The wizard paused briefly to frame his response.
"The riddle of life reduces to this my friend.
It’s compassion which proves we are never alone or abandoned.
We puzzle endlessly over how we got here,
and from whence we came.
Or for that matter, to where we will go."You’ll find no answers but for this:
Between the dawn of each day, and the final setting of its sun,
We’ll all have abundant opportunities to show compassion.
And in so doing, bond with those about us
in igniting our treasured essence to full radiance. "Look no further to conclude we are not alone,
forgotten, or without hope."Yet, chaos persists. The most insidious of poisons. Spreading too quickly,
lingering long in the aftermath. Ensuring its victims cannot readily undo their decline,
nor regain what they’ve lost."Heed these words ... It’s compassion which matters.
And which overcomes."Following the collapse of the Han dynasty, a period of chaos and upheaval gripped ancient China. Hailed by many as the golden era of Chinese history, it spanned nearly four centuries. Regrettably, what once flourished under exemplary rule became corrupted and disintegrated upon itself from within. Three great leaders then emerged to contend for power and the divine right to revive the once empire. At first, each sought to preserve the Mandate of Heaven; establish legitimacy, and with that some semblance of continuity. There, each failed, and had no choice but to make do without.
Known as the period of The Three Kingdoms, it ended when the empire came briefly under one rule. Then, like a precious porcelain carelessly mishandled, it shattered completely, reeling fragmented and hopeless for hundreds of years. From within the ensuing chaos, blights of warlords and opportunists re-delivered the population to disunity, carnage, starvation, disease, indenture and destitution. Sadly, such things surround us even today, and have become the backdrop for our own time.
Countless stories have been told, some of which have wound their way into mythology. In this collection of tales, you’ll discover heroes and heroines, and witness wonders beyond imagination. Within these stories, you’ll meet wizards, sages, immortals, and emperors, who, despite their extraordinary abilities, face challenges much like our own. Often, like us, they are compelled by difficult circumstances to leave their pasts behind and embark on unforeseen paths.
Carefully preserved for our reflection, these stories depict acts of sacrifice, loss, struggle, hope, and achievement, offering insights into our fundamental human nature. They hint at where we are headed and where we might end up.
If this resonates with you, I believe these tales will inspire you to navigate away from uncertainty and chaos, guiding you toward a life of freedom and fulfillment.