Have you got a story to tell about how The Barefoot Indian came into your life? Would love to hear it!

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made.But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

Why?” Asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some.But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side?” That’s because I have always known about your flaw and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. without you being just the way you are he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all cracked pots.Thank you to all the cracked pots in my life.You have made life more interesting and beautiful!

The Netherlands(Language Dutch). Title: Met Spoed Gevraagd: Messias M/V. Published by Ankh-Hermes ISBN: 9789020202311
India (Language English). Title: The Barefoot Indian. Published by Indra Publishing House ISBN: 9788189107222
Germany (language German). Title: Barfuß zur Erleuchtung. Published by Hugendubel ISBN: 9783720590105

‘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

The current March issue includes my article on Spirit Guides and how to connect with them.

When you arrive on the site click on Laura Berman 23rd Jan, I am the first interview…