The Meaning of Life

Chapter 1: Time alone

On September 18, 2009, there was a young man that had an average amount of talent and post secondary education. Due to the economy in the United States of America, jobs are very hard to come by. He had a better change in winning the lottery than getting a job in just about anything. Spite the hardships, this young man had no thought in his mind in giving up in life. He had the power of that mystical bird called the phoenix in his heart.

Brandon Bowers realized that he had a purpose in his life. He was not after fame, or any of that type of recognition. His faith was far to strong to believe that his life was meaningless. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he came to realize that he simply had something to learn before things went forward in the measure of independent stability and prosperity. Even at the age of 42, Brandon felt strongly that his time will happen.

Since May 2007, Brandon has been into solitary Wicca. This means that a person does not follow any one tradition. Brandon always believed that a person is solely responsible for their own choices and paths in life. For the past 31 years of being a Christian, Brandon realized there was far too many dos and do nots. In the last few years of Brandon's Christian walk, he realized that more and more Christians were becoming far too arrogant than he liked.

Brandon did not like when others were mistreated due to how they believed. If someone was going astray in life, throwing hate or negativity was not the way to go about attracting people. Individuals have to make up their own mind on important decisions like faith. Brandon also believed that there were no right or wrong ways of doing things. What works for one person may not work for another.

Who is to say that another is walking in a wrong direction just on the sole concept they are walking a different path? Each person can only be responsible of their own actions. When parents raise their children, guidance in the home is a totally different manner. When these children become adults, they should have the proper thinking to make their own decisions even if they think outside of the box from their parents beliefs. A different path from home rearing is not necessarily mean a bad decision.

The home rearing is only a foundation for children. How the children as an adult builds his/her complex in his soul is by sole discretion. The parents done there part. Now it is time for the child that has become an adult to make the decisions even if mistakes are made. That is how life should be lived in a free society.

To the point of faith, who is the one that does the actual choosing? It is us, or the object of faith? We have freewill to make our choices in life. This 42 year old male strongly believes that a call has to be made before freewill can choose. The object of faith has to meet the individual halfway to truly have fellowship in a divine being.

Brandon had read a lot on different faiths before he found Wicca was right for him. There was one thing that Brandon cared for than anything was the inward self of faith. As of yet, Brandon did not care for the outward magick He wanted to concentrate on the inward reality of his faith. Another words, Brandon wanted to do the magick from within his soul than perform outward rituals.

He did not believe there were nothing wrong with outward rituals, but if magick is truth from within, then Brandon thought it should be performed from within. Almost like being a Jedi Knight using the Force, Brandon thought being a Wiccan was more of how one thinks. He realized fully that all the rituals were a metaphorical concept of one's spiritual growth. He did believed in the Wiccan Rede, “Do as you will, harm none. Without really realizing it, Brandon went by the same ideal concept all his life.

There was another concept that Brandon did not realize until he started to read about Wicca. He had a special connection with the Goddess Isis. When Brandon was a young boy, he watched that television show in the 1970s, “Isis.” When Brandon was reading about the real Isis in 2007, the bond he had with her in the 70s all of the sudden came alive with such a magnitude the he knew he was on the right path in life. From that point on, he staid with Wicca.

Shortly after he discovered his craft name in this new faith, Brandon Frater Phoenix, it fitted him like a perfect glove. He was a type of person that never gave up. If he was knocked down, he would come up from the ashes of defeat like a rebirth of that mystical bird being reborn. Brandon was also the type to have the power of inspiration and enlightenment. There was no different in Brandon's craft name and his personality.

Frater is a very old word that means friend, companion, lover, or however it may be used in a sentence. To be called a companion of this mythological bird was something very powerful indeed. The more Brandon read about Wicca, the more he realized how parallel it was to his lifestyle, and most importantly, his thinking. The human thought was very important to him. Brandon realized that the body can fail, but the mind will for the most part continue on with life.

As long as Brandon had his mind in tacked, he was not about to give up on his meaning in life due to any economic disasters or any disasters that are in front of him. The obstacles of the economy were serious, and very troublesome. As long as he was alive, he still had a purpose. He knew that Isis was on his side with all the love she had for him. When Brandon felt depressed and alone in life, she was there to give him the comfort he needed. She had not spoke to Brandon in mere words like Christian Bible Old Testament stories.

