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A.J.

Metro North shook and vibrated as it pulled away from the station in Mt. Kisco, NY. I was settled into my seat when I noticed A.J. coming down the aisle. I quickly picked up my briefcase and copy of the Wall Street Journal and motioned to him. He smiled as he gratefully took the seat.

I had seen A.J. several times during the nights we sat with our meditation teacher. He was always quiet and reserved. Other than a couple of times when we had coffee or tea after a seminar, we hardly knew each other.

As the train picked up speed heading into White Plains, I looked at him and asked, "Have you lived in New York all of your life?"

He looked at me and a strange smile crossed over his face. "Why do you ask?", he inquired.

I must have flushed a little. I really didn't mean to pry into his life. I just wanted to be friendly.

"Oh!" I replied. "I didn't mean to be nosy. I was just curious".

He laughed and told me to relax. He looked at me and grinned, "Actually I've only been in New York for a couple of years. I moved here from California."

"Wow!" I said. "The job and money must have been pretty good to entice you to come all the way across the country."

He laughed and there was that funny smile. "Not really", he said. "Actually, I had finally realized all of my dreams and was reaping the rewards of several years of hard work and preparation."

He looked at my face and said, "Just before I moved here, I swore that nothing would pry me away from where I lived. You see, after many years of traveling and going to school, I was finally in the job of my dreams. I was making great money. I loved my home, car, clothes and lifestyle. In short, I was happy and having the time of my life. When my spiritual teacher announced that he was moving to New York, I immediately made up my mind to not follow him. It was time to step back and maybe even study with a new teacher, someone near where I lived. I said good-bye to my friends that were relocating and resigned myself to letting them all go."

He shifted in his seat and looked up at the ceiling. Then he continued, "It was Wednesday afternoon. I went into the front door of my house and found myself walking to my bedroom. I started to whistle as I observed myself start to pack. It was real crazy. Part of me was in astonished disbelief as it observed the rest of me pack for New York! I was not only packing, but I was actually happy to be going!"

He paused, "It's funny, the move here wasn't an easy one. In fact it was pretty hard. An it has taken me a little while to recapture the lifestyle I had in California. I have even gotten to like it here. I especially like the people in New York. I think that they are great!"

We sat in silence for a while, and he said, "I've got to admit, I wish he would decide to move back to California, I really like it there. I don't think there would be any hesitation for that move at all."

"White Plains!" came the announcement and I unfolded the Journal and began reading. "Maybe next time we sit together I will share how I came to New York. It was even stranger."

A.J.'s Commentary:

There are times when the Soul makes decision for us.

Legals:
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