The Way of the Wanderer: Neko

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Guest Post by Paul Hillman

My mission:

“You must assist people using what they understand. Simple ideas for simple minds. Young things for young people, something fun, imaginative, maybe even a little silly. More complex ideas for highly intelligent people. Realistic things for people who are struggling.

“What you say must appeal to what they want or need at that exact moment. It has to offer them a solution to the problem they are experiencing. Then, people will respond and grow into a healthier, more spiritual life.”

“But how will I know what to say, Master?” I asked.

“You will know. Listen to your heart. Relax and let me flow through you and become what that person needs. If you can do that, I will provide them with what they need, not necessarily what they want.”

Neko

It was raining, typical for Portland in the spring, and the old man strolled down the street toward a bus stop, where a young man sat on a bench out of the rain inside the enclosure. The twenty-something youth wore ragged, threadbare but clean jeans and an equally well-used leather jacket buttoned tight on his lean body. His dark hair was long and wet, slicked back away from a face that bore several days of unshaved stubble. He sat hunched over, resting his arms on his knees as though reading a cell phone, but no phone was in his hands. He stared down at the sidewalk like it was interesting.

As the old man arrived at the shelter, he shook the rain from his umbrella and closed it. Tucking it under his arm, he tugged his raincoat close around him and sat beside the young man on the other end of the bench. 

“Hello! How are you?” the old man said as though greeting an old friend. Running his hands through his white hair, he used the moisture to smooth his long white beard.

“Do I know you?” the young man said, glancing briefly at him before returning to stare at the cement.

“Yes… and no. This lifetime, no. But we’ve known each other for many lifetimes.”

The young man sat upright and looked at the old man as though for the first time. Frowning, he studied the man’s face. It was a pleasant face, wrinkled and discolored like many old people, but his blue eyes shined, and his smile seemed genuine.

“What do you mean other lifetimes? What are you, a religious wacko?” he said with a chuckle.

“No, just a friend who wants to remind you why you are here. My name is Steve.” The old man extended his hand.

“Well, Steve, I’m Neko,” he said, briefly shaking Steve’s hand. I know why I’m here. Now, go away and leave me alone.” Although he sounded irritated, he grinned.

“So, do you remember why you chose to be born into this life?”

Neko snorted a chuckle. “I didn’t choose this life. I was an accident of birth, just like my mother told me before she left. The same as my father did.”

“Yes, I know. And what was the result of their leaving?”

Neko kept staring at the sidewalk. “I have only myself. No one cares.”

Steve nodded. “Made you strong, though, didn’t it? You had to be to survive. And that’s good.”

Neko snorted, still hunched over. “Good, huh? What’s good about growing up alone?”

“Were you alone? You had friends. What about your grandmother?”

“She died years ago.” Neko cast a sideways look, wondering how this stranger could possibly know about his past.

“She loved you, and so did your grandfather. You enjoyed going to stay with them.”

Neko took a deep breath. “Yeah.”

“Remember what your grandfather told you just before he passed away?” Steve asked as kindly as he could.

Neko sat up, staring into space. “You can do whatever you want. You’re strong,” he said as though in a trance, then turned to Steve. “How did you know that?”

Steve smiled. “I knew your grandfather. He was a friend of mine.” He turned toward Neko and looked deeply into his eyes. “Your grandfather wanted you to know something important, but he ran out of time before he could do so. Do you want to know?”

“I don’t know. I think you may be just a crazy old man.” Neko stared into Steve’s eyes for a minute before smiling. “But I think you mean well…I mean, you seem to be okay.”

Steve smiled and nodded.

“Okay, so what did my grandpa want me to know?” 

“You’ve lived many lifetimes and have been reincarnated so many times no one can count them. This lifetime, you are ready to take the next step. Last time, you met the “Wayshower” briefly and didn’t do anything about it.”

“The Wayshower? Who’s that? Sounds like some Hawaiian guru or something?”

Steve chuckled. “No, the Wayshower is here on earth to guide individuals like you in fulfilling their life’s purpose.” This great being has appeared in different forms throughout history.

