A California Girl Part 14

Her mother replied: "I shall be delighted to have you," for she always interested herself in anything her daughter was pleased with, so that she might be her companion and confidant when needed.

Stella opened at page 79, and read, as follows:

"When the traveler arrives in the city of Semhee, which is the most important in the country of Tiestan, his guide asks him whether he would like to go to the Menegam, which means Foreigners' Home, or to the Eshandam, which means Natives' Home. I told my guide I would go to the Menegam, which would be conducted after the manners and customs of the other parts of the Orient, which I had visited. Then, when I had become accustomed to the ways and manners of the people of Tiestan, I would go to the Eshandam. Now, while it is very true that very few travelers from the Western world have ever visited Tiestan, yet the travel from the other parts of the Orient is great and the people of Tiestan are familiar with the ideas of the Western world, through the Oriental travelers. They also have many of the modern improvements from thence, which they have purchased from Bombay and Calcutta. After making the necessary arrangements for a week's stay at the Menegam, I took a walk through some of the most important streets of the city of Semhee. The first impression which a traveler received in making a tour through the city is from the fine physique of the girls and women. One is struck with their independence, graceful carriage, and, as they only wear two or three garments, it is self evident that they are not dependent on corsets or waist stiffening for their erect bearing. I noticed there were very few doctors, and what few there were of the medical profession were equally divided between the s.e.xes, there being three women and three men doctors. The city educates them and pays them to keep the people well. More than two-thirds of the people they heal without medicine. The profession of dentistry is represented by four women and four men. They receive their education at the public expense, and their business is to keep the teeth of the people sound, and put in new ones where required. Even the judges, lawyers, and city officials are equally divided between the s.e.xes. I noticed the same rule prevailed in merchandise, hairdressing, and all kinds of business. There was not a single employment that was distinctively male or female, for no distinction was made between them. The same custom prevailed in all kinds of ball games and sports.

"Another impression one quickly notices is that the extremes of riches and poverty are not seen among the people, for there are no very rich or very poor; everyone having all the necessary comforts of life and many of its luxuries.

"After staying a week at the Menegam, I felt I was prepared to adopt the customs of the people of Tiestan; so I engaged a room and board at the Eshandam, or Natives' Home. Most of those who stop at the Eshandam are natives who live in the province of Tiestan, they having come to Semhee either on business or pleasure. Only two meals a day are served: Breakfast from 7.30 to 9 a.m., and dinner from the hours of 1 to 3 p.m.

"I arrived in time for dinner. Persons staying at the Eshandam are all looked upon while there as members of one family, and it becomes the duty of the manager to see that all persons sitting at the same table have been introduced. It would be considered a breach of etiquette to eat the meal quickly and in silence. I never was in a hotel dining room where there seemed to be so much freedom and enjoyment among the guests while taking their meals. Everyone has plenty of time to eat his meal leisurely. Most of the guests coming from the different parts of the province of Tiestan, and being well informed, and all able to converse in two languages, and all having their minds free from uncertain business enterprises, made their conversation very interesting and elevating, and their company a pleasure to enjoy. Meat is never seen on the table. They would feel indignant and be as much disgusted if meat were set before them, as we would be to have a cooked baby brought to the table. Eggs are used in some of their cooking; they are also served in various ways. Their bread and pastry cannot be excelled anywhere. The dessert consists of a large variety of nuts, confectionery, and fruits.

From two to five o'clock guests are entertained with music in the beautiful hotel gardens, where fountains are playing, sending water out in the form of leaves, umbrellas, hats, rings, and other interesting forms. After the music is over some indulge in games, others read or write, others chat. In the evening for those who wish to attend are cla.s.ses for literature, science, and spiritual philosophy. It is the business of the hotel to supply all the wants of its patrons; to see that the intellectual and spiritual natures are fed as well as to see to the wants of the body. The reason that the people in the city of Semhee have so much time, is that all labor and business is performed in six hours. Six hours make a day's work. No one is idle, every well person is busy at some productive employment. At the hotel they have no such room as 'Ladies' Parlor,' the parlor being equally for the use of both s.e.xes, for the ladies are willing that the men hear any subject they are talking to each other about. No one smokes in that country. The bedrooms have two doors. One door leads from the hallway into the bedroom, the other leads from the bedroom into the bath department, which was twelve feet wide and was as long as the row of bedrooms. Opposite each room was a bath-tub and a large movable basin, so that a guest could take a sponge bath or immerse himself.

