The Nada Chronicles: Part 3
Five Seagulls
By "Running Fox"

Sitting on a bench at the boulevard of a big city, having a really great time. I look over the broad funnel-shaped estuary and enjoy the light, air and water at my leisure for quite awhile. It is an incredible spectacle. There are many colours shifting from green and blue to red and brown to gray and white and all the variations in between.

Provokingly slow the tide goes out as I watch the slow passing of the large cargo vessels, and the diligent sailing to and fro of the pilot boats. I just cannot get enough.

In front of me on the balustrade, about two yards away, a large gull lands. After a while it becomes clear that the animal is waiting for a nice snack. Slightly nervous she patters back and forth, now and then pointing her beady eyes at me.

I get up and advance a few paces. Gently I stretch my hand towards her. When the seagull realizes my hand is empty, she lets out a slightly agitated screech and moves back about a yard just out of reach. She makes it clear that she is not amused and looks angrily in my direction.

I shrug, sit down and again go on peering into the faraway distances observing the scene around me. It is pleasant because the weather is also pleasant, and slowly I lose myself in time. More and more I move into a state of inner reflection, causing my bubble of consciousness to expand gradually, encompassing the seagull in my sphere.

"Good morning to you", says the seagull, still a bit angry.

Startled by her voice and not expecting anything of this nature I reply, "Good morning seagull. I did not mean to hurt you. I just wanted to make contact with you, but it is clear to me now that I did not do it the right way."

"Rightly spoken, my friend. Rather untactful. You people have a lot to learn. I notice this time and again."

I reply, "I agree. Do allow us some time and we will all learn."

The seagull inches a bit closer. "Hmm", grumbles the seagull changing the subject. "Nice view from here, don't you think? It is similar to the view we birds have watching the world from above. This extra perspective is rather extraordinary for you land rats, I dare say."

It is obvious that the animal's temper is improving and I encouragingly remark, "Yeah, we need large machines to see all this from above and you can do it on your own." Trying to humour the bird I reply, "It shows that your kind is superior to ours in many ways."

"Wait a minute", remarks the seagull, still trotting to and fro but evidently pleased. "That is not entirely how it is. Nobody is superior to anything or anybody. We all live in our own way. We all have our singularities and we all have our good sides. Your are better at walking than us, and every creature is doing its best to create paradise on earth in his own way."

"Paradise hmm." I am speechless, for I don't know what to say at that thought. But the seagull goes on.

"By the way, you do know me; I am called Nada, and I invite you to join me on a journey. There is something I would very much like to show you."

Instantly I am fully alert. "A Journey? Of course! Where to? How? When? My brain fills with questions and chaos and I am lost for words.

"There is no need to panic. It is all very simple. You just fly along with me and I will show you something. We are leaving right now. You will be back before dinner, I promise. You didn't bring me anything, but I bet I have something for you."

The next moment I notice that I am on the balustrade too. Eye to eye with Nada, who friendly and encouragingly nudges me. To my surprise I notice that I have also taken the body of a seagull. I am just as large as she and my heart beats expectantly. What am I going to see?

"Don't linger friend, spread your wings and we'll be away." With those last encouraging words my miraculous journey begins.

First we cross the estuary to the other side and we fly over fields and meadows, over villages and cities. We see the rivers and the canals, the roads and the paths and gradually it gets more and more clear. Progressively I can see what is happening beneath me. I see the people work the land; I see how others get on their way to earn their daily bread and I understand that some people are trying to impress others. It is all rather confusing.

"Now then", Nada says to me, "At first sight it looks like all these people are pre-occupied with their earthly matter but beneath the surface there is a beginning of Peace. It is a great gift when a creation is enabled by the inner powers of oneness with the soul. It is the greatest gift of all, and when we remember that it is possible for every one, we will exist as pure love."

I nod. I had not reflected on this point of view in quite the same way. But Nada had more to tell. "Love is a word that keeps returning but often is so hard to reach; especially for souls on the planet Earth. You live - by your own choice, for which we are endlessly thankful - in a veiled state. This allows you to make choices that you inevitably learn from.

"There is no good or bad. Only the value you put on your experiences. It leads to many people turning against each other, even though it would be better for each individual to reconcile with one another. Then you will be able to live what we are experiencing, the Oneness in our Seagull image. For that image really is no different than God/Goddess/Source, for each Be-ing is a part of God/Goddess/Source and therefore it is possible to experience the Love and the Oneness of things."

Yes, I muse, of course that is true. Being a temporary seagull, I look deep into Nada's eyes and what I see there, she had just put into words for me and I find myself more and more impressed. We continue to fly - the land finally behind us as we cross over a nearly endless ocean.

