Mark Twain's 'The Mysterious Stranger'

The year is 1590, a few boys are living happy sheltered lives in a remote Austrian village named Eseldorf. (Esel means "donkey" in German and can refer to a stupid or ignorant person, and "dorf" means village, so in essence it is a village of stupid people.)

The story is narrated by one of the boys — Theodor, the village organist's son in a first-person narrative. One day, a handsome teenage boy named Satan appears in the village. He explains that he is an angel and the nephew of the fallen angel Satan. Young Satan performs several magical feats. He claims to be able to foresee the future and informs the group of unfortunate events that will soon befall those they care about. The boys don't believe Satan's claims until one of his predictions comes true. Satan proceeds to describe further tragedies that will befall their friends. The boys beg Satan to intercede. Satan agrees, but operates under the technical definition of mercy. For instance, instead of a lingering death due to illness, Satan simply causes one of Theodor's friends to die immediately.

Mayhem ensues — witch trials, burnings, hangings, deaths and mass hysteria. Satan vanishes with a brief explanation:

"In a little while you will be alone in shoreless space, to wander its limitless solitudes without friend or comrade forever--for you will remain a thought, the only existent thought, and by your nature inextinguishable, indestructible. But I, your poor servant, have revealed you to yourself and set you free. Dream other dreams, and better!

"Strange! that you should not have suspected years ago - centuries, ages, eons, ago! - for you have existed, companionless, through all the eternities.

Strange, indeed, that you should not have suspected that your universe and its contents were only dreams, visions, fiction! Strange, because they are so frankly and hysterically insane - like all dreams: a God who could make good children as easily as bad, yet preferred to make bad ones; who could have made every one of them happy, yet never made a single happy one; who made them prize their bitter life, yet stingily cut it short; who gave his angels eternal happiness unearned, yet required his other children to earn it; who gave his angels painless lives, yet cursed his other children with biting miseries and maladies of mind and body; who mouths justice and invented hell - mouths mercy and invented hell - mouths Golden Rules, and forgiveness multiplied by seventy times seven, and invented hell; who mouths morals to other people and has none himself; who frowns upon crimes, yet commits them all; who created man without invitation, then tries to shuffle the responsibility for man's acts upon man, instead of honorably placing it where it belongs, upon himself; and finally, with altogether divine obtuseness, invites this poor, abused slave to worship him! . . .

You perceive, now, that these things are all impossible except in a dream. You perceive that they are pure and puerile insanities, the silly creations of an imagination that is not conscious of its freaks - in a word, that they are a dream, and you the maker of it. The dream-marks are all present; you should have recognized them earlier.

It is true, that which I have revealed to you; there is no God, no universe, no human race, no earthly life, no heaven, no hell. It is all a dream - a grotesque and foolish dream. Nothing exists but you. And you are but a thought - a vagrant thought, a useless thought, a homeless thought, wandering forlorn among the empty eternities!"

~ We must remember that Satan has his miracles, too.
John Calvin

Speaking with Gandhi

"Nationalism?", questioned Gandhi. "Do you mean to question the struggle, that are based on principles of human-freedom and man's basic rights and paint it with Nationalism?"
"If not nationalism, why are you silent on all the chaos?" enquired the reporter.
"I belong to this country, but that does not mean that I would accept oppression at the hands of my native ruler - be it Buddhist or Hindu or Muslim or Christian or Atheist. If it were to happen, I would struggle with same strength and intentions as I was against the English. Remember, questioning the rule does not necessarily mean being anti-national."

"So what would be your comments on the likes of 'Arundhati Roy', 'Noam Chomsky', and 'Rachel Corrie'?", came the question out of blue.

Gandhi was silent for a moment, he gazed into the saffron flames that were making a crakling noise the flames were as if dancing in a ritual ceremony around the dead wood and the wooden-stove was busy in the process of reducing the wood into ashes.Gandhi slowly proceeded to answer the last question.

" Although there are various things that I do not agree or approve of their methods, but I do understand that they are trying to be the change that they want to see in the world.

