Chapter twenty-three

Zeke found himself inside the strange dome-shaped chamber along with Zoom. Like all other chambers in the Lyran Kingdom, this one didn’t have doors or windows, either. People could just walk through walls like spirits. The chamber had many rows of seats set in circles around a huge golden throne like the one Zeke had seen in the chamber of the Lyran High Council. The throne was on a high platform, with two smaller thrones flanking the main throne.

“What is this place, Zoom?” he inquired again.

“Don’t you remember? It’s the Chamber of Reviews, Ezekiel.” She smiled at him, and his memories returned in a flash. “You used to joke and call it the ‘Chamber of Tears.’”

Within what seemed like only a minute in Earth time, all the rows were filled with men, women, and beings of all kinds from different parts of the galaxy, including Earth. He distinctly remembered the room’s purpose now, as he recognized them as departed souls from the different planets where the beings of light lived. Then, the new council head appeared and took his seat. He was just as kind and distinguished as the former, albeit noticeably younger. It was obvious he had a good, long reign ahead of him. Two other council members followed and took their respective places on each side of him. They called out the names of each departed soul and read out the events of his or her lifetime on Earth.

It was like parent-teacher meetings during the school year or employees having annual performance reviews before their directors. There was no judgment of good or bad here. All Zeke saw was absolute compassion in the council head’s eyes, yet every soul had tears in its eyes. No one said a single word as their deeds were read out.

There were thieves, liars, murderers, and good souls all in the same room, standing before the same throne. Soon, the whole chamber was flooded with “tears of repentance.” Every soul cried upon its sins and begged for forgiveness until even the council head had tears in his eyes. Zeke was so moved that he was sobbing like a baby. He had heard of those intense Ayahuasca purging ceremonies in the Amazon jungle, but the word “intense” didn’t even come close to describing the bleeding, draining, and exhausting experience he had just witnessed.

He came back to his senses only when Zoom pinched him hard. “I am going to tell you a secret, Ezekiel. It’s something that only a few mortals know, and even fewer understand. Please be very selective with whom you share it,” she whispered with a mysterious gleam in her eyes.

He felt an uncontrollable sense of intrigue. “What is it, Zoom? Tell me.”

“All lightworkers go to their respective worlds with a divine mission, just like you did on Earth, and it’s all mapped out in the world of the metaphysical. For our purposes, let’s use the example of a coloring book. An attendant then walked up to her and handed her a large, soft-covered book with the letters ‘ZT’ on the front. “Actually, this is your coloring book, Ezekiel.” They thumbed through it together. “Do you see an outline on every page?” she asked.

“Yes, of course.”

“Good. Each page represents an important event in your life that was mapped out before you were born. If we look at these pages right now, then that is your progress up to this point. The colors or crayons represent your free will, meaning the decisions you make and the actions you take along the way. You’re allowed to color the pages any way you like and with any color you choose because of that free will.

“You can color within the lines, color outside the lines, use bright colors, dull colors or simply not color at all, but the end result, the last page, will always be the same because of that outline. The way your book, or the story of your life, takes shape is up to you. There are happy pages and not-so-happy ones. We don’t use the words good or bad in spirit because everything is just as it should be.

“Even a murder or a fatal accident is part of the divine plan, despite the fact it doesn’t make sense to you or anyone else at the time. There’s only one exception to this rule, and I want you now to meet someone who can explain it to you in a way you’ll better understand. This is Eric, and he’s a newly arrived soul. He recently took his own life. He wants to show you his coloring book.”

Eric was a young boy sitting among others his age. He, too, was crying, but upon seeing Ezekiel, he just walked up to him and smiled. “Hello, Ezekiel. I’m Eric. I just love how you colored some of the pages in your book. You’re so clever! I’m afraid I wasn’t so clever. I became severely depressed in my earthly incarnation, and I chose to end my story early.” He held out the coloring book of his life, showing it to Ezekiel.

“You’ll see the pages of the last two-thirds of my book have been torn out. I was only seventeen when I took my life. I’ve been meeting with the Council of Elders, and they’re mapping out a new plan with me as I must return to Earth and complete my mission. I thought I’d be off the hook ending my life, but I guess it’s not that easy. Only this time — this time, I’ll live under less trying conditions, lest it happens again. I can’t believe it. They are sending me back to do it all over again! I have no choice in the matter.”

After a brief sigh, Eric continued, “Will you do me a favor, Ezekiel? When you return, please tell people suicide is never the answer. It just restarts the cycle. I know sometimes people see no other choice, but please guide them. Show them there is always hope. Show them the light, will you? I deeply regret my actions now, leaving all the people I loved behind. I left them with so much pain and confusion — more than my own, in fact. I never, ever realized the damage I had the power to create, but I’ll try to make things right in my next lifetime. I must go now. Goodbye, Ezekiel, and may you always stand in the Christ light.”

