From alt.pub.dragons-inn Fri May 27 08:42:04 1994 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:7309 Path: netcom.com!csus.edu!wupost!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!library.ucla.edu!nntp.ucsb.edu!usenet From: raimisl@ucsb.edu (Raimondas Lencevicius) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [PARTY] Zen, Probabilities and Travels Date: 26 May 1994 22:45:15 GMT Organization: University of California, Santa Barbara Lines: 85 Distribution: world Message-ID: <2s38pr$aib@hub.ucsb.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: dizzy.ucsb.edu ADMIN: Copyright 1994 by The Dreamer and Raimondas Lencevicius. Permission granted for net distribution, all other rights reserved. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+- There was another silent moment; Luthor digested the words of the monk. "Tell me more of this 'Zen' you were speaking of. I have only heard of this philosophy a few times before...my teacher's mate has studied it to some extent." Ray looked intently at his new friend as if considering, whether Luthor was genuinely interested. At last he spoke: "It's difficult to talk about Zen, since it is the teaching beyond the words. I've already talked too much. The true Zen Master would answer your question in this way," and Ray suddenly hit the floor with the end of his staff. The sound of the hit echoed through the vast room. Some guests turned to look at Ray, frowned and returned to their interrupted conversations. Luthor frowned too: "That is a very obscure answer." "Yes, but since I'm not a Zen Master, I can tell you more. Zen is the way of life, when you experience the world moment to moment as it is. Not what you think it is or you feel it is. Just what it is. When one achieves this one is no longer bound by life and death, by suffering and extinguishing of suffering. This person becomes one with all the world. "Yet Zen monks make a vow not to take this last step until all other sentient beings have achieved this oneness. An impossible vow, yet it is the meaning of Zen too." "Nothing is impossible, just improbable," Luthor said in a very matter-of-fact tone. "I hear the scientist talk", smiled Ray. "Well yes. That principle is the core of my studies. I am a ShadowMaker, what others would call a probability mage although I practice no magic. According to that philosophy, nothing conceivable is impossible. But come, let us discuss lighter matters and leave philosophical debate for another time. Tell me of your travels... where were you going when you found yourself here?" Luthor drank from his cup again even though it *should* have been empty by now. "Oh, that's a strange story. I was traveling around Nexus since the death of my teacher. One day I was taken prisoner by some assassins. They prepared an ambush for some travelers and didn't want to be discovered. However the ambush turned against themselves, because the adventurers noticed it and surprised the mercenaries. I managed to free myself during the confusion that followed and helped the travelers a little." "After the battle I discovered that my new friends were on the quest to save their companion from some powerful assassin called Black Eel. I joined them and we pursued the Black Eel to the portal which supposedly lead to some other plane. But before we managed to reach the gate my companions mysteriously disappeared in the forest. I wandered around trying to find them - to no avail. "And as you know today I was teleported into your party." "I don't know whither I'll go now. I doubt if I find my friends even if the same power returns me back to the forest. So I'll travel again as I did before. I have no quest of my own, but when someone needs my help, I help." Ray leaned on his staff and looked at Luthor, his grey eyes quiet yet sparkling with joy. Serene walked over and touched Luthor's arm. "I've been looking for you. Erik asked if we would meet him on the beach for a while. Are you going to go or stay here?" "Both. I'll explain it to you later." Luthor turned to face Ray. "It seems that I am wanted elsewhere. It was very nice to meet you. I'm sure we'll meet again before the party is over." Luthor bowed politely and then disappeared into the crowd. Ray moved to the wall and listened to the music that was gently flowing through the ShadeHaven. ADMIN: Ray is always glad to help someone in a thread or just sit by a campfire and tell a story. Send a mail imp with a message if you're interested. -- Raimondas Lencevicius E-mail address: raimisl@cs.ucsb.edu !Don't use name and address in the header. They might be wrong! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oft hope is born, when all is forlorn. - J.R.R.Tolkien