He was the leader of a large country of substantial wealth. He had great power but was a good ruler, yet he was not satisfied. He went forth to his advisers (the wisest men he knew) and asked of them “How can I know if I have a perfect soul?”

His counselors conferred among themselves and being wise indeed said, “Oh omnipotent ruler, yours is the perfect soul! There can be none finer.”

But the ruler wasn’t satisfied with this answer, for he did not know himself if this was true. How did one measure the worth and value of a perfect soul?

He called forth all of his couriers and instructed them to scour the land and find perfect souls so he could compare himself to them.

While he waited for their return he thought about his personal assets as it related to being a human being. Was he worthy? A perfect soul had become increasingly important to him for some reason that he could not fathom.

Some time later his couriers returned, each with new ideas for what the perfect soul would contain but none had returned with a “perfect soul”. Still, one and all proclaimed that their ruler indeed was in possession of the perfect soul. And yet he pondered and worried about whether it was true.

So he sent forth a new quest in his land. He asked the question “What is the perfect soul”? He proclaimed that the one who best answered his question would have all the riches he or she could desire.

Crowds of his people flocked to the courts. Each person given the unique opportunity for a private audience with their king to answer the question.

As the days and months past the king became more convinced that there was no such thing as the perfect soul. Many very wise and some equally foolish people past his door to share their understanding of a perfect soul. The goal for most of them, of course, promised riches for the right answer.

One day the king, becoming overly weary of the same responses, dismissed everyone. He told all those in the great halls to depart, he wanted peace, relief from the noisy cacophony of his people. As the assembly hall emptied he noticed a slightly golden glow emanating from a simply clothed figure sitting unnoticed in the corner of the great hall.

The king now alone in the room, except for this one unassuming figure, approached her. At first glance she appeared quite nondescript but her calm demeanor and manner belied her rather ordinary physical appearance. As he came to stand next to her, she lifted her eyes and gazed deeply into his. She smiled a soothing smile.

“My king”. She said bowing her head and then returning her gentle gaze upon him.

He didn’t know what made him ask this person, this least of all individuals, his important question but he did.

“How can I know if I have the perfect soul?” He asked.

She thought for a moment and then responded, the glow of her own soul shining clear and strong as she replied.

“Your soul seeks to be full and complete, even on the most difficult of your lifetime days of activities. Your soul strives mightily on your behalf. You need search no further. Be at peace, your soul will answer your question in it’s own time. You are a good man and a great king, live your life now, quest no more for the answer. It will find it’s way to you as is the way of all souls.”

“How can you be sure?” He asked this soft spoken woman.

The pure radiance of light that now shone from her was near onto blinding the kings eyes, yet he stood firm and waited for her answer … and it came, simply and with no fanfare, just a surety and certainty that wiped away his doubts, worries and fears.

Her answer – I believe!

*

Thank you,

~ Penny