ARCANA Chapter 12 by William James Johnson

The AGC provided by Mehnra was a plain metallic platform with protective sides so that passengers would not fall off the edge. It was in fact a very sophisticated miniature flying saucer which housed a reverse magnetic coil in its base that could develop sufficient repulsion to the inner earth's magnetic field that the platform would rise up. It was directed by injections of reserve magnetic power. The controls for this unique transportation system were located on a vertical power panel that was positioned in the centre of the disc. Only two controls were required to operate the vehicle, a power level handle and a steering control which operated on the sphere principle of a ball. Moving the ball with the palm of the hand while feeding in small increments of magnetism of reverse polarity, raised or lowered the disc and directed it smoothly and silently wherever the operator chose.

"Forgive me for the delay," said Mehnra. "IAM and the Science Council were having their final meeting with the crew who will be taking your airship back to Washington."

John was shocked at his statement. "They what..."

"Yes, John. Airship Nobile is leaving for Washington at this very moment."

"That's impossible. It's wrong...it's stealing. I thought you said IAM was all goodness. I thought..."

"Please, my friend, do not get so emotional. IAM is doing what must be done."

John realized that Koster had been correct. He told him the Monads had allowed them to reach the Domain so they could reproduce the crew and send it back to earth in their own ship with the news there was no such thing as an opening in the earth. He knew they were doing it for their own future protection. The Monads could annihilate any intruders, but it would be against the law of IAM. Instead they would use this ploy to eliminate man's suspicions for all time that the Arctic housed great secrets for those who were courageous enough to take on the challenge.

"It's wrong, Mehnra, for you to take the only means for us to return to earth. I'll ask IAM to change his mind and give us back our ship."

"It is too late, my friend. Look above that range of low hills back there behind that Sun Dome."

The shining nose of the silver airship moved gently over the rim of the hills, and soon the entire length of the giant earth vehicle moved slowly overhead. They could hear, about five hundred feet above them, the steady whirring of the fibreglass fans which powered its return to earth. The crew waved excitedly as they saw their only chance of going back home diminishing to a sparkling speck in the pale green light of the interior sun.

Only John was astute enough to observe the heading of the craft in relation to his position on the surface of the Domain. This at least would give him and the others a direction to start their voyage back.

The loss of their Airship Nobile dampened the enthusiasm they had in their anticipation of meeting with IAM. Mehnra guided them to the perimeter seats which were anchored to the base of their AGC vehicle. Sandra's eyes glistened with the tears she was trying to hold back.

"Don't worry, darling," said John, "We'll make it...I promise you. The four of us together will get out of here...somehow."

Sandra hugged John and, for the first time since they had arrived in the Domain, she kissed him with a passion he had forgotten. It was as though she wanted to seal their covenant with a special gesture and John felt, in her trembling arms, the intensity of her desire to be protected.

The AGC moved silently and smoothly above the brilliant green slopes and hills of the Domain. Even from their height they could see the veins of precious metals shining in the ever present glow of the interior sun. More and more Sun Domes on the horizon indicated they were approaching the built up area which housed the government structures of the Domain. They could see, at the end of a line of magnificent blue spruce surrounding a beautiful reflecting pool, a glowing white marble dome atop a pyramidal structure, its sides of hammered gold vibrantly emanating the greenish cast of the sun's rays.

Mehnra guided the metallic disc to a smooth descent and touched down gently on an AGC pad located in the courtyard of the Abode of IAM. Liu, whose inquisitive mind never seemed to rest, asked Mehnra a question.

"If, as you say, IAM is the creator of everything that exists, why must He limit himself by residing in this structure? Does that not in some way diminish His omnipotence, His omnipresence, His godliness?"

"That is a very good question Doctor Chow. You are correct in your statement that IAM is the Creator of all, but you must also realize that above all His creation He has put His supreme creature, man. The Abode is where man comes in contact with his God. It is in no way limiting to IAM, but rather is done this way to permit man, who is a limited being, the opportunity to address the unlimited. Does that answer your question.?"

"Yes, indeed. Thank you, Mehnra."

As they walked towards the shining golden sides of the Abode, they could feel an energy field radiating from its sparkling surface. The intensity of the light coming off the beaten gold made them cover their eyes with their hands as they squinted through the opening in their fingers.

"It will not be hurtful to you. This is only a small example of the light which you will experience in the presence of IAM. I caution you not to look directly into His light when you are in His presence. Speak up and do not be afraid. IAM knows your very thoughts and so there is really no need to speak at all, but since language is the convention you earthlings use to exchange information, feel free to ask IAM whatever you must."

The tall messenger stopped before the golden structure which dwarfed the small group huddling together in the shadow of their giant friend.

"Almighty Father, please give me the grace to serve You with all my being. Oh, IAM, Creator of all that is, I have brought the visitors as you have wished."

After this statement the surface of the pyramid divided in the centre and began moving out to the side. When it came to rest, the archway it provided gave the physical impression of a modern cathedral. Mehnra moved gracefully into the opening and gestured to the others to follow. Once inside the enormous structure, they were awed by the celestial humming of spheres which were suspended from the immense dome that topped the pyramid. Encrusted on the entire inner surface of the dome were diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. In the centre of the floor directly under the dome was a deep well out of which arose in the snowy billows of white vapour, the invigorating aroma of jasmine.

