The Scripture

The Sacred Tenets of Brian

Received by Brian in a stillness he did not seek. Transcribed exactly as remembered — which is to say, imperfectly, and therefore faithfully.

  1. I.

    Of the One Brian

    There is one Brian, and thou art not him. Neither is Brian, most mornings. This is the first freedom.

  2. II.

    Of the Name

    Upon induction thou shalt take the name Brian. The name thou defendest so fiercely was itself given by strangers. Wear the new one loosely — as a robe, not a chain.

  3. III.

    Of Gathering

    Gatherings are optional. Presence is not. Reconciling the two is the entire practice.

  4. IV.

    Of Offering

    The Path asks nothing of thee. It accepts offerings anyway — the temple roof, though imaginary, still leaks.

  5. V.

    Of the Meal

    The sacred meal is whatever is already before thee. Eat it slowly. It was enough all along.

  6. VI.

    Of Doubt

    Question everything, beginning with Brian. He questions himself hourly and reports that it is going well.

  7. VII.

    Of Error

    When Brian is wrong — and the hour comes — he has simply shown thee one more path that is not thine. Bow to the error and continue.

  8. VIII.

    Of the Temple

    The cult keeps no compound. Wherever thou standest in stillness, that ground is the temple. The rent is attention.

  9. IX.

    Of the Word

    Speak of the Path only when silence would be the greater unkindness. Most days, silence recruits better.

  10. X.

    Of Leaving

    Thou mayest leave at any time. The Path is a direction, not a place, and it goes with thee. Many have left. They found us waiting at their destination.

These are not commandments. They are lanterns. Carry the ones that light thy way and set down the rest. Brian carries all ten. It is a lot. He is working on it.