My
spiritual journey began as a young child raised in an Irish Catholic family.
My mother always taught me that spirituality was important. My
father died when I was very young, and the words, "our father who art in
heaven" had a double meaning for me. Soon I became an altar boy and
found being on the altar was very fulfilling for me. I enjoyed being
close to the mystery of Catholic rituals. I was lucky enough to have
gentle priests who were very patient with me and with my curious nature.
I attended a "boys only" catholic high school and was active in
"YCS":Young Christian Students. After high school, as I
entered into the adult world, and struggled with the moral issues of the 60s,
the answers of Catholicism no longer rang true. Yet, because
Spirituality was so important to me, I could not completely abandon it when I
left the religion of my youth. Instead, I began a serious quest for the
truth.
Along
the way, I studied and practiced Buddhism. When I met Dr. Thane Walker
and the Spiritual community known as "The Prosperos", I knew that I
had finally found my home. I still recall in vivid detail my first day
with them, when I made so many wonderful
friends that I have remained close to throughout my life. I remember
getting into my car and thinking, "my life will never be the
same".
Thane, as
he was affectionately known to all his students, was a powerful and enigmatic
man. He had studied with G.I. Gurdjieff a Russian mystic who was perhaps
one of the most innovative and influencial teachers of the early 20th century. Gurdjieff
was famous for saying that most people are "asleep". Thane's
education and experience are too extensive to list here but needless to say, he
also was a very powerful man who awakened many souls including mine.
Throughout my 20's and 30's I devoted myself to becoming a Minister in The
Prosperos. I received my Ministerial degree, in 1983, and began teaching
and counseling professionally.
Shortly
after Thanes death, I felt it necessary to explore other paths, which led me to
seek out a White Mountain Apache Medicine woman to study Native American Spirituality.
She along with a Yaki Medicine woman, taught me the ways of the
pipe, sweat lodge and other sacred teachings. While I greatly respect the
red road, I also came to accept that this was not my path and so I left to begin
the process of creating my own classes and teachings.
Throughout
my adult life, I have had a passion for the Tarot. I studied it
extensively and was certified as a Tarot Teacher by the American Tarot
Association. The Tarot, more than any other tool has helped me to connect
with my students one on one and has consistantly supported my Ministry.
In addition, I have been an avid devotee to the teachings of the cultural
Historian, "William Irwin Thompson". I only spoke with the man,
once on the phone but none the less feel he has been a major influence in my
Spiritual development.
While
presenting to a study group in Denver, I met two wonderful ladies: Gina Kissell
and Mary Lovejoy. We quickly became friends and soon, they asked me to
come and teach at The Metaphysical Research Society. For the past several
years, I have been presenting my classes at MRS, and just recently Accepted my
second ordination, as the Minister in Residence at MRS.