Fr. Theophane (1930-2003) wrote The Magic Monastery, a book of parables designed to call readers out of their conditioned way of thinking and into insights about life's deeper values. Well versed in Buddhist spirituality, Fr. Theophane has brought together those qualities of Christianity, Buddhism, and other religions which complement and challenge each other.
Excerpts
of Theophane's Writing
from Tales of a Magic Monastery
by Theophane the Monk
The Pearl of Great Price
He asked me what I was looking for.
"Frankly," I said, "I'm looking for the Pearl of Great Price."
He slipped his hand into his pocket, drew it out, AND GAVE IT TO ME . It was just like that! I was dumbfounded. Then I began to protest: "You don't want to give it to me ? Don't you want to keep it for yourself? But. . ."
When I kept this up, he said finally, "Look, is it better to have the Pearl of Great Price, or to give it away?" -
Well, now I have it. I don't tell anyone. From some there would just be disbelief and ridicule. "You have the Pearl of Great Price? Hah!" Others would be jealous, or someone might steal it. Yes, I do have it. But there's that question - "Is it better to have it, or to give it away?" How long will that question rob me of my joy?