Zeke was left overwhelmed by Eric’s words. He had tears rolling down his face. He turned to Zoom. “Why would you bring me here, Zoom? All this pain, all these crying souls — why would you put the weight of their guilt on my shoulders?” He turned to the crying ones.

“And these beautiful souls, why would they commit such sins? Why do mortals lie, steal, and kill when all that does is make their souls cry? It just doesn’t feel natural, or right. And Eric, that poor boy, why would he do something like take his own life? Life is so beautiful, Zoom. Why would he end it?”

“I know. People often find the burden of life too much to carry, and they try to escape or commit what you call crimes or sins. Remember their human lives are a way for them to learn and evolve. They have a veil on their memory of the light, just like you did, but souls always cry when they go against their inherent nature. Their souls are like guiding forces, always working to bring them back to the light. Some listen to their souls and learn their lessons faster, while others go more slowly. You need not worry for them, for all souls learn eventually.

“All pure souls return in time to the light, my love. We just need to be a little more patient with the ones who take longer. That’s the reason lightworkers like you need to incarnate on Earth and in countless other worlds where these beings of light make their home — to spread the love you have within you and to help them learn to listen to the voice of their souls, to help them understand the laws of karma.”

He smiled in agreement. Just then, he saw a man sitting a little farther from the rest. He was the only person who did not look up at anyone, but just hung his head in shame as he kept looking down and appeared to be weeping. He thought this man was oddly familiar, like he had seen him somewhere before. Right then, the man raised his head for a moment, leaving Zeke utterly shocked. He was absolutely stunned to see the man was none other than Nigel Copeland, Kai and Gael’s father! “Why is he among the departed souls? Isn’t he supposed to be alive?” His heart raced out of control.

Mr. Copeland was crying uncontrollably. He deeply regretted his deeds and begged for a second chance in front of the council head. When he saw Zeke standing in front of him, he simply looked at the young man he had once known and uttered, “I’m sorry,” with tears running down his cheeks. Then he hung his head in shame again. The dream ended right there.

• • •

Zeke could still feel Nigel’s apology ringing in his ears when he woke up the next morning. It was like a never-ending echo. He was back on Earth now, tucked safely in his bed, with no trace of Zig, Zag, or Zoom anywhere. He kept his vision of the Review Chamber to himself and went about the day as usual. If things were to go according to plan, Kai would be leaving for Boston early next year. Gael and Zeke were spending as much time with him as they could. The Farley Street kids had been through so much together. A small change in anyone’s life had a ripple effect on all the others, changing the dynamic of the entire neighborhood.

Later that afternoon, the three boys sat silently on a bench near Lakeview Cemetery, thinking about the old days while also trying to come to terms with their changing realities at the same time. That’s when they saw Leia running toward them.

“Kai, Gael…” she managed to say before stopping to catch her breath.

“Leia, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” Gael asked her.

She looked up at him, and all she could bring herself to say was, “Your dad… he’s home, and he can’t walk. He’s paralyzed!”

It took both Gael and Kai a few seconds to process the news. Gael was so stunned he couldn’t move. Zeke immediately remembered the dream he had the night before. He had no idea what was going on, but he knew it was something horrible. Leia and Zeke helped the brothers snap out of the initial shock and took them back home. There was an ambulette parked outside the Copeland’s house. The yard was crammed with people as the whole neighborhood gathered to see what had happened. Naturally, Mrs. Kravitz was peeking through her window taking it all in.

Watching all of this, Zeke was afraid his worst fear might have come true, but as they reached the front door, he saw that Mr. Copeland was very much alive. A male tech was offloading him in a wheelchair while another one briefed Mrs. Copeland about his condition. He had been in a terrible car accident a few weeks prior while on a diving holiday in Belize and had been in a coma. His partner, the woman he lived with, died on the spot.

He, however, survived the accident, but his spine was severely damaged. He couldn’t speak and was paralyzed from the neck down. The doctors said he would probably be in a wheelchair the rest of his life. Looking at him reminded Zeke of Nora’s tragic accident from all those years ago, and that thought sent chills immediately down his spine.

Gael was the one who felt most affected. He was filled with rage and sadness, but above all else, confusion. He had no intention of caring for a man he blamed for everything wrong with his childhood and the death of his sister. This man before him sitting in a wheelchair pushed him towards a miserable life. It was because of this man he had abandonment issues. It was because of this man he was forced to grow up too soon, and it was because of this man he believes he became bipolar. Kai had already decided to leave home, and his father’s return had no effect on his plans. Despite his condition, Gael had nothing but contempt to offer his father. He was in no mood to forgive or forget.

