radiance extending out all around you, a brilliance unlike any-
thing I had ever seen. It created such a profound impact that in
your presence I felt weak and numb. I couldn’t do anything – so
captivated was I by that radiant glow. Still, I didn’t know what it
was, for I had never before experienced anything like it.
“My threats to kill you a moment ago didn’t come from
my heart’s true feelings. Rather, they stemmed from a long-held
belief that I possess unrivaled authority over non-human beings,
as well as humans with evil intent who lack moral principles. Such
authority can be imposed on anyone, at any time; and that person
will be powerless to resist. This arrogant sense of self-importance
led me to confront you. Feeling vulnerable, I didn’t want to lose
face. Even as I threatened you, I felt nervous and hesitant, unable
to act on my threat. It was merely the stance of someone accus-
tomed to wielding power over others. Please be compassionate
enough to forgive my rude, distasteful behavior today. I don’t wish
to suffer the consequences of evil anymore. As it is now, I suffer
enough. Any more, and I won’t have the strength to bear it.”
Ãcariya Mun was curious about this: “You are a prominent
individual with enormous power and prestige. You have an non-
physical body, so you needn’t experience the human hardships of
hunger and fatigue. You aren’t burdened having to make a living
as people here on earth are, so why do you complain about suf-
fering? If a celestial existence isn’t happiness, then which type of
existence is?”
The spirit replied: “On a superficial level, perhaps, celestial
beings with their ethereal bodies do actually experience more hap-
piness than humans, whose bodies are much grosser. But speak-
ing strictly in spiritual terms, a celestial being’s ethereal body still
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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