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“Just as you can access a huge amount of information through your computer modem, we are all able to access infinite wisdom by aligning ourselves with the consciousness of God through our higher selves."
my grandparents are Christians," she replied. “In fact, my grandfather was a pastor until some health issues require him to retire.”
"But we were not raised in any particular faith. My parents thought that we should make up our own minds about our beliefs."
"Traditional Christianity is so rigid. It lacks the potential for real spiritual exploration and growth."
Michelle thought about her grandparents. “Traditional” was a good word to describe them, but “rigid” seemed a bit harsh.
Dreams: A Window into the Spirit, by Marty Gessler.
He was really ahead of his time. A genius. His understanding of the dream process is uncanny. It’s clear that he was a highly-evolved individual."
Mimi,”
Sheila was snuggled on the couch by the fire, engrossed in Marty Gessler’s book. Multiple references to personal evolution and reincarnation made the author’s affiliation with Eastern thought clear. Sheila had always thought that dreams were a reflection of daily issues, concerns, and decisions being played out by the subconscious mind. Gessler was explaining dreams as a part of the spiritual journey each person takes in the process of evolving to harmony and oneness with the universe.
Though raised under a constant umbrella of prayer, its application eluded Sheila in most of her daily life. However, in times of deep inner turmoil or fear, she could hear her father’s gentle voice in the quiet places of her mind.
“Have you prayed about this?” he had frequently asked whenever she’d brought her childhood concerns to him.
Phil pastored a small church in this rural community, until a stroke pulled him out of full-time ministry. Having recovered everything but his stamina, and remaining passionate about his faith, he continued to teach a home Bible study twice a month.
he still clung to the idea of possibly returning to a pastoral position someday.
“I just can’t stop thinking about Michelle,” he answered. “She’s been on my mind all week. I can’t help wondering if something is wrong.” He ran his fingers through his hair.
“Shall we call them tonight? I think Sheila was planning to fly up to see her this week,” Joan added, studying her husband’s expression. “I don’t know about calling her. Let’s pray and see what the Lord has in mind,” he suggested.
She thought about how Sheila’s marriage to John had driven a wedge between their daughter and their God. Much as she loved John, Joan continuously prayed that he would see the emptiness of his philosophical ramblings, and that Sheila would be reconciled to her faith. The ramifications of their lack of spiritual leadership had affected both Michelle and Tim. Neither of them seemed to have any solid footing of faith, and she had watched them try to build lives for themselves based on the self-sufficiency and independence John promoted.
Grandpa Phil was reading his Bible, when suddenly his son-in-law’s face appeared clearly in his mind. Whenever someone came into his thoughts like that, Phil believed it was God nudging him to pray. Closing his eyes, he began to intercede for John. Not knowing what to pray, he began by praying for God’s presence in John’s life. He asked that God would make Himself known to John.
Steve was channel surfing with the remote control, when Michelle caught a few words about the meaning of dreams. She quickly asked Steve to flip back to the program. It was a documentary on extrasensory perception, dream interpretations, and astral travel. Researchers from the former Soviet Union, the United States, and Europe had spent three years documenting people’s experiences in these uncharted areas and were presenting their findings in this report.
One woman interviewed had helped police solve numerous mysterious disappearances of children in a rural community in Ireland. She claimed to have dreams and visions that were able to lead police to an abandoned factory where the children’s bodies were discovered.
It frustrated Michelle that Steve seemed so closed-minded. “Are you saying that they are making this stuff up?” she asked with an edge to her voice, her hand reaching up to twist her hair.
“You guys just don’t get it. There’s more to this universe than what we can see and touch,” Michelle countered defensively.
Always the peacemaker, Michelle thought as she listened to her mom chatter on.
Near the end of class, Bev mentioned the awakening of Kundalini as the ultimate goal of yoga. Vaguely remembering her using that term at another class, Michelle could not recall what it meant. After class, she asked Bev to explain it again, as Monica and Sheila listened in. “Kundalini is a serpent goddess who is able to travel up a person’s spine during yoga practices and release the body’s psychic centers or chakras,” Bev stated matter-of-factly. “The final result can lead to a heightened state of enlightenment.”
Apparently, the class was an introduction to a new form of psychology called BlendTherapy. Bev had mentioned a meshing of traditional psychology with a New Age perspective on the spiritual realm of life.
Phil breathed a silent prayer as he gently replaced the phone receiver. Had he really helped? Would John consider turning his life over to the only One who could save him?
