nd

 Here, the elder turned and looked at me.

"I continued , "I say this not a a riddle or to be clever. I say this with the utmost respect. I heard a holy man once say, "I prefer the perception of Being to the concept of a self'. I guess that sums up in words what I find difficult to express in a few short minutes."

I looked at this man, my mind clear and open, my beingness, also clear and open. This was just like the time he put his forehead on mine 

"This says a lot when I say it, but it may convey nothing to you." 

I finished my statement with a smile and put my hand out. When he took my hand, I returned that special handshake as I looked directly at him.

-From Neisthes journals  "Into the Night"