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COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SIMONCHAPTER FIVE1CHAPTER FIVE1.It was a bright, sunny morning and I began towalk back along the Golden Way, up the hill andon towards the City. Very soon I saw Ramurabiwaiting for me on the Path up ahead, and soon wewere walking together. After a short while, wecame upon a cluster of brightly coloured tents ina field just to the side of the Path. 2. Flags wereflying, benches and tables were laid out, andcrowds of people were milling around, alldressed in bright clothes. The whole scene waslike an English medieval carnival. 3. Childrenwere running around laughing, chasing eachother in and out of the tents. Some of them wereplaying on swingboats, and nearly all of themseemed to have balloons. There were clowns, anda man walking on stilts. 4. At the far end of thefield a large trestle table was set out with allkinds of food: there was roast Turkey, potatoes,vegetables, fruit of all kinds, Ice cream, soupsand broths, puddings and much, much more. Simon begins his return to the Golden City andthings are bright: he is optimistic and hasrenewed energy, the day is bright and sunny andhe has the Golden path to follow. No sooner hashe begun that he sees his Faithful Brother,Ramurabi waiting for him, ready to escort himalong the Path again. After a short while, theycome across a scene not there when Simon hadturned away from the City Gate earlier. Then, the journey was desolate, but now in complete
 
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SIMONCHAPTER FIVE2contrast, he comes across many people allgathered together and enjoying a carnival. Thescene is one of colour, vibrancy and enjoyment.Everyone is on holiday from work and familiesare together in laughter and play.A few yardsbehind the trestle was a large tent where all thefood was being prepared, and in front of thisstood a large, smiling, bearded man, wearing anapron. He was sharpening a carving knife. 5.“Welcome!” he said in a hearty and jovial voice,“Come, sit down and eat what you like!” Onseeing my hesitancy he invited me again. “Come,sit down and eat to your heart’s content. All yourfavourite food is here. You are most welcome to join us on our feast day!”.Immediately, Simon isinvited to join the festivities if he wishes to, to sitdown and eat to his heart’s content. Simon isnaturally reticent: he feels that he is an intruderand that he does not deserve to eat or join inbecause he does not know these people. But theman warmly invites him again, reassuring Simon.6.Ramurabi told me that he was the Feast Master.Ramurabi informs Simon that this man is amanifestation of God as Master of the Feast, hisdomain being festivals. And again, this is quitestrange to Simon who has been brought up withan austere view of God, a God that is somewhatdistant and remote. The idea of God in play andcarnival is an unusual combination for Simon.The Feast Master laughed as everyone,particularly the children, seemed to be having ahigh old time. 7. Many people were now sitting at
 
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SIMONCHAPTER FIVE3the trestle of food and helping themselves togenerous helpings of their favourite food.TheFeast Master is a jovial fellow, laughing andwelcoming to everyone in the festival, but mostparticularly children. It is children who knowhow to play and enjoy themselves: they seem tobe having a particularly joyful, excitable,exuberant time. Simon is reminded that it isimportant for him to keep in touch with whattherapists describe as his Inner Child, that joyful,playful, mischievous aspect to his nature that isso often drowned out or suppressed by adultconcerns and behaviour. If Simon is to trulyenjoy himself at a festival or party, his child-likenature is the aspect that he has to allow to cometo the surface and be expressed. At this secondinvitation, Simon and Ramurabi, seeing everyoneelse beginning to enjoy the food, join in andbegin to eat.8. “What is the festival for?” I asked Ramurabi.9. “It is the pilgrim’s feast day of thanksgivingfor all the food and provision that they haveenjoyed during the past year.”, said Ramurabi.“Many of those who find themselves on theGolden Way wish to have feast days, celebrationsand festivities; special days that mark their journey or aspects of God that they have come tolove and understand, or days when they can re-focus on dedicating themselves to the Way.Asthey are eating, Simon asks Ramurabi what thepeople are celebrating. Ramurabi indicates thatthey are giving thanks for all the food and
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