“My purpose? I don’t have a purpose,” Neko said but sounded less certain.

“You do, and that’s why you chose this lifetime.”

“So, what’s my purpose then?” Neko said defiantly.

“I don’t know. That’s between you and God. But the Wayshower can help you find out.”

“Yeah, sure. It must be more complicated than that. And it probably costs a bundle.”

“Nope. It’s simple, as simple as we are talking now. All you have to do is sing ‘HU.’”

“Hugh? Why Hugh? Who’s he, this Wayshower dude?”

Steve chuckled. “No, HU is an ancient name for God. And you can sing it aloud or silently within your mind. You sing it like this.” Steve closed his eyes and sang, “Huuuuuuuu.” Then, he took a deep breath and sang again, “Huuuuuuuu.” Steve took a yellow card from his pocket and handed it to Neko. On the card was the word “HU” and printed instructions.¹

“You should find a quiet place and softly sing it aloud, causing your chest to vibrate as you sing. Watch for a white or blue light within your third eye—inside you between your eyebrows—and listen within you for a sound like water flowing, birds chirping, or a simple humming sound. Doing this for ten to twenty minutes will make you feel relaxed and more certain about what you came here to do in this lifetime.”

Neko looked at the card and back into Steve’s eyes. “That’s it? How can that help?”

“HU connects you with God’s energy and awakens your soul so you know who you are. The Wayshower will guide you wherever is best for you. There’s no rush. You have your whole lifetime.”

Neko looked at the card, took a deep breath, and looked back at Steve. “Want to try it again?” He smiled.

Steve patted Neko’s hand. “Let’s sing.” Steve sat back on the bench and noticed that Neko did the same. 

“Place your hands, palms up, on your lap. Close your eyes and sing just loud enough to feel it in your chest, like a vibration.” 

After Neko nodded, Steve closed his eyes and sang, Huuuuuuuu. Neko joined him, repeating the chant with each exhalation.

A moment after Neko stopped singing, Steve opened his eyes and looked over at him. “How do you feel?” Steve asked.

Neko shrugged. “I didn’t see any light or anything, but I feel calm and peaceful. That’s nice.”

Steve smiled. “Yes, it is nice, and it only gets better the more you sing it. After you stop singing, sit quietly for a few minutes and be still. Wait to see if God has something It wants you to know.”

“It?”

“God is not a man or woman. We can’t even imagine God, so we call God ‘It.’”

“I like that. I always felt God wasn’t some kindly white dude with a long white beard and a jolly face.”

“You’re well on your way. On the back of the card, I put my phone number. If you have any questions, please call me.”

“Thanks, Steve.”

“You are welcome, Neko.”

The bus arrived, and they stood. As Neko stepped toward the bus, Steve stayed near the bench.

“Aren’t you taking the bus?” Neko asked.

“No, I have to be elsewhere. Have a good day, Neko, and remember to sing HU before you go to bed each night. Then, pay attention to your dreams. The Wayshower teaches us through our dreams. You may find clues to your life’s purpose this way. Bye, Neko.” 

Steve offered his hand.“Thanks, Steve. I appreciate your advice,” Neko said.

“You are welcome. Thanks for listening.”

Neko entered the bus, and it pulled away. After taking a seat, he looked back at the bus stop. It was empty. Steve wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

1. You can listen to HU sung by several thousand people here.

Paul Hillman has been an accountant, business manager, and small business owner for most of his life. He served as CFO or Controller for some of the largest companies in Oregon.

After retiring, Paul published two novels in the Charlie Smythington Mystery series, “A Phone to Kill For” and “Mind Control,” through Sync Publishing Inc. Sync is also publishing “Atlantis Ends” – a trilogy of science fiction adventure novels in 2024. He is hard at work on Charlie’s third novel, a follow-up Atlantis Ends trilogy, and a dystopian novel based on environmental catastrophe. His books are available on Amazon or any online bookstore.

Please note: Images are for illustration purposes only unless otherwise specified. Any resemblance to actual persons, either living or dead, is purely coincidental.