To be honest, who does not want to see a happy and peaceful valley of Kashmir?, but the question that needs to be answered is 'What is Kashmir?', Is it just a piece of land or Is it the living spirit of : a child, a tree, a breeze, a snow-flake, that adds value and meaning to that piece of land. What is the meaning of the word 'Kashmir' without considering its people - It is people that make Kashmir and not the other way round."

As Gandhi was in the end of this conversation, there came a shout, "Bapu, Bapu ... Nandhini has given birth". Gandhi got up with the most beautiful smile a toothless face could sport, and said, "Excuse me Mr.Karan Thapar, It was nice speaking to you, let's end it here. I am in need of someone for help, the cow in our farm has given birth."

- A good person will resist an evil system with his whole soul. Disobedience of the laws of an evil state is therefore a duty. ~ Gandhi

P.S:
------
It has been almost a century since India, Pakistan and China have been locked into conflict for the land of Kashmir, but the essential thing that all these three countries failed to understand is that 'The land of Kashmir', with its riches and beauty is not the real prize - instead it is the living souls and hearts that make Kashmir.

Chicken Soup for the Terrorist Soul

Hello ! are you depressed because no one wants to fly in same plane as you ?
Are you anxious because your name matches with one among several people's who are in International "Wanted list" ?
Are you angry because every time you go to the airport, you are the only one "randomly" selected for the screening ?
You get "randomly" selected even if you drop your friend at the airport ?
Do you just want to be treated like a normal person again ?

Then all you need is a 'time-machine' and travel back to pre 9/11 era

Muslims in the world, are the new enemy. We replace the Soviet-Union and we are stuck here, till somebody replaces us. ;)
That's why i will be asking you all to follow North Korea, as close as possible.

History seems to have a nasty habit of repeating itself.

• 20th Century (Germany 1930's & 1940's)

Nazi propaganda began with targeting "Jews", as a evil group - who share an intolerant common ideology "Goyim"(link). It started off as isolating Jews from the central community, restricting their freedom, seizing properties, randomly arresting them for imprisonment & finally it ended in roasting about 6 million of them in ovens specially prepared for them - The label was "The Final Solution"(link).

• 21st Century (Europe & North-America 2000's & so on)

The propaganda has begun with targeting "Muslims", as a evil group - who share an common ideology of "Jihad"(link). It has somehow succeeded in isolating Muslims, ban on minarets, ban on niqab, ban on call-to-prayer, restricting their travel freedom, restricting their purchase of properties.
Something unhealthy is cooking in the western hemisphere.

• What's the root-cause ?
  

The Nazi Propaganda helped Germany in certain ways: It took all Jewish wealth by force, It re-established Germany as imperialistic power, Hitler became the "Emperor" of Third Reich. So, some of those men did get material gain by making "Jews" look like "the enemies of the world".

• Conspiracy Reports ?
  

There are sizable number of references that Osama Bin Laden (the most evil person on earth), works (or worked) for the CIA [1][2][3][4].
Does the propaganda of so called "Islamic Evil" benefit someone? anyone ?

Most people in Media believe - It's not so. Really ...??

~ Facts: (Hyper-Links)

1. Out of Top-15 Oil producing countries, 10 are Muslim Nations.
2. USA has set-up military bases in all the Major Oil Producing Countries, either through diplomacy or through occupation.
3. The golden connection of Oil-bases & Military bases. (Compare map with #2 as above)

"The Devil in Disguise" - The Apocalypse Trilogy ( The Missing Part )

The chiefs of the various tribes of the desert gathered in their conference area and the Devil met them in the shape of an eminent wise old man.
When they saw him, they asked, `Who are you' He replied, `An old man from South. I heard that you are having a meeting, and I wished to attend your meeting. You may benefit from my opinion and advice.'


They said, `Agreed, come in.' He entered with them. The Devil said, `You have to think about this man (The one who is trying to destroy Idolatry)! he may soon overwhelm you in this matter (religion).'

One of them said, `Imprison him, restrained in chains, until he dies just like the poets before him all died, verily, he is a poet like they were.'