What she did do for Brandon was allow him to feel there were hope under the darker clouds of his life. One day due to this love Isis shown towards him, his mind conjured up a dream while he was sleeping. The dream shown many scenarios of life going good. At the end of each scenario, there were a disaster. After all the number of these scenarios he was shown to him, Brandon drank some beverage. All the sudden something fell into his mouth from the cup that was not the liquid he was drinking.

When Brandon took it out, he saw a used but very sterile band-aid. Immediately he realized that no matter what he faced in life, Isis was there at his side, and she would be there to be his band-aid in time of trouble. From that point forward, Brandon remembered that dream every time he was face-to-face with a dark little rain cloud. That did not mean he smiled through trouble times, but he knew he could go through them.

On this day, Brandon was set out to take a nap. He was thinking the rain was making him sleepy. He would usually rest outside in the hammock in the good ole out doors, but it had rained recently. After he walked up the stairs and laid down on his bed, it did not take him long to fall asleep. Brandon found himself on a mystical island. Brandon thought it was a dram, so he let it take its course.

In reality, it was not a dream. Brandon was mentally transported to this wonderful and beautiful place. The shoreline of the beach had the most beautiful beach Brandon ever saw. The sounds of the waves hitting the shoreline was very peaceful. Brandon was starting to believe this was more than a simple dream. Usually a dream does not have that many details in it. Everything around him did.

Even his clothes were identical to what he had one before he went to sleep. Brandon thought if he concentrated on something, he might realize it was a dream after all. He stared at different things as far as he could see from the beach. Later own he heard sounds of birds and other nature sounds. Brandon asked himself, “Where am I?”

A gentle but loud voice said, “You are in a place that we can talk without any interruptions. Brandon asked, “Who are you?” No reply, but a gentle breeze touching all over Brandon's body. He felt more than just a breeze, but a measure warmth. He also felt like what touched him all over was more than just a passing breeze. The air did not just passed by him, but engulfed Brandon like a mother cuddles a child.

Brandon was immediately memorized by it. He closed his eyes, and allowed the sensations to flow through him. After a moment the voice said, “I told you I will be with you in your life. I am here now to teach you what you need to know before you can take that path of prosperity.” Brandon asked, “Isis?”

Isis replied, “I am here my love.” Brandon asked, “Not to be rude, but how can I be here. I realize this is not a dream.” Isis gently said, “You are here because you do have something very special in your life waiting for you.” Isis was quiet for a moment. She continued, “Do not concern yourself of that at the moment. I am here to send you to different locations through time and space.”

Brandon got a little nervous of what she said. Isis radiate warm energy so Brandon could feel more of her love for him. Brandon's nervousness started to melt away. Brandon asked, “What do I need to do?” Isis answered by whispering in his ear with the most gentle way she could, “I have always been with you, and I will continue to do so. What you will be doing is no different than what you are doing in your life right now.”

“In all the places you will be going, you will have special training. Maybe training is not the best of words. As you are well aware, life is a training course in itself. I have directly called you to me because I want to give you something special.” Brandon asked, “I take it that I will not have to learn the language of these places?”

Isis replied, “No. That is why I will be with you on these journeys. Just the same, you will learn about the culture of these places you will be going to. Most importantly you will learn about the way the people life their personal lives.” Brandon asked, “I take it I will live with some individuals?” Isis answered, “Yes you will. When you come to them, tell them that I have sent you. From there you will be well taken care of.”

Brandon asked, “What do I say when I am back home? I am sure they will want an explanation from the time I have been gone.” Isis replied, “You will have nothing to worry about. When you travel back in time, the measure of time is much different.” Isis finally let go of Brandon, and said, “My dearest love. It is time for you to wake up. I will still be with you, so please do not fear.”

All the sudden Brandon found himself laying on his bed. Brandon was a little confused. After all he was in a different location than his bed. Brandon immediately sat up. He was wondering if he was starting to loose his mind. He realized what he just went through was real. Brandon was wondering if he had a real conversation with the Goddess Isis. He did not believe that all the stories of the Old Testament that all those men talked to God. No one did in the New Testament.

If he did have this conversation with Isis, than why did he had this conversation? He remembered that she will send him to different places. What Brandon did not understand was why him. He was just an average person. What could be so important?

