On Children and Adepts

Children and Adepts, thus do I speak unto those who are still children. It is never a childish thing to become an Adept, but it is a childish thing to be adept at one's childishness!

A great overcoming is that of the child into an Adept. Such transformation requires the death of the worm. Yet while the sacrifice of the worm is great progress, it is great retrogression for the butterfly to long for the chrysalis!

The false warmth of security is the shackle of insecurity; some butterflies feel the terror of flight, and the danger of great heights. Thus do they long to return into their womb.

The crisp and immortal air of high mountains calls upon new butterflies. Upon mountain peaks rest fields of ambrosia and lilies, the proper nest and home of the butterfly.

Yet upon perceiving such impossible heights, some butterflies wail with consternation and grief; such a journey requires the complete sacrifice of one's wings. It necessitates the faith of much endurance.

Through the fruit of renunciation is one transformed, but through the trembling of uncertainty is one malformed. Although one creates the butterfly, such wings may yet be dampened by the filthiness of birth. Such wings, being new, lack strength and responsibility.

Yet upon high paths and tall precipices are such wings strengthened, if these poor insects would acknowledge their poverty and their strength. After the discomfort of far travels, one is recompensed with the nectar of sweet Amrita on the mountain of Empyrean.

Strong is the will needed for such journeys, and strong is the will needed to break through the shell of a new birth. In the beginning one is insecure, and requires encouragement and much tending.

Warmth and good will are needed for newborn chicks, who long to soar on higher paths. Yet the incubation of warm words can suffocate even newborn birds.

While it is necessary to feel the warmth and protection of good advice, there comes a point to a mother's hospitality.

If you would learn to fly as a rebel eagle with wings of the Spirit, you must renounce smaller wings and the comfort of too many words.

For verily it is written, one must become a child in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. But first of all, it is necessary to grow up!

Thus speaks Ding Dong.