10. Faith

How do you feel about the ceremony? I sensed it impacted you quite deeply, didn’t it?”
Jasper’s mum turned to Billie while the others were still showering after the sweat lodge. “It was indeed quite strange” she admitted, looking for ways to describe what could not be captured by words, “I felt so much, I was not aware of all this depth inside of me.” Jaspers mum nodded. “I know, your civilization teaches you to seek everything outside of you, to chase what you think to want… An unfortunate waste of energy – and sometimes a lifetime. We teach our children to go within first. To really know oneself.” Billie wondered: “To really know oneself? I would love to learn more!”

“Well, it’s an honor having guests around, let me give you a brief tour.” She took Billie by her hand and guided her through the village close by the sweat lodge. 

“Our way of life is centered around sustainability and the preservation of our beautiful Earth,” she began, her voice carrying a sense of pride. “We are the stewards of this land, and it is our responsibility to protect and nurture it for future generations.” They first approached a water desalination plant, a gleaming structure with solar panels positioned on its roof. “This is one of our vital sources of drinking water and agriculture,” The woman explained. “The sun is a generous provider,” she continued. “Its energy powers a desalination process, converting seawater into clean, fresh water. Additionally, it gifts us not only water but also energy to power our homes and community.” Walking further, they arrived at a lush garden where fruits and vegetables grew in abundance. “Our agricultural practices are rooted in ancient wisdom,” The woman shared. “We practice regenerative farming, respecting the natural cycles of the Earth and replenishing the soil. Our focus is not solely on extracting from the land, but rather on nurturing it so that it flourishes for generations yet to come.” Amidst the garden, a group of people worked together, some chanting, others talking, some in meditative silence. “Community is at the heart of everything we do,” The woman emphasized. “In our society, we share the workload, the joys, and the challenges. When everyone works together, we create a thriving and sustainable community.” Billie was in awe by what she saw. Never had she questioned the way of life in the dome, never had she known that there was an alternative. ” Thank you for showing me all of this! I’m glad Jasper took us here. I had no idea that there is anything beyond the dome!”

“You are a very brave girl, Billie,” The woman said gently, her voice carrying a serene melody. “But bravery alone will not make you succeed in the quest for love.” Billie raised her brow. “What do you mean? I thought being brave was a virtue?” The woman smiled kindly. “You think you have to be brave because you feel full of fear. And you have learned to master fear without any doubt. However, try to reframe bravery to faith and see what this does for you,” she suggested, her words made Billie feel uncomfortably naked. She felt challenged, but eager to go on. “What is faith?” she wondered aloud. “Faith is the knowing that what you seek will come to you when the time is right,” The woman explained. „Love and faith go hand in hand. Faith can’t be chased, it has to be chosen. Similarly, love can’t be taken, just given.”