Day one in the Grass Sea, learning the new way.

Bjorn had gone wandering with Mika to the grass sea partly out of boredom and out of curiosity than for any other reason, wondering what sort of people Mika's were. Now as they followed the meandering pathway, through the brambles and low veld grasses his fascination at each turn ahead took over and he was lost in anticipation, wondering what wonders he would encounter. Here one could become lost, Mika explained and there were tribes living within miles of each other who had never known of one another’s existence, so dense was the grass sea. He cautioned Bjorn that they too could become lost in the grain stalks and reeds if they didn't stick close together. Bjorn, at first thought this was folly, but soon learned Mika was not simply speaking facetiously as the grasses grew to a height that blocked out the sun in spots and left them in dense undergrowth. Here Bjorn began to see how there were indeed tribes in the grasslands that no one had ever encountered. A foot in the wrong place and the traveler might never find the way back out of this forest of grass. Enchanting though it was, it was no less a dangerous endeavor to the inexperienced and the novice.1

* Bjorn let Mika do the leading. There was much to see and he kept close to his guides heels. In the grasses, birds, lopers and small hare, snakes and giant pack rats and various marsupials were abounding. A man could live here eating abundantly on the grains, the fruits of the many plants and the animal life, never having to wander more than a mile in any direction for their whole life. Springs of water were abundant everywhere, feeding the lush grass sea, and all its inhabitants. Birds and small creatures played about these. Mika explained that the people of the grass sea were experts at weaving baskets for carrying, cooking, keeping stores, and even as furnishings or entire dwellings. "As you will soon see Bjorn, the people of the grasslands live in huts, woven from the very grasses that surround us on all sides." He related how the people of the grass sea, lived in enormous woven baskets, slept in hammocks and sat on chairs, at tables all made of weavings turned out on these specially designed looms. 2

By the end of the second day they had left the plains at the base of the falls far behind and Mika had told Bjorn all sorts of stories about the people of the grass sea. But, he had also made certain that Bjorn spend some time in the walk meditating. As he did so, Bjorn became aware that here in the grass sea, with the senses confounded by the ever receding and always imposing grass walls, his consciousness and awareness took on a radically altered state. Before long he could not differentiate his own energy from that of the surroundings and for the first time, he felt himself slipping out of his own body into the energy flow of the great grass sea. It was frightening at first. He had lost control. He tried to regain his composure but something in him nagged at him to go on and let himself fly away. It was then that he realized Mika was there with him, in fact, in him. Mika’s words, though he spoke none, encouraged Bjorn to allow himself to drift on the energies of the “net” as he referred to it, and leave the barriers and confinements of the corporeal behind.3

Quite suddenly Bjorn found himself high over the grass sea examining it as though he were a bird. He even felt his energy slip into other birds he spotted flying by and let them take him where ever they wanted. All this time Mika was with him, guiding him, encouraging him, and giving him instruction on how to use this new awareness of his. 4


Bjorn felt the energy of the sun wanting to become one with it, but Mika forbid it, saying those uninitiated would never be able to come back if they slipped to soon into the maelstrom. He felt the power of the water and the wind, but restrained himself, anxious for the day when he would be able to be one with that great strength. For the time being, he enjoyed his ability to become one with the birds and his awareness of their thinking and their pattern of speech with one another. The birds didn’t seem to mind his energy mingling with theirs and went on about their business with no alteration.5

Mika also led Bjorn to mix his energy with that of the other creatures of the grass sea. The wild dogs, the cats, the lopers, the enormous moles burrowing through the soft soil, and even the fish which swam through the waters of the many streams meandering the length of the sea. Each had their story to tell and Bjorn could see how he might spend an eternity just learning about the different animals from the hosts own thoughts. It was no wonder Mika was so eager to return to the Sampo. What a joyous life they must have, he imagined, able to slip their bonds and become completely one with the energy of the grass sea and all the inhabitants of it. 6

By the edge of nightfall, Bjorn felt himself slipping back into his own body. By the time he became fully aware again, he found that they had traveled a great distance, though he could not recall the journey, being so intensely occupied with his exploration of the “net”. Mika was, again, preparing dinner, this time with many foods he’d never seen. He looked up smiling.
“Well, Bjorn, friend, what did you think of your first journey on the elements?”
“It was fabulous Mika. I can’t wait to tell Korok.” Bjorn came to Mika’s side, wondering what the pile of vegetables was. “He will want to travel the “net” as well, I’m sure. Can you teach him?”
At this Mika laughed. “Probably easier than I introduced it to you, I should imagine.” He pared great white tubers as he spoke. “Korok is much like a child and it is best to come to the web of life and the master as a child, with no reservations and completely open minded.” 7

Bjorn watched as Mika prepared dinner and made a vow to himself that he would be open minded as well, that he could learn as much as soon as possible. If he could slip the bonds of his body in times of battle, he was sure it would make him a greater warrior. He wondered if it could be done.
“Of course it can be done,” Mika interjected, though for the first time, he didn’t speak but simply directed his thoughts to Bjorn. A bit shocked Bjorn began to reply but found he didn’t have to. Mika’s smile told him his thoughts had conveyed themselves quite readily.8

“Surprised, “he heard Mika’s voice speaking in his head. “Don’t be Bjorn, for you are experiencing another of the gifts of Karuke. You are learning to become one spirit, in thought. If you haven’t figured it out yet, this was the reason you could travel without knowing you were traveling today. I simply moved into your space and took control of your body, making sure it continued to move on as you enjoyed your freedom. Soon you will be able to leave enough energy behind to do the same on your own, or even to move my body or any body you choose, in the same manner. Then you will be able to drift on the energy of the net while your body occupies itself with the mundane.” And Bjorn’s excitement grew even more. Somewhere inside him was a question though he dared not reveal, now at least, even to himself, one which he would ask about of Mika, but not just yet.9

“Well, it’s dinner time, Bjorn, help yourself to a leaf, he said pointing to a stack of giant fan shaped leaves Mika had collected and piled up, “and sample all that is here. We have grain loaf, we have potatoes, we have freshly cooked onions and there are some delicious varge, which he explained were some giant leaf cutting insect, favored by the people of the sea. Bjorn took a bit of each thing, sampling it gingerly at first then tearing into the meal with the hunger of a starving wolf. Never had he tasted anything as delicious as these things fresh from the grass sea. And, he ate until he could not consume another bite. Finally, satiated and happy, he lay to rest and was soon lost in dreams once more, feeling as though he were flying away on a carpet of wonders.