The Land of Akbar; Post #1 (an introduction)

waldotomosky

I must thank two uncertainties for the discovery of Akbar[1]; an echo and a philosophical dictionary.

The echo disturbs anyone who finds himself in a specific ancient dusty great-room which has the odor of yellowing print material. This great-room is located in the once grand summer lodge of Aiden Lair. Aiden Lair may be found with great difficulty (if at all) in the depths of the Adirondack Mountains. The    philosophical dictionary was possibly labeledThe Dictionnaire Philosophique, Voltaire, 1764. Itwas a literal but anachronistic reprint of the Philosophical Dictionary, Stanford, 1995. The event that I am about to describe to you took place a half century ago – therefore you must forgive my memory – for the ‘possibly labeled’ comment.

Ernest Hemingwayinvited me to an evening meal of trout and venison that he had prepared over a wood fire. He had gathered the wood from…

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HARMONY

waldotomosky

Remember when we were looking at the Starucca Viaduct; that manmade wonder of the world?

The small town of Harmony is a short walk from the viaduct.

When discussing the viaduct I mentioned Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion. There is a lot of common information about Joseph Smith in Palmyra, New York and Ohio and Missouri and his followers in Utah.

HOWEVER – – –

There is little common knowledge about his life in Harmony, Pennsylvania.

Oh – – – I don’t mean that the Mormons have little knowledge about their leader when he was in Harmony. What I mean is that most of us non-Mormons know little about this part of his life.

Like in Ohio and Missouri, Josesph Smith was under scrutiny and attack, jailed and not understood.

For example, here is some second hand and very aged information from a Christian minister.

The good reverend Peck…

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PAINTED FACES – PAINTED MEN

waldotomosky

I was out for a nice stroll in the neighborhood. We have no sidewalks here. Everyone walks in the road. I have no idea why. The neighborhood is almost sixty years old and they never bothered putting in sidewalks. Now, as you can imagine, the town has rules. First of all they claim to own or control the first eight feet of everyone’s lot; both front and side. They also have a rule that there can be no fences on that eight foot section between what I own and the curb; the sidewalk-less section in case I had to remind you.

But all that information is for naught. It has nothing to do with what I am about to tell you.

As I was walking – – – it was in the evening – – – I heard someone talking to me. Or so I thought. But why was he…

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The Dehkhoda S3:E5 A Story About Sharing

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

A rich Spaniard, riding about one day,
Was paying no attention to his way,
He circled for home, but then before,
he saw a young boy, on the river’s shore.
the lad scowled at his empty hook,
the Spaniard alit with a kindly look,
they sat together, he and the forlorn child
looked the boy in the eye and then he smiled.
“You are the most melancholy niño I’ve ever seen,”
the Spaniard said. “What does your sad face mean?”
‘Nuestro padre gone; for siete children I –
must fish all day” the pescar lad lent reply.
“Mi madre es ill and we are poor;
It is for fish I frequent this shore –
I fish here from the morning’s light,
until I fear the dark and dreary night.
I catch very few fish and my fingers pain,
I must fish in all weather, hot sun or rain.”
The Spaniard said: “Can I fish, will you agree?”
The lad nodded and, then almost immediately,
From his saddle bag the man did deliver,
hook and line, casting it far, into the river.
Together they caught ciento cincuenta fish.
“This wealth is far beyond my wildest wish,”
the boy said. ‘A splendid haul,’ the Man replied.
Good Fortune has been busy at your side –
Accept your luck, don’t try to comprehend
How this has happened; you’d be lost, my friend.
Your wealth is greater than my own; today
A King has fished for you — I cannot stay.’
He leapt onto his horse. ‘But take your share,’
The boy said earnestly. ‘That’s only fair.’
‘Tomorrow’s catch is mine. We won’t divide
Today’s; you have it all,’ the King replied.
‘Tomorrow when I fish you are the prey,
A fine trophy I refuse to give away.’
The next day, walking in his pastoral shade,
The King recalled the friend that he had made.
A apostle fetched the boy, and this unknown
was, at the king’s command set on his throne.
The apostles murmured at his poverty –
“He is my friend, this fact suffices me;
He is my equal here in everything
The partner of my throne,” declared the King;
To every taunt the boy had one reply:
‘My sadness vanished when My King passed by.’

END OF POSTS ABOUT THE DEHKHODA; Thank you for reading.

The Dehkhoda S3:E4 The Dehkhoda Teaches Them About “Understanding”

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

Dehkhoda offered: “A wise man once told me,
that through understanding you will begin to see,
a deeper love for the other, that will bring,
wisdom and friendship that no wealthy king –
will ever have, only humbleness and prayer,
see the other with his eyes – with heartfelt care;
if with the other, you need to pray;
do whatever you can to see his way.
Listen to his case, you own opinions cease,
in this way your understanding will increase,
in doing this, his thoughts will be drawn,
and your misjudging the other will be gone,
then he will accept you, and you both will know,
that you accept him – only then – will love grow.”

