The Enduring

A couple of years after the death of Yakaboobis's body, Yakataboof still missed his dear master and friend. They still talked via heart transmission, even engaged in philosophical debate which always ended in a nod of, "love you, man." But Yakataboof so missed keeping up and following his beloved master as he served him on all of his missions of utmost importance. His own exploits lacked the enjoyment of their mutual hilarity. Being with Yakaboobis had always given him an intimacy with the heart of life that he just didn't feel on his own. No one loved life and lived that love so fully as his dearest friend, Yakaboobis. He missed those days of wandering around with his master/friend. Yakaboobis was probably living it up (or whatever the non-living do) with his goddess friend. Still, Yakataboof looked for the signs that his friend might be here again and though he didn't believe in reincarnation, he had heard that in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition there were stories of spiritually advanced—even enlightened—masters taking on yet another body to further the work and play of enlightenment. If he could look for the signs like the Tibetan Buddhists did, he might be able to find Yakaboobis again—of course, in another, newly acquired birth—and they could continue on with their exploits.

He had some ideas where to start his search, as Yakaboobis himself had hinted of certain places he was most endeared to. Yakataboof had some of his master's most personal and reverent possessions and if he ever met a young'n that he suspected of being his dear friend showing up on the stage of life, he would present them (among other choicy objects) to the young'n to see if he could pick his own previous possessions. The Tibetans thought this was good evidence of previous authenticity and it was good enough for him as well.

So Yakataboof wandered and returned to some of the places of his most favorite exploits with Yakaboobis. He wandered to a small town on the west coast of Kalifornia and picked up the scent there. He hung out at the best local swimming hole, bought some veggies and fruit at the local farmers market, and met some local women who invited him over for a great vegetable wok out (along with homemade kombucha). One of the women, big-boned with a captivating smile, had her son with her. He was about 2 or 2 and a half. He was big for his age, strong, and his features were like his mother's—he too had a captivating smile. Yakataboof played with the lad for a while and was drawn to him. His heart missed his friend Yakaboobis when he was with the wee lad, and he thought the big-for-his-age toddler stared at him for an uncomfortably long time. Yakataboof flirted mercilessly with the lad's mother, and she invited him over for dinner and breakfast (we know what that means!). Yakataboof showed up at Laralae's door with his bag of prized Yakaboobis possessions and other goodies that a two-year-old would love. He joked with Laralae about playing the Tibetan Buddhist reincarnation game with her lad (who was interestingly named Baobis). He thought the name had roots in his master/friend's name of Yakaboobis. Laralae didn't understand what was behind Yakataboof's interest, but that didn't matter to her—she was already won over by his charm (that unrelenting charisma of his) and his skilled lovemaking maneuvers. Yakataboof laid out the objects for the wee lad to choose at his own impulse among the toys that any two-year-old boy might like (including lollipops and other candies). He placed Yakaboobis's iPhone, wrist mala, his Native American flute and moccasins, his ceramic teacup, and his sunglasses. There was one more object he added carefully at the end, as it was old and well-worn. It was a note of welcoming hilarity that Yakaboobis had sent him many years ago at the beginning of his apprenticeship to his great master.

Yakataboof motioned to the toddler. "Take whatever you like," he urged him on. The toddler smiled and laughed and clapped his hands. He straddled, teetered, and balanced himself around the objects. Right away he was delighted by the candy, as his mother rarely allowed him such treats, and picked up the lollipop and sucked on it. He plucked up the toys as well, the mini cars, and he kicked the soccer ball. He was having a delightful time, and Yakataboof was delighted by his antics. After he played with all the toys and, after not giving any attention to the objects that were Yakaboobis's, Baobis sat down with his blanket. He was tired, and his mother said it was time for his nap. He had not chosen any (not even one) of Yakaboobis's objects that were well used and loved by Yakataboof's master. Baobis sat on his mother's lap, and Yakataboof looked at the child. He had such high hopes that the wee lad was his own master Yakaboobis, taking on another aspect to continue his great work (and hope beyond all hope now) to be with him again.

Maybe this escapade is just wishful thinking on my part, he thought. He smiled at the boy, and though the boy was evidently very tired, he smiled back. The man and the wee lad held each other's gaze even as the boy was drifting into sleep. The boy would doze and open his eyes and smile again and again at Yakataboof. Yakataboof's heart stirred; he felt such a love towards the boy, and this surprised him and delighted him, and he saw the boy emanating his love toward him.

His heart spoke to the boy, "Master, is that you? Why didn't you choose any of your beloved objects if it is you?"

The boy opened his tired eyes and heart-spoke to Yakataboof, "Why would I want any of that old crap? It's been done. Come back when you have the latest version of the iPhone; I'll choose that!"

