For This Life? Or The Next? - Friday 13/05/11

For a while now, I have heard tell of a rather hostile landowner nearby.
Tir-Y-Gafel was founded on a portion of what was formerly Pont-Y-Gafel farm. A gradual sell off by the owner and general asset stripping of what was reportedly one of the most successful dairy farms in Wales, has resulted in a number of owners of various sized fields or plots.
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting one of these owners whose plot lies next to the property I speak of. Running over their land is a portion of an old sheep drovers path. If this path were once again honoured and open, the difficulty of access for this plot owner and his fellows would be solved. So far they have met with stubborn resistance.
Being rather curious, I set out today to tread in the drovers foot steps.
Before I left I read up on the 'Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000'. Suitably reassured, I began my journey over the hill to Crymych. By photographing along the way, I can allow pictures to tell my story...

Emma has recently been involved with chanting and Buddhist meetings. She often pootles off with Tir-Y-Gafel resident Jane Wells. I've been happy to leave her to it but tonight she came back with an interesting observation. Buddhism appears to preach a very similar message as Eckhart Tolle. Most notably, the philosophy of 'living in the now'. Unlike other faiths that focus on preparing for the future or specifically ensuring our place in the next life.
Jane's reaction to Emma's observation was along the lines of "if I were God I'd be pretty insulted".
This spurred me to imagine a conversation between a Christian and his God after he had died...

Christian: So, here I am God. Hey Jesus. How did I Do?
God: Erm, You tell me.
Christian: Thanks for asking. Well I went to Church every Sunday. Said my prayers every night. Paid my tithes. Went to confession. read the Bible loads of times. Converted a few Pagans. Spent Monday nights down the soup kitchen. Was a choir boy and did exactly what the vicar told me...
God: Ok. Sounds very familiar . So what do you want?
Christian: Well, My reward I suppose. You know, a nice place in Heaven and all that.
God: Was Earth not enough?
Christian: Sorry, you've lost me.
God: As you know from the Bible, I created Paradise! I created forests that spanned what you call countries and filled them with life and energy. I carved out lakes and oceans and in them dwelt a myriad of ancient beings.
Upon the land, great herds roamed, prides of lions stalked and elephants patrolled.
Did that not bring you joy?
Christian: The Park was hardly a forest, and the zoo was a rip off!
God: I moulded the celestial bodies and set their dance. I fashioned a ball of fire of unrivalled magnificence. The night I decorated with the finest tapestry of jewels for man to gaze upon in awe. Did that not please you?
Christian: I watched the eclipse on TV once. It was alright...
God: Did you not stop and ask the oak tree the secret to its long life?
Christian: When was I supposed to fit that in? I was too busy working.
God: Working? You must mean doing that which pleased the soul!
Christian: F@*k no! I needed money!
God: Money?
Christian: Yes! Money! Everyone wanted it from me! The blokes working for you pocketed 10%. Heaven didn't come cheap I can tell you!
God: You are aware that money is the root of all evil created by Lucifer to ensnare souls in eternal suffering. Used to obliterate all that which is good in humans and the Earth. To perpetuate a vicious cycle of hurt, pain, misery and war. To smash the equality that once reigned and trick men into believing they are only worth their value in currency. Ultimately it creates a religion of its own, a false idol and ensures its victim marches straight to hell or else languish in despair.
Christian: Do the banks know this?
God: I gifted you life, the holiest and most sacred thing ever to exist. The purpose? To live it. To love it. To help me to create it. To nurture it. To sustain it. But instead you forgot it, mourned it, suffered it and destroyed it. Where are my forests? Show me my pure oceans, bring me my stars you failed to see, give me back my Eden. You want your reward? Here it is. In my infinite love, wisdom and mercy, I will send you once more to paradise. As your own descendant. Clean up the mess you made and report back to me.

M Jones