Next Post;    S3:E5      A Story About Sharing

The Dehkhoda S3:E3 The Pilgrims ask the Dehkhoda to Resolve their Doubts

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

The trembling questers stared out across the plain;
The grass seemed as endless, endless; as their pain.
But in the Dehkhoda’s heart self-confidence,
certified him to speak to this unique conference –
their worry did not alarm him nor the high –
flock of circling buzzards in the bright sky.
What other wagon train leader could bear,
The worrisome difficulties; all in his care?
The anxious pilgrims appealed to the guide,
“You must get us to our goal.” they cried,
“We have no leader, we have no king –
you appear to know most everything,
you have crossed this prairie; therefore you know,
whether to the north or south or straight we go;
you have seen bears and buffalo along the way,
we will follow your lead, anywhere you say,
lead us safely to those far lands we seek,
as we are unexperienced; our spirits weak,
give us courage, enlighten our hearts,
before this wagon train, again departs,
your courage is not the thing we doubt,
it is the unknown that this is about,
daylight is disappearing, soon there will be no light,
help us through uncertainty, it is our dark night;
give us directions and we will commit –
our sinew and muscle, all we have, to it.”
The Dehkhoda spoke, and the pilgrim herds,
considered each and every one of his words;
all of them gathered to understand his mind,
gathered by nations, clarifying for their kind.
The German and the Frenchman voiced complaint,
their crowds grew smaller, their words grew faint –
the crowds applauded the Dehkhoda; an opportune state,
where neither fear nor anarchy – could easily predominate.
As the Dehkhoda spoke; he verbally drew,
a great path forward; undoubtedly true.
One asked: “How is it that you surpass us in –
this quest, requiring courage; what is our sin? –
we are alone and so are you — but you receive –
courage and heart, while we can only grieve.”

Next Post;    S3:E4   The Dehkhoda Teaches Them About “Understanding”

The Dehkhoda S3:E2 The Pilgrims Fear the Emptiness of the Prairieland; The Dehkhoda tells them about Sacagawea

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

The Dehkhoda had been given leadership; renowned –
the pilgrims (with great reverence) had gathered round,
hundreds convened then; right there,
breathing in the healthy prairie air.
however, upon hearing their first loon,
someone emitted a wail; ‘certain doom’,
dread spread among them as they feared,
the barrenness that had appeared,
not unlike a herd of buffalo; a clustered crowd,
formed a protective circle as they cried aloud,
it would break your heart; this apprehensive song –
their fears countless – away from home too long,
an incalculable distance before their eyes,
nothing familiar that they would recognize,
only emptiness had greeted them where,
they thought in fear of unknown; despair,
“The impending trip is lifeless, empty — why?”
to which Dehkhoda gave this rather odd reply:
“This story about a queen – not a king –
it is a history of this emptiness – I bring.”

——– One moonlit night,
Sacagawea was attracted by a sight,
which appeared so clearly as if it were day,
over rivers and swamps she made her way,
found herself on a cliff where she saw more,
incalculable empty space than she hoped for,
she dared walk no farther – clearly aware,
she would then fall to her death, in despair.
Sacagawea stared out at that great immensity,
knowing that to widely roam was her propensity,
a call for help, ——– “Great Spirit,” she cried,
“Your verdant palace summons me far and wide –
where are the white men who should be taught? –
there is not one to be found; I feel distraught.”
A voice called out “You must admit,
that these white men may not be fit,
to hear the hooting and howls through the night,
they may not last; darkness ‘til dawn’s bright light,
You must show them the way through your home,
along the rivers and mountains; their new throne.”

Next Post;    S3:E3     The Pilgrims ask the Dehkhoda to Resolve their Doubts

The Dehkhoda S3:E1 The Pilgrims Reaffirm Their Leader

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

The immigrant’s hearts were all afire,
to travel forward, their deep desire,
the lectures of the Dehkhoda had given them heart;
however, some remained reluctant from the start.
They argued amongst themselves; indeed –
“We must settle this.” they finally agreed.
The worriers said, “Who can guide us, who –
is able to deliver us to our dreams so true?
Those who were sure of Dehkhoda’s ability,
said “Dehkhoda guides us well, as you can see,
whatever he has advised along the way,
he has done well so far – this we say.
Over these grassy plains our daily ride –
has been sure and even, no need to hide,
Dehkhoda finds us a place to rest in the shade,
his advice has been excellent and we obeyed.”
Other names were raised, who could they trust?
They decided a vote would be proper and just,
a winning lottery must be the final decide –
which immigrant should be their guide.
They gathered to discuss, animosity aside,
a vote was taken, the Dehkhoda won,
they were bound together – everyone.
They agreed to follow him and would sacrifice,
themselves as a group – if that was the price;
the wagon train moved forward on these words,
and that finally settled the immigrant herds.

