10-03-2006, 10:35 PM
Sam has been in the computer business for 25 years and is finally sick of the stress. He quits his job and buys 50 acres of land in Vermont as far from humanity as possible. Sam sees the postman once a week and gets groceries once a month. Otherwise itâs total peace and quiet. After six months or so of almost total isolation, heâs finishing dinner when someone knocks on his door. He opens it and there stands a big, bearded Vermonter. âNames Enoch, your neighbor from four miles over the ridge. Having a party Saturday, thought youâd like to come.â
âGreat,â says Sam, âafter six months of this Iâm ready to meet some local folks. Thank you.â
As Enoch is leaving he stops, âGotta warn you thereâs gonna be some drinkin'.â
âNot a problem. After 25 years in the computer business, I can drink with the best of âem.â
Again, as he starts to leave Enoch stops. âMoreân likely gonna be some fightinâ too.â
Damn, Sam thinksâ¦tough crowd. âWell, I get along well with people. Iâll be there. Thanks again.â
Once again Enoch turns from the door. âIâve seen some wild sex at these parties, too.â
âNow thatâs not a problemâ, says Sam. âRemember, Iâve been alone for six months. By the way, what should I wear?
Enoch stops in the door again and says, âWhatever you want, just gonna be the two of us.â
âGreat,â says Sam, âafter six months of this Iâm ready to meet some local folks. Thank you.â
As Enoch is leaving he stops, âGotta warn you thereâs gonna be some drinkin'.â
âNot a problem. After 25 years in the computer business, I can drink with the best of âem.â
Again, as he starts to leave Enoch stops. âMoreân likely gonna be some fightinâ too.â
Damn, Sam thinksâ¦tough crowd. âWell, I get along well with people. Iâll be there. Thanks again.â
Once again Enoch turns from the door. âIâve seen some wild sex at these parties, too.â
âNow thatâs not a problemâ, says Sam. âRemember, Iâve been alone for six months. By the way, what should I wear?
Enoch stops in the door again and says, âWhatever you want, just gonna be the two of us.â
I realise that I have a past to break with--an accumulation of inertia, wrong, foolishness, rot, junk. A great need of clarification, of mindfulness, or rather, of no mind. A need to return to genuine practice, right effort. Need to push on the great doubt. Need for the spirit. Hang on to the clear light.
Thomas Merton

