Pythagoras the Mathemagician

by Karim El Koussa

  “What do you do in life, Eratocles?”

  “I am an athlete!” the young man replied with a handsome prideful smile.

  “How Interesting… Are you a professional?”

  “In a way, yes, I am. I am seriously engaged in all the trainings for the coming Olympiad,” he informed him with patent enthusiasm typical of the youth.

  “In the Olympus, isn’t it? Near the great city of Athena?” With the question, Pythagoras asserted his awareness of this important event.

  Eratocles smiled his confirmation with a spark of anticipation in his eyes.

  “That’s remarkable, Eratocles! I wish you all the good luck in your endeavor.”

  “Thanks!” the young athlete exclaimed in thrill.

  “Have you ever won a game before?”

  “Yes, of course, but, honestly, only a few in my home village.”

  Pythagoras smiled at him with affection. He felt the hope and disappointment of the young man. He envisioned his trials and frustrations.

  “You are opting for the ultimate prize then.”

  Eratocles looked at him in surprise. “You know about the Olympiad?”

  “I guess I do. The first Olympiad started in the year 776 BCE. The greatest warriors, charioteers and athletes of the world traveled from all over Greece to Olympus to participate. The massive festival featured challenges of strength and speed.”

  Eratocles smiled widely. His eyes shone with expectation. He proclaimed out loud, “In the name of Zeus and glory, a contest of blood and honor, the Olympiad explores the raw competitiveness and passion the contestants bring into the arena!”

  Pythagoras added with eloquence, “And it leads some to their ultimate glory, and others to their ultimate downfall.”

  Eratocles froze in thought.

  Pythagoras rushed to comment, “I believe that the most important thing in the Olympiad is not to win but to partake. It is not the triumph but the struggle…”

  “Sure! This is enough to bring honor to each athlete and to Niké, the goddess of victory!” Eratocles agreed; the sparkle back in his eyes. “Do you know that the winners of the ultimate prize are bathed in olive oil, crowned with an olive wreath, or laurel leaves, and celebrated?”

  Pythagoras chuckled at his enthusiasm and nodded.

  Eratocles followed his dream in words. “The fame of the champions follows them all their lives. They will never have to labor another day, or pay for food again, because of the grandeur their triumph brings to their home village! Did you know that?”

  “I know indeed, the way I know that losing breaks the body, mind and spirit of these men.”

  Eratocles went quiet, his features lost their brightness. His stout shoulders sagged slightly and his eyes glared at the distance with a mixture of gloom and frustration.

  “Come on, cheer up, my son!” Pythagoras exclaimed in an encouraging tone and a friendly tap on his back. “It is always good to exercise the body.”

  “Yes, but… you know…,” the young man seemed aching to confide in him. “I have been practicing for so long… every day…! It has been my dream… my life aim… since I was a kid!”

  “I understand this, but that is not enough.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Let me ask you something, son. What is your aim behind all your training?” His gentle, yet firm, tone commanded the full attention of the youngster. “Isn’t it because of your wish to become a perfect athlete? An all time winner?”

  Eratocles nodded hopeful.

  Pythagoras pursued, “And of course for the ultimate Prize… the crown of laurel!”

  The young man gave him a complying nod.

  “Eratocles, exercising only your body will not get you close to perfection. You should also train your mind and your spirit.”

  “I don’t understand…” Eratocles appeared confused, but eager to know more.

  “See, man is a tri-une being. If the mind and spirit are not in good shape, then, I tell you, the body could never be. The perfect man is the one who succeeds a perfect equilibrium. And in order to reach such perfection, he should first unite his mind, spirit and body in one.”

  “I see…” Eratocles muttered pensively, as if trying to absorb its whole meaning. “But…,” he hesitated to formulate his thought.

  “Yes, son?” Pythagoras encouraged him with a gentle pressure of his tone.

  “How to?” he finally exclaimed loudly. “How to undertake such a path to perfection? How to reach this unity you mentioned? It seems impossible!”

  “No, my friend, it is not,” Pythagoras kept to his firmly gentle tone. He deemed the moment appropriate to move into the next step. “In fact, this can be done. I can tell you how.”

  “You mean that you know how?” Eratocles exclaimed with expectation. “How then? Tell me! I know you are different from any one I have ever met in my entire life. I have attended a couple of your sermons. You have that… wisdom and… aura. Tell me, please! Do you know the way to train my mind and my spirit?”

  Although Pythagoras had waited for this opening, he abstained from answering. He just smiled and hooked his eyes on the boy’s. Time stood still for a moment. Light glowed from his soul to grab the young man in his charm, and impart him with his tranquility.

  “Would you teach me, please?”

  Pythagoras grinned, so did his heart in victory. He had just found his first disciple and, with him, the door to reach out to others in the long run. His insight did not betray him. The mass had not listened to him, nor had he managed to bring them into the circle of enlightenment, simply because their full attention had lacked.

  His mission took off!