Trevor’s warm smile and tranquil countenance was captivating. He was poised and confident, introducing himself as their new guide into the enlightening realm of BlendTherapy. Everyone seemed riveted as he gave a testimony of his life, raised by a single mother who battled alcoholism and drug addiction. Michelle tried to imagine what it must have been like, as he spoke of a lonely childhood, a broken marriage, and drug overdose as the key factors that led to his first encounter with BlendTherapy. Locked overnight in a psychiatric ward for observation after his overdose, he spoke of a kind and
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She caught herself smiling partway through the meal as she remembered Trevor’s question about what she was looking for.
She was proud of his new position as a junior partner, and she was happy that he was thriving in an area of personal interest to him. But she yearned for the early days of their relationship when he seemed like he couldn’t get enough of her, when she was his focus and passion.
The start of each new day was always the hardest part for her. Knowing that she wouldn’t see Steve for at least ten hours and not sure how she’d fill her empty day, she felt particularly displaced and homesick.
The closest thing to spiritual matters she’d experienced was the Christianity of her grandparents. But theirs was a fundamental faith, and aside from prayer, there didn’t seem to be anything mystical about it. Mostly it just appeared comfortable and traditional, not exciting and adventurous. Grandma and Grandpa were very sincere, and she adored them, but they didn’t seem particularly curious or open-minded about expanding their horizons.
The down-home approach of her grandparents sharply conflicted with her father’s intellectualism and self-sufficiency. He seemed more willing to be open in some ways, yet he resisted anything that removed ultimate control of his destiny from his own hands.
remained staunchly opposed to what he termed as “blind faith” in an invisible God. It was almost like he was ...
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Somehow there must be a way to blend the self-sufficient, intellectual approach of her father and the inner peace of her grandparents with these New Age metaphysics and spirituality.
“A change of identity from one key figure to another indicates confusion about present relationships and a sensitivity to personality vibrations. Often these images indicate inner desires and unsatisfied drives.
“These dreams rarely occur in individuals who are truly content and secure in their relationships.
“It is possible there has been a cosmic invitation extended to the dreamer and some past values or morals are hindering the development of this relationship.
I wonder if I am putting unhealthy restraints on my relationship with Trevor, she wondered.
Michelle never felt more alive, more spiritual. Spiritual. What did that used to mean to her? Going to church with her grandparents and saying a prayer at bedtime. Now she knew it meant so much more. It meant power. A power that could only be contained by the universe itself. A power that she could tap into through the psychic channels she was learning about in her class and through her reading.
The next message was from Trevor. “I got the info in the mail about Idaho. Call me.” Short and sweet. Michelle looked in the full-length mirror and asked herself why she always got so flustered at the sound of his voice or the mention of his name. She was glad that she’d gotten the message before Steve got home. Punching the erase button, she smiled at Trevor’s attention. He made her feel special, especially with Steve so busy at work all the time.
“After all, it’s perfectly harmless,” she reassured herself as she gazed at the wedding photo on the end table. “Steve is around women at work all the time. It’s no big deal.”
He seemed distant at first, but then rallied with his usual warmth when she identified herself.
“See ya, kitten!” Trevor replied, and he hung up before Michelle could tell him not to call her that. Somehow it seemed too intimate. Oh well, she’d tell him when they met.
Please know how much I love you, Michelle. It’s hard to be a dad sometimes. There are so many things you want to say, but the words get lost. Anyway, for all the times I meant to say it and didn’t, I love you with all my heart. Hugs ya lots, kiddo! Dad
Trevor suggested that she also consider one particularly fascinating workshop on higher consciousness being conducted by a well-known guru of BlendTherapy and a lecture on reincarnation given by a Hindu professor from the university in New Delhi.
She was fascinated by this new world that was being presented to her.
Surely Trevor knew more about all this than her, and she should follow his lead.
“Do you think you’ll ever get married, Trevor?” “Me? No. Not likely.” He smiled a crooked grin and winked at her. “I’m not the marrying type, kitten.” He glanced down at her wedding band. “It’s great for a small percentage of people who find their soul mates, but for the most part, I think it’s an outdated institution. The people I respect and spend most of my time with are not into those kinds of trappings. Live and love and move on.”
Michelle thought about how comfortable she was finally beginning to feel with him. Still, a part of her was uncertain how Steve would view this new friendship. They’d never really discussed friendships with the opposite sex.
Trevor was more than a friend. He was her mentor. And he made her feel special.
He held her chin between his thumb and forefinger and kissed her gently. She responded with a warm smile and a loving embrace. His fondness for her grew each day and seemed to subtly replace that exhilarating “mad about you” feeling with a deeper kind of stable love and affection.
