"
During the next few weeks, Giles and Claire fearfully recalled
Rama's threat that deserters would look and feel like hell.
Nonetheless, they stopped attending meetings and trips to the desert,
where Rama kept trying to disappear.
"Some of you still harbor doubts that I can disappear," Rama accused
the several hundred disciples who sat around him in a circle.
"But perhaps if I dissolve someone else, you will find it easier to see.
Tonight I will be dissolving an old friend of mine. Mark, would you
come up here, please."
I walked toward him. I was thrilled. My heart was pumping fast.
I loved being the center of attention.
"Now, close your eyes," he said, placing his hand on my forehead.
He flashed me a devilish grin. "This won't hurt a bit."
I closed my lids. After several seconds, I felt detached from my
thought process. It was as if I could visually observe a thought as
it formed, connected with meaning, and vanished. One thought had been:
"What is going on?" As I tried to anticipate my next thought,
I ended up instead observing the thought of anticipating a thought--
when suddenly a volley of words jarred me out of the trance.
"Earth to Mark. Come in Mark."
I opened my eyes and saw Rama towering above me, laughing softly.
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