Welcome!
This website is where I share valuable nuggets from trekking my journey.
Background: I was raised on a farm in the Midwest and our family went to a Protestant church every Sunday. Because it is not important to my ego or anything else, I blog here anonymously. Many times I’ve come close to writing a book, but instead I write here.
Spiritually Transformative Experiences: When I was about 40 years old, my brother who was a year older than me passed away. I saw light around his body and the room was pervaded with a serene feeling of peace and love. From then on I had a knowing that life goes on after death, and, I no longer fear death. It is my experience that this world is magical if we just open our minds and pay attention. Since then, I’ve had many other spiritual experiences. In my case, I feel like the Universe gives me one example of each thing, just so I know of its potentiality. I have never used psychedelics or had apparitions, though I’ve listened to many stories from people who have.
Seeking: I have read countless books from many cultures and viewpoints about spirituality. I have also listened to countless spiritually-related online talks. I’ve done retreats at Tassajara, Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, St. Benedict’s Monastery at Snowmass, and the Monastery of Christ in the Desert. I took an amazing spiritual pilgrimage trip to Taiwan. I’ve taken zen Buddhism classes from a monastery through all of the levels offered. I think that there are many paths and none are the same.
Practices: I meditate daily, do a short qigong routine each morning, and do yoga multiple times per week. I try to spend an hour in Nature every single day either hiking, walking, or biking. I play two different racket sports four times a week as I find that a fantastic way to get into the zone as well as connect with people. In the evenings I read from my many books addressing life’s greatest questions and I listen to many online podcasts relating to spirituality. I am also an artist.
Careers: Physician Assistant, Medical Technologist, Manager of Accounting Office.
Asides: I’ve run a marathon in under four hours and scored a 99% in math on my SAT — this I’m including to show that though I’m not a scientific materialist, I’m a logical thinker. I’m married and have two sons. My writing has appeared on the NYT’s, CNN, and elsewhere (on another subject which I blogged about in the past, a blog that had 3 million views). Physical fitness and health are important topics for me, both to study and to practice. I think that the poor health of the average American is one of today’s big challenges. Love of Nature and our planet have always been a priority in my life. I draw inspiration from the natural world and am in total awe of it.
Spiritual Studies: The Tao te Ching has been a constant in my life as I’ve read a page from it nearly every day for 30+ years. I have also meditated nearly every day for 30+ years. I am very interested in healing and have read from many sources about it. I’ve read at least ten books about the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. I’ve taken classes on Gnosticism and the Nag Hammadi texts from one of the few global experts in translating the Aramaic language. But the main topic I’ve delved into extensively is that of near death experiences. I’ve heard at least a thousand of them at this point in my journey. I’ve also listened to almost every Ram Dass recording, and every Jeffrey Mishlove interview. I enjoy Alan Watts recordings. The New Thought movement and Neville Goddard teachings have also been part of my path. I’ve read most of the better known New Age channeled works and continue to study the Law of One. I find the lessons taught by Hans Wilhelm very helpful. My home library of books on spiritual subjects is large.
Current view: I think that the ultimate spiritual goal is to have inner peace. I once had a dream from which I awakened and found myself in the most amazing deep peaceful state beyond what I thought was possible. How I wish I could get that feeling back. Inner peace opens doors to greater things. Inner peace is the culmination of spiritual seeking. I feel very guided, as if there are helpers that orchestrate – at least -the most important events in my life, though I also sense life’s illusory nature. I accept the first line of the Dhammapada, “All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts.”
Philosophy on Living: We grow through relationships as well as through finding inner stillness. We raise our vibration through keeping with the positive and by being joyful. We are here to love and to serve without judgment. Our life’s work is to open our hearts. To do so we must empty, surrender, and let go. Meditation helps, as it is a gradual purification process. We are all actors on a transient stage and shouldn’t take life too seriously. As for manifesting, in my experience, the Universe comes up with far more wonderful situations than I could ever conjure up, though it is useful at times. It is important to eat right, stay physically fit, have correct posture, and rid the self of muscle tension.
Life is full of paradoxes. Live in the flow and trust where life takes you. Every new thing life throws at you is an opportunity to grow and learn. Be in awe of the synchronicities. Notice the beauty. Be grateful 24/7. Use the power of intentions. Change your thoughts and change your life. Be the best that you can be. Live in the moment. You are an essential thread in the fabric of creation. It is an amazing opportunity to be alive right here right now. You are more important than you can possibly imagine.
One Seeker's Story 