QUERENCIA

Meaning - A place from where one's strength is drawn, where one feels at home, the place where you are the most authentic self.

The Mountain of Realization has been a topic of intense fascination for Aataman. He was a young monk who practiced meditation in a secluded and mysterious island away from any connect with the modern human society. He would see elder monks departing for the mountain at the end of decades of meditation. The young, impatient and curious mind of Aataman could not fathom the idea of leaving this beautiful place for a cold and dangerous forest. He would pester his spiritual master to reveal the secrets of the mountain and why every elder monk would make journey to such place leaving behind the comforts of the monastery but to no avail. He vowed never to leave this place but the question never left him in peace.

Several years passed and Aataman advanced in his study of meditation. He was on his way to become a spiritual master and take on his own disciples. Everything was rosy and comfortable for Aataman but his curiosity about the mountain never died. Whenever he saw an elder monk leave for the mountain, his heart sank. His impatience was overcoming his serenity.

One night, he had a vision about a magnificent dragon flying in the night sky. He rose from the peak of the mountain. The moon created a beautiful frame of the dragon silhouetted against the bright full moon. The dragon plunged and came straight for Aataman. He tried to run but the dragon was fierce and followed directly towards him. The dragon shone brightly and breathed a huge beam of flame that flashed before him. Aataman was awake and frightened. He couldn't sleep the whole night. He suspended his whole day and spent his time under a tree. He tried to process his imagination. Aataman analyzed his dreams for clues. He thought of this as not an ordinary vision. He believed it was a message from the Universe. The only problem that left was of what it meant.

Aataman closed his eyes. He focused on the emotions he felt right before he was burned into ashes by the dragon's breath. Slowly, the image of the dragon resurfaced and the dragon shone brightly. The breath destroyed everything in its way. Aataman braced for the impact. The excruciating pain almost broke his meditative state but he endured through the trial. The fire died and he experienced a sudden rush of pure joy gushing endlessly in that small moment. His meditative state broke. He was fatigued and exhausted. Aataman never forgot that experience. He was convinced of the universe trying to reach out to him. His curiosity about the mountain became endless and voracious. His inner flame was blazing throughout his body. He knew his answers and life's purpose lay at the peak of the mountain. Without a moments delay, he prepared for a journey to the peak of the mountain. The elder monks were shocked by the impudence of this monk who dared to enter the forest without attaining the enlightenment of the old. Every monk discouraged Aataman and tried to talk him out of this maddening decision but nothing deterred the determination of the monk. He endured every single doubt and abuse thrown at him. He did not know what was that is hidden at the peak of the mountain but he had utmost belief that he had to make this journey to understand the true purpose of his life. The monastery banished him. Several monks made fun of him and other wanted him to make the journey so that they can watch him come back as a failure. The day of reckoning arrived.

Aataman entered the forest and saw magical creatures that lived there. These fantastic creatures had survived for eons. Unicorns, Oni, Golems, Leprechauns, Gnomes, Goblins, Fairies, Centaurs and Chimera lived here together in harmony. The enchanted forest made way for him. The trees drifted and slit open. He saw a woman meditating at a distance sitting right between the two large giant tigers. Aataman was unfazed by the surreal nature of the landscape. The woman slowly opened her eyes. She rose and stood right in front of the monk. "Welcome Traveler!", She said. "I am the gatekeeper of this mountain.". She explained that this mountain is the only way to reach the source of everything that exists in this world. She said the journey is not difficult. "If you wish to reach the top of the mountain then all you have to do is climb 100 steps of the eternal stairway." Aataman realized that the task given by the gatekeeper is easier than he originally thought. "Once you climb 100 steps, you will reach at the peak of the mountain. Yin and Yang will escort you throughout the journey. Now you have to be careful about Yang. He has a habit of hurting the travelers throughout the journey. Yin is extremely caring and will restore you to your former self and transport you safely to where you came from but you will be banished from entering this forest again for eternity. I hope you complete this journey and get the answers you seek!" The women suddenly vanished into thin air and the waterfall behind her diverged. The entrance to the stairway was grand and aesthetic.

Aataman understood the intention of the mysterious woman. He realized that Yin is the comfort zone that kills a warrior mindset and Yang is the embodiment of every external scathing thought that derails a determined mind. Utilizing the convenience of Yin was a death sentence that would foil his efforts to uncover the mystery behind his vision. He could not forget the pure sense of joy he experienced that had driven him in a purposeful manner to go ahead without caring about the consequences.

Aataman started to climb the stairways. Suddenly, he lost few of his fingers. An unbearable pain surged through his body. He saw Yang chewing his fingers. He gulped them immediately afterwards. Ying watched him expecting a call for help but the monk didn't give up. He could have taken the easy route and give up on his goals but he was willing to endure the pains of his struggles and take every step to a destination that did not even guarantee any answers to him. He took a great leap of faith and braced himself for a horrible and torrid journey. Every step was nothing less than a judgement call. Yang devoured Aataman's fingers, palm, toes, legs and ears. He endured every bite of Yang and barely crawled to the peak of the mountain. Yin and Yang disappeared at the end of last step of the stairway. Aataman was in a grotesque state and experienced pain like nothing before. His determination had almost faltered but he didn't give up for a vague destination. His strong devotion to the power of self belief pushed him throughout his journey to the peak of the mountain. He had almost fainted from the intense pain. He lies lifeless near a lake.

The still water jolts violently. A majestic dragon surfaced and hovers in front of the lifeless body of Aataman. He was glad.

"I am the answer you seek." The dragon telepathically remarked in the voice of the woman Aataman met earlier. The dragon shone brightly. The dragon breath a huge beam of flame towards the half and lifeless body of the traveler.

Aataman found himself floating over the dust of his gross body incinerated by the dragon's breath. All he could feel was the light coming out of his ethereal body. He saw his body reflecting over the lake.

"The answer was always within me. I just had to look inwards. I was covered with gross flesh of doubts, apprehensions and misunderstandings. I couldn't see the exquisite light and warmth of my soul. I am not the disgusting façade that I have created over my lifetime to accommodate others but my naked me is the ultimate truth, freedom and joy. My soul is the authentic me."

Aataman finally found his enlightenment. He was finally at peace. "To understand and love himself unconditionally with no regards to what others think was his enlightenment." remarked the dragon as it returns back to the lake waiting for the next pilgrim.