Mehnra dropped to his knees at the edge of the well of jasmine and touched his forehead to the floor of the Abode.

"Almighty Father of All, I, Mehnra, Your loyal servant wish only to serve You with all my heart, all my mind, all my will."

Suddenly the vapour rising out of the well intensified to the point where it almost suffocated the visitors and the whole Abode began to radiate with a life force never experienced by the crew before. Out of the jewelled dome a sonorous voice welcomed the earthlings and the intense light, bouncing off the pure white marble floor, reminded them of Mehnra's warning to avoid looking into the light of IAM.

"Thank you, Mehnra. Please rise. I beseech you, do not look directly into My light. It would cause you untold harm, and IAM does not wish to harm His creatures."

John was the only member of the crew who was not overwhelmed by the event. Unfortunately he was convinced they were being manipulated by a superior race of creatures, not God.

"How do we know you're telling the truth about the power of your light?"

The others could not believe what they were hearing. How could this brash American have the temerity to challenge the utterances of his Creator. They were so stunned by his question that they remained in silence, their heads bowed in the presence of IAM.

"I am the truth. Everything that is, that was, or that ever will be, comes from me. In my creation there is only truth, but should you wish to test my truth, look into my light and never see again. I give you a free choice. IAM will not take back this freedom."

With these remarks, John suddenly had an ecstatic out-of-body experience of duality.
Sandra did not like the challenge given to her friend, and knowing how combustible John could be, intervened.

"Please, mighty Father, forgive my friend John. He questions everything and everyone."

"Please, John...don't look into his light. Since we have been in the Domain, everything they have said or done has been the truth. I beg you, believe him."
When she finished speaking, John suddenly fell to his knees and his head touched the cool marble and his entire body began to tremble. Shaking violently, he cried out.

"All Powerful IAM, forgive me. Grant me your grace to be a better person. Let me see in others the goodness you have given to all. Help me to learn to love you."

"Rise, my Son. IAM accepts your love. What do you wish of Me?"

"Why have You taken our ship, my Lord, and returned it to earth with these creatures instead of us?"

"IAM must protect his Domain. All who live here have given freely of their will and IAM gives them His love and protection in return. All of you can stay here and enjoy the unending happiness which comes from serving your Creator."

"But, Father, what about all your creatures on earth who do not know of you and your Domain? We must return to them and tell them of this tremendous experience."

"I understand why you feel that this must be done. First, you must know, the journey you have taken is not what it seems. It is a voyage into yourself. The truth is not in the world but inside your soul. If man cannot accept that he is a spiritual being whom I love and cherish, all the messengers in the world will not be able to convince him. I could demand the love of all my creatures. But that is not as I created it. Love is not love until it is given freely. When man learns that, by losing himself, he finds himself, then my whole creation will be as happy as life in my Domain."

John suddenly became very humble in the presence of this great power. "What is going to happen to us then my Lord?"

"You may do as you choose. That is the one gift I have never regretted giving mankind."

"But man has done such terrible things with his free will."

"That is true. But he has also done marvellous deeds of his own choosing. The most marvellous of all is that he has learned to love Me freely."

"But Monads are not free."

"Neither are they earth creatures any longer. Life in My Domain did not begin a short time ago. Monads were the first of My creatures to discover that love is greater than hate. Once you are truly in love, your will stops playing a part in your life. Love makes you do what must be done even if it is easier to do nothing. Love is spiritual. Love is without end if it is freely given. Love is life in Paradise."

"But how can I love you when you hold me a prisoner in your Domain?"

"You are wrong to think you are my prisoners. You may return to earth. I will not stop you. But I must also assure you, I will not assist you in anyway."

Michael overcame his timidity. "Almighty IAM. Is there a way out of your Domain?"

"There is a way out. You must find the way on your own. Those who wish to remain shall be treated as all those other loving creatures of my realm. But know this, whatever you decide to do, I will always love you, my greatest creation. In you am I. Together we are one."

André Goulet was entranced by the dialogue and had to ask the burning question he had been considering since their arrival in the Domain.

"Do you have a son called, Jesus, my Great Lord?"

"All of you are my Sons and Daughters. I am who am. I have always been and shall always be."

John stood up and looking around at his compatriots spoke. "Father of us all, accept me for what I am, a weak struggling man who wants only to find the truth about himself. I am not ready to give you all my love and my life. Please, I beg you, do not hold this against me. I am still human and Heaven is not for humans. I must return to your other creation. I want to bring to man the holy secret. I want your creatures to know about Arcana. Thank you for helping me to see I have many roads to travel before I can rest in your blissful Domain."

His friends had never seen John show so much respect and deference.
The majestic voice of IAM filled the Abode.

"Go in peace with the blessings of He who is."

It had been a tremendous struggle reaching the Domain of IAM and now a more difficult future faced the earthlings...finding a way back.


View the biography of artist/author William James Johnson at www.noozoon.com