up there until it’s finished.”
“Until what’s finished?” I asked.
The plumber just smiled, handed me a flashlight, “for getting down safely when it’s over,”
and also handed me a folded piece of paper. Then he left.
I climbed to the top of the tower. I was now standing at the tallest place in the Ashram,
with a view overlooking the entirety of this river valley in India. Mountains and farmland
stretched out as far as I could see. I had a feeling this was not a place students were normally
allowed to hang out, but it was so lovely up there. Maybe this is where my Guru watches the
sun go down, when she’s in residence here. And the sun was going down right now. The
breeze was warm. I unfolded the piece of paper the plumber/poet had given me.
He had typed:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FREEDOM
- Life’s metaphors are God’s instructions.
- You have just climbed up and above the roof. There is nothing between you and the In-
finite. Now, let go. - The day is ending. It’s time for something that was beautiful to turn into something else
that is beautiful. Now, let go. - Your wish for resolution was a prayer. Your being here is God’s response. Let go, and
watch the stars come out—on the outside and on the inside. - With all your heart, ask for grace, and let go.
- With all your heart, forgive him, FORGIVE YOURSELF, and let him go.