Blank slates and spiritual interventions
A blank slate
Many years ago, I learnt the term, tabula rasa, or blank slate. Are we really born into this world blank? Do we really know absolutely nothing? Watching a new born baby this is easy to believe. If a baby could talk as soon as it is born, I wonder what it could tell us.
Due to a cat charm on my bracelet, I’m having premonitions, being able to change destinies I’m not sure if its a curse or a blessing. The last few weeks have been an education, after visiting Mrs Zintalis in her quaint shop with Paul, it appears I’ve been chosen. A messenger between God and the devil, preventing things that shouldn’t happen from happening.
Mrs Zintalis believes that we are not all born blank. I’ve always believed John Locke’s tabula rasa theory, this was in conflict. A great philosophical debate and why was I chosen?
Today I’m going back to the shop by myself. There’s something greater here, and I need to discuss it, without Paul sniggering at her bizarre beliefs. Gazing around the room I can hear Betsy and Paul giggling, life is good. If I didn’t have this gift then I would never have had a premonition warning me about Paul. It seems there is a thin line between life and death.
Savouring the last dregs of my coffee, I pick up my phone and car keys. Shouting bye to my family, I grab my warm coat and race out of the door.
The shop
Thirty minutes later I’m stood in the musty smell of the shop queue. Nodding at me, Mrs Zintalis, waved her hand and called her assistant to help at the checkout. She then motioned me into a small but organised back room, and pulled up two wooden high backed chairs.
“So, what is happening, more premonitions?” she asked,
“Yes, but I’m so confused, how does this all work, why me?”
“As we are alone, I can talk to you properly. Months ago, I had a strange dream, I saw a woman bring me a charm to be sold in my shop. It had to be given to a tall man, about forty called Paul, and it was meant for his partner. I asked the woman why, and she said, she has a job to do. Life on earth has gone wrong, the spirits are needing you to help us find her.
People are coming to heaven too soon, we are sending people back and they are telling stories back on earth. We need to get the right people to heaven, those truly destined and ready to die. A few days later the same woman arrived in my shop with the charm, she said she had found it and she knew she must bring it to me. At the time I was surprised, but I’ve had time to understand this better”
“So, this is more than a messenger, its putting people on their right life timelines.”
“Yes, that’s more like it, the premonitions you are having come from the spirit world. If you are a sceptic it’s hard to believe but please do believe.”
Having seen Paul’s death and saving him and others since, I know she is telling the truth. There’s so much I think that we can’t begin to understand.
Old souls
“Can you explain again about tabula rasa”?
“John Locke’s blank slate?”
“Yes, why aren’t we born blank?”
“Some are, but have you heard of an old soul?”
“Yes, so what does that mean?”
“I believe that when people die, they go to heaven which is all around us. They are on a different plain but are with us, hence why medium’s can communicate with them, or people report seeing signs from them. People can stay in heaven for many years but at some point, they may decide to come back to earth. This is reincarnation as they are reborn and a baby. That soul still carries all the memories from previous lives, hence all the stories of reincarnation.”
“Wow, you believe all that?”
“Well, I haven’t heard a better explanation, this life is too complex to just end, surely. There are babies born blank, but they are brand new souls, how many are new or old that’s a whole other unknown.”
“So, will our loved ones that have gone before us, give up waiting for us?”
“Unlikely, time is different in heaven and they are still with you, I assure you they will wait.”
A job
I thought of my grandmother and my religious studies lessons, I still didn’t know why me, but I did understand more about what had happened. I never thought that I would ever be communicating with the spirit world and literally changing lives, but this is exactly what I am doing.
Sobbing and wiping my eyes I said,
“Thank you for talking to me about this, am I alright to talk with you again.”
The little lady smiled at me warmly,
“Of course, love, you are doing the Lords work just carry on and follow your visions. There is so much we don’t understand but we need to work together with the information we have got.”
Standing up I picked up my coat, and thanked her again.
Walking back to the car, I replayed our conversation. This whole thing is unbelievable and its happening to me right now, all I can do is follow the messages and continue changing the world a life at a time. If I explained all this to Paul he would laugh, so for now I will keep it to myself, this is my job now and I’m strangely happy to be a link between God and earth.
For first part of this story see, A charm bracelet and a strange shop
Written for Blog Battle – Blank
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13 Comments
cathleentownsend
I like the thought of a shop with a wise proprietress, who I could really talk to. A few bookstores have fit that bill over the years, but none right now, of course. Covid has left some surprising vacancies in everyone’s lives.
