All One Mind

I was beginning to settle down in Usu Ilimmu and had started exploring Ryarkanaglish. Even though my utility room was fully equipped with all mod-cons I was reluctant to start using them. While rambling in the village I had noticed a dingy alleyway and found a laundromat about half way down. It was called ‘Sunshine’s’, and I had started doing my laundry there. On my second visit the owner introduced himself as Shaymaas Sunshine. He was a small man with a pot belly who liked to go around with his shirt half open. I supposed that this was because of the heat. We exchanged some pleasantries about the weather and then he started talking about the Church. “We are here to experience pain and suffering.” He said, “If we live good lives, according to the rules of the Church, when we die we will go to Heaven. If we don’t live good lives, if we commit mortal sin and don’t go to confession, when we die we will be consigned to the everlasting flames, the eternal damnation of u...

As I sat there thinking could it all really be that simple, Ruishk said, "Well, David, you have had your first trip. Did that feel like work?" "Of course not," I replied, "That was fun. I really enjoyed that." Ruishk asked, "How much work did you have to do to achieve that result?" I was a little perplexed by his question. I had just said that it was fun and there was no work involved. I said, "I'm not really sure that I understand your question." He smiled as he replied, "I'm playing with the meaning of words. 'Work' has many meanings, and we usually rely on the context in which it is used to understand what is being said. You are thinking about work in terms of things you do or have to do, but I was asking about work from a scientific-engineering perspective." I asked, "I realise that Scientists and Engineers work, but what has science or engineering to do with work?" Ruishk replied, ...

I got back on the empty bus and wondered what I was going to do now. I walked toward the back of the bus. About half way down I saw a letter sitting on one of the window seats. I looked at the letter and realised that it was addressed to me. I opened it and with a quick scan I saw that it was from Mi-Li-Sam. My heart began to pound as I read it. Dear David, We will come into your life from time to time in physical form. You will carry us with you all of your life. Sometimes you will think clearly about us, but mostly, you will keep us buried somewhere in the back of your mind. At times you will doubt that the last three days (Yes, David, it was three days) ever happened. You will ask yourself whether you were dreaming, hallucinating, or even that we were figments of your imagination. Remember, we are real and your experience was real, the most real experience you have ever had. Shortly you will meet your new teacher, or guide if you prefer to think of him that way. He is twent...

On the 26 July 1997, David Narby disappeared. One of the top journalists of all time, he had interviewed more Presidents, Religious Leaders and Heads of State than all other journalists combined. This is because of the interview style and unassuming manner he adopted while researching and interviewing his subjects. His preparation was meticulous and he and his research staff worked on location with his subjects. He absorbed their culture as much as was possible and took weeks to complete his interview. He became familiar with his subjects, but more importantly, he allowed them to become familiar with him. This allowed him to bypass the usual antagonism that journalists experience when trying to extract important information from reluctant informants. His approach is described as "little and often" because he accepted two or three minute slots in his subject's busy schedule. His textbook "Interviewing Greatness" is still required reading for aspiring journalist...