The Wizard’s Gift by Mark Townsend
Chapter 1 (excerpt)
‘Shit!’
He felt a sharp pain under his left ear and something wet on the skin of his shoulder. He looked down.
Blood?
Slowing his pace he lifted a hand to touch the wound. A small piece of twig jutted out from the skin. He pulled it free and continued pushing his way through the trees. No time to stop. No time to ponder. No time to have second thoughts.
At last he found the place and the old oak tree was just as he remembered. He climbed to a height of about twenty feet, sat on a branch and looked down. Just as required. No other branches directly below; a good clear drop! The ear had stopped bleeding, but his white shirt was now more like a butcher’s apron. There were other cuts on his hands and one trouser leg was ripped at the knee. He didn’t care. He was there for one purpose and worrying about his appearance was not it. There was now only one more thing to do, fasten the rope and tie the loop. He did it quickly and was ready.
The tortured man sat like a lynch mob victim waiting for the drop, the only difference being the mob was in his own mind. The pain from his ear was intense but nothing compared to the mental agony in his head.
It’ll all soon be over. Eyes closed. Countdown. Ten… nine… eight… seven… six… fi… f… Silence! No number five!
The branch bowed and creaked, a leaf fell circling towards the ground and a squirrel from a neighbouring tree stopped gnawing an acorn to look. Overhead the sun shone, but no one would have known for the forest canopy was dense. A tiny silver thread unwound and brushed against his face, dropping off a passenger. The money spider crawled along his cheek but he didn’t notice. He sat motionless, unexpected visions filling his mind. Moments later he awoke from the trance with a shudder, startling both the squirrel and the spider.
‘My God,’ he croaked, ‘I can’t do it.’ His one hand clung on to the branch while the other loosened the rope that was wrapped round his neck. The slipknot moved an inch, then a little more, until finally the deadly necklace was free. Minutes later he stood at the base of the great tree gazing up at what might have so easily become his executioner. His vivid imagination had saved his life…
Epilogue
The Enchanted Forest
Be still!
Listen!
Can you hear him?
Stop for a moment… close your eyes… be here NOW!
Are you aware?
There is a forest… an ancient wood… a scary sacred place in you.
It can seem like an overgrown jungle of thoughts - densely compacted trees and bushes smothered in twisted vines and creepers.
These are the intertwined confusions of memories, assumptions, fears, beliefs, prejudices, judgements, failures and successes.
They are the many layers of ego clothing we’ve dressed in over the years. They form the background noise of our mind. Sometimes they are quieter, but sometimes they deafen us, ruling out any clarity of vision.
Stop!
Be still!
Be here NOW!
Notice the voices blowing like wind through the trees…
Be aware of the echoes of arguments, unfinished plans, inner dialogues of confusion, and the incessant demands of the inner critic.
Notice them and then notice that you are noticing them.
See, they are NOT you. They are just remnants of past experiences and dreams of future hopes…
Be still!
Be here NOW where neither past nor future exist and then you will be ready to meet him.
Meet who?
There is an inhabitant within this scary sacred wood - a dweller who is real. Someone lives here whose presence transforms it from a frightening jungle to an enchanted forest.
He is quiet… he waits for you to stop and come to him.
He is not forceful.
He stands with lamp in hand, there in the deepest, darkest heart of the forest.
He is the wise One…
The true inner guide…
The divine voice…
The higher Self…
He is the Wizard Within.
Reviews
‘I could not put this book down until I had reached the last page’
Amazon.co.uk
‘Once I picked this book up, I only put it down to make an occasional cup of tea, so enthralling was it… this book is truly a spiritual gem!’
Amazon.co.uk
‘Incredibly difficult to put down… reminds us all to live in the moment and trust that inner voice of wisdom’
Amazon.co.uk
‘The postscript alone in my eyes is worth the price of the book’
Amazon.co.uk
‘A masterfully written story that both entertains and inspires’
Amazon.co.uk
The Wizard’s Gift by Mark Townsend, Published by O-books ISBN 978-1846940392
Filed under: Excerpts |
James Townsend, April 7, 2008, at 10:55 pm
In touch with the magic and wonder of life, Mark draws deep on his life experiences to create an energetic story that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who considers themselves to be a “seeker of truth”.
Colin Whitby, April 8, 2008, at 9:24 am
Mark’s insightful book immediately reminded me of a number of other books that illustrate the same theme, such as The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, where we learn that what we need to know is right in front of us, but that we have to make a journey there and back in order to be able to find it.
I loved Mark’s style, it put me in mind of how Terry Pratchett weaves his magical tales, moving from one subject to another very quickly, keeping a good pace and ensuring we are interested and want to know what happens to the key characters.
Of course anyone using the word Magic has my attention, how else should we be living our lives except Magically?
Rob Chapman, April 8, 2008, at 8:40 pm
I found Mark’s work insightful and informative. Being written as fiction its message and teaching slip through into deeper parts of ones thoughts rather than some books where you get the feeling your being told what to do. Can not recommend The Wizard’s Gift Enough.