Mother Ayahuasca, How long have I known my wife To this simple yet inspired question, asked by author James H. Scheller; the answer unveiled to him is the story of The Monk and the Tree. A child monk named Malian, is special for so many reasons-notably, she is a girl who has been accepted into the Dao monkhood, an honor typically denied to women, during this age of time of unwritten history. So pure and in tune is Malian's spirit with the Dao that she is truly one with all around her. She is on a path, reveling in the simple act of living, when she meets a small, furry creature. The little animal leads Malian to a quiet and peaceful place high above a beautiful valley, and implores her to play music for the forest. She plays, unwittingly rousing the discomforted spirit of the tree at whose roots she's settled. Feeling his energy surround her, Malian is moved by the disquiet within the tree-and the tree hopes beyond hope that Malian can quiet the discord within him. Where does love come from, and what can it endure? Find out in this hauntingly resonant tale of lives past.

The Monk and the Tree

An Ayahuasca journey of love ... beyond the 3DBy James H. Scheller

Abbott Press

Copyright © 2012 James H. Scheller
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4582-0612-1

Contents

Preface..........................................ixChapter One......................................1Chapter Two......................................3Chapter Three....................................9Chapter Four.....................................13Chapter Five.....................................16Chapter Six......................................19Chapter Seven....................................23Chapter Eight....................................25Chapter Nine.....................................27Chapter Ten......................................29Chapter Eleven...................................33Chapter Twelve...................................38Chapter Thirteen.................................41Chapter Fourteen.................................45Chapter Fifteen..................................51Chapter Sixteen..................................56Chapter Seventeen................................59Chapter Eighteen.................................65Chapter Nineteen.................................71Chapter Twenty...................................75Chapter Twenty-One...............................78Chapter Twenty-Two...............................80Chapter Twenty-Three.............................85Chapter Twenty-Four..............................87Chapter Twenty-Five..............................91Chapter Twenty-Six...............................94Chapter Twenty-Seven.............................96Chapter Twenty-Eight.............................98Chapter Twenty-Nine..............................103Chapter Thirty...................................105Afterword........................................107One Big Tree.....................................111The Author Gets Confirmation.....................113Author's Advice..................................115

Chapter One

The Earth has a blissful way of thriving. Nothing has ever overcome the Earth. It is a beautiful place to live for so many living creatures, and the Earth shall continue to love its tenants (the high and the low) for all eternity.

"I want to see what is going on above the ground," says the Tree's spirit to its Dao. "I want to feel the wind through my leaves, taste the energy of the sun, embrace the soil with my roots, and be enjoyed by the creatures of the land above me."

In reply, the Dao answers, "Your path will be long. There are many lessons along your way. Always be true to yourself, and you will prevail. Others, like you, are at war to conquer the land, which has provided for them all their life. Be not a consumer. Just be. Do not seek; for the lessons will be presented, and the answers will be revealed. Remember: you will not be denied the sunlight, the wind, or the soil, for these are three unconditional gifts that will always be provided for you so that you may continue to cultivate yourself—without fear of lack. You will receive more nourishment when Dao presents it."

And so the Tree's growth begins ...

Chapter Two

When the Tree had forty-five rings of growth, a small group of settlers began to build a town in the valley of the hill where the tree stood. Many trees were needed to build the village, but this tree was spared along with many others.

As with most towns around the region, the citizens built walls in order to protect themselves from attacks. This city was never attacked in a hundred years, and the citizens felt protected by the walls that they had built. Every citizen believed and understood: anyone going outside the city did so at his own risk.

A young girl, fifteen years of age, walks down the streets of the town on her way to the open market. She does not know of a life outside the walls of the town, but she will—one day. Her name is Malian; she stands five feet two inches tall and is naturally beautiful. She walks with her head bowed and carries an unusual instrument called a pikayliup; it resembles a guitar with an embedded bamboo flute. The musician would strum the strings, and the bellows for the flute would be pumped with the knee. The temple staff had given her this instrument.

As a monk, it is nurturing to an individual's ITLχITL to be artistic and express oneself with activities that bring joy to self and others. Of course, as with all instruments, in order for the instrument to sound beautiful, the person playing it must also have a beautiful heart; but more importantly, the instrument must be chosen by the student. (Or, easier said, "The instrument and musician choose each other.")

Malian is an orphan, taken in by the temple staff. It is not uncommon for the temple to care for orphans, but Malian is the first abandoned baby the staff has cared for. Yes, Malian is female, and at that time, females were not permitted to be recognized as temple staff; therefore, she will have to leave the temple when the time comes. However, in her case, things are different, and her acceptance as part of the staff is because of the temple's senior.

"But she is different," said Master Yoi, the senior of the temple. "Let us see beyond the boundary of her gender and nurture her spirit. I can see Malian's spirit is calm and pure; let us embrace that. I promise you she will be the result of your true love for life. She has begged to be here, just as you did; but it was not your false self who begged—it was your true self. My challenge to all temple staff: Fear not the change in our temple, for life is life. Be peaceful, and raise this beautiful child in all of our ways, and teach her to know her Dao. It is my wish."

As Malian walks the streets, she knows that she receives the stares of many citizens who still have not chosen to see her as the temple staff do. Inside the temple, she is no different than the other monks. Out among the citizens, she is not accepted—at least not entirely. There are those who envy her (mostly women), but she does not recognize envy. Some do not want to be seen speaking to her, for fear that they will be judged by others for being different. Living a life under the scrutiny of the general public may have seemed difficult for someone else, but it is not difficult for her. Malian loves life, and being among life, good or bad, is just life being life.

When she arrives at the market, out of nowhere comes a pleasant "Hello, Malian!" It is a farmer, tending to her display of fruits and vegetables. The vibrant farmer continues to speak. "Today I have brought some of my tastiest vegetables. Because the harvest is so bountiful this year, I have so much to sell. I know the people of this town will be feeling so much better when they enjoy what heaven has provided—and what my back has been able to dig up." She continues to giggle.

"Would you like to try one of my delicious melons? Here, take this one. You can eat it now or later when you are ready." The melon is truly a good one. It is full of juice, and the scent of it makes you feel as though you have already tasted it.

Malian graciously accepts the farmer's gift, bows to her, and says, "Thank you, madam." Then she carefully stores it in her shopping bag.

"I came to the market to get food for the temple staff," says Malian. "I see so many more displays of fresh food, and the smell of the market is very pleasing to me. I can see and hear the beauty in everyone."

"Yes, indeed," says the farmer. "Like I said, the harvest has been kind to us this year. Everyone is in...