(After preliminaries and deep relaxation)

I hear the "sound of silence", a vibration... perhaps what one would hear holding a sea-shell to one's ear.

This is a good sign. It means that whatever thought arises ( no matter the reaction to that thought) I won't get glued to it. I am steadfast and cannot be distracted from my intention.

I find myself walking into a dark, enclosed space (like a cave). In the front is a glowing altar, candle-lit, with a golden buddha statue. The male being turns to me  ( he was tending the altar,  lighting candles or incense ) and gestures "sit".

I sit on the row of meditation cushions to the right of the space, facing the wall.

I feel alone and comfortable and the darkness elongates, takes on depth.

A call for Helpers goes out in all directions.

( Call? To me it means... a combination of musical tones, emotion and spontaneous images... wordless)

then I pray with words ( I love words )

something like:
"May i appear in whatever form is most beneficial to the Being,
whether human or animal, a breath of wind or a thought in the mind,
a star in the sky or a tear on the face,
let me appear in whatever form is most beneficial to this Being I am meant to serve...")

I feel a presence of a Helper sitting next to me in the zendo. He says "Let's go. When we get to where we're going... look at your feet".

There is a "whoosh" (no real feeling of movement) and then we're there.

I look at my feet. I'm wearing green-felt shoes with curled toes.

" Ya gotta be kidding! What the @*&?"

I don't get glued to the thought. The reaction floats away all by itself and I remain steadfast.

I look around and take stock of my surroundings.

I'm looking at a bed, barely able to see above it.

There's a little girl in the bed.

The Helper is right beside me.

( the girl is maybe 6 or 7 years old)

"Hello little girl. Did I wake you up?"

"Mommy hasn't come to get me, she always gets me when I wake up"

I don't know how to respond.

( Just wait. Relax, says the Helper)

The child looks at me.

"Are you a fairy?"

"No, I'm an....elf" ( "what do I do?"  "Tell her you'll take her to the fairies" )

"Have you ever been to a fairy picnic?"

(Her face lights up)

"Come, We'll go"  I sprinkle some sparkles on her shoulders and take her hand.

" You can fly now. With me."

And we rise into the air. We come to a bright sunny meadow. There are little flying creatures around us. On the right there is a picnic table half in the shade, colorful beings gather around it, two walk up to us, a male and a female....

"Come, we've been waiting for you. What fun we'll have... now that you're here!" They take her hand and walk to the party.

The Helper is next to me. He's been a steadfast source of strength; sturdy like a tree. Very matter-of-fact and never lacking compassion.

"What's YOUR name?" I ask him.

( pause )

" I am me"

"So am I" is the thought that arises. But i don't glue myself to it.

postscript: things that pass in seconds can contain a wealth of details. I'm sorry
I can't write them all down. What you get is the bones and not the flesh.

That was a terrific way to convince the little girl to come with you. I could almost see the whole scene in my mind, with the sparkles and your curled green toes.

Wonderful! 

That was a learning experience, I will employ some of that when I next attempt a retrieval, Tim. thanks. Vee

Tim

I'd like to expand on somethign Romain said.

Listen, I'm going to send you an engraved invitation to my passing and I want you to wear the elf shoes. Please? I just don't know when yet. Maybe you can take me to visit...oh! what am I saying? But you are having way too much fun with this! This is supposed to be serious work!

(We are all going to be there for one another....Aren't we?)

Something from today:

(With my open hands) I'm scooping out bees that have landed in a swimming pool.

I scoop them out and gently put them on the side of the pool, where after a few moments, they dry out in the sun and then fly away.

I have a great feeling of satisfaction about this.

Then I scoop out another bee and it stings me (before flying away from my hand)

(It hurts!!)

A flash of pain.  I pause. I think of not saving them anymore.

A moment passes and with my other hand I scoop out another bee. Leave that one in the sun to dry too. It too flys away free.

It matters no longer if I get stung again.

The important thing is to free the bees.

I will help them all to feel the sun and fly away on their own.