Read Online The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure by James Redfield - Free Book Online

formed the basis of and radiated outward from all things, including ourselves.
    I pondered that idea for a moment, then read something that fascinated me: the Manuscript said the human perception of this energy first begins with a heightened sensitivity to beauty. As I thought about this, the sound of someone walking along the path below drew my attention. I saw Sarah at the exact moment she looked toward the knoll and spotted me.
    “This place is great,” she said when she reached me. “Have you come to the part about the perception of beauty yet?”
    “Yes,” I said. “But I’m not sure what that means.”
    “Further in the Manuscript,” she said, “it goes into more detail, but I’ll explain it briefly. The perception of beauty is a kind of barometer telling each of us how close we are to actually perceiving the energy. This is clear because once you observe this energy, you realize it’s on the same continuum as beauty.”
    “You sound like you see it,” I said.
    She looked at me without the slightest self-consciousness. “Yes, I do, but the first thing I developed was a deeper appreciation of beauty.”
    “But how does that work. Isn’t beauty relative?”
    She shook her head. “The things that we perceive as beautiful may be different, but the actual characteristics we ascribe to beautiful objects are similar. Think about it. When something strikes us as beautiful, it displays more presence and sharpness of shape and vividness of color, doesn’t it? It stands out. It shines. It seems almost iridescent compared to the dullness of other objects less attractive.”
    I nodded.
    “Look at this spot,” she continued. “I know you are blown away by it because we all are. This place leaps out at you. The colors and shapes seem magnified Well, the very next level of perception is to see an energy field hovering about everything.”
    I must have looked bewildered because she laughed, then said very seriously, “Perhaps we should walk on to the gardens. They’re about a half mile farther south. I think you’ll find them interesting.” I thanked her for taking the time to explain the Manuscript to me, a total stranger, and for showing me around Viciente. She shrugged her shoulders.
    “You seem like a person friendly to what we’re trying to do,” she said. “And we all know we’re involved in a public relations effort here. For this research to continue, we must get the word out in the United States and elsewhere. The local authorities don’t seem to like us much.”
    Suddenly a voice called out from behind. “Excuse me, please!” We turned to see three men walking quickly up the path toward us. All appeared to be in their late forties and were dressed in stylish clothes.
    “Would one of you tell me where the research gardens are?” the taller of the three asked.
    “Could you tell me what your business here is?” Sarah asked in return.
    “My colleagues and I have permission from the owner of this estate to examine the gardens and to speak with someone about the so-called research being conducted here. We are from the University of Peru.”
    “Sounds as though you’re not in agreement with our findings,” Sarah said smiling, obviously trying to lighten the situation.
    “Absolutely not,” another of the men said. “We think it is preposterous to claim that some mysterious energy can now be seen, when it has never been observed before.”
    “Have you tried to see it?” Sarah queried.
    The man ignored the question and asked again, “Can you direct us to the gardens?”
    “Of course,” Sarah said. “About a hundred yards ahead you will see a path turning east. Take it and ahead maybe a quarter of a mile you’ll run into them.”
    “Thank you,” the tall man said as they hurried on their way.
    “You sent them in the wrong direction,” I said.
    “Not really,” she replied. “There are other gardens in that area. And the people there are more prepared to talk with these kinds of