Page 368 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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362 Mystic pathways through the bible
by the goal of attaining the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, the task before every spiritual teacher is to reveal that Liberation is not something external to one’s life, but rather, internal. It is the path to Liberation that begins to make life truly meaningful; and it is the attainment of Liberation that culminates in absolute and sublime joy.
As an illustration, imagine that you live in a house on a wonderful scenic hill. However, for years you have kept your windows permanently boarded up. If you were to remove the boards and open the windows, you would be able to enjoy the forest blazing with wonderful colors and the vast expansion of nature in all directions. The delightful fragrances would enter your home. But not realizing this, you hold onto your resolve out of fear and keep the windows closed.
Now suppose someone who observed the beautiful forests and magni cent owers surrounding your home were to knock at your door and say, “Come out! At least open a window and see the wondrous beauty you have right outside!” But you are so involved with painting what you imagine to be scenes of nature in the comfort of your air-conditioned home that you reply, “Why should I open the windows and doors? How could anything be better than what I have here? It would only expose me to drafts and the cold bleak atmosphere. So why should I?”