A Contemplative Life

A Contemplative Life
By Paul McCann

Hs spent half his lifetime as a Monk inside the walls of a monastery . Straight from school to the religious life .
He was happy there with the other brothers praying and working around the grounds .
Now at his middle age of his life he felt like a change . He thought hard and prayed on bended knee about leaving the monastery .
Eventually he spoke to the superior of the order .
“Brother Greg I beg you to forgive me but I would like to turn away from the religious life .”
The response was immediate .
“Brother Francis turn and repent from those thoughts I beg of thee .
To leave behind this wonderful life we share here would be a mistake “
Brother Francis nodded and said
“ This mortal life we shall one day leave behind for a better place and in time that will be mine . It’s not an easy decision for me but I need to go out into the world to experience another life. “
The Brother superior tried to explain again ,
“ Our lives we have given to God and we are alive because of him .
If you leave then you will not find him out in the world . All you will experience will be trouble. “
Brother Francis said ,
“ Man cannot live on bread alone , I can still walk with man and with God . I know He will not lead me into trouble so please try to understand and allow me my freedom “
The Brother superior nodded and said “
“ Leave us then if that is your choice and may you find the Lord wherever you go .“
Brother Francis replied
“ Tomorrow at dawn I will pack my bag and before the night falls I will be gone. “
Then he walked away to say his goodbye to the other monks .
In the morning he left on his bicycle with a backpack over his shoulder .
Down the mountain path he went with the wind at his back to the town of Hemisfree .
He sold his bike to a store and had enough for his fare to the city on a bus that was about to arrive .
Off he went on the start of a journey, with a new identity and a sense of freedom that he’d never felt before .
There was no one else on the bus but the driver and him . An hour or two passed and the driver pulled in by a shop to buy packet of cigarettes . When he returned to the bus the driver said ,
“It’s a long way to go before we get to the city . Did you need to buy a drink or a snack ?“
“I’m fine thanks “
and he continued the sketch he was doing. The driver walked over and said
.“Would you mind if I take a look ?”
“ Be my guest “
was the reply .
“ I’m Ronnie “ the driver said , looking at the sketch .
“Nice to meet you Ronnie . I’m Peter“
Came the response .
The driver looked at the sketch and was amazed at the picture he saw of him driving the bus . Every detail of the interior of the bus was perfect and outside the window was a beautiful sketch of the countryside . He looked mesmerised and said
“ I have never in my life seen anything as good as your drawing. “
Peter replied “
“That’s very kind of you . Thank you for the compliment .
“ Would you sell it to me ? “
the driver asked .
“Please take it as my gift to you “
Said Peter .
“ I would like you to accept this ,
my offer is 100 dollars for this wonderful piece. “
“ Well that’s very generous of you Ronnie .”
Ronnie took the money from his wallet .
“ I really live this work you have done .“
He gave the money to Peter who took it and handed over the sketch .
Peter never had much money and was happy that fortune had come his way .
Some other passenger’s started to board the bus and before long the bus was half full of people .
They reached the city at nightfall and Peter thanked the driver again for his generosity .
Now with money in his pocket Ronnie paid for a small room in a cheap hotel in the city .
From his backpack he took out some of this other artworks and had an idea to try to sell them .
The next day he found cafe inside a fancy shopping arcade .
He approached the owner and asked if he would like to buy some original artworks to decorate the walls of his cafe . The owner was amazed at what he saw and offered $500 dollars for the four small canvasses that sat within four original hand made wooden frames .
With some of the money Peter had acquired he ordered lunch in the cafe .
While he was waiting for his lunch he noticed a middle aged couple were looking at his artworks . The couple asked the owner where he purchased the artworks from
and he pointed to Peter who was sitting in the corner .
The owner took Peter’s lunch over and said ‘
“I think you have some admirers my friend . Good luck .“
As Peter was eating his lunch the couple ordered a coffee and some sandwiches . When Peter had finished his lunch they approached and said ‘
“ Are you the artist who painted those four works on display ?
“ Yes I am .“
“ We just love them . “
said the lady .
“Thank you “
Peter said and the man said .
“ My name is David and my wife is Anna . We’re art dealers and can tell,
you have something very special . Would you consider doing five or six works for us to be hung in our home . We will pay you well for your trouble and offer you somewhere to stay while you’re working on them ‘
Peter was astonished and said
“ My name is Peter , nice to meet you David and Anna . I would love to do those artworks for you . It’s wonderful that you would let me stay with you .“
The man handed over a business card and said ,
“Come as soon as you are ready to begin “
Three days later Peter showed up in taxi to the front gates of the wealthy couple’s home . There was a security camera and intercom at the gate .
Peter pressed the button and spoke to Anna who opened the double gate allowing the taxi to enter the property .
There was long driveway with a huge three tiered water fountain by front door . The couple were there to welcome Peter into their mansion home . After lunch David brought Peter to an outside , fully furnished , self contained unit , with everything
he would need during his stay .
Beside the unit was a large shed that had been renovated into an art studio . David looked at Peter and said
“ Feel free to walk around the grounds . There’s a phone that connects you to the main house . Anything you need just ask . Enjoy your stay with us and let your mind create some beautiful works of art for us “
David left, and Peter went straight to work on his first canvas . He had a gift and inspiration came like sunlight cascading through the windows .
Six months passed and he called the couple on the phone to let them know the artworks were finished .
They came over to the studio and looked at each of the works . Later that day they invited some friends and art dealers to view the works .
Everyone was astounded at the beauty of the work and without wasting any words Peter was immediately approved as the King’s personal painter and given residency within the halls of nobility to begin a collection of works to be put on display in the palace .
His future was already mapped out for him and he would paint his artworks for the rest of his life .

The End