Yakataboof's heart laughed, and the laugh escaped through his belly and then made a bellowing sound coming from his lips. "It's you! It's you!" he declared.

Laralae looked puzzled and said, "Time for your nap, young man; you can play with your new friend later."

Yakataboof couldn't resist tickling the wee lad. He thanked Laralae profusely and danced a jig as he closed the door behind him. He thought of all the exploits and great adventures he had shared with Yakaboobis in his earlier form. He had an impulse to write them down and share them with Baobis (but of course, not in chronological order). He also wondered what new adventures lay ahead. He didn't know how the future would play out or what missions or danger they would face in serving the happiness of enlightenment. He only knew one thing with absolute endearing certainty: he loved his heart-master friend with the limitless depth that only the heart knew and could live! Only the heart of love could make the impossible possible. Yakataboof and his great heart master would always be together. Their hearts, their lives, their exploits would always continue to endure and endear them to everyone in need of their heart to be lived.

Part 2

How did it come about that Yakataboof met his heart-friend and master Yakaboobis? That part of the story begins with Yakaboobis—the master always finds those destined to be with him (or her, as in my case). It is their mysterious work, and I don't even understand it myself, but I'll let Yakaboobis tell the story:

I've always known my dear friend Yakataboof, and in each life, I find him again. It's always the same. I find the clues to his whereabouts and show up nonchalantly and draw him in by opening his mind to what his heart already knows.

My life as Yakaboobis was indeed a splendid one—one I enjoyed immensely. We traveled a lot (even to other worlds), had several close calls, a lot of dangerous situations we had to accomplish our work in. Yakataboof always served with great attention and learned my ways and siddhis quickly. He always knew how to ease the tension of any situation with a godly absurd crack that made the most locked-down, serious mess ease up and split open. He was (and is) a splendid companion and has learned well—so well that he was able to find me himself (I did put down a few clues!) while he was in the same bodily life and I was a wee lad. Good work, Yakataboof!

In the life of our friendship, I as Yakaboobis and he as Yakataboof, I had been searching for my companion friend for over 20 years. Twenty years! Imagine that! Imagine such a search and such a wait to begin what you already knew will be the best of times any two good mates can have together. I was already 40 when I spotted Yakataboof for the first time. How did I know it was him? Sure, there were signs and clues I followed, but when you're finally face to face with your best friend, you know it—you know it! There is no room for doubt or even questions for that matter. The heart always knows. It's that simple. It can take a long time for what is simple to obviously appear. It's always like that. The most sublime, beautiful moments just appear as natural as the sun shines, and you step into the bright ray, the bright moment. I had been waiting for 20 years for that natural moment to occur. That moment of face-to-face heart recognition by two people who appear separate but know that they are meant to be together because they are one. I knew it when I saw Yakataboof flirting with two women at the bookstore's coffee counter. He didn't notice me. That gave me the time to watch him and assess how much he was remembering and accessing of his deeper knowledge. I saw I had my work cut out for me. He was a sheer beginner. He had not come into any deeper remembering yet. I had a good break when the two women managed to break away from Yakataboof's charm to attend to their bathroom needs (coffee will move it along!). He watched them as they made their way through the store, and then he turned my way.

I nodded at him and smiled briefly. I said, "Looks like you are having a good day so far." He laughed and took a sip of his coffee. I added, "You met your match today."

He turned to look at me. I saw a look of confusion come over his face. He was struggling, trying to understand my words, but had no clue why I said them. He did seem to struggle with the possibility that they might have a deeper context or meaning. We then waited in silence, separately sipping our coffees, pretending to be strangers. I could see that he was getting uncomfortable waiting for the women. They never did return. They must have given him the slip. I figured neither wanted to let the other go with him, so by default they stayed with each other, thus ensuring their friendship would continue—wise choice.

He was getting ready to leave, a bit upset that the women didn't return. He turned to give me a nod and say his socially polite goodbye. I said (I think in a rather stern voice), "Sit down and let's begin." And he sat down and we began our friendship. I had him laughing and he told me about his life thus far. He had finished his studies, had traveled to the East (Asia), and now was faced with getting serious about some real employment. I told him I was starting up a new company. "What do you do?" he asked. "What does your company do?"

"I, my company, studies old ways of thinking and doing that are not viable, and shows people a better way of thinking and doing that frees people from the drudgery of things and ideas that no longer work and are at a dead end. I look for and provide ways of seeing and understanding that open the mind to greater possibilities."

"Wow," he said, "That's mind blowing."

I thought, you have no idea how mind blowing it is! At the end of our talk, I knew we would see each other again. I would help to free him from his dead-end thoughts and trigger a volcano of deeper remembering. Our adventures were only beginning. It was a good first meeting.