The wise old man from South, the enemy of Men, commented, ` This is not a good idea. His Guardians will release him from his prison to his followers, who will liberate him from your hands. They will protect him from you and they might expel you from your land.'
They said, `This wise man said the truth. Therefore, seek an opinion other than this one.'
The second one of them said, `Expel him from your land, so that you are free from his trouble! If he leaves your land, you will not be bothered by what he does or where he goes, as long as he is not among you to bring you troubles, he will be with someone else.'

The old man from South replied, `This is not a good opinion either. Have you forgotten his sweet talk and eloquency , as well as, how his speech captures the hearts. This way, he will collect even more followers among other desert tribes, who will gather against you and attack you in your own land, expel you and kill your chiefs.'

They said, `He has said the truth, Therefore, seek an opinion other than this one.'

The high-representative of the tribes spoke,`I have an idea that no one else has suggested yet, and I see no better opinion for you. Choose a strong, socially elevated young man from each tribe, and give each one of them a sharp sword. Then they would all strike this man (who objects idolatry) at the same time with their swords and kill him. Hence, his blood would be shed by all tribes. This way, his protector tribe, would realize that they cannot wage war against all of the tribes of the desert and would be forced to agree to accept the compensating money; we would have brought comfort to ourselves and stopped him from bothering us.'


The old man from South commented, ` This man has expressed the best opinion, and I do not support any other opinion.'

They quickly ended their meeting and started preparing for the implementation of this plan.

The old wise man from the south walked away with a cunning-smile, as the sun was setting over the oasis, dusting off his hands - and commenting to himself, "mission accomplished !"

As the devil approached the horizon, when no-one was noticing, he transformed into a 'nubian ibex', turned back to see the gathering move away in haste and then the ibex galloped away silently.



~ The devil is and always been a gentleman.

The Beginning of The End

Why there had to be a beginning ?

"So that there could be an end"

Why there has to be an end ?

"The world has changed, we could feel it in the water, feel it in the earth, smell it in the air - and our destiny has brought us to a point from where there is no return journey, the only way is forward towards the end"

When is the end ?

"When untrustworthy people will be regarded as trustworthy and the trustworthy will be regarded as untrustworthy - the Mass Hypnosis and diminished peripheral awareness"

What is next?

"The answer is out there"

~ There can be no triumph without loss. No victory without suffering. No freedom without sacrifice.

The Dreamer's Paradox

The Hypnic Jerk

The average person spends 22 years of their life asleep. One third of your life will be wasted. You’ll lie in an unconscious, catatonic state and sleep your life away. What if you could take those years back?

The desire to dream is primordial. Some evolutionary process has instilled life on this planet with the ability to dream. It is essential to survival. Even dogs dream. The exploration of dreams in search of answers we cannot otherwise obtain is a tempting solution to things we’d rather not deal with.

Sometimes, this desire transforms dreaming into a vehicle that attempts to displace the mediocre existence of our ordinary world. At first, it is a plunge into hyperreality - a world more real than the real itself. One so entrancing it can become an addiction with confusing side effects, such as finding evidence of things you don’t remember doing, looking at the world through a fog, or experiencing false awakenings - dreams that are so real it seems as if you have already woken up.

Yet as you sit on the verge of the illusory twilight, the view is so alluring you can’t help but fall into its grasp and be swept away into the dream world.

By now, the dream state has become your primary mode of existence and the reality you left behind is only a hazy memory. You have escaped, you have salvaged the time you’d otherwise have lost in sleep, you are leading a life by proxy.

Just as this form of escapism appears to be working, your sleep patterns collapse and parasomnia invades your life - you cannot sleep, you’re kept awake at night by unseen forces and the addiction to dream sinks its teeth into your mind, the mind split asunder by insomnia and insanity. I’ll tell you what dying is. Dying is what happens when you can no longer dream.

As you lie awake and alone with the sheets stuck to the cold sweat dripping from your body, you can’t help but form a skeptic’s hypothesis - it becomes impossible to tell when you are dreaming and when you are awake. Why even try to differentiate?

