
The Effect of Ultra Tender Light on Living Beings
It was with a sigh of relief that he entered the warm, dry and quiet shuttle bus and sat down on a seat. The ice-cold, windy and rainy morning had chilled him to the bones.
While waiting for his flight at Stockholm airport, a memory from the morning came back to his mind. His wife had aggressively insisted that he behaved egotistically, leaving her alone for eight days and spending money on something “totally senseless.” When her regular coldness turned into contempt, he fled to the taxi waiting outside.
*
In northern Spain, spring was approaching with mild air and a high, blue sky. The course center was a serene, monastery-like building, in front of which a huge cherry tree stretched its branches, full of little pink buds.
Next morning was warm and sunny. A varied breakfast was served before the first meeting. He sat down at a table by himself with the wholesome, organic food, again wondering what on earth he expected to find at a spiritual retreat.
The dining hall had almost filled up with course students, when two women suddenly recognized each other across the room. With a happy scream they stood up, flew across the floor and joined in a long, warm and tender embrace.
Buds have an instinct that tells them when it’s time to let go of their resistance, open up and transform into flowers. It happens when they have received enough nutrients from a warming sun.
Witnessing the act of love joining with happiness overwhelmed him. He ran outside, where the cherry tree became his refuge. Without noticing that its flowers now were in full bloom, he sat down under it, allowing himself to cry as he hadn’t cried since he was a little child. Years of emotional loneliness, strain and suppressed emotions washed out of him in a flood of tears.
*
It was already past time time for class when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. As he looked up, he saw his teacher, smiling and nodding, whispering, “You have come to the right place, my friend.”
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A very visual and heart-felt story of the search for meaning. The budding of emotion and the blossoming cherry tree mirror each other memorably.
Just out of curiosity, I would like to ask Voice-Team and my fellow writers if the title of my little piece was a bit too far-fetched. At the same time, I would like to clarify why it was chosen, since many readers probably were confused by it. When I was young, there was a movie, directed by Paul Newman and based on a Pulitzer prize winning play by Paul Zindel, which became very popular. The long and strange title of the movie was “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds.” It is about a dysfunctional family with a narcissistic and cynical mother and a very timid and quiet daughter. The girl participates and succeeds in her school’s science fair with a project where she exposes marigold plants to gamma rays to see the effects the rays have on the plants’ growth. Since there were no references to the movie in the comments, I take it that none of the readers saw the connection I intended. However, the title came to me while working on the story, and thinking of the effects love has, when a lonely and starved soul is exposed to it. I adapted the title by slightly… Read more »
Christer, what a soft and tender story this is. I felt the story slowly unwrapping, till it reveals a real person. I can’t express how wonderfully written this is Christer, 10 out of 10.
Very kind of you, Eric. Thank you very much. I’m exited to see that the story reached your heart.
Your story has a strong, soothing effect. Nice job, Christer!
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Thank you for your generous comment, Dipayan.
You’re welcome, Christer.
How many of us live in loneliness Christer until something as simple as witnessing an act of friendship or love awakens what is missing in our lives. I felt those rush of tears under the cherry tree and the release they brought. And I loved the last line. Beautifully written.
I am happy to see that you felt compassion with the protagonist in my story, Linda, and that the story resonated with your heart. Thank you so much!
I felt such relief when he let go of his loneliness, strain and suppressed emotions. And, hope that he will continue to move forward. A story sure to connect with anyone who feels that something is missing. Well done!
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Yes Sandra, this is a pivotal moment in his life, when he suddenly connects to his suppressed emotions and starts opening up to his inner self. Depending on the choices he is going to make in the near future, he now has a chance to turn his life in a new, healthy direction. Thank you very much for your comment.
Thanks again, Voice-Team, for your kind words.
Christer, I wish that I could cry like a flood of tears to wash out all my loneliness, problems, and worries like your protagonist. I wish there is also a cherry tree to be my refugee while crying. I want all my burdens gone and replace it all with happiness and contentment. Congratulations on your well-written piece.
Dear Lotchie, I know that your cherry tree is there, in some form and shape, waiting for you to take the time to sit down under it. One day, when you give up your resistance and are ready for receiving help, you will go there. You will be by yourself, you will go inside, and you will connect strongly and bravely, willingly and honestly with the unknown power of your heart. When you let your tears come, they will wash out your feelings of anxiety, fear, shame and sadness. And yet without any feelings of being defeated or destroyed. Your happiness is hidden underneath your thoughts of problems and your feelings of loneliness and worry. It will always be available for you, no matter what seems to have happened or what still seems to be going on. We are, each one of us, searching the eternal unknown that we come from, even if only a few are aware of it. This is what we really are and which we all have in common and which we never can lose. This is “the truth that will set you free.” Your feelings of sadness and loneliness are just a difficult but necessary… Read more »
Thank you so much, Christer. Your words mean a lot to me, I will do all your advice tonight. Your knowledge is incomparable, and your kindness is immeasurable. Thank you again.
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Wow, Christer, I didn’t get the title reference. I had certainly heard of the Paul Newman movie, although I don’t think I ever watched it. Hopefully I can find it on Amazon Prime tonight! I loved your title, even though I didn’t get the association, and thought it was very appropriate for the story. It’s memorable in its own way, although I might not be able to quote it word for word!!