Soul Dancing with the Brass Band (The Brass Band Series) (30 page)

“Dear boy, your search is over,” he said with a sigh. “At times I worried that your beloved would choose not to incarnate again or, if she did, her energy would be too weak for us to find. I should not have doubted the power of love. Nothing in this universe could stand between you and the one you’ve loved through eternity.”

Tears welled up in my eyes and I concentrated on the computer screen for fear of falling apart.

“Now, all I can say is, thank you for coming. We have much work to do!” Pure joy washed over McCollum’s face and made him look young again. “It’s been an eventful weekend and a good start. Now it is time for rest and camaraderie. Don’t worry about tomorrow because it will come no matter what we do. Enjoy your time together and revel in your love for one another; talk, learn, remember, sleep and dream. Our work will start soon enough.”

He bowed his head and placed his hands together in front of him. We did the same as he whispered,
“Namaste” as the screen went blank.

WILL MUST have carried me to my bed that night, because as the sun came up, I woke curled in his arms. Lying quietly, I heard familiar voices in the living room and was amused that everyone was still together. I listened to their conversations, while being careful not to wake Will.

George’s voice was easiest to pick out because his was always the loudest. I knew Ruth was there because she was laughing and I smiled when I heard Dr. Edwards and Gilbert in deep discussion about their past lives together.

Mom was having a private conversation with Buddy, as she alone recognized his importance to the group. “And who are you?” she asked. I had a clear vision of Mom with Buddy perched on her finger as they gazed directly into each other’s eyes.

Of all of the conversations going on, that was the one that captured my interest.

“I imagine we have known each other many times before,” Mom softly spoke. “I can see the power of a falcon in you. Have you been the huntress for a great man or were you the companion of a powerful woman?”

Then I heard Dad’s voice, low and musical. I listened with great care to hear the word
s he spoke to my mother and was surprised when the entire room went silent. It became apparent that he was speaking to everyone.

“I’ve always had a deep, unexplainable desire to travel to India. I know I’ve never told you this, Kate,” he said apologetically. “Now I know I should say
return
to India.”

I slid out of bed and although I was careful not to disturb Will, I felt him follow me as I walked to the door to listen.

“I’ve always been confused by a nagging emptiness inside of me because in this life I’ve been blessed with everything. Today, that feeling’s gone and this, the culmination of our life’s purpose, well, I want you to know I am honored to be sharing it with all of you.”

Will and I emerged from the bedroom to make the reunion complete.

My folks called Kenny to let him know that it would be a few more days before they returned home. Of course Kenny didn’t mind, he was quite independent and very capable of handling anything that might come up around the farm.

“I’ll eat at Gram and Gramp’s house,” he reassured Mom. “I promise I won’t go hungry.”

I quietly walked away in an effort to get Ruth alone.

“Ruth,” I said motioning her away from the group. “Thanks for leaving your computer behind for McCollum. That was incredibly courageous.” I met her eyes with a solemn look on my face and she started laughing.

“Come here, Hillary. You’ve got to lighten up! No pun intended,” she said motioning for me to sit down in the chair while she sat on the over-stuffed arm. “I think we’ve learned that you definitely outrank me in this Druid organization, so I should be the one boo-hooing.” My mood was lifting the more she talked. “I’ll be your guardian, but not your maid! By the way, what are the specs on that guardian position anyway? I’ve forgotten!” Ruth added, still laughing.

“I don’t remember either, but someday I will and when that day comes, I’ll thank you properly.”

Ruth pushed aside my sentiment with a flurry of hand waving.

“I’m looking forward to a very eventful year,” Ruth said, with the joy I had grown to expect. “I think things will really start happening when we’re
swimming in The River of Knowledge
. I think I’ll start with the backstroke and go back to check out our past lives together. Just think how fun it will be to talk about that stuff like it just happened yesterday.”

“Do you really think it will happen that way?” I asked.

Ruth didn’t seem to have a single worry in the world about what the future held. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen. I just know I’m not afraid of it. The worst that can happen is that I die and find you again on the rebound. I figure it’s going to be better than the best thing that’s happened to me so far.”

And with that, I realized she was right. This was going to be a much better ride than any job I might
have found after graduation. This was going to be an adventure!