Suddenly, there is a great elucidation and the answer becomes clear. An equilibrium must be reached and balance much be brought to these two worlds. Only in moderation will sanity be achieved - overly embracing mundane reality and extreme escapism with both lead to ruin.

And as you once again drift peacefully to sleep, free of your former dissociation and confusion, you are reminded of the bizarre world that stretches away from your consciousness with one last hypnic jerk.

It is a dreamer’s paradox - by seeking escape, a surrogate world is created as a replacement. The lines between fantasy and reality are blurred, fact and fiction become identical. The dream is real, and reality is as meaningless as a passing dream.


~ Lyrics of the album by same name : JT Bruce

And if you didn't notice,there is a difference between the image here and the one above.


Clue: Diagonal symmetry ;)

"The False Light." - The Apocalypse Trilogy ( Part 1 )

Lucifer was lying beside the apple-tree, cool water gushing around forming a virtual island of their resting place.
Lilith was still asleep, peaceful - without knowledge of what was yet to come.

Lucifer had played with her the whole night, their love seemed to be endless, those passionate kisses and the sweet-struggles were still fresh in his mind. Their bodies were like being blown about to and fro by a violent storm, without hope of rest - aimlessly, as the Lust played its music.
He gently pushed away the string of hair annoying her peaceful sleep.
A flash of thought passed his mind - " Am i one of those Opportunists, who in life did nothing, neither for good nor evil ? "


The question was still stuck in his mind as he left Lilith there - guilt was screaming inside him - he walked till a distance - from where he could get a good view of her, a soft tear rolled down his cheeks. He turned around spread open his wings - flapped and never did he turned back.He had to leave Lilith as she did not belong to him.

Lilith hearing the faint beats of Lucifer's wings awoke - ran behind him like a mad-woman - she cried her heart-out - begged Lucifer to come back. Lucifer turned deaf to her pleadings.

Lilith was broken - she sat down and gazed at her feet - they were bleeding - thorns embedded in them.
And Michael landed before her - he had a fierce look ," O ye lady of Adam - thou hath disregarded the true love of your mate -.. ".

As he continued, Lilith spoke, " The one i loved hath abandoned me, and the one who loves me ... - please ask him to forget me and i know he won't forgive me though - ... and i am not ready to listen anymore", Michael left her alone with defeated shoulders.

Lilith cursed herself - and she broke like a shattering glass - in all directions. Out of each piece flew a winged-creature, red, fork-tailed -- The Harpies..!!
Someone died in G-d's kingdom for the first time. Lilith was death's first taste.

Michael saw this from distance - it was the most disturbing sight he had ever seen.

Lucifer too saw this, and screamed in agony, he wished that he was never born to see this sight.He questioned himself - why was this happening to him, "I was the only one who refused to submit to Adam just because that I espoused a great love for G-d – and, that i had sworn to never bow to anyone except G-d., just because i am the most loyal lover of G-d, ... what a cruel play, deprived of love and thrown into Inferno till eternity - for my loyalty ?"

Michael, knew that there was something wrong - and G-d had "The plan for salvation" in place but why did Lilith had to do this, and how would the plan be carried over now - with Lilith dead, there will be no children of Adam and no salvation. How is this supposed to be ??
Questions in his mind - hundred.

Michael conveyed the happened to G-d, and went to Eden to console Adam - and he was shocked to see Lilith with Adam. Confused and Puzzled - he flew to the Throne - and asked what was happening, -- G-d replied, " My faithful servant Michael - The one you saw is not Lilith, but Eve - and i hath created her out of Adam's rib - Adam and his children would be under the veil of forgetfulness, until the Apocalypse".

Mad in Lilith's love and overcome by the grief - Lucifer vowed to avenge Lilith's death, and promised himself , "I will ascend to Heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of G-d; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High".

What happened next was the "War of Heaven", - Lucifer was finally defeated and Michael stood over Lucifer ready to strike.



G-d intervened and said," i need a private word with you , Dear Lucifer".

G-d, explained that everything had been predestined - Adam - Lilith - The Bow - Lilith's end - Lucifer's Anger - War of Heaven -... and so will be the Plan of Salvation.