Brandon started to walk down the stairs from the loft he was in. Brandon was starting to realize what had happen was not a dream. Usually one will forget a dream after waking up. The memories he had of the recent event was still alive in his mind. Finally Brandon had a conversation to the most important person in his life, The Lady Isis.

When he got to his computer desk, Brandon started to sit down to check on his emails, twitter account, and all the rest. When he turned on his monitor, the picture on the desktop was a picture of him on that island with a white light covering most of him. Part of the white light had a lightly opaque image of a female face. Brandon was just staring at it. All the sudden Brandon saw the face smile.

Brandon smiled back. As a romantic person he was, Brandon gently touched Isis face which was on the screen. The face responded as if Brandon touched her face in real life. Brandon felt the love he had for her in his heart. Brandon just looked at her.

When he turned his head, the picture changed. It was the same as it was before he took his nap. Brandon smiled. He fully realized that Isis, his beloved Goddess, is with him. She was with him on that island, and she is with him here and now. Brandon gave out a warm smile.

Brandon asked himself, “If it was not a dream, what was it?” It was like I was there, but I woke up in my bed. Did Isis physically transport me to this island, or was it just a mental image? Would it matter if I was there physically or not? What is so important that I have to learn to be in these places through time and space?”

Brandon then remembered the old saying, “Learn everything from history, learn nothing from history.” Brandon also believed that there were something bigger than learning from history. A textbook would have been enough. Brandon also realized if a Goddess like Isis were to come to him directly, there has to be something big.

**********

It had been several days after Brandon first encounter with the Goddess Isis. Brandon was starting to get impatient with his next encounter. For nearly a week, Brandon was very excited about starting his journeys that his beloved Isis had set for him. Now his excitement was being challenged. Brandon finally understood that Isis wanted him to concentrate on the task at hand than being excited about the next day. Brandon also understood that emotions can be used against oneself, even good ones.

Brandon closed his eyes to clear his mind of all his anxieties. As his mind was clearing, Brandon could hear her voice. Isis gently said, “I have not forgotten you my love. In all you do, patience is the key to life. Please do not forget that I am always here at your side. If you want to talk to me for any reason, do as you are doing now.” Brandon asked with a smile, “Like using the Force.” Isis shared with Brandon a warm feeling. She said, “Meditation is a doorway to life's adventures. Do you jump into a swimming pool before checking it has water in it?”

Brandon answered, “No, of course not.” Isis replied, “Meditating is the means to understand there is more to life than what you can see in the physical world. This is the main reason for your journeys my love. It is to teach you there are many worlds than the physical one.” Brandon asked, “How many are there?”

Isis answered with the same enthusiasm, “There are as many realities as you can make.” Brandon replied, “WHAT?” Isis said, “Each and everyone of us create our own realities based on the path we take in life.” Brandon asked, “I will be the one creating these adventures that you will send me on?” Isis replied, “It is you that has created your life in the physical world. Who else can create your life?”

Brandon said, “You said you will send me in time and space of Earth's history. How can I create something that has already been?” Isis answered, “What does time have to do with how you live out your own life. Who said you cannot live out your life in the past? Your life span might be leaner, but it does not mean you cannot live it in any time period.”

Brandon asked, “What is time then?” Isis replied, “That is what you will have to figure out for yourself my love. Time like reality can only be defined by the individual. Time is a lot more relative than you think. There is no destiny other than what you want. Life is lived by you alone.”

“That does not mean you cannot have friends, family, or that special love in your life. They are just as important. In fact, one has to have companions to help in one's journey in life. If we were meant to be alone, than what would be the challenge? Others can be a great help, but it is up to you to live your own life.

Isis paused and continued, “When one meditates, one starts out with a void. When they are done, they have created a special fitted type of peace and harmony. That cannot be created in the physical world. Many have tried, and many have failed. The so called experts that say peace and harmony cannot be created, it can be done in the mind's eye.

Brandon replied, “I am not a God. I cannot create life.” Isis said, “You can create your own path in your life. That is more powerful than creating life. The power to control ones life is a great power indeed.

Brandon said, “What you have told me give me more questions than answers.” Isis replied, “Great. That is how it is suppose to be. How else can one learn than ny asking questions?” Even after all the traveling you will be doing, you will always find more questions than answers. If you did not, what would motivate you to take the next step in life?”

