and I have my responsibilities to the readers and the world. Instead of trying to convince me not to go, you should encourage me, because I have made up my mind. In any way I wanted to find you to give you a hug.
Having said that, I went up to my mother and we hugged each other. This gesture, tender and vigorous, has recuperated my energies, and it was exactly what I needed to face the next challenges, including this one. After hugging her, I finally say farewell to my mother and walk to the doors with tears in my eyes. In the meantime, I mentally analyse my plans for the trip. What will it be awaiting me? I didn’t have the faintest idea. I was only sure that they would be revitalizing and instigating experiences. Reader, let’s carry on together.
The taxi
After a while, I finally leave the house. Immediately I start looking for a comfortable means of transport, quiet and economical to get to Mimoso. I analyse all the possibilities and end up deciding that the most viable was a taxi, because the distance wasn’t so far (24 Km). The decision taken, I make use of my resources to catch the first one passing by. After some attempts, I finally caught one. The car stops, I get in, close the door and make myself comfortable. At this moment, I sense that I am being scrutinised by the driver, even before he asks me:
—Where to, sir?
I look at him and simply answer:
—We are going to Mimoso, a place near the Ororuba Mountain, a sacred mountain.
Having said this, he looked at me with disdain, saying:
—Well, I know very well where Mimoso is, let’s go. However, I didn’t know that the mountain of Ororuba was sacred. Tell me straight away about this story.
Without wanting to lose too much time at that stage, I promise:
—It is along story. I will tell it during the trip. Can we go? I am anxious to arrive at my destination.
He agrees with me, although not happy, and then the car leaves at a medium speed. In the meantime, now and again, the driver looks at me. What will he think of me? I think for a while and come to the conclusion that his reaction is natural, after all few know about the secret of the cave. However, I am not any fool so that he can treat me in such a way. As a result, I decide to tell the truth.
—Driver, I am ready to explain. What is your name?
— My name is Aurelio and yours?
—My name is Aldivan, but you can call me the seer or son of God. I am going to elaborate so that you can believe in the statement I made a while ago.
—I am ready. You can tell me.
—Approximately a century ago the Xukuru tribes were at war because of the ruses of a sorcerer called Kualopu. For a long time, there were many battles fought and thus the Xukuru nation was in danger of disappear. Thinking about it a kind sorcerer decide to intervene. He made a pact with the forces of the Universe, offering his life in exchange for the end of the war. After that pact a miracle occurred. The sorcerer was killed and the war ended. The sorcerer paid the price and peace was restored. From that day on the mountain of Ororuba became sacred and the cave of despair, located on its top, received miraculous powers capable of turning any dream into reality, provided the dreams are not selfish. It is the second time I have got the pleasure to live on the mountain.
—Very interesting. You say that this is the second time you go there. How was the first time?
— It was a year ago. I was a poor dreamer in search of knowing and controlling my “Opposing forces”. With that objective I climbed the mountain, reached the top, met the guardian (a miraculous being knowing profound mysteries), accomplished challenges, met the ghost, the youth and the little boy, and finally I entered the cave. This last experience changed my life completely, because I became the seer, a being able to surmount the time and space barriers and omniscient through its visions. With my new powers, I could understand the most profound feelings and intentions of other people. Meanwhile, I still cannot say that I am ready. Life is an eternal learning in which the cave was only a stage. Now I am ready for new challenges and therefore my life is back. This time I want to understand my dark night of the soul, the significance of everything I have lived two years ago. I believe I will find answers in the mountain or at least I will begin a new journey.
—Your story is really impressive. I believe you, because I could feel your sincerity. I only did not understand one thing, what is the meaning of this expression, dark night of the soul?
—At this moment, I myself don’t know the complete meaning of dark night. But I can give a basic notion, it is the moment we detach ourselves from Universe benign forces to only think of our vanities. This moment is critical, being able to destroy or to save a human being’s soul, depending of the case.
—I think I understand. I have already passed through the dark night when I was unfaithful to my wife with ladies of the night. When she left me, I realized the true value, I repented and we were able make up. From then on, I was a new man.
—What happened to you I can guarantee it was a lapse. Indeed, the dark night is more profound than we can imagine. I hope to find the answers that I so much need.
—Good luck with your search. I can see you an educated lad, intelligent and determined. Determined people always reach their objectives.
—Thank you. Now I need to meditate and have a rest. Don’t wake me up until we have reached our destination.
Aurelio reassures me and then I concentrate on my inner, forgetting all the preoccupations. Gradually, the body relaxes and the extra-sensorial senses are awakened. Soon I start seeing distorted and confusing images. A while later, rocked by the strength of the thoughts, I see myself in an enormous plain by all sides. I am exactly in the middle of this place. From the right side emerges a scorching and strong sun. It cleanses all my impurities and gives me a sensation of peace and freedom. At the same time, from the left side appears a thick and dark cloud, bringing a heavy atmosphere, full of negative feelings and thoughts. This force is capable of condemning all those nearby, those absorbed by its shadow. Next to it I feel guilty, even without having had a fair judgement. The two forces are getting near all the time, producing in me the meeting of the two “Opposing forces”, that some time ago it seemed I had controlled. Soon after, between the two forces, an angel appears and it carries on the face the mark of the word choice. I invoke it, and the shock between the two opposing forces stops, at least temporarily, leaving me a little more relaxed. Even so, I am not free of the possible interactions of the dark night, which it seems to be part of any and every individual. After the invocation, the angel, the sun, the dark cloud, the scenery, everything disappear and gradually I am becoming conscientious. Finally, I wake up. I feel I am in the same place, inside of a taxi in motion. What will all this mean? In order to find answers, I look out of the window and I see that I am almost at my destination. I am happy, I am closer to get some answers.
The path to the mountain
Finally, the car arrives at the destination and stops. Immediately, I grab my suitcase and I get out with conviction. Leaving, I start to imagine all the aspects of the village center. At first sight, it seems very quiet and cosy just like the last time. I start going forward and some known people come to meet me, trying to help. I thank them and straight away we start chatting. After a short while, I say goodbye, using as an excuse important and urgent business at the mountain. The walk restarts, carrying the heavy suitcase and the undesirable preoccupations. What will await me after climbing the mountain for the second time? How would
