The Gate

In the first age of Atlantis, a poet named Vilius sits in deep meditation surveying a spiritual crossroad. He looks inward at the realm of undines. This realm of divine sensuality is as real to him as his own heartbeat and breath.

And he looks outward at the civilization of Atlantis. Strong and vibrant men with dynamic wills and brilliant minds are already laying the foundation for a great civilization.

Yet he sees what is missing from their wisdom. They will rise to great heights, but it will be pride and not love that walk by their side.

And then he thinks, Who am I to tell them that they are wrong? That the paths they follow carry a hidden fate that they shall discover too late? We all learn from experience. What I see and feel will make no difference.

Amid struggle and need, strife and greed, hunger and desire never satisfied we rise. The human soul is a fire of passions, instinctual desires, and also ideals—these three burn though every obstacle and barrier that limits us. We would not feel alive if it were not for the danger that walks goes before us. Yet harmony and peace have never been our strengths.

Then, turning to gaze inward at the realm of undines, he thinks: But here within this magical realm I am free of human need. Love is not enchantment, obsession, or illusion. There is no betrayal or failure within it.

I have learned that my soul is also the same as the sea. I feel the waters of the earth flowing through me. The undines that dwell here exist within and for love.

Surely the love I share with these beings shall only be known on earth in some far future when another race replaces us. Mankind does not share these dreams. These visions in which nature, human, and divine entwine—what master in what religion that human beings invent could possibly imagine this wonder?

The undine queen Isaphil teases me. Creature of beauty, she says,

Love is the highest magic on earth. If you can not share it with another then this wisdom is lost.

She throws down the gauntlet challenging me to play her game. She says to me,

The essence of my being is found in a heart that dares and a heart that dreams—find another with whom you can share my love--a woman through whom the bliss that I am can be expressed.

Do this and I will enter the world in human form. I will dwell among you and teach the mystery for which this planet has been created: a oneness with the universe.

In your world, love is always at risk of being set adrift as the forces of life place increasing demands upon it. But in my realm love is never lost.

Understand who I am, the depths that are within me. There is no greater peace on the inner planes of this planet than that which exists within me. There is no destiny that shall appear on earth that I do not already see. There are no dreams that men shall dream that are not already within my dreams.

Beyond all fear, love that holds the universe in its hands. All journeys in the outer world shall come to naught unless the unknown lands of the heart are first sought. When you touch me, when I caress your skin, it is the mysteries of the heart that desire to express themselves through you.

I will introduce you to a woman, to Liriell. She is receptive, responsive, and like a sister to me. With the two of you together, I will draw near to her and anoint her with my beauty. Then I shall shine through her eyes and speak with her voice.

I am not a fanciful vision without result or impact. Flesh and blood, the union of body and heart, are part of my art. Accept my commission and I promise you she will arise, surprise you, and meet you as an equal.

I reply, If two who share this love walk down the streets of Atlantis, will anyone notice? Will someone come up to us and say, “Your love is not of this world. From where does it come?”

Isaphil laughs playfully and says, I have already told you that happiness is inevitable. Whether it is a year, ten thousand, or a hundred thousand years, the gate to my realm shall be opened. The time can be now.

Flow as water flows. Feel as a lake feels the starlight sinking into its depths. Dream as the sea dreams of bringing forth and sustaining life. Imagine love that is free, clear, and beyond need.

When I hold your hand, the light of the moon fills your soul. Take this gift, the touch of skin upon skin with the sea ringing within and moonlight singing, and offer it to the world.

And so as the tale is told how in the early days of Atlantis undines in human form walked upon the streets. And in their eyes, smiles, and faces the light of the Blessed Realm shown.

What part this story of Vilius and Liriell played in inspiring the civilization of Atlantis to unite magic and science was well known for thousands of years. The songs and poetry these two lovers sang to each other remained until the end when that great civilization sank beneath the sea.

Here is one of their poems.

I want to feel your will inside me

I want your desire to arouse me

I want burn with your yearning

Until nothing is left

But the scent of your love

Carried by the winds of my heart.