Just muddling through life
Yes you are right, covid has really stuffed up our lives, our freedom all gone and businesses, gone for now, I do love an old bookshop!
Sam "Goldie" Kirk
The people you meet at some of the stores are amazing. Clearly there, at the right place, waiting for the right time to cross your path.
Interesting beginning to a longer story.
Just muddling through life
Thankyou Sam!
Gary
Ooh, lovely concept Marian. I also like these curiosity shops where inside you find all sorts of characters. Often rich in information about things that are never discussed elsewhere. I like the idea of new souls being blank and older ones reincarnating with some remembrance. Is this why some people always seem to get ahead? Prior knowledge? Earn the right to aspire from rebirth and a good life tracking true?
So many side thoughts here.
On an aside I’m thinking of asking BB folk to try NaNo camps. Take an idea conceived from a prompt and use a camp month to take it to 10 or 15 K in a dedicated BlogBattlers cabin. Bit of a personal challenge with support from our fellow battlers. This one could certain,y grow I think!
Just muddling through life
Thankyou Gary, this was written after watching a programme about reincarnation. I like the idea that we one day might choose to come back, many years after we die, rather then we come back as soon as we die. It could always raise the question of whether we choose our parents..
Yes many side thoughts.. I like your nano camp idea, but for the last year I haven’t touched my novel, and recent events have further knocked my writing confidence. In 2018 / 2019, I truly believed I could write a good book, and now I’m struggling to believe it will ever be good enough. First draft is over 70000 words and now I’m doubting myself.
Gary
Interesting concept…you could choose, then never remember if you actually did, or even why. Roland leaving the Dark Tower….
The concept of instant rebirth flaws on increasing population too. I liked the idea of new souls being born though. A sort of symbiosis of soul and biology with detachment at the end where the existence of soul requires a new connection to exist in this world. Puts a new slant on ghosts!
Ahh.. you’ve hit every first book conundrum Marian. Get close then start doubting. Have you let any alpha readers go through it yet? A few chapters. They are supposed to just read it fir story arc with no editing or deep analysis. Just see if what’s there is a decent concept. They can provide encouraging feedback and it’s easier than trying to self evidence. I do get how last year could impact things though. My own productivity collapsed writing wise.
The NaNo idea is much easier than the November one too. You set your own target. However much or little you want. No pressure, support from the BB group, it works or not. Being there gives the opportunity to try. Might help you and I get the habit back?
Just muddling through life
Thanks Gary, i had a writing group who were reading and feeding back on my book. No-one has read the whole first draft. Over the last year I’ve struggled with time with family demands and the writing group asked me to leave in January. My confidence in my writing has hit bottom. I know I need to get up and start again but I nearly missed my dads last breath because I wanted to be on skype with my writing group. Thankfully my sister stopped me as realised he was dying at that time. A big kick in the stomach but I know I need to believe in myself and carry on. I’ve been advised by them to stop writing my blogs, but I love my blogs.
Thankyou for your comments, feedback and support!
Gary
All I’d say is keep the blogs if it’s something you love doing. However as a writer (ie me) it’s hard to both write and blog. Both suffer eventually. More so if there’s a great deal of other life things going on. It’s a case of balance and not sacrificing real things that are higher priority. I could suggest you try and pick up the writing though in the April camp. I’ve set up a BB group there so everyone can discuss whatever in a more private forum. Your project can be designed to fit you too. Editing a few chapters, writing something new to distract and find your feet again. Anything really and with a self set target that’s realistic for you. I’ve certainly been in a hole too. I need to get the writing habit established again. I think my balance has tipped the wrong way!
aebranson
This is one of your deeper works that really tickles my little gray cells. The conversation with the shopkeeper was as interesting as I expected, and there’s plenty of potential for philosophical delving if you continue to build upon this story line. Their theory brings to mind the belief that angels teach us the Law while we’re developing in the womb. Although on the surface we might seem to forget it upon birth, that gut feeling guiding us through right and wrong is a remnant of things we ‘instinctively’ know because of what we were taught. Nice piece!
Just muddling through life
Thankyou, I continued from my last blog battle as you suggested. Yes I do like philosophy, so much to explore, I hadn’t thought of being taught law in the womb, there is some sense there. I’m pleased that you liked it,
Rachael Ritchey
Is it odd that I found this idea both creepy and fascinating? 🙂 I totally felt for her knowing that others would probably think she was a little crazy, but that added a layer of realism that developed her character further. Is there some sort of significance to Mrs. Zintalis’ name?
Just muddling through life
Thanks Rachael, her name just sounded good when I typed it. I’m pleased that you liked it.