He rushed into her little shop, all hot and flustered, waving his checkbook and a fistful of dollars, shouting “I want answers now”.
She did not even look up but continued adding that last bit of yellow acrylic paint to the bright sun that dominated her canvas.
He continued to shout, pacing the floor and waving his arms, “I want answers, don’t you hear me? I have money, I can pay.”
A few more seconds passed while she peered at her painting, putting another dab here and there and then finally raised her eyes towards the man who had so vehemently invaded her quiet, until then, peaceful space.
Her eyes were large, luminous, piercing in a kindly way. She looked at his brows beaded with water droplets, the large sweat stains under both his armpits, turning his light blue shirt dark in those areas and she thought to herself, “that is a good shade of blue for a stormy sea”.
He became quiet and stared into her eyes as if expecting that the answers to his questions would move from her to him on some energetic wavelength.
She recognized him as quite a successful businessman from a nearby community. He had made his money in heavy equipment and construction and was known to be one that always got what he wanted now. He did not have much formal education but had learned that by hard work, cunning, and the right political affiliations, he could get what he desired from life.
She exuded an envious calm and a peace that the businessman wish he could steal. He took a deep breath, lowered his arms to his sides, and calming repeated, “I would like some answers, can you help me please?”
She smiled. It was a nice smile. It was the smile of a woman who had fought her demons and conquered them. The smile of a woman who lived in the present moment where neither past nor future was of any importance. The smile of a woman who appeared to have discovered the secret of the universe.
“I do not know your questions but I know the answers,” she said softly, “come with me. “
She took up a large cushion from under the counter and gave it to him and lithely walked out of the shop towards the larger building in the near distance. She was dressed in a long white cotton kimono, flecked with yellow and blue paint. Her salt and pepper dreadlocks were casually wrapped on the top of her head. She had the body of someone who practiced yoga, smooth, fluid, and assured.
The man trudged behind her. She listened to his breathing. It had calmed considerably as he began to feel the peace of the place. Once they reached the house, she opened the door and led him to a large open room. It had a highly polished wooden floor, with several yoga mats and colourful cushions adorning one corner. Several of her paintings were on the walls. Indoor plants, along with a few statues of the ascended masters made up the calming décor.
He stood in the entrance, took one deep breath, and let it out with a loud whoosh. He felt it. He felt the presence of Himself. He felt a calm that he had never experienced in his 57 years on this earth.
She gestured for him to close the door and to put the cushion on the floor. She went to retrieve one for herself and invited him to sit.
He struggled to sit but finally made it onto the seat. She touched him lightly on the shoulder and whispered softly, “Let us find those answers.”