The One

 Many years ago, in a time of great war and consternation, there was a monastery which had fallen upon hard times. There were few monks left, and they tended to squabble amongst themselves. Everyone was convinced their path was the right path, and the peaceful ways of the past seemed little more than a dream.

In a last ditch attempt to save the monastery, the Abbot went to seek the wisdom of an old rabbi who was reputed to have great insight and wisdom into the ways of men. When the Abbot told the rabbi of the situation, the rabbi shook his head with great concern.

"It is imperative that you find a way to resolve this situation before it is too late," said the rabbi. "For what you do not realize is that among you is the One who will deliver us all from fear into love."

The Abbot asked who among them was the One, but the rabbi would tell him no more. On the way back to the monastery, he wondered who the One could be. "I'll bet it's Brother Arthur," he thought to himself. "He is kind and good. Or perhaps it is Brother Thomas - he is young but already shows great wisdom. Or could it be...no...I mustn't even consider that it might be me!"

On his return, the Abbot shared the news with the monks. While they were startled, there was the ring of truth to what the Abbot had said. The One was amongst them!

As they contemplated which of them it might be, the monks began to treat one another with a very special reverence and respect. After all, someone among them might really be the One. And, on the off chance that each monk himself might be the One, they began to treat themselves with extraordinary respect and reverence as well.

As time went by, the monks developed a gentle, loving quality about them which was hard to quantify but easy to notice. They lived respectfully, in harmony with themselves and nature. An aura of respect and reverence seemed to radiate out from them and permeate the atmosphere. There was something strangely attractive, even compelling about it. Occasional visitors found themselves deeply moved by the life of these monks.

Before long, people were coming from far and wide to be nourished by the life of the monks, and young men were asking to become a part of their community. Within a few short years, the monastery had once again become a thriving order - a vibrant center of light and spirituality in the world.
Author Unknown