The Path to Peace

I nodded my agreement. Annie continued, "But we also can't put too much weight on what happens with him. We don't know what Grace has told him, we don't know what he's like. We know nothing about him. And he doesn't know anything about us. In the future, as we grow, the candidates for the group will have an opportunity to get to know us, and we them, before they're presented with the opportunity to join."

I had to agree with what she was saying. "Actually, I'm not going to let him join tomorrow, even if he wants to. I'll need to find out what he has been told, and what his expectations are. We're going to need to get to know him first, and he'll need to get to know us. He needs to be fully instructed."

"So, since we don't have anyone else new to do the initiation ritual, who should do it tomorrow?" Mike asked.

"Well, at first I thought I should," I answered, "but as I think about it, I've changed my mind. All that would tell us about him is if he like to watch women masturbate."

Mike laughed, "If he's straight, he does. I guarantee it."

I continued, "He won't be able to visualize himself going through the ritual. That's why I think you should do it." I was looking straight at Mike.

"You just like to see me masturbate," he said with a smile, "Not that I blame you. You're right, I think it will make more of an impact if I'm the one out there."

"So, that's what we'll do. After I welcome everybody, I'll turn the meeting over to you."

We talked for a while longer, then, suddenly it was late. Annie invited me to stay with them, but I declined. I wanted to get an early start before the meeting, and if I stayed over we'd be lucky to get there before everyone else.

We all gathered at 11:00, as usual. We were all in our robes, just starting to get settled when Grace walked in with her friend. I went over to greet them. "Grace," I said, as I hugged her, "it's so nice to see you!" I really was.

As we broke the hug, she turned to her friend and introduced us, "Helen, this is Jim Verolla. Jim, this is Helen, the woman I told you about."

Jim looked like a light bulb had just gone off in his head, "Oh, so you're Helen. It's a pleasure to meet you."

We shook hands as I started to tell him the things he would need to know right away. "Jim, I'd like to welcome you today to observe our meeting. As an observer, I'd like to ask you to sit on the couch in the back. You're going to see one of our members, Mike, do a demonstration for you of what an initiation is like. Each of our members is free to take any step along the Path to Peace he or she feels ready for at any meeting. Therefore, someone else may step up to do a demonstration also.

After the formal part of the meeting, some of us would like to sit with you and get to know you. This will also be an opportunity for you to get to know us a little. Feel free to ask us anything at that time."

Jim was very eager, "Helen, Grace has told me so much. I'm actually ready to join right now."

"Jim, don't misunderstand, we'd love to have you. But before you can join you need to learn enough about us to make an informed decision. Everything you know of us had been filtered through Grace's eyes. It's time for you to see and learn things first-hand. Only then we can welcome you as a member."

While we talked I had steered Jim to a seat. I then walked into the middle and opened the meeting. "Welcome friends. I'd like us to all welcome our guest today, Jim Verolla. Jim is a friend of Grace's, and he is interested in joining our group. We will all have an opportunity to talk with Jim immediately after the meeting.

First on the agenda, Mike has kindly offered to do a demonstration of initiation for us. I welcome this for two reasons. First, and most obvious, is as a way to show Jim that we are open and serious in our beliefs. He will witness first-hand just what an initiation is all about.

Secondly, I think it is valuable for each of us to periodically come up front and reaffirm specific steps along the Path to Peace that you have already taken. These steps are not one-time events, but are all parts of a continuing commitment to openness and honesty. Renewing these steps helps to renew that commitment. Mike..."

Mike removed his robs as he stood up, leaving it in a puddle where he had been sitting. Naked, he walked over to the chair in the middle of the floor and sat down. As soon as he turned to sit I saw that he was already fully erect. The sight of his erection immediately caused a tingle in my body. As he grasped his erect penis, I let my robe drop open. I was not only giving him my body to look at, I was also planning on joining him in seeking personal pleasure.

I slowly started to caress myself. Rubbing my breasts and sliding a finger between my vaginal lips while watching Mike stroke his hard penis was getting me very quickly to orgasmic bliss.

"I see you've got a possible new member," Sally observed.

