Transcend: A Spiritual Journey

By Peggy Jiang

Is there life after death? Why are we here? What is the purpose of our existence? This beautifully written short story begins with a thought provoking view of the universe and how earthly desires give rise to human existence. It then describes how the agonizing pain of the death of a loved one prompted the journey of a spiritual quest. Lastly, while searching for the meaning of life, one gains the deepest appreciation of nature and the understanding of how we are all part of an ingenious design and that death is part of a continuous process of rebirth and renewal of nature and the universe.

"Jiang delivers an ultimately uplifting modern-day Buddhist parable." - Kirkus Review

In this heartwarming and an intended quick read (the story is both fast paced and stays focused on the meaning of the book without unnecessary language or details), the author takes the readers through the spiritual journeys of a couple who, after the death of their mother, mourn their loss following two different paths. In the end, both realize that death is part of nature and love is not only nature's way to ensure our continual survival; it is the foundation of our earthly existence and beyond. Don't miss this engaging tale of love and loss, it will lift your spirit and brighten your day!

“ ... an engaging family drama with a spiritual message." - Kirkus Review

• Language: English
• Publisher: Peggy Jiang
• Release date: Jan 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301417872

Book preview

TRANSCEND

Peggy Jiang

TRANSCEND

Peggy Jiang

Copyright © 2013 by Peggy Jiang

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. The material in this publication is protected by copyright law.

No part of the material may be reproduced (including by storage in a retrieval system) or transmitted in any form or by any means, adapted, rented or lent without permissions.

Applications for permissions should

be addressed to the author of this book.

[e-mail]

A catalogue record for this book is

available from the Library of Congress.

A dedication

to my mother Yoshiko.

She was the symbol of

courage, grace and beauty;

she was the pillar of strength,

rays of light and

inspiration to all who knew her.

Table of Contents

Formless to Physical Realm

Descend Into The Human Realm

Life Together

First Encounter

Seed Of Love

Bond For Life

Pearl

Pearl’s Passing

Spiritual Path

Bryant’s Spiritual Awakening

Grace’s Spiritual Decline

A Second Change

Daughter’s Arrival

Grace’s Spiritual Awakening

Grace’s Wishes

Transcend

Final Goodbye

Formless to Physical Realm

Energy forces colorless, weightless, thoughtless, free flowing; traveling and penetrating infinitely through the universe. The vast universe with its infinite number of dimensions interwoven together; conceptually, it brings to mind a beautiful, boundless, translucent structure with infinite numbers of intercepting layers. Although seemingly complex, its intricate design is naturally understood by a clear and uncluttered mind.

In this universe, each dimensional world contains within it characteristics and experiences unique only to itself. Each dimension offers a panoramic view of the ones within it. While all the dimensions seem like a vast empty space, the imageries within each dimensional world are only seen with a consciousness that wishes to view them.

Descend Into The Human Realm

I see below me, a peaceful little village, with beautiful green hills and clear streams traveling down the hills. Towards the bottom of the hills, there is a lake with crisp, cool and clear water. There is a gentle breeze blowing across the clear water and causing a rippling effect. I follow the ripples and I see a farm house nearby; a young mother caressing her baby boy, a cute little girl chasing after baby chicks, the father leisurely playing beautiful music with the violin. Friends and neighbors gather at the front of the house, laughing, talking, eating and drinking.

In this world, there are beautiful flowers to touch and feel. There are delicious fruits and food for my enjoyment. There is love to be had and shared. I am drawn to this world and all that is associated with it.

I wish for an experience of the flesh. On my wish to descend into a physical existence and into the three dimensional world, I realize I will lose my supernatural powers, such as the abilities to be at all places at will and at once, to traverse through higher dimensional worlds and telepathic comprehension. As long as my energy is trapped inside a physical body, my consciousness will be limited to the physical experiences of the human flesh and all natural laws that govern the workings of a human existence.

Life Together

Grace’s mother could no longer stay in Taiwan due to the villagers’ cruel treatments toward her. In addition to being alienated, the villagers would throw stones at her while she walked home from the market. They refused to sell groceries to her because she was Japanese.

The prolonged war between China and Japan had disrupted the tranquility of this once peaceful little town. It had also turned a once friendly town toward Japanese into a hostile one. Grace’s mother decided to go back to Japan, because her husband was now living with his third mistress. It was clear to see that he had lost his interest in her. He was not and had never been sympathetic to her plight.

Having survived twelve years of chaos at home with both parents fighting constantly and with mother departed back to Japan yet returning back to Taiwan again and again, Grace found herself welcoming the space and quietness in this big two story old house. She was again all by herself, sitting in front of the piano, learning to play Chopin on her own.

At twelve years old, a regal girl with