WE HAD one more gathering with McCollum via computer before Mom and Dad went home and Dr. Edwards took his position at Menninger Clinic. With McCollum’s face full screen, he gave us very specific instructions on how to begin the journey to awaken our dormant powers. Our days were to begin with yoga to connect our minds and bodies, chanting to awaken our souls and meditation to merge with the Universal Mind. We were not to compare notes with each other because each of our journeys was unique. McCollum gave no specific instructions on the journal we were to keep beyond that we were to write for one hour each day.

It was amazing how perfect things really were. Even though on the surface it appeared that our New Year’s weekend fell apart, we had received all the initiations required to begin our training. We had even received our mantras.

Will was given permission to teach us a new technique at the next full moon. So, on January 11th, Ruth, George, Gilbert and I gathered downstairs in front of the fireplace, bubbling with anticipation, especially George, who was barely able to contain himself.

According to Will’s instructions we were sitting cross-legged in a circle. When he arrived, he took his place across from me, but for some reason he seemed very uneasy. He brushed back his hair and locked his beautiful baby-blues on mine.

“Tonight McCollum has given me permission to be The Teacher,” he began. “I have been The Teacher within the confines of McCollum’s walls ever since the day I arrived at his home. He’s helped me to understand that this is a great gift that I’ve been given, so tonight I am here as The Teacher.” Sitting very still, Will softly inhaled as his head lulled forward.

“This is the really cool part,” George said excitedly. “I’ve seen it a million times before, but it still blows me away.”

With one huge inhalation, Will sat bolt upright and opened his eyes. I looked at him with sheer amazement; Will had grown! The clothes that were typically loose were now filled with a much larger figure and the intimate hum that had always been ours alone now filled the room. He rolled his shoulders to get comfortable and spoke to us in a deep voice with an unfamiliar cadence as he placed a brass bowl at the center of our circle.

“This brass bowl was forged in a secret ceremony known only by the Buddhist Monks of Northern Tibet. It was created so long ago that some simply say it was forged before time began. It came to McCollum by mystical means and now has been given into our hands for safekeeping. It is said to have the power to magnify many times over what is placed within it, so we must always bring our purest selves when we are in its presence.”

Gilbert’s eyes were as big as saucers and he was as wound up as George.

“What do we put in this bowl? It’s not big enough for much,” Gilbert asked.

“It’s big enough to hold an infinite amount of thoughts and that is what we will place into it, our intentions. We will reserve
saving the world
for a future gathering,” The Teacher said with amusement. “Tonight we will begin with a simple concept, but not insignificant. We will release happiness into the world for all who are truly seeking it. Now… close your eyes and imagine happiness pouring from you into the bowl and I will take you for a ride.”

George was giggling like a girl and it wasn’t long before Gilbert joined him.

Suddenly, I found myself alone in a magnificent place where the colors were so vivid that they didn’t seem real. Rainbows of light were streaming from my palms and the vibration of it was laughter. At that moment, I fully understood the meaning of bliss.

When I opened
my eyes, The Teacher was gone and Will once again sat quietly on his pillow across from me. We all looked at him expectantly, so responding with love, he said, “What we do now is not question our effectiveness. We must
know
that our thoughts, our light was sent forth and is rippling around the world and those people who are receptive will feel it.”

“I know we’re not supposed to compare our personal experiences, but I’m about ready to burst,” Gilbert blurted out. With a nod from Will, he went on. “We weren’t alone. This room was packed!”

I spotted a twinkle in Will’s eye as he explained, “The Buddhist Monks who forged this vessel, as well as all who have ever participated in this ritual, were with us tonight. The bowl is very powerful.”

“I wasn’t in this room at all,” Ruth interjected. “I was chanting with them
, at the monk’s place on a mountain top.”

“Each person’s journey is always an individual one. Very seldom do people find their path to be exactly the same as another,” Will offered.

“Time to eat,” George said, clapping his hands loudly. “Hard work always makes me hungry!”

Will placed the bowl back into its worn leather pouch and set it next to Buddy’s box on the mantel and we all headed for the kitchen. As I looked at the clock, I was amazed at how many hours had passed since we first sat down with the Brass Bowl.

As things progressed, we grew more accustomed to sitting down every evening at 7 p.m. with our brass bowl. Mom and Dad were always with us, sending their intentions long distance from their living room. Dr. Edwards joined us every evening from Menninger’s Clinic or wherever he was traveling. On the nights that Gilbert couldn’t make it physically, we knew he was with us in spirit. The Teacher only joined us for the first meditation, but honestly, I didn’t miss him, I did better with Will.