Tak Paris
This unique, autobiographical novel details life in an authentic, spiritual community. Deeply personal and soul wrenching, it is a true account of one man''s search for spiritual enlightenment. The author''s own testimony to the path of self-realisation is painstakingly recorded in extracts from his Spiritual Diary.
It is set in the early 80''s, in a sleepy, Hertfordshire village in England. D.B., a Master Teacher and his elite inner circle disciples run the community. An outer circle of probationary disciples completes the group dynamics.
Chris is thrust into a metaphysical cauldron of transformation by an act of fate, which is destined to change his life forever. His wife Elena, who is primarily inspired by Stellios, a young Don Juan character, introduces him to the esoteric teachings. He entices the naive couple into a roller coaster ride of turbulent and devastating experiences. Relationships falter and trust is betrayed. Deception, conspiracy and inter-group rivalry are rife in this spiritual melting pot. Boys are smelted into men as they battle demons and angels in their heads.
After a psycho-spiritual breakdown, Chris treads the hallowed path of spiritual return. In a series of reincarnation experiences he pieces together a tapestry of the group''s past lives. They had all shared lives in The English Civil War period! Royalists again plot against Parliamentarians, in a virtual re-enactment of the political power struggle of the 17th century.
Chris rises quickly through the ranks, until he is DB''s main advisor. His meteoric rise creates enemies in both circles. In the final climax, DB confirms a past life link to the historical King Arthur, the 6th century Romano-Celt war leader.
With his spiritual destiny revealed, he experiences The Burning Ground and prepares for his karmic duty, to retread the Quest for the Holy Grail.
Tak Paris is a professional astrologer with 25 years experience. In 1980 he studied at Claregate College under Dr. Douglas Baker, the eminent master astrologer and metaphysician. He gained Bachelor of Astrology and Metaphysics. He has lectured extensively and taught Esoteric Science and Astrology.
In 1990 he edited and published Chalice New Age Magazine for 5 years in Wales. In 1998 he joined British Airways where he became BA''s Contact magazine astrologer. He is preparing the sequel to The Burning Ground at present. He is happily married and lives in Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
New age music blared from a multitude of stands. An
intermittent din and clash of cymbals harmonised with bells
and drums. A mish-mash of tainted incense rose in the thick air,
zigzagging and looping. Their pungent fragrances battled each other
and rose like dragons breath.
‘Oh my God, Oh my God!’ I shouted and I clawed inside my
open shirt searching for my cross. A devilish band of black, hooded
scallywags, trunching in unison, swished towards our stand. With
every step they made, a gash of crimson, satin lining flashed out
before them. It looked like a sea of fresh, dripping blood against
their black, dragging cloaks. As I glanced at the grotesque sight;
I felt my stomach churning, then...whoosh, the leader unveiled
himself… He had a pentagram etched in the middle of his pale,
zombie-like cranium. His pure black hair was spiked up in devilish
horns. Pentagram earrings hung from his lobes and his arms were a
tapestry of ghoulish tattoos. He was drenched in pure ebony tunics.
From under his black shroud he thrust a skull-encrusted, spindly
staff at me. His beady, black, blood-shocked eyes rolled like a great
white shark coming in for the kill. He stared right through me to my
shivering soul. I fell into a momentary trance as he battled with my
spirit. I grasped at my cross yet again, this time inwardly chanting
The Lord’s Prayer. I grappled with his satanic presence and he sensed
the power of my faith. Suddenly, he blasted out an almighty, sardonic
laugh, stuck out his long, snaky tongue, thumped his staff and stared
at me with those soulless, hypnotic eyes. Swish... his black mantle
shrouded my head and splintered my vision. I was buckled up on
the floor by now, with my fist squeezing down hard on my cross, the
chain almost strangling me.
‘Chris, Chris! Are you all right? Chris, please say
something.’
I came to, with Ron and Steve holding my feet in the air and
Stellios sprinkling cold water on my face.
‘Ron, Steve, Stellios, Is that you?’ I grabbed at their clothing,
trying to raise myself. My vision was still blurred and I was shivering
all over.
‘Did you see that? Did you see that?’ I shouted, pointing
frantically in the direction of the evil entourage.
‘Stellios, get me the fuck out of here. This must be hell on
Earth. This is no new age. There’s no truth, beauty and goodness
here. It’s like Sodom and Gomorrah.’
‘Christo, calm down, calm down. Sit here for a minute.’
‘No, no, please get me out of here.’
‘Alright, alright, let’s go outside for a breath of fresh air.’ He
helped me stagger towards the door. I took one enormous breath of
air and slowly came to my senses.
‘Christo, it’s my fault. I should have warned you about the
Wiccans. They look so evil and devilish, but believe me, they are not
black magicians, even if they look the part. They are pagans and they
worship Earth gods and goddesses. They are harmless, really. He was
the high priest. It’s all a bit of drama; an act. They love dressing up.
It breaks the monotony of their drab, outer lives. Some of them have
respectable jobs, like accountants, solicitors and teachers; you’d be
surprised.’
‘Stellios, for fuck sake, they look like all the menacing figures
in those satanic horror movies. I’ve had it; I want to go home. I’ve
had enough of the new age. It’s more like the old age of idol worship
and ritual sacrifice. Where’s the spirituality in that?’
‘Christo, listen to me. The new age is like a fountain of life
and energy. Old truths merge with new truths; it’s like old wine
in new bottles. Even the early Christians were persecuted for their
revolutionary beliefs in the beginning. In this Age of Aquarius,
the accent is on knowledge, universal understanding, tolerance and
freedom of choice. Yes, some of the stands you’ll find in here are
a bit frightening, especially for a newcomer like you. You’ll even
find a couple of Christian stands in there. That’s what it’s all about,
diversity, creativity, free will and free choice.
‘It’s a vast, multi-colourful, arena of wisdom and teaching.
Yes, it’s a minefield; you don’t know what you’re getting into. It could
be for you, but if you don’t try it, you won’t find out. Some people
drift all their lives, from this fad to that therapy, to this psychic to
that medium, to this lecture and that workshop, never making any
impact or gaining any understanding. We are lucky; we are part of
an established philosophy that can be traced back to the birth of
civilisation and beyond. We have a solid grounding and a sound
foundation. We are also blessed with the presence of DB’s direction.
That’s the difference between us and most of them in there.’