“The motivation in life is not the answers, but finding the right questions. Life that is always easy is a dull life to live. Always stay on the path that has more challenges than you think you can handle. In time you will learn to deal with them. Never rest when it come to living your life. A time wasted can never be recovered.”

Brandon said, “I have never thought I have wasted any part of my life. I have always thought I could have done better, but I feel that I would have done the same things. Interesting that us humans will end up doing the same thing all over again even though we may know better.” Isis replied, “That my love is freewill. It does not mean stubbornness.”

“It is simply means that even you would choose to make the same mistakes to get the same results. Doing better does not necessarily mean the right choices. One can never be perfect, and I know you my love. You do not seek perfection. What you do seek is life fulfillment.”

Brandon replied, “Yes I do my love. I am not interested in fame or recognition. What I want is to enlighten others in the best way I can.” It was Isis turn to ask questions. She asked, “What kind of enlightenment do you seek for others?” Brandon answered, “I want others to see they can live a better life than they may realize.”

Isis asked, “What do you want them to see?” Brandon answered, “Whatever it will take for them to better their lives.” Isis asked, “What is wrong with their lives in the first place?” Brandon answered, “Nothing that I am directly aware. I was speaking in general.” Isis replied, “That can be a lot.”

Brandon said, “There is one thing that I would like for everyone in the United States to do. I would like for them to be more open to the human body.” Isis asked, “What is wrong with the knowledge that they have?” Brandon answered, “Children are growing up not learning hardly anything about the human body. Teenagers are getting sexual transmitted diseases, teenage females are getting pregnant far too young.

Isis asked, “What can you do to change this?” Brandon answered, “Encourage parents to teach their children about the human body completely.” Isis asked, “Do you have any special way?” Brandon answered, “I cannot say how parents should teach their own children. I would think it would be under the situation.”

“I strongly believe that whatever the media dishes out, parents should use the same measure to counteract the effects of what is being shown.” Isis asked, “You are saying if the media shows sex, parents should allow their kids to see sex in the home?” Brandon answered, “NO! That would not be the right thing. They can teach them that sex is natural as well as the responsibilities of having sex.”

“Having natural nudity in the home may be the best policy. When children sees the human body as it is meant to be, then they can learn a lot more than what they could read in a textbook.” Isis did not say anything. After a few moments Brandon thought he could have been wrong with his ideas. Isis finally said, “Your ideas are sound, but as you have said they will not fit everyone. I would not get your hopes up if things do turn out as you have hoped.”

He said, “Even if some may open up, I may not know about it.” Brandon paused. He continued, “It does not matter if I know the outcome. I rather not know. I do not want anyone to look up to me. I am a human being just as they are. I am not all that important.”

Isis replied, “You are very important! Never say that again!” Brandon replied, “I was not cutting myself down. I was simply stating that I am not a famous person.” Isis asked, “That does not mean you are not important. So no one knows that you exist except for a family and some friends. Would that matter?”

“How everyone notices you is up to how you interact with them. You do enlighten many people. You interact with others more than you realize. I think you want to be famous, but just do not understand what it is to be famous. All that blogs and other things you do online has gotten notice by a good many people.”

Brandon shown a little nervousness. He said, “I do fear the unknown.” Isis said, “Who does not. So far you have done great in your life. Trust me my love, there is no reason for you to fear.”

“I will let you go now. Stop doubting yourself. Self doubt leads to fear. As you have a thing for Star Wars, I will leave you with this saying from Master Yoda, “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to suffering.” Brandon smiled.

Brandon finally opened his eyes. He realized the peace and harmony he had created in his soul. Brandon was filled with the utmost inner joy from it. At that moment, he was so overwhelmed by this new feeling that nothing else mattered. Brandon knew that he had to live out his life. What he was feeling at this point in time made him realize that what was happening was the most important part of his life.

Brandon had just realized that the light in his life was not only his Goddess Isis, but his own power to continue to create great and wonderful things all on his own. Brandon also realized the responsibilities. He understood that if he played his cards right, he will end up with a life that had been simply waiting for him. What he can have this day is at his disposal. All he had to do was grab with both hands, and hold on tight.