"Yes. What do you think?" I figured Sally new the entire story, so I didn't need to rehash it.

Sally took a moment to choose her words carefully, "Don't give up on him, but he's not ready yet."

"What do you mean? He was so insistent."

I could tell that Sally was trying to give me information without actually telling me about something that hadn't happened yet. "He's infatuated by Grace, which is the primary reason he wants to join. That's not a good reason, as you know. He needs time to fully assimilate the teachings he has learned so far. When he realizes that his infatuation with Grace is really a longing for what Grace has been teaching him, then he'll be ready to join."

"I was afraid of this. Getting converts without miracles is going to be really hard. I don't even know how we'll do it."

"Actually, Grace has done a good job. Once she got over being angry with you, she understood that you were right. She was just too embarrassed to come back. She met Jim while they were watching 'Shakespeare in the Park'. Instead of jumping on him with the teachings of the Path to Peace, she got to know him first. It wasn't until after they had had a few dates, and slept together, that Grace told him about you and the movement."

"So Jim's not just jumping from one idea, the church, to another. That's good at least."

"Give Jim time," Sally told me, "once he gets over his initial shock at today's meeting, he'll turn into a very strong member."

I had to believe her. I had finally learned that when she talked fact, not opinion, she was always right. We said our goodbyes, and I got back to the meeting.

I returned from my orgasm just in time to see Mike's. I could tell that he really enjoyed it. I think part of his enjoyment came from watching me at the same time, while the putting on a show seemed to add something for him too.

I got up, tying my robe as I walked, and got to Mike. He stood up and we kissed. As he headed back to his seat I asked, "Is there any one else today who would like to share with us?"

Jim stood up, looking very uncomfortable. "I'm sorry Grace," he said, "I've got to go."

He rushed out of the room. Grace stood up to go after him, but I stopped her. "Grace, listen to me. He'll be back. This was a lot to absorb all at once. In the future, we'll need to prepare people better. But, he will be back, trust me."

She looked at me, her eyes full of sadness. "How can you be sure? I feel like a fool. I'm sorry Helen, after our fight I told myself I wouldn't come back without a new member. I realized you were right. When I met Jim, and we got to know each other I thought I had finally found a convert for you."

I had to make some things clear, while at the same time comfort Grace. "Grace, converts are not for me. Teaching someone about the Path to Peace is for them. None of this should be done for me, or anyone who follows me. The focus in Sanctuary MUST be helping others discover the Path to Peace. We do it for them, not for us.

But, having said that, you did a wonderful job. He will be back, and he will be the first true convert who walks the Path to Peace without being convinced with a miracle. You have shown us another way to bring someone into the fold."

Grace reached over and gave me a big hug. "Thank you," she whispered in my ear.

Nick and Virginia

Nick and Virginia arrived at my apartment right on schedule. I had offered to pick them up at the airport, but they decided to do a road trip. They had taken a week to do a drive that could be done in two days, so when they finally got here they were ready to stay put for a while.

When Virginia walked in she looked so great. She was about three months pregnant, and just starting to show. She positively glowed.

After we hugged and kissed, we sat down for lunch. Once we got past the small talk I broached the subject that was on my mind. "I want to talk to you two about the house I inherited, on the coast where we're building Sanctuary."

"Don't worry about it sis," Mike assured me, "it really doesn't bother me. I'm happy she left it to you."

"Thanks, Mike. Here's the thing, I won't be living there. I'll be on the island, living at Sanctuary." I didn't want to tell him that I wasn't going to be living anywhere for the long run. "I want you two, and my little niece or nephew, to live in the house."

"Really? But it's your house," Virginia protested.

"Here's what I'm planning. The island where we're building Sanctuary I will deed to The Path to Peace. Upon my death the organization will own the island and all buildings on it. The house I want to give to you." They were stunned by my words, "With only one caveat; the owners of the house must allow members of the Path to Peace to use it as a way station, in perpetuity."

"Why give it to us," Virginia asked, "just keep it for yourself."

