Free The Mystic Paradigm: An Evolutionary Novel by Brian M. Heater Page B

into the stable peace he now lived. And he knew the transition must have been difficult. He understood the importance of the initial mystics during the uprising, but what had caused the energy to be disrupted? Becoming agitated again, he tried his best to calm his mind.
    As he walked through the peaceful orchards soon to be ripe with apples, he realized how important this all was. He was standing in an experiment that had worked. Gone were the days of hunger; the people were taken care of. These farms fed many people: those who could not feed themselves and those who were in service doing other tasks. Food was plentiful and all were fed. As he looked up at the succulent fruit and the green moist leaves, he felt connected to this way of life, close to the earth. Was this not his duty? Was he to return to the Mystic Order and serve in another way? The thought of leaving was disheartening, but he knew he wanted to protect the peace that had been hard-won. Looking inward, he knew once again he was called to do something he did not quite understand.
    Near sunset, Joshua went to his favorite place, the meditation sanctuary. As he rounded the bend on the path, he saw several other people deep in their practice. The sanctuary was quiet, as usual, which made him happy; he desired only silence. There were many areas for privacy when someone needed to be alone in their thoughts, but the large, open sanctuary usually gave one the space they needed to feel quiet and obtain the sacred silence. The people that came here honored the need for silence. Joshua loved coming to this place and would spend many hours deep in mediation and prayer. He began his meditation and was soon deep in his place of wisdom. At last he found some sense of peace.
    ***
    The next day, Talis arrived via electric robotic car he had borrowed for the trip. Frictionless, the car was automated using special sensors attached to him and to the earth below. He delighted in the opportunity to actually drive. To be in partial control had an almost dangerous feeling, and Talis absorbed every minute of it. Many people used the vacuum and maglev trains, but autonomous vehicles were still in use. Fossil fuels were long ago replaced by solar, electric, hydrogen, fusion, vacuum and binary energy. All vehicles were lightweight and non-polluting. Most citizens did not own vehicles, but borrowed from a regional fleet made for that purpose. Private ownership was allowed, but it was not really necessary, as free transportation was one of the basic needs met by the larger society. Most vehicles and transportation used frictionless and airborne systems, so the older paved road systems were drastically reduced and many areas were brought back to their natural state.
    Talis loved being free in the country in his own vehicle. He would stop at certain areas, get out and look around. Stretching his legs as he overlooked the majestic mountains of the Northwest, he marveled at the reverence of this area. He was overjoyed being out in nature and was glad to have the opportunity to visit Rising Sun Farm. As he arrived at the farm, he came upon acres of gorgeous peaches and pear trees, their branches weighed down by fruit ready for harvest. He was overwhelmed by the living spirit of these trees. He could sense the life force that he was connected to. It was paradise. The ecovillage where he lived, of course, had its own beauty and its own natural areas, yet there was still nothing better than getting out into the open countryside. The great forests and farms of the region inspired him to be a better person. His grandfather had taken him out here often and he still relished those special trips. Talis enjoyed the connection as long as he could, stopping his vehicle in the orchard to get out and lie on the ground, breathing the fresh air of the farm. He felt like he was one with the earth and absorbed the special moment.
    As he drove up to the main commons, he could see Joshua waiting for him patiently