In Hesse’s novel, Siddhartha’s spiritual mentor is the old ferryman Vasudeva. After Siddhartha’s sudden enlightenment, his cosmic vision that everything happens in one moment, Vasudeva tells him that his work is done and he disappears into the forest. As my final conversation with Christopher came to a close, he said to me, “I’ve told you everything you need to know,” and his lessons ended—but not his assignments.
That final conversation started with my asking a question.
“What’s it like in Heaven, Chris?” I asked him.
His reply was gleeful. “It’s what I always wanted. Everyone is here! Everyone! Even you.” A shiver ran down my spine.
After taking a deep breath, I probed him further. “What about the evil ones? Where are they? What about . . . Adolf Hitler?”
I sensed a cold darkness. It blew through my mind like a winter wind, chilling me to the bone. I seemed to hear Chris gasping.
“You have to understand the nature of evil,” he answered, after a long pause. “Evil originates in consciousness. Many things that happen in the world are perceived as bad, but they are not evil. Some result from the changeable physical states of matter: earthquakes, volcanoes, cyclones, tidal waves. Many more are caused by human ignorance, by desire and arrogance and selfishness, by illusions about the true nature of the world. Stupidity is not evil, however. It is merely a challenge to love. Those of us graced with understanding have the opportunity to lead others from stupidity to wisdom—a truly rewarding activity, as wisdom is so much stronger. As for evil, that’s different.
“Human consciousness is unique in allowing a full and complete perception of other-ness. To cherish other-ness, including one’s own, is the fundamental purpose of humanity. In this way, we are created in the image of God. Only humans, among all the creatures of the world, possess a consciousness that allows the individuality and uniqueness of every being to be comprehended and loved. That is our reason for existing. Because love, by its nature, is given freely—or not at all—each of us must choose it or reject it, continuously. There are some who willfully and perversely turn against other-ness. Their hatred of others is a crime against God, the only crime against God that is really possible. It may surprise you to know that each of them has a perfect self. In attempting to subvert the purpose for their existence, these pitiful creatures are divided against themselves. Their eternal torment results not from being placed in Hell—there is no such place—but from the schism in their souls, which no love can heal. There is sadness in Heaven for the evil ones. But the freedom to choose, which is the condition for human love, is also the condition that allows them to exist. I can’t say that sadness tempers our joy, because it was never any different and never will be.”
Sobered by these words, I retreated to my study and sat silently for a long time. I was sorry I had asked about Hitler. The very name left me feeling contaminated. Chris’s words about the persistence of evil had depressed me. “So,” I thought, “there really is no progress. The world can never be perfected.”
“Not in the way you want it to be,” replied Christopher. “You know, Leo, you like to tell stories about the way I was in the world, about my amusing, quirky expressions that surprised other people. Well, around here, some of us like to tell stories about the way that you were. The way you thought too much and tried so hard to get everything just right. Lighten up. You’re already here, you know.”