"I have my reasons. " I couldn't tell them that I wanted to make sure that when I died nobody would wonder if they had a motive to want me dead. While I had no idea how, or exactly when, the end would come I wanted to insulate them from any possible gossip.

"I don't know what to say," Nick stammered, looking at his wife.

"Just tell me you'll take it."

"Thank you." Both Virginia and Nick leaned over and gave me a kiss.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening catching up. I wanted to hear all about how Virginia was feeling. I had a special connection to the baby, of course, which Mike and Virginia recognized. Most of the evening was spent fantasizing about the baby's future, and the world it would grow up in.

Since Annie had moved out I had gotten a sofa bed. At first I thought it would be a little strange, the three of us sharing the one room. I even considered staying at Sanctuary while they were here, but in the end Virginia convinced me that that was unnecessary. She and Nick had both fully accepted that their bodies were beautiful and they had nothing to hide.

The next day we headed over to Sanctuary. I had arranged for everyone to be there to welcome our newest members. Mike, Virginia and I had discussed who would go first, so when everyone was settled I introduced Virginia.

Virginia came out wearing a robe, as planned. When she was in the center, she dropped it and stood there. Then, she slowly spun around, making sure everyone had a good look at her. I could see a slight pregnancy bulge, which just added to her beauty. She sat down and immediately started to masturbate. She had clearly shed any inhibitions that she might have had. She was very quickly into it.

I was sitting next to Joe. I glanced over and noticed that he was aroused by Virginia. Without saying a word, I slid my hand into his robe and grasped his erection. He glanced over at me for a second, then smiled, and went back to watching Virginia. I slowly started to stroke him. It felt so good to be stroking him while watching Virginia. Then, Joe surprised me. He slid his hand into my robe and began to stroke my thigh. Without even thinking I opened my legs for him. He immediately slid his hand up, his finders searching for my clitoris. When he found it, it was like an electric shock went through me. This was something I had never done before, performing mutual masturbation while watching another person masturbate.

"So, you're moving to the house next week." Sally said.

I nodded, "I wanted to be a little closer to the construction. I need to focus on setting things up."

"And I see you've arranged for Virginia and Nick to live there."

"It made the most sense. Can I ask you about something?"

Sally cocked her head, "You know you can, always. What is it?"

"All the rituals we have involve sex," I started, "but most religions spend a good portion of their time praising God. Should we be doing that too? Should we take the best of other religions and incorporate them into The Path to Peace?"

Sally sat down next to me. "Have you called home lately?"

"Just the other night, why?" I asked.

"When you were talking to you father, did he want you to tell him how great he is?"

"No," I admitted, "we talked about me moving to the new house."

"And what was most important to him?"

"Well, he was skeptical of the reasons I gave him for moving, but in the end all he said was that as long as I was happy, he was happy for me."

"You see, Helen, a loving parent isn't looking for his children to praise him all the time. A loving parent always wants what's best for the child. If the child is happy, then the parent has done a good job."

I understood where she was going. "So, God doesn't need us to praise him all the time. He wants us to pursue happiness. But, there needs to be limits."

"Of course there are limits. You can't just go up to someone and slap them to make yourself happy. The Ten Commandments were the first basic rules designed to teach people that there are limits to what is acceptable. As long as you understand the limits, then all you have to do to honor God is to find happiness. The Path to Peace doesn't need endless ass-kissing."

I started laughing. I had never heard praying referred to as 'ass-kissing'. Sally and I kissed, then, it was time to go.

As my orgasm subsided, I could feel that Joe had finished just before me. His penis in y hand was now slippery with his cum. Just as I was realizing this, and sliding my hand out from under Joe's robe, Virginia let out a scream. Her hips were jerking, her head was thrashing back and forth. And, she was yelling louder than any woman I had ever heard. Slowly, her orgasm subsided.

I got up and walked over to her. We hugged, and I welcomed her. I turned to speak to the group as Virginia walked to a seat in the circle. I could see that everyone was aroused by what they had just seen. I felt I had to say something. "Pleasuring yourself, or manually pleasuring someone else, during a demonstration is OK. Joe and I just did. But please, let's limit it to that. We should all be focusing on the person who is demonstrating their devotion. Now, let's welcome our second initiate today, my brother, Nick."