  * * *

  The Master started teaching Eratocles on the sciences of arithmetic and geometry. He conducted his demonstrations using an abacus[29]. Eratocles proved to be a neophyte of great interest. The sophisticated studies did not rebuke him. On the contrary, they absorbed him completely. Pythagoras trained his mind in the art of numbers and Initiated him on the marvelous discipline of mental refinement. Eventually, the bonds between the Master and his first disciple tightened.

  They decided to undertake a tour visit to the major cities of Greece. They therefore left Samos and sailed together. They halted at the beautiful shore of Athena where they rested for the night in a small hut by the sea.

  In the morning, they meandered in the streets of the city before pursuing in their journey. Their expedition took them through most of the cities of Greece where they visited almost all of the most important temples. Some welcomed Pythagoras as a true Master. Others invited him to sit with the Hierophants, give sermons and hold meetings.

  Naturally, Eratocles became the first Pythagorean. Master and scholar continued across the high and wild mountains. They traversed the evergreen forests in destination to Delphi. Albeit strenuous, their long expedition granted them many experiences to enjoy, countless moments to learn, and lots of occasions to teach others. Amazing as it was, the natural environment filled them with awe and peaceful joy; the kind that only untouched nature could grant.

  They finally approached Delphi. The city was situated beneath the cliff of Mount Parnassus, and above the valley of the Plistus River. Topped by a splendid theatre in the heart of the mountain, the Temple of Apollo appeared upon a rocky platform. Like a glorious god on his throne, the most holy place in all of Greece, and surely the most impressive of all, received the morning light of Apollo; the God-Light of the Grecian world.

  Legend related that, in his youth, the god Apollo had confronted and killed Python with an arrow. Consequently, the lair of the huge serpent of Mount Parnassus became the base on which rose his Temple.

  Apollo, in fact, represented an esoteric reality, where the mysteries of life - past, present and future - anchored in the hearts and minds of the true seekers. Harmony between Earth and Heaven, and between body and spirit, would reach its achievement in the lives of people, especially the Initiates among them.

  Pythagoras ha
d intended to visit that particular Temple to revitalize the energy in the hearts and minds of its priests and priestesses. He, in fact, wanted to create a substantial effect in the soul of Greece.

  Inside the hall, he encountered Theoclea, also known as Themistoclea. The priestess, famous for her inborn clairvoyance who was in her late forties. He perceived the glow of her spirit. However, he soon noted that her extrasensory perception lacked the full development much needed for her admission in the profession of Priestess-Medium, or the Pythoness.

  As per the legend, the god Apollo himself had bestowed the gift of prophecy on the Pythia, the priestess of the Temple. In reverence, the Grecian rules of sanctity restricted the admission into the profession of priestess to very few young virgins, chosen from the poorest Grecian families. Theoclea formed one of that rare elite. She led a life of asceticism in the abode of the sanctuary, and resided in the seclusion of an annexed room.

  During her first meeting with him, Theoclea addressed him with significant respect and veneration. She referred to him as the Great Master. Pythagoras knew that she had probably sensed his extra-sensory energy. Her receptive attitude eventually facilitated his aim in contributing a considerable influence, not only on her life, but also on the many around her. In fact, her conscientious stance and unruffled attention encouraged his words of wisdom, as did her sensible attitude.

  Pythagoras and Eratocles spent the night there. They welcomed the much needed rest. Their expedition had ensued long and strenuous.

  The Sun-Apollo rose on them, the next morning, from behind Mount Parnassus. The stones of the Temple warmed and tinted with gradual golden hues. The early Sun wrapped them in beauty as it smoothly penetrated into the heart of the sanctuary.

  In a white tunic, bundled up at the waist by a blue belt, Pythagoras followed, with quiet steps, the entry of the sunrays into the main hallway. He joined the priests there gathered for their morning prayer. When the ceremony ended, they exchanged greetings and assembled to converse. They discussed the improvement of their priesthood, and the rejuvenation of the divine energy in their hearts and minds. From his side, Pythagoras participated in their conversation with great interest. Before the meeting ended, he requested their permission to Initiate Theoclea into his secret teachings. He imparted them with his strong belief in her capability to assume the role of their Priestess-Medium. Impressed, the priests granted him that unique permission.

  And impressed the high representatives were indeed, as the Master would take his seat at the heart of the shrine every day to teach them on the occult doctrine. He would deepen his discourses on the future of the world, and the destiny of humanity. A man of vision, and a Master of thoughts, he contributed his influence in the process. He captivated their utmost attention with his narration on his long years of Initiation into the Phoenician mysteries. With the fervor of passion, and the deference of devotion, he faithfully imparted them with his lengthy edification from Egypt. The high representatives astounded at the mysteries of Isis, and the light of Osiris. They wondered at the fact that the Egyptian Initiation could expose the spiritual potentials of man. The concept turned to a major topic of debate. They tackled the immense possibility of man to become the Microcosm of the Macrocosm. The Master ended revealing to them the Great Mysteries of the gods descending to men, and men ascending to the gods.

  Powerful and meaningful, his words penetrated their minds. He, the Master of Wisdom, the holder of the charisma of a god, enveloped them in his brightness, and fueled them with the incandescent flame of his acumen.