“Serves him right,” he concluded, trying desperately to convince himself of his own words.

It was now apparent that Zeke needed to step up for his friend, to help him understand the significance of actions and deeds and the true meaning of forgiveness. Just as words are extremely important for the world, so are actions and deeds. Now Zeke had to prove himself through his deeds. He didn’t want Gael to feel broken or be consumed by hate. He couldn’t let his friend shy away from his past or from his responsibilities to his father, either. He had to help him face both.

• • •

The next morning, Zeke visited Gael and asked him to go on a walk. As they strolled along the breezy morning beach, Zeke began his efforts to help his friend.

“You know Gael,” he said. “Everyone creates his or her destiny by thoughts, words, and actions. You remember all those sayings we used to hear as kids: ‘You make your bed, you lie in it,’ and ‘What goes around, comes around.’”

“Yeah, yeah. Blah blah blah. Looks like Papasan is reaping his just deserts,” Gael blurted, just staring straight ahead.

“They’re more than just words, Gael. We often fail to understand whatever we do to others always comes back to us in stranger ways than we could ever think of. That’s the spiritual law of cause and effect that we humans like to call karma. Didn’t you notice what happened in your life? What your father did to you was his karma. His misdeeds came back to haunt him in ways he never expected. You had no part to play in it, and you had no control over it. It was karmic retribution, and it happened because he needed to face everything he did. It was a lesson his soul chose to teach him.” He looked straight into Gael’s eyes to ensure he was paying attention.

“Why are you telling me all this?” Gael asked, frustrated and agitated.

“Because now that his part is done, it’s your turn, Gael. You have two clear choices here. You can either choose to forgive him and help a vulnerable man incapable of taking care of himself, who also happens to be your father and you know in your heart is the right thing to do, or you can avenge his actions towards you and give him what you think he deserves – the pain and suffering you received from him, the sorrow you endured due to his actions.

“I know the first option appears extremely difficult, and the latter seems ideal in this moment, but trust me, Gael, what you choose to do with the situation from now on will create your karma. You won’t have any control over it, and neither will your father.” Zeke had an air about him that made him sound like a prophet.

Gael was left speechless for a while. His mind was still trying to process Zeke’s logic and the power of his words. He looked at him wide-eyed and asked, “What am I supposed to do then? You sound like you have it all figured out. Help me, Zeke. Guide me through this. Will you show me how to be a real man for once?”

Zeke smiled at him lovingly, making him realize that he wasn’t alone. The light in his smile and the compassion in his voice had a hypnotic charm. “Take a step back from all of this and look at the bigger picture. In a way, your father has been your greatest teacher. When you look at him, you don’t like what you see in front of you, do you? Then think about it! Why would you turn into something you don’t like in the first place? He was selfish, and you hated it.

“The first lesson you learned was not to be a selfish man like him. Isn’t that true? He ran from his familial duties, and you hated that. The next lesson you learned from him was to never run away from your responsibilities, right? You never liked anything about him. There’s such a simple lesson in that. Don’t turn into him, Gael. Don’t be like him. I’m not trying to scare you, but similar actions always bring about similar consequences. Would you like to invite the same consequences he did? Would you choose to do the same things he did to you, even after you hated them so much?”

His words were like magic, and Gael was pushed to think way deeper than he ever had before. He couldn’t deny Zeke’s wisdom for a second.

“So, what do you want me to do? Do you want me to forgive him?” Gael finally asked.

“If you really want an answer from me, I’d say yes.”

“But how, Zeke, how?”

“As difficult as it might sound now, I would still say grant him forgiveness even if he doesn’t ask for it. There’s no virtue bigger than forgiveness, Gael. The most important law of karma is the Law of Forgiveness. Karma is like this complex and simple concept all at the same time.” He noticed how confused Gael was, so he explained further. “Many times, we try sowing a seed, and we water it every day. Yet it never grows. We don’t reap anything, good or bad, out of the seed we sow. Then we grow impatient, thinking our actions aren’t showing any results.

“But when a seed is sown, many factors need to work together in its favor. We can’t be ignorant of those and just sit and wait for them to bear fruit. We need to check the quality of the seed before we plant it. We need to increase the fertility of the soil while we plant it, and we need to wait for the right weather for it to grow after we plant it. We have to be patient and observant at the same time, so those other factors can be aligned. Do you understand that?”

“I suppose so.” Gael was trying hard to understand what Zeke was saying. After all, his words had a power that demanded attention.

“The same goes for all spiritual laws. Karma can seem tricky because it isn’t always operating on its own. It’s interwoven with other spiritual laws. Then again, it is quite simple to understand because the Law of Karma says we only need to correct ourselves and nobody else. All we have to do is monitor or keep a watch over our own thoughts, words, and actions. Every time we consciously try to correct those little mistakes we tend to make, we create good karma for ourselves. Every little correction goes a long way, and we start reaping the benefits before we know it.”