I sat back down as Nick came out. He seemed hesitant, but finally dropped his robe. His penis was not even semi-erect. It was clear he was having some stage fright. Virginia must have noticed. She stood up and dropped her robe. Then she sat back down, posing in a very sexy way for Nick. Despite his nervousness, the sight of Virginia posing naked before him was having its effect. His penis started to come to life. Tentatively at first, Nick started to stroke it. He was focusing totally on Virginia. To help him, Virginia was pantomiming being made love to. She would stroke herself, then react as if someone else were stroking her. She did such a good job that in only a few minutes Nick was moaning and ejaculating. As he came, I looked around. About half of our group was also masturbating. Judging by the way the others in the group were holding hands I got the impression that the other half were going to satisfy each other with more than masturbation when the demonstration was over.

When he was done, I went over to Nick and welcomed him too. I asked if anybody else wanted to demonstrate, expecting nobody to offer. Then, Mike stood up. "May I?" he asked.

"By all means," I replied.

Mike walked to the middle, and turned to face everybody. "As you all know, Helen is moving next week to the house near the permanent Sanctuary. Annie and I decided that we should do a demonstration in her honor. Unfortunately, the Annie timing isn't right for Annie, so," Mike reached out his hand, "Giselle has offered to perform with me." Giselle stood and walked over to Mike, as he continued, "We have chosen to engage in intercourse for your enjoyment."

I occurred to me how rarely our group did simple intercourse as a demonstration. I'm sure that was why they chose it. Mike and Giselle were very tender together. Giselle had continued to see men professionally. Mike, of course, was still with Annie. I'm sure they had sex often. For the two of them, Giselle and Mike, this was different. There was passion and tenderness. Mike went very slowly, building Giselle's orgasm to a crescendo. After she came the first time, she worked on Mike, bringing him to the brink of orgasm at least twice, before easing off. Then, with both of them totally lost in the pleasure of the moment, the time came. Mike plunged into her like a man on a mission. For her part, Giselle was moving her body and her hands, encouraging, moaning, and yelling. She had another orgasm. Then, Mike's body stiffened, and his orgasm overwhelmed him. He let out a guttural moan as his hips drove into Giselle. He gave a half-dozen more thrusts, then he bent down and kissed Giselle before rolling off her.

I was about to adjourn the meeting, when there was a knock on the door. Fred got up, and opened it. Standing in the doorway was Jim. He asked if he could come in.

"Welcome back, Jim. " I was truly happy to see him. "Come in." I said as I walked towards the door with my hand outstretched. "You remember everyone, I trust."

Jim looked around, nodding. As his head turned, his gaze came upon mike and Giselle, still sitting on the mattresses in the middle, naked.

I looked around and announced, "We'll take a break now. We can continue in a few minutes, if anyone else would care to perform." Grace was just standing where she had been, frozen. She had the most reason to be happy to see Jim again, but she was also the one he had disappointed when he had left so hurriedly.

Then, turning back to Jim, I motioned towards the table, "Come, sit. Grace, would you like to join us?" She nodded and walked over to us. The three of us sat down, while everyone else went and sat on the couches, chatting.

Grace didn't look all that happy to see Jim. She immediately confronted him, "Have you come to embarrass me again?"

"Grace, I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to embarrass you. I was just overwhelmed. Where I come from we don't watch guys sitting around playing with themselves."

"That's not what we do here, either," Grace replied coldly, "I thought you understood what we were about. I guess I was wrong."

"I've thought a lot about what you told me. I spent a long time trying to forget this place and what I had seen. But, it seemed everyday my mind would come back here. I don't know why. When I read the newspaper or see the news on TV, all I see is misery. People hurting people. Then I watch porn, and all I see is people being tender with each other, all having a good time. I started imagining what would happen if the people who were hurting other people suddenly found themselves having sex freely. Even the right wing fanatics, I imagined them having orgasms instead of telling other people how to live their lives. The more I looked around the more I understood what you were trying to teach me. I started to regret running out, but I was afraid to come back."