The Door Of The Law (Demo)

« The Door Of The Law » is a suite comprising six chapters inspired by « A Parable About A Parable » from Robert Anton Wilson’s « Quantum Psychology. » The allegory tells the story of a young man studying Zen who finds himself profoundly disturbed after reading « Before The Law, » a mystifying parable that can be found near the end of Franz Kafka’s masterpiece « The Trial. » Feeling that he will never understand Zen until he first understands this strange tale, the student goes to his roshi and tells him Kafka’s story of the man who waited at the Door of the Law — the door that existed only for him but would not admit him, and was closed when death would no longer allow him to enter. ________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Prologue {instrumental} ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Plight Please help me Oh Roshi won't you help me to see Pray tell me What is the point of this story To my progress necessary Mercy me This parable is a mystery Haunting me Distracting me from my study In meditation it disturbs me ________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Parable Once was a man who had made it Up all the way to the Door of the Law No obstacle had made him quit No one burden had caused him to withdraw There was a guard ... standing tall Right on the path leading to the entrance Duty was his to keep the wall And greet the man who would seek admittance The sentry said "I cannot let you in At this moment but in time you might see The day when your prize you're allowed to win Permission to move onward and past me" Thus the man sat and waited on and on Day after day hopefully restlessly Staying up late and waking before dawn Struggling to retain his sanity Out of patience the man would take his chance And his way in he would attempt to buy But the other would not alter his stance No matter how often the first one would try "It is no use giving your properties" The sentinel responded politely "I only consent to your briberies So you do not give up hope entirely" (or : lose hope entirely) Then came a day when the man felt too old Fearful that death was about to claim him Resigned himself having spent all his gold Took one deep breath and expelled one last whim "Pray tell me whom else might this door enthrall So many years flew by in mystery I have been told that the Law is for all How come no one made it here but just me ?" "I will explain" said the guard in return "This door was made for no one but for thee As you now die your last spark I thus spurn The door I close and complete my duty" ________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Pedagogue Now I see Dear Simon why you looked so weary Don't worry I will explain the allegory And from its bind you will be free Come with me I know just the thing needed for thee Follow me The meditation hall holds the key But the answer is one you must see ________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Awakening {instrumental} ________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Epilogue There is no wall confining you There used to be, but you've left it behind There is no guard here to stop you The one you fear is a voice you designed There is no door in front of you The one you see is only in your mind There is no law preventing you To live you dream free yourself from your bind