Zeke’s words slowly started hitting their mark. “When we do all that, the other spiritual laws, just like the other factors while sowing a seed, automatically fall in place and begin to align things for us. Bad karma is nothing but the negative patterns and habits we tend to create within us that manifest as external consequences. They keep coming back as triggers in our lives, to show us where we have created those incorrect patterns, but the same triggers also give us the opportunity to correct those patterns, too.”

Zeke went on in a flow, and Gael listened carefully. “If you choose to do to your father what he did to you, you’ll create the same pattern and thus see the same results until you choose to change it. Don’t you think it’s wiser for you to break that pattern forever, here and now, before it even begins?”

“But forgiveness needs to come from within, Zeke. I can understand all you say about ‘karma’ and the logic behind it, but I just can’t feel it in my heart. How can I forgive him when I feel like I shouldn’t?” His question was quite honest and simple.

“Forgiveness isn’t half as difficult as you think, Gael. As I said, you just need to see the bigger picture. What if he is deeply repenting of all his actions and deeds? Won’t you regret not being able to forgive him sometime later in life, then? Ask this of yourself right now,” he tried reasoning with him.

“No. I don’t think I’ll ever regret not forgiving a man like him.” Gael was very clear about it.

“Okay then. Let me show you something. Find a position that’s comfortable for you. Relax, then take a deep breath and close your eyes. Now try to see your father asking for forgiveness and see yourself doing whatever you wish to do with him.”

Zeke began guiding Gael through a visualization exercise, one of the most powerful forms of meditation, and Gael religiously followed each of his instructions. He saw his father sitting in front of him. He could feel all the anger he had felt for him all his life. In his vision, he made scathing accusations against his father and was as unforgiving of all his actions and misdeeds as he had always wished. Gael’s hatred towards him was so obvious that he didn’t even have to try very hard. Strangely enough, in his vision, he didn’t see his father reacting the way he used to earlier in life. He didn’t express any anger towards his son, but looked at him rather lovingly and apologetically. He had tears in his eyes as he sat in front of Gael, asking for forgiveness with his hands folded. He hung his head in shame.

When Gael’s eyes met his, his father said, “I’m sorry.”

Gael shared his vision with Zeke, who had a mysterious smile on his face. It was the power of Zeke’s light that had created that beautiful sight. Gael didn’t know this was the exact vision Zeke had about his father, too, just the night before. He knew it wasn’t only a vision but a link between souls that didn’t need a language. He didn’t say anything about his own dream to Gael. He just continued to guide him through his vision.

“Now release this vision and think of yourself ten years later. You are sitting alone and looking back at your past. You are thinking of what you did to your father today. How do you feel?”

Gael began the journey of looking at his future and didn’t even realize tears of repentance had begun falling from his eyes and soaking the earth. When Zeke’s voice finally guided him out of the vision, Gael came out of it feeling peace and calm. He felt no anger towards his father anymore. All the pent-up negative emotions were released. He felt absolute love, empathy, and compassion for the weak man who was already reaping the fruits of his misdeeds and the repenting of his actions.

Gael felt a sudden sense of positivity and joy flowing through his entire body. He was clear about what he needed to do. He decided then and there to forgive his father and help him through his difficult times by taking care of him and not running away from his responsibilities.

Zeke was extremely happy to see his first success as a lightworker. He was able to plant that first seed of light within Gael. Now he also wanted him to heal further. He now had use of ‘Ho’oponopono,’ the magical forgiveness ritual, and felt it was the right time for him to share it with his friend. Gael was a good listener and a fast learner.

Every morning he went to the beach, and there while breathing in the fresh morning air, he practiced this secret healing ritual, visualizing and feeling the four simple sentences – I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you. Slowly and steadily, he could see his life-changing magically. He felt calm and positive now. The depression and bipolar disorder that used to affect him so much earlier were gradually disappearing. He was happy most of the time and felt no remorse as he was saved from committing a grave spiritual mistake. More than words, it was Zeke’s guiding light that healed him.

Then, soon after, Gael’s yard work picked up so much that he had to hire another boy to help with the load, and that afforded him some additional cash. Meanwhile, his mother received her much-awaited pay raise, too. As a result, most of their financial debts were cleared. All of this happened within less than two months of forgiving his father, taking responsibility for his actions, releasing unhealthy attachments, and sincerely practicing the forgiveness ritual.

“As within, so without,” Zeke said when Gael happily told him all of this. He had changed his friend’s life simply by guiding him, and Gael would never forget that. He grew as a person, and he became Zeke’s first success, but that was not the end for Zeke Tartal. His days of healing had only just begun.