Two travelers set out on a pilgrimage from opposite ends of a vast desert. One from the eastern edge heading west and the other from the western edge heading east.

One pilgrim set out for a distant town called Happiness that was said to be located somewhere in the middle of the immense desert. But no matter how many miles or for how many months, and then years, he traveled, no matter how many maps he consulted or how many bedouins he asked for directions, he never found Happiness.

The other pilgrim set out for a distant town called Sympathy for All Beings. It was rumored to be in the middle of this vast desert. Like the other journeyer, no matter how many miles and how many years he traveled, no matter how many maps he studied or how many nomads he asked for help, he never arrived at the town called Sympathy for All Beings, though many desert dwellers said he drew very close. But in his fervent looking for Sympathy for All Beings, he did find Happiness.

~ Dan Miller, 2014

~ Friends, I am taking some time off from posting any new writings. I will keep offering Life-Lines on Mondays and TUESDAYS WITH STORY each week. Keep checking, I will be posting essays again before long. Thank you for visiting THE SACRED BRAID and for reading The Almond Tree. ~ Dan