The Supreme Divine Nature, The Beginningless Beginning: Excerpts from “A Conversation Among Five Travelers Concerning Life’s True Happiness” by Hryhorii Skovoroda (vegetarian), Part 1 of 2

Hryhorii Skovoroda was an 18th century philosopher, poet, and composer of religious music. A number of his writings can be found in his songs, several of which have been adapted to Ukrainian folk music. Skovoroda’s work contributed to the culture of both Russia and Ukraine. In recognition of his works and numerous contributions, Hryhorii Skovoroda’s portrait was printed on the second largest banknote in circulation in Ukraine, the 500-hryvnia note. We now share with you excerpts from his writings in “A Conversation Among Five Travelers Concerning Life’s True Happiness.” The Supreme Divine Nature, The Beginningless Beginning. “I humbly beg you to listen to this fable. Five travelers, guided by their guardian angel, came to the Kingdom of Peace and Love. Melchizedek, the king of this land, was in no way like other kings. There was nothing perishable in his kingdom, everything was eternal and pleasant down to the last hair, and his laws were wholly opposed to tyranny. A beautiful and shining arch marked the boundary of this blessed land, and on it was written: ‘The Primordial World.’” “Then they were led to the King himself. ‘I know your complaint before you make your petition,’ said the King of Peace. ‘In my realm there is neither sickness nor sorrow nor lamentation. You yourselves have brought this sorrow with you from the alien, heathen lands which are hostile to my land.’ Then He commanded his angels to take them away to the house of healing. There they took emetics for six days; on the seventh they were fully cured of their ills. Instead of sorrow, there was written on one heart, ‘Thy will be done’; on another, ‘Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright thy judgments’; on a third, ‘Abraham believed in the Lord’; on a fourth, ‘I will praise thee forever’; on a fifth, ‘In everything give thanks.’” “Only in this house of healing can you find remedies to cleanse your heart of malicious and cruel enemies, of whom it is written: ‘A man’s enemies are the men of his own house.’ Your enemies are your own opinions, which have established their reign in your heart, constantly tormenting it; they murmur against God, slander and oppose Him, continually disparage the order that governs the world and attempt to restore the most ancient laws.”