Now and again we pass a ship, but they become more scarce as we fly for what seems like hours over gently waving water. Suddenly there is a black dot on the horizon that gradually gets bigger as we fly in its direction.

As we approach we see that it is a small island rising like a cone above the tender waves. At the top of the island there is a white temple-like building in a walled garden. I get frightened as I realize the whole building is on fire. The wall, the garden and the larger part of the house, everything is in flames. Only the entrance and a half circle in front are free of the scorching fire. In the doorway a man and his son are standing surrounded by the flames. They signal to us.

"We have to rescue them!" I yell. Nada nods. In the meantime three other seagulls appear out of nowhere and join us. Carefully we descend until we are very close to the worried pair in the entrance. We continue to circle around them to offer our help, but they calmly and decisively refuse. We get away from the heat, but stay near by so we are able to dive in when our help is needed.

We ascend a little more so that the surroundings of the house and the garden become more visible. It now seems that the house is built on top of a terraced city. Nevertheless everything is under water in this enormous but very still ocean of clear blue. Only the contours of the city are visible, the ocean and the house on fire.

Little by little the water level rises and in a last effort the water gushes over the burning walls and all the flames are instantly extinguished.

We descend again. The waters withdraw and it looks like the house has been untouched by the tall flames. The father and son are waving at us now. They have been saved. And they knew and had faith that this was going to happen. Even in fear of death they would yield to the fire. They had faith and were confident in the all-enfolding love of the blue ocean.

Enthusiastically we congratulate the father and his son with their rescue. All the while they calmly and peacefully watch their surroundings and us. Evidently their faith was limitless. Then the father gives us his blessing. We are touched, and we continue on our journey.

The three seagulls that were with us are Magda, Moira and Myriah. Old acquaintances, for sure. I greet these beautiful old souls very affectionately, and while we continue our flight we evaluate the happenings of the island on fire.

Nada speaks first. "As you have seen, nothing is what is looks like at first sight when seen from an unsurveyable perspective. Everything becomes clear when we are further away and watching from the right perspective. This applies to anything in life."

"That's right," replies Magda. "But I also want to emphasize that I loved seeing the father's and son's endless faith in the purification of the fire, and the love and faith in the ever-present ocean with all its facets of healing."

Then I contribute, "There is the meaningful presence of all the elements: water: the ocean, fire: the burning temple, earth: the half circle of untouched ground in front of the house: air, from where you can oversee and ether, through which we as a potential rescue team could understand the thoughts of the father and son."

"Yes of course", Moira adds, and I have an easy one: "the darkest hour is before the dawn."

"And yet", Myriah adds, "it is probably possible to watch from an even higher point of view. Without doubt there will be new perspectives unfolding from higher and almost limitless heights. And above all, I wish to point out that our Mother Earth is part of this too. The island and the sea and the air are part of Her Gentle Presence."

"It shows again", I assent, "that the number of conclusions to be drawn from this experience is nearly infinite!"

Slowly it becomes clear that this is the last of our conversation, because nobody speaks any more as our journey comes to an end. There is land in sight again as the sky gets slowly dark from the east and the sun loses its vibrancy in the beautiful colours behind the distant horizon. We see the lights of the people and large pieces of dark lands move beneath us. Again and again I understand what a beautiful planet I am privileged to live on.

From the heights, I am able to understand the dreams of humanity. More and more I become filled with awe, regard and respect for this magnificent creation that needs purification now and again, but in be-ing it is so clean and pure. Every so often the balance is lost and we have to bring it back. With united powers and sometimes a little help from the higher self, I have faith that one day we will make it. This thought makes me very happy.

One by one our companions depart, and bow off to their respective destinations. Gradually I return to earth and find myself in this Now-time on my bench near the estuary.

Nada again is very close to me on the balustrade. This time I have a bread crust in my hand, and I lay it next to her. This is the meal she was waiting for. She picks it up, nods and with a grand swerve she spreads her wings. After circling once above my head, she flies off into the vermilion sunset.

I Am ever so Grateful.

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'Running Fox' is the alter ego, the pseudonym, or maybe another aspect of myself, the Dutch writer Hans Brockhuis. I have been writing since I was very young. These writings, which I prefer to call inspired fiction, gradually changed from what one would call fiction, via science fiction or fantasy, towards these communications with a more divine flavor. You may subscribe to this newsletter by sending an E-mail to: runningfox@worldmail.nl. You are invited to share this work with your family and friends. In the case that you do not want to receive these messages any more, please send an E-mail, stating that to the above address.