The Weeping Prophet (a parable)

There was once a man so inspired with the wisdom of God that, whenever he would begin to meditate, another insight would flash before his mind. So profound were these insights, or "openings", and so taken was he with their brilliance, that he would immediately break-off his meditation in order to record them, lest they be forgotten and lost forever.

In this manner, he proceeded for many years, writing many books, and drawing many souls into the mysteries of God. Yet he himself never experienced the deep and abiding peace which, in his heart of hearts, he sought to receive from the Lord, and which unbroken meditation would have procured for him.

Then, one day, after he had become old and feeble, and could see his own death approaching from not far off, he finally came to give priority to silence over even the most exalted speech. It was then that he dismissed the fine thoughts which clamored for his attention, and sank into a truly blissful union with the mystical God.

From such an incredible state of oneness, he came at last to see that his words, and even the most precious sayings of his lord, Jesus Christ, were as nothing -- specks of dust -- in comparison with the inner experience of God's love, light, truth, presence, and peace. He wept bitterly for all the time he had lost.

What he did not know then, was that the insights he dismissed were never lost, but mysteriously found their way to another vessel, ready and willing to record them.