"The first thing every well person does on rising in the morning is to go into the bath department and take a cold bath. On my right was a newly married couple whom I had the pleasure of conversing with at the dinner yesterday, and on my left was a young lady and her mother with whom I had the pleasure of enjoying a conversation in the hotel gardens the day before. I exchanged greetings with all of them in the bath department, and the feeling was exactly the same as if we all had been dressed and met at the breakfast. As my room was about the center of the row I could look each way, and perhaps there were over twenty persons of both s.e.xes and all ages taking their bath. On the door leading from the bedroom to the bath department was a writing in hieroglyphics illuminated and framed, which when deciphered read: 's.e.x is an illusion, illusion is a bondage, break the bondage and be free. The truth shall make you free.'

"After we had taken our baths those who wished were shown into the room for devotion. When I had entered the room and had sat for a few minutes I began to realize what a sacred, peaceful influence was in the place.

It seemed to come up from the floor, down from the ceiling, and out from the walls, and from everything in the room. No talking is allowed in the room. It is used only for devotion. I performed my devotions and gave the room my hearty benedictions. I noticed that the forms of devotion were not all the same, some using one kind of form and some another, but they all led to the same goal. The devotions were all carried on in silence. They consisted first of all of breathing exercises; then bringing the mind to a state of calmness, by repeating mentally, looking to the East, 'May all beings be happy. May all beings be peaceful. May all beings be blissful.' Then looking to the South, repeat the same; then looking to the West, repeat the same, and looking to the North, repeat the same. After which some of them say mentally: 'Help me to meditate upon the glory of Him who projected this universe. May He enlighten my mind.' Then they pray in silence for light and knowledge; also they repeat in silence: 'May I this day live without discontent, without self-seeking, and without anxiety.' Then follow concentration and meditation.

"After the devotional exercises we had breakfast. I cannot help remarking that the mind is in a better condition spiritually for performing and enjoying sacred devotions before breakfast than it is after it. To have family prayers after breakfast, as many do in the Western world, hinders the freedom and adaptation that the Orientals have in their devotion. In the Western world many are present out of respect or rule, having no sympathy with the devotions, sending out antagonistic aura which neutralizes the effect of wors.h.i.+p, and makes it cold, formal, flat, dead, and dull, for there is not the right concentrated spiritual thought in the room, which is very essential for profitable spiritual exercises.

"On leaving the devotional room for breakfast, I could not help thinking what a fine preparation for the day! With such a commencement as that, no wonder the day's work is done well, without friction and in perfect harmony.

"The people in Semhee being of a social nature and free from all conventionalities of modern society, it was not long before I made the acquaintance of many very interesting families.

"I received an invitation to make my home with one of them during my stay in the city of Semhee, which I was glad to accept. I found the life in the home to be very much like that in the hotel, so far as bathing, devotions, and meals were concerned. One evening a young lady called at the house to see a young man who is a son of my host. The young lady stayed about two hours, making herself very agreeable to the young man, and upon taking her leave she invited him to accompany her the next evening to a concert. He accepted. The next evening she came and called for him, took him to the concert and saw him home. It seemed she had been very friendly with him for about two months. The following Sunday afternoon the young lady called for the young man and took him to the park, and as I was informed afterwards when the two were in a very secluded place, surrounded by shrubbery, she, in a very pretty way, told him that the more she was with him and the more she saw of him, the more she felt impressed that she loved him, and had found in him a true companion, and wished to know how he felt towards her. As he was in exactly the same state of mind towards her as she was towards him, they were engaged to be married. I became interested in this couple, and observed that sometimes the young lady would call and see him and take him out, and sometimes the young man would call and see the young lady and take her out. I do not wish to give the reader the impression that the young ladies of Tiestan always commence the courts.h.i.+p, for it is as customary for a young man to commence a courts.h.i.+p as for a young lady.

The privilege and pleasure of commencing a courts.h.i.+p belongs as much to one s.e.x as the other.

"One afternoon I was walking along the banks of the beautiful river which flows through the suburbs of the city of Semhee, and saw a number of boys and girls, also men and women, all enjoying themselves swimming.