As a Slave of War - your freedom is at the end of Apocalypse and it would happen only if you complete your duties agreeing to the "The Plan of Salvation". And Lilith will be waiting for you till the End of the Final day.

Lucifer questioned," But.... Why me ?".
"Because Lucifer - ", G-d replied, " I trust you the most and you are the most-desperate* of all".


*desperate/temptation - equalsiblis in arabic

Insane's words : Curse Dante Alighieri

"And she said, it's Apocalypse" - The Apocalypse Trilogy ( Part 3 )

At a time unknown to man, but preordained, when people least expect it, God will give permission for the Final-Judgement to begin. The archangel Raphael, referred to as the Caller, will sound a horn sending out a "Blast of Truth"



Waiting at the bus-stop, i was worried - the sky was already darkening up. The clouds ready to spit rain anytime made me uneasy. At a little distance i saw a young-mother, holding her baby-wrapped tight in a single piece of cloth - she played and gently tickled the baby's small feet, and the cute little thing began to wriggle like a bundle of happiness : I smiled.

The time as if had planned to stand-still, and my bus was not there - it seemed like an eternity passing.

The identity-tag hanging from my neck danced to the wind's tune.... and then it stood still - hanging in the middle of air - suspended.
There was a deafening HORN sound- it was supposed to be my bus, but before i could think anymore, i was being crushed, my face lying flat on the road,my lungs choked, my heart stopped, i felt like dying:though i never experienced death before and then it was a black-out....!!



I woke up:

Everything seemed normal, except for the whole environment : very different from where i was before - it was like painted with a giant invisible paintbrush like a painter's imagination coming alive a beautiful mixture of bright colors.

I closed my eyes - took a deep breath, the wind brought a refreshing fragrance.


The earth seemed to be a vast stretch of plain, it seemed like by some magic the earth has been flattened and rolled to a celestial-sheet, stars shining at the hands reach.There were no trees, neither beasts nor avians.But only me and a lot of similar others, we all walked to a big gathering, the HORN's sound was not deafening now.


I heard my neighbour saying, "Today's friday: And i knew that this HORN was 'bout to get all Atlantis on our ass.." the other responding " Forget it ! It's to late " : I giggled secretly.


As we walked : I wondered, if i am in a dream. The gathering was huge, numbers would die counting the people gathered there. The moon seemed like a giant cracked-egg, pieces falling apart - it was a beautiful sight.



I didn't even remember how long i was dead.I just kept walking along.

It was a pathetic sight later, the monk was sobbing badly : he did'nt want to leave his ferrari behind.

Someone behind me said, that he had fought along-side `The Messiah, in his second coming` against the `Devil's Army`, and he died in that battle. Was he kidding, seriously ?

In front of me was a guy narrating the horrific battle in which he and his fellow people tried saving the Holy-Shrine but in vain, were captured - he wept as the shrine was broken down to ruins and then everyone captured were slaughtered.

What was i supposed to say here, " I was standing at the middle of the road, foolishly looking around and then a vehicle rammed in and made a pizza out of me.!!" .

Finally the Judgement was over, i thanked that it didn't took much time : It was easier than getting a movie ticket.

I was handed over a scroll by a gorgeous looking angel: it read " Welcome to the Hell - Follow the Map directions to the Perdition", signed: Lilith.

Then i realised: I was naked - so was everyone - but i was an exception , the identitytag was still hanging around my neck.

And then the red-skinned-angel said this with a wicked smile, " Happy Apocalypse..!!"

Her forked tail wagged wildly - until then i failed to notice the pitchfork in her hand.

I questioned "You, Lilith - Satan's Mistress ??". The smile was enough to give me the answer, "oh great - i said to myself - Welcome to the Hell..!!"

Cobblestone Runway

"Former Glory"

The Amazing period of time - when i was in my school, was the best part of my life.

I was recognized by almost everyone there, i was happy when so many people were interested in me, "Everybody Loved Me and then Everybody Disappeared".

"These Days"

Almost Lacking the spirit and enthusiasm that once almost filled my body with every inch, the young and confident me, bubbling with energy is lost in the crowd.The crowd,where the neighbour doesn't cares who lives the next door.

