sea and he was soon able to discern the lighthouse.

"If only I had set aside my self pity, I might have known that the light was near me all along," he contemplated.  The same waves that had been torturing him were now carrying him to safety.  When before he despised them, he now realized that without them, he never would have progressed toward the light.  Had he been on calm seas, not only would he have had no need or desire to seek the light, but he wouldn't have discovered how to appreciate its glory; he would've passed it by with disregard in his own selfish pursuits.

Sensing his approach, the light followed his progress intently and continued to enlighten his way.  "Behold!  Awaken to your reward.  For even though the waves crash at my shores, you will find comfort within.  It matters not from whence you travel, from above or below, by land or by sea, there are many paths you can choose, but how great the enjoyment when comparing the most contrasts.  Does not the light shine more brilliantly against a dark sky than it does over a calm sea in the light of day?  Come, enter and rejoice."

Sensing the welcome, the fisherman feared not how rough his landing might be, for he knew his woes would soon be over and the prospect of his destiny overwhelmed all else.  While the rocks below vibrated their stability throughout his craft and ceased the churning commotion of the sea, he continued to focus his attention on the tremendous light, almost feeling its warmth in anticipation of relieving his chilled, weary bones.  The craft finally settled between the grasp of embracing rocks on either side and he climbed out of his temporary, protective, yet prohibitive, shell to begin his ascent toward the base of the lighthouse.

When he reached the door, he loudly and clearly heard "knock and it shall open".  Inside he was greeted by many glowing souls.  They looked not on him with judgment or sorrow, but with care and contentment.  "Can I stay?" he asked them.  "The choice is yours" they said.  "You can stay here and greet others as we have you.  Look at the light that surrounds us which emanates from above.  From here you can progress onward and upward."  He thanked them for their attention and hospitality.  He pondered with humility "I don't think I can bear all this glory.  I accused abandon and did not believe in redemption.  I am not worthy.".

"All are welcome here" they proclaimed.  "Are you not being revived as you declare doubt and guilt amid this paradise?  You can accept what is being offered to you, but it's up to you to decide what experience would appease your evolvement."  The fisherman listened attentively as they continued to gratify him with guidance.  "Open your eyes to all your opportunities.  If you wish to go back..."  Before they could finish, he beamed with joy and announced with excited determination "I want to go back!  How can I truly enjoy this place without first passing on the marvelous revelations I have come to know.  I'm left with a strong desire to share my experience so that others can find their way to this house of light.".