They would swim awhile and then come out, stand or sit on the bank of the river for another while. Sometimes there would be seen several hundred persons of all ages on the banks of the river. They no more thought about their respective natures than they did about the number of hairs on their head. Among those I saw on the banks of the river was this very young man and young lady who were engaged to be married. They were standing up side by side ready to take a plunge in the river, and in they went and swam about very gracefully. While they were in the water they both saw me standing on the bank opposite to where they had stood on the other. They swam to where I was, and came out of the water to me, and we had a little chat.

"If the young lady was invited to stay over night at the young man's house, she would take her bath with the other members of the family in the morning, and if the young man received an invitation to stay all night at the home of the young lady, he, in the morning, would take his bath with the members of her family.

"About a month after the engagement the two were married. The city Semhee employs four persons who can perform the marriage ceremony, two men and two women. They were married at the home of the young man. A lady came to perform the ceremony. She told the couple to stand up and take hands, and then she asked the young man--calling him by name--if he would have this woman--calling her by name--to be his wife, and he answered, 'Yes.' Then she asked the young lady--calling her by her name--would she have this man--calling him by his name--as her husband, and she answered, 'Yes.' Then she said: 'In the presence of these witnesses I declare you to be man and wife.' The two then signed a doc.u.ment stating they were man and wife, which was put on record, and that ended the ceremony. They were very happy, for each one found in the other a true, loving companion, and they were one intellectually and spiritually.

"As women are engaged in the professions, in business, and perform all kinds of service as men do, receiving the same compensation, they are just as financially independent as men are, and, therefore, have no other motive for marrying than that of true, pure love, finding in each other a true intellectual and spiritual companion. Of children they have few, for they believe in quality, and not quant.i.ty.

"The intellectual and spiritual life predominates over the animal in all its inhabitants. Do not think from what I have written about the ladies of Tiestan that they are masculine women. Far from it. They are just as sweet, pretty, entertaining, attractive, and graceful as any women to be found in the world. Yes, far more so, for their hours of duty are short.

They have no care, anxiety or sickness to speak of, and their environments are such as to bring to the surface all that is pure, good, n.o.ble, and sweet; and, above all, the traveler finds the ladies of Semhee to be _real_, genuine, and sincere in character."

When Stella had finished reading her selection from Burnette's book, her mother had a big laugh, and asked her if she wanted to go to Semhee.

"No, mother, it is not Semhee I wish to visit just now, though some day I certainly would like to see the city of Semhee and meet the accomplished, enlightened, and free women of Tiestan. What I do want to see is the women of this country, where there is so much boast of liberty and freedom, free themselves from the awful bondage of s.e.x superst.i.tion, and all other bondages that have been heaped upon them by people of the Dark Ages because they are women. Even those who talk so much about woman's rights, are in bondage up to their necks. Look at Laura Stevenson in Orangeville; a fine bright young girl, who makes a hobby of woman's rights, and yet see the bondage she is in. A fine young man whom she was supposed to respect very much, lay sick in his cabin all alone, and with all her talk about her independence and freedom, she never went to see him because he was alone and there was no woman there.

She being a young woman, thought it would not be proper for her to do it. Laura Stevenson's independence and liberty consist in having her own way in a few things. She does not know what freedom is. Her freedom is all sham, and with no reality in it. Then there is Nora Parks, who is supposed to be advanced, and talks much on woman's freedom; but watch her how very particular she is in her conduct with young men who are good, lest she should excite the jealousy of her husband. Therefore, she is not free, but in bondage to his foolish, uncalled for jealous feelings. Talk about women being free, they don't know anything about freedom, for they are all in bondage of some kind or other."

Mrs. Wheelwright said: "Stella, among the many fine thoughts which Burnette brings out in the description of the women of Semhee, that is a great one _which shows woman to be financially independent of man, previous to marriage and after marriage, too_. Therefore, she can have no other motive for marrying a man than that of mating herself to a true companion. When that is done the two act as one light, whose rays reach out and s.h.i.+ne on all around them. Blessed is such a life."

"Mother," said Stella, "I do not fully understand the meaning of the writing on the bedroom door, which Burnette describes. You remember that part which reads: 's.e.x is an illusion.' I understand too well the meaning of being in bondage to s.e.x, but that s.e.x is an illusion I do not see the meaning of, because we know that s.e.x is real and has its use and purpose."

"I cannot enlighten you, my dear," said her mother. "You will have to ask Penloe when you return the books."

