Shoreline of the River Styx

Amorella standing by. This a slightly doctored photo of the Pacific north of San Diego will serve as the waters of the Styx. An analogy to be sure, but the current is lifeless, cold and deep, only a spirit naked in heartansoulanmind is unconsciously built and directed to survive it.

**

The psychological effects, both emotionally and intellectually take some getting used to. Mostly it is finding out who you are now that you were. Strange as it may seem, Elysium is more pleasant that hearts and minds are comfortable with. The soul has no problem, it is as attracted to Elysium as dirt is to Earth.

Hearts hold a tremendous amount of suppressed guilt, some of it real and some implanted by cultural propaganda of one kind or another. People have a tendency to slough this off after they get a sense of how much good it will or will not do them in getting on with a culturally successful life.

Personal moral values are mostly learned by example so family and close friends have an immediate impact early on. Acts of kindness are some of the first conscious acts that are recorded. Someone smiles and the first almost automatic response is to smile back.

Once the community sense of right and wrong is imprinted it is difficult to change. The moral value of justice is an example, particularly when a person sets herorhimself up as judge and jury.

Elysium is a just place where one learns to fit into the community or to think and sleep in a more private, sometimes less comfortable zone. The basic key for comfort and community is self-forgiveness no matter who else has or has not forgiven.

To forgive, in these books, one has to accept herorhis basic humanity. Imperfection is built into humanity as it builds a sense of sincere humility. The children need to be let go, to be free to explore and create their own path in the world. Each generation has its own time, speech and subculture. This is easily observed in Elysium.

Free Will is not an easily accepted heartfelt gift as it attempts to balance emotional memory with reason and intellect in the Place of the Dead. As in Life, it is up to the individual as to how sheorhe will proceed.

**

Were you expecting more, orndorff?

I don’t like this theme, it makes me feel uncomfortable. You said there would be no preaching.

I am stating the facts surrounding the books. You are equating them with a cultural religious orientation. This is an example of what I am discussing. If you were among the Dead in the books you would probably go to your room and think about why you are uncomfortable. Who knows when you would come out.

Maybe I wouldn’t come out, maybe I’d just stay in there and sulk.

That’s what children do, orndorff. Eventually, they come out. It is no different with the Dead. Humanity prevails, believe it or not.

Some people would never come out. You are more optimistic about human beings than I am.

That’s because you have misanthropic tendencies. I don’t care what you believe. You have to deal with it, not me.

Well, staying in my room would not be hell to me.

Everyone has their own private hell inside. You are ever afraid that writing these books will come back to haunt you.

Why?

Because you have made past mistakes in your own judgment. You want to be all-wise. Too bad. You know your imperfections.

I know enough of them.

It keeps you more humble than prideful whether you believe it or not.

You are embarrassing me, Amorella.

Again, too bad. Deal with it. That's exactly what I tell the Dead.