"Least That I Can Do"

See my family happy, that i have transformed from a helpless crying infant into a succesful Man right before their eyes.Gift myself with a smile when i see kids on street playing with marbles, school going kids enjoying rain - where as the grown-ups run for cover.

"God Loves Everyone"

I know how spoilt i was as a kid ~ the meanest and nastiest kid on the block. Bullying around.Liar.Thief.Adamant.Revengeful.Violent.Crazy.Disobedient. But God loved me for the everything i shouldn't have been, He didn't had to show any aversion towards me.He still Loved me.

"Disappearing Act"

My first job.Great expectaions.Launchpad for a great career.They were short lived.One solid year passed by.My co-joinees - i saw them begin to settle in a specific area and specialize it.Meanwhile i was juggled on the basis of requirement.Some say you've got to lose to win.I hoped for,my luck to stumble in.But,I had to do something to avoid being treated like a Twelfth man.I chose to do a 'Disappearing Act'.I broke away from Bangalore and moved to Chennai with nothing but hope.And i knew, my hope would be tested.

"For a Moment There"

For a moment I swore - I knew where i was going.Never Knowing.If it would go anywhere.
I should have waited - my heart told me. May be i should have done that earlier - my mind ordered me.The current patch would be the most difficult and i must be cautious is what i could understand.

"Gold in Them Hills"

Every new challenging situation is a new hill to climb.With a new adventure in mind.Exploring for the treasure - a gold mine.You won't get anything unless you make a move.Worrying won't get you anywhere, Move out of your comfort zone.There is Gold ! Gold ! everywhere, and you must know that gold doesn't walks - No one knows how the day might end.You may not wake up tomorrow.But,Tomorrow never comes!!

"Heart's Desire"

A lovely hut.A carefree life.Food for thought and something to be alive.A Sleep on the meadows and gazing the heavens at night.Grazing the cattle and feeding the hens.Wealth means nothing.Friends always there for me and just peace of mind.
A ferrai to drive.No time to say 'Hi'.Medicines for health.3 hours of sleep.Gazing the Liquid Crystals.Fortune with no future.Complaining everything and blaming everyone.Running all the way to school till grave.With no knowledge of who are friends and who are not.

~ Just a Century passed since 1900 and then everything had to change.

"Dragonfly in the Bush"

Buzzing around from bush to bush.He took a wrong turn and was lost without trace.The sticky tongue, doing the damage.What is the competition? - It is all or Nothing at all. Just like us?-In the crowd without a face.

"The Less I Know"

It is a waste of time.To analyze what i know.I knew less,but the less i knew - was meaningful.It is just confusion now, with nowhere to go.Love can bring me back.And no one to Love and and nobody loves.The whole picture is fake.Now I know more, and i wish i knew less.

"Up the Road"

A quarter century rolls by.Retirement on edge.Driving up the road with my partner. A drive along the Manhatttan.I heard that my daughter had married in India.The stars on the horizon greeting the evening, and sun sinking in the west.The time would soon come - to say good bye.With memories intact and they being the only source of link to mother and motherland.

"Best Friends"

She cried over my coffin, she had shared her life with me.I always wanted to see - Who cries when i would be gone.My soul watching my lifeless corpse being transported back to my own land.And so it arrived there, the dead and dumb 'myself'.Pushed into a grave that i might be sharing with a lot many buried before me in the same place,new friends - i said to myself.But some six or seven people standing six feet above and dropping the moist soil over my dead myself.Their eyes were moist as well.I said to my newfound grave-friend over his hairy-beard, "You see there - They were my best friends".



P.S:
----
This post was inspired from the Musical Album "Cobblestone Runway" , by a canadian artist Ron Sexsmith.And each Paragraph is the title from that album(But the words inside are of course mine).Frankly, i haven't listened to them, but the lyrics i came across was filled with soul and freshness.This post may resemble a bombed Art film, but i was happy typing down this, i wanted to believe that i am a poet and then the thoughts began to assemble and flow, just like a river.