"Well, mother," said Stella, "I am going to put some of my theories into practice. I say my theories, but I do not exactly mean that; but I am going to put some advanced ideas into practice in regard to woman's freedom. I will now tell you one of them, and another later on.

"Mother," continued Stella, "when a man lives alone and a woman wishes to go to his house to see him, she has to take another woman with her because it is not thought proper for a woman to be seen going alone calling at a house, particularly where a young man lives by himself. But if a woman lives alone and a man wants to see her he does not get some other man to go with him. No, he goes alone, and it is thought all right. Now, mother, I will be free, and, therefore, when I return the books to Penloe I will go alone."

"All right, my dear," said her mother. "I am glad, Stella, you have the courage to practise your convictions. This talk of woman's rights and freedom we hear so much about and woman's liberty that we read of in the newspapers, is just so much evasion. A woman who may have known a good man for several years dare not call on him if he lives alone. One ounce of practice, Stella, is worth a thousand tons of big talk. Go ahead, my daughter, I am proud of you," said Mrs. Wheelwright.

The week after Stella went to the house of Penloe to return the books.

Penloe was in his library writing. When he heard a knock he arose and went to the door in a mechanical kind of way, his mind being more on the subject of his writing than upon who might be at the door. When he opened the door Stella said:

"Good morning, Penloe; I have come to return your books."

Stella's voice seemed to recall Penloe to where he was, and to notice who had come to see him.

In a soft, musical voice, he said: "Glad to see you, Stella; walk in,"

giving her his hand, and Stella was shown in to the library.

When she was seated Penloe said: "Excuse me for a minute or two," and Stella was pleased to do so, for she wanted to be in the room alone and take notes. But no sooner had Penloe left the room when a different state of mind came over her, and she did not feel like giving her attention to anything in the room. For such a wave of peace came over her mind as she had never experienced before, so that the room seemed to be full of peace. It was not a dead, sleepy peace, nor a dreamy peace, but a peace that was refres.h.i.+ng, strengthening, and was exactly what her mind needed. She sat in perfect bliss drinking in all she could, when Penloe came into the room. He seemed to her to be all peace. This delightful condition put her mind in a state of equipoise, such as she had never felt before; for it was a peace that was tinged with a Divine quality; and it was about to awaken her more than ever to the possibilities of the real world, the Divine world, the spiritual world, the world whose realization so far she had not a knowledge of. For her supreme life was in her intellectual tastes and in her deep, loving, true nature, which loved to see what was fitting, right, and just, actually lived; possessing at the same time the boldness and courage to be a pioneer of advanced thought, and, above all, she loved to live her ideas.

On returning to the room Penloe opened the conversation by saying: "Well, Stella, could you find anything interesting in the books?"

"Interesting, Penloe," said Stella. "Why, I have had a very rich treat in the perusal of them. I felt as if I could not put them down till I had finished them, for they contain just the light I have been seeking, and now they have become a part of my own mentality. But I wish you would explain the meaning of the expression, 's.e.x is an illusion.'"

"Why, certainly, Stella, I will be glad to do so, for if there is anything that appears real it is what is known as s.e.x, the qualities of male and female, we see in all nature. It is said to exist in some precious stones, and we know it exists in the vegetable world, and in all animal life. And if there is anything that is real to a boy or girl, it is that he or she is a boy or girl, and if there is anything that is real to a man or a woman, it is that he or she is a man or woman. So strongly has this thought become the life thought of the human race, that the members of each s.e.x look upon themselves as being just what their material forms stand for. That is, a woman believes that she will be a purified woman through all eternity, that the woman is permanent, real, immortal, and that she will continue on, as a woman, with her womanly traits of character greatly expanded. While man thinks that as a man he is real, permanent, and immortal; that he will continue his existence as a man through all eternity, and that he will always be known as a man, and always look upon woman as woman. Any thought contrary to the reality of s.e.x, the ma.s.ses in the Western world will not accept, for they live in a s.e.x world, and at present do not wish to rise above it, for they are in bondage to the reality of s.e.x. In the prehistoric period of humanity there lived a race of G.o.ds, that is, a race whose members were intellectual and spiritual giants, many of them spending their whole life in thought, living on a very meagre diet, needing very little in the way of clothing and shelter, having no material desires or ambitions to gratify. They, therefore, had an abundance of time for searching for and investigating spiritual truths.

