‘O My Beloved – br I lose myself in the world’s distracting multiplicity, br yet cannot find the One in my restless mind – br I am in a desert place, a place of desolation… ’ br br My Beloved said br see the reeds, gently swaying like swooning dervishes br on the river bank, their feet in the water – br a man could sit for hours and watch them – br are they not beautiful? br br See now the reed-flute, so carefully crafted, br waiting there to sound out sadness, love and joy – br is it not beautiful? br br See the musician – how his eyes shine br with the music in his soul! br Is he not beautiful? br br Hear the music that he plays – br telling its stories of life and death, of heaven and earth – br is it not beautiful? br br Now watch him as he plays br the music which is himself br on the flute made from the willing reed – br am I not the One you hear in this? br br I am beautiful in My Oneness; br I am beautiful in My multiplicity; br Is there a greater miracle than this? br br And you, the witness of all this in Me – br is there a greater miracle than yourself?br br Michael Shepherdbr br