Free The SONG of SHIVA by Michael Caulfield Page A

contract of a lifetime, but I’m having second thoughts about accepting it. We’ve talked about this before. The Primrose deal? I’ve already committed verbally, but something feels wrong. Can’t tell you what ’cause I really don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s what psychologists call the fear of success. Maybe subconsciously I still don’t think I deserve to land the big one.”
    “Somehow I doubt that’s the problem,” the monk remarked with a chuckle. “Ask yourself this: Is your fear intellectual or emotional?”
    Lyköan had mentioned psychology and the old man had become Carl Jung. Just like that. Not surprising.
    “Well, I’ve busted my ass on this deal so, intellectually at least, I do think I deserve it.” Lyköan realized that didn’t exactly, or honestly, answered Sun Shi’s question.
    “Here’s an approach you might try,” Sun Shi suggested, distractedly scratching the bridge of his nose. His shaved skull glistening in the candlelight, he leaned forward and lowered his voice. “First, consider your motivation. Karma is generated by the intensity of desire. Desire is detrimental to spiritual progress, so you must resist the temptation to be self-serving. Any decision you make must be based upon Right Intention. If you begin there, Right Conduct will naturally follow. Will you be harming others in any way by accepting this assignment?”
    “No, nothing like that. As a matter of fact, my role might even accelerate the development of some lifesaving pharmaceuticals. If the new boss and his lieutenants like my work. Which reminds me of something. Something strange. More than anything else ― I think it’s what really brought me here tonight.”
    “Also associated with the Primrose contract?”
    “People involved with it, yes.”
    “While you do appear troubled, I sense a spiritual component far more important than the material.”
    “But be honest, Father, you perceive a spiritual component in just about everything, including your first trip to the latrine every morning.”
    “A chao awat should be afforded more respect, my son. Sarcasm is a weak device when one is seeking spiritual guidance. You would do well to practice moderation, especially with that caustic tongue. The universe permits no impunity. A price is exacted for every indiscretion. But we’ve moved off subject. What was this strange experience you mentioned?”
    “I met two high-level Innovac executives today, the lead architects of the Primrose acquisition. Accepting this deal means I’ll be taking orders from them and I want to go in thinking I can develop a decent working relationship. Still, I can’t shake this feeling they’re up to more than business. Just something about them... something odd.”
    “Like what?”
    “I’m not sure. Like they’re hiding something, perhaps playing me for some reason. I don’t know. I wish I could explain it better. Maybe it’s just paranoia. But not without reason. Just yesterday I found out my prospective employer’s had somebody tailing me ― for weeks. Can you believe that?”
    “Following you?” Sun Shi sounded genuinely surprised.
    “Yeah. ‘Due diligence’ he claimed. One big happy family. Most of us anyway. The tail sure seemed to know all about my visits here ― called them my ‘alms bowl contributions.’ Have any of the monks mentioned noticing anything suspicious lately?”
    “You’re not in any sort of trouble, are you?” Lyköan didn’t answer. The monk rephrased the question. “We’re talking about spiritual, not legal problems, yes? You haven’t been dabbling in any of those smuggled Cambodian artifacts again, have you? ”
    “No, no, it’s all legit. My involvement anyway. But those characters from Innovac? Them I’m not so sure about. All I know is what I just told you. You might want to keep an eye out for strangers hanging around the wat from now on though.”
    “I assure you, we shall,” Sun Shi promised. “In the meantime you will