They were fitted by nature and by their environments for that life, and they were gifted with revelations of the unseen.

"They were called seers or sages, because they could see spiritual truths which others could not, and it was at this period and through one of these seers that a voice spoke, 'That which exists is one, men call it by various names.' That was the conclusion that many other eminent seers and sages had come to. For they saw that there was one great Infinite Life Force manifesting itself in all and through all. That there is a correlation of spiritual forces, and that all the various phenomena are the one manifestation of this Infinite Life, which is called by some G.o.d, by others Lord, by others Brahma, by others Jehovah, by others Allah, the meaning of them all being exactly the same as that expressed in the Bible by the name of G.o.d, in whom we live, move, and breathe and have our being; that we are the manifestation of Him. In short, our real ent.i.ty, our real life, our real self (the Atman), our soul (the Purusa) is Spirit eternal and immortal. Now the life of the Spirit has no s.e.x in it, but the spirit manifests itself in these various forms of male and female. The s.e.xual form is only the instrument, not the Being. For the Being is not s.e.x, and, therefore, there is nothing connected with s.e.x, that is spiritual and eternal. It belongs to the external world and the material plane, and is, therefore, a temporary manifestation suitable to the earth plane. It becomes necessary, in order to get a true conception of what we really are (that we are spiritual beings, being neither male nor female) that we get away from the illusion of s.e.x, and not be in bondage to it. But the man must look upon the woman as a spiritual being and not think of her only for what her material form stands for. If he does he is under an illusion, being in bondage to her body, which becomes a barrier to realizing the Divine within, and if the woman looks upon the material form of the man as being the man and that for which he stands, then she is under an illusion and is in bondage to his material form, looking upon his male body as the all of man. And such a thought becomes a hindrance to her realizing her Divine nature.

"Remember, Stella, that s.e.x is only apparent, not real. It belongs to the phenomenal world."

Stella said: "To accept the idea you have just advanced I shall have to begin and lay a new foundation to build upon, for you have swept away many things I considered truths."

Penloe said: "Stella, you are merely casting off old garments that you have outgrown, and you are now ready for a new robe that fits you. But remember never to quarrel with the old clothes you once wore. They have served their purpose and should always be respected."

Stella said: "Penloe, the truth you have advanced regarding s.e.x will take me some time to fully digest."

"Certainly," said Penloe, "but it will not be long before you will comprehend it fully in all its relativity and make it a part of your own mentality."

Stella said: "Have you any reading matter to lend me which touches on this subject, Penloe?"

"Yes," said Penloe, "here are some lectures by the Swami Vivekanada; one is 'The Real and the Apparent Man,' another is 'Reincarnation,' and two lectures on the 'Cosmos.' And here are also two books for you to read."

Stella was delighted to receive the lectures and books. After thanking Penloe she gave him her hand, and said: "I must go, now."

Penloe held her hand, and said: "Stella, I see you are very fond of books, and they are a very great help, and I prize my library very, very much; but remember, Stella, the whole library of the universe is within you. Stella, accept a suggestion from one who is your true friend. Be much in prayer; let your prayer be for light and knowledge; meditate much on Divine things; and you will be surprised how a flood of light will sweep over you at times. Pray that the Divine, which was manifested in such a degree in Jesus, may be manifested in you." Pressing her hand, he said: "G.o.d bless you, Stella, and may you ever feel the presence of your own Divine nature."

Stella will never forget that warm hand grasp and those spiritual words.

For it seemed to her at that very moment that that spiritual fire, which was always burning with such a glow in Penloe and s.h.i.+ning so brightly through his angelic face, had caused the spark which had been growing brighter and stronger within her, to burst into a flame, and what sweet season of soul experience did she realize on her way home.

Stella had much to think about that evening. She said little to her parents; her mind was so pre-occupied she could not give attention to much else. She realized she must make the matter thoroughly clear to herself so as to have all her thoughts and ideas harmonize, before communicating them even to her parents. She did not even look into the literature which Penloe had lent her that evening. She felt like retiring and thinking. When she laid her head on the pillow that night it seemed as if it was not to sleep; it was to think. The leaven was working in Stella's mind. The truths which she had just received were powerful; it seemed as if she could not get away from them, even if she wished, for truths possess us, we do not possess them. Nothing in the universe is more powerful than truth.