  With the daily teachings of the Master, Theoclea received the same fire whose essence imprinted deep into her heart and mind. In her transparency, she communicated her changes to him. With prudence, Pythagoras escorted her imagination to worlds beyond the restricted human walls. She, his new disciple, lifted up her own mind beyond those margins in order to soar high into the infinite sphere of spirits and gods.

  From her avowals, Pythagoras knew that the vague visions of her past trances had finally unveiled their blindfolds to allow her into the sphere of the spiritual virtual reality. Despite its similarity with her visible space, she fathomed the greatest difference between these two worlds. They both existed primarily in the level of vibration; faster in the spiritual space than in the material world. The balance between them existed in her mind, both conscious and unconscious.

  Perched on his throne of truth, at the heart of the Temple, Pythagoras continued on his discourses of enlightenment. With a fierce passion, he spoke against wars and destructions that humanity instigated.

  “War and destruction! Those ailments and tragedies we inflict upon ourselves through time, whether recorded or not in the history of our humanity! Those deeds, my friends, are always evil chapters in our human memory, in the reminiscence of our Mother Earth, and in the eye of our beholder, our Father who art in Heaven!” Pythagoras proclaimed out loud. “But know thee! The light of salvation is at hand! It is in the will of those who perceive the Divine Inspiration.” He paused and closed his eyes for the time his mind took to orbit around the Truth.

  Silence and utmost attention reigned in the hall as the Assembly waited with respect and anticipation. Pythagoras opened his eyes then to roam around the hall before he rendered his next tirade.

  “It is to you, honest priests, and to all the prophets and sages, that the gods reveal themselves. The Sophia of the gods shines upon those who seek wisdom, whether they are priests, civilians or common devotees. However, those who abide to materialistic interests are rendered blind to the truth! They shall always remain prisoners to the darkness of their ignorance!”

  Priests and priestesses, there present, absorbed those words in quietness. They appeared reflecting on their meanings and on the enormous responsibility that lay heavily upon their shoulders. Silent with their meditation they remained all day and throughout the night that ensued.

  Among all, Theoclea was the most affected, thus the most advanced in his knowledge as she received a special teaching from the Master. Her life changed upon her new perceptions. She underwent a significant transformation, patent to all. Consequently, the priests did not need to deliberate further in assigning her to the vital role of Medium-Priestess. Her prophetic voice became indeed crystal clear, as did her visions. Theoclea became the Pythia of the Temple!

  The night in which they celebrated the birthday of Apollo, Pythagoras and Eratocles witnessed, inside a small room of the Temple, the preparations of Theoclea for the ceremony of the Oracle. Dressed all in white, as a symbol of her virginity, she brought the receptacle of the laurel of Apollo with reverent gestures. These sacred leaves would permit her a deep, yet conscious, sleep. She chewed them slowly, her eyes closed as if savoring a delicious meal. On the ground crevice stood a sacred brass tripod, angled into numinous mathematical degrees. Prophetic vapors emanated from that rift to engulf the chair where Theoclea settled.

  Obscurity reigned in the cell. Theoclea fell into a trance that should convey her into another spiritual dimension. She started crossing the borders of the visible world. She soon mumbled her first incoherent words. Pythagoras deemed them to be addressed to the god Apollo.

  …By the mouth of Python, the Serpent of Wisdom…

  Eager to decode her enigmatic words, he edged closer. With a low voice, he pitched into her trance, “Where are you, Theoclea?”

  The words surged from the fog, husky and uncertain, “On my way up….I managed to leave Earth….”

  “Very good, Theoclea!” He encouraged her, yet his voice remained deep and stumpy. “Have you reached the invisible kingdom yet?”

  He waited patiently for her reply that took endless moments.

  “Very close… very close now….”

  The silence of patience inhabited the cell.

  “Wow!” She finally uttered in awe. Her voice became clear, more confident, heightened by excitement. “I can sense it! The spiritual energy…. It is all around me!”

  “Theoclea, focus w
ith me,” he commanded coolly. “Can you see the future? Something? Anything?”

  “No, Master, not yet!”

  “It is fine, Theoclea,” he implied in reassurance. “You are still looping the spheres above.”

  “Yes, Master. I am,” she confirmed his statement.

  “I can feel the high level of your vibrations here. They are swift like the speed of light. You are edging closer, Theoclea!”

  “I think so, Master Pythagoras. I think so!”

  He waited for a couple of minutes before asking her again, “Where are you now?”

  “I’m up…. Way up…. I’m floating inside the celestial realm!”

  “Great! Go on! What do you see up there?”

  “I see the gods! I see the bright light of Apollo!”

  Her enthusiasm was contagious. Pythagoras smiled.

  “What else, Theoclea? What else can you see?”

  “Ah! Humanity, Master…. Humanity dawdling more inside darkness than light! War, Master! A lot of wars and human suffering…. Moments of peace are sparse… here and then in Times,” she foresaw the future with patent pain in her voice. She seemed to suffocate in her words. “This dual correlation of war and peace appears unavoidable with humanity. It shall continue as such forever. There is no escape really,” she grieved on her announcement, her voice husky and tearful.