 

Next Post;    S3:E2       The Pilgrims Fear the Emptiness of the Prairieland;
The Dehkhoda tells them about Sacagawea

The Dehkhoda S2:E14 (Part 13) THE END of the Story; “Crow Chief”

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

The old Crow Chief, dejected and weary, in a dark forest, with fog so dreary
cross-legged and contemplating if the apparition was simply lore,
thoughtfully he sat – almost napping, owl’s wings in branches flapping,
the morning sun – night unwrapping, bringing mountains to the fore.
“It is time for the apparition” he uttered, “Appear now – damn it” he swore,
“Only this I ask, and nothing more.”

As he sat watching a dying ember, nowhere near a Crow tribe member,
Chief every day growing more slender, something appeared above the lake’s floor,
walking straighter than an arrow, on the watery path so narrow,
simulacrum of the spirit Song Sparrow, Chief had found his lost Apparition,
with the singular resplendent cognition, whom the angels named Jesus, 
the Son who is androgenesis, this and SOMETHING MORE.

And the quivering of the hemlock’s purple curtain, made the chief suddenly certain,
delighted Chief, filled him with hope he felt before;
He sat there – heart beating, those joyful words repeating,
“This Spiritual Visitor is greeting, this old chief at death’s door.
This morning Visitor is completing, the wish that I had hoped for;
This it is, and nothing more.”

Now the Chief grew stronger; and fearful was he no longer,
“Spirit!” spoke the Chief, “or Prophet, your mercy I implore;
The lake’s waves were slapping, and you have caught me napping,
not so faintly waves came slapping, slapping at the lake’s shore,
many nights I waited for you, waiting at my teepee’s door;
You not there — not there — and nothing more.”

“For many moons peering, long I sat cross legged; fearing,
never doubting, facing accusations, no Crow Chief was accused of before;
my belief in You was unbroken, and my Crow braves gave no token,
harsh words have been spoken, it was said that you were only lore,
but in You I cried out, ‘I believe’ the echoes cried ‘I believe’,
only that, and nothing more.”

“On me all the Crows were turning, with hatred for me burning,
my only friends were these waves slapping somewhat louder than before.
‘Surely,’ I cried, ‘surely there is something beyond the hemlock lattice;’
let me see it then, and what there at is, and Your Mystery explore,
allow my Crow people to believe and Your Mystery adore;
allow them to believe and nothing more!”

“Let them clean out disbelief and clutter, allow their hearts to flutter,
may the Badland Spirits; evil beliefs – of the ages so long before;
never again a Wolf Spirit be; may my Crow People clearly see,
when I tell the truth of You, walking above the lake’s watery floor,
as they sit, in a truth-circle, outside my teepee’s door
believing – and sitting – nothing more.”

Then the Crow Braves now beguiling, changed his sad face into smiling,
the old Crow Chief could not hide the happy countenance he wore,
the Crow Braves no longer craven, in the Lake Walker found a haven,
grim and ancient spirits forsaken, left to wander on forgotten shore,
what, additionally, could the old Crow Chief have asked for? –
only that; and nothing more.

 

THE END OF THE CROW CHIEF SERIES

 

Next Post;    S3:E1       The Pilgrims Reaffirm Their Leader

The Dehkhoda S2:E13 (Part 12) The Story of the Crow Chief and the Apparition

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

Old Crow Chief had chosen his path – drank the wine,
while the crow braves saw his spiritual beliefs decline,
deeply dejected -sadly – they trekked back home,
while allowing their crow chief’s theology to roam.
in the badlands they hid, of the apparition afraid,
believing that the Old Crow Chief had strayed,
after some months they desired rest,
thinking that this apparition was a test,
was this apparition imagined gratefully –
or did the chief believe in it faithfully?
“What should we believe in?” asked they
has our Old Crow Chief has led us astray?”
they smote themselves and cut their hair,
all crying and moaning in great despair;
while wrapping themselves in buffalo cloak,
and sat in a circle, a truth-pipe to smoke,
“How could he abandon the spirits – all three” –
Great White Bear, Peaceful Fawn, Eagle Free –
for this apparition that walked on the lake –
abandoned our ancient spirits for the sake –
of the apparition who appeared quite pale? –
believing in this new spirit will surely fail.”

 

Next Post;    S2:E14     (Part 13) THE END of the Story; “Crow Chief”