A beautiful orange-colored moon hangs over the olive trees, a blessing upon the ancient landscape that is currently our home.
This full moon marks Guru Purnima- a day to celebrate the many teachers we’ve had in this life and tune into one’s relationship with the Cosmic Teacher and Guide, a Teacher that has many forms in my life, including three spiritual teachers worthy of the title of Sat Guru- one absolutely informal, and two formal.
There are so many significent moments from this life, far too many for me to compress easily into something short.
I remember meeting my 5th grade teacher when I was a 3rd grade student. I was running on the blacktop in winter during recess, made a jump stop, only on ice, and found myself flying and landing flat on my back with an oak-like thud. Appearing far above me was Mrs. Dinan, very concerned, “ Are you alright?” In my 3rd grade mind, a deep narrator way in the background of my consciousness spoke, “you are the hanged man and here is a guide.” That is one of the moments in this life that felt like it possessed 1,000 other significant moments.
In the late 90’s, after the death of my mother, I would spend hours at the public library and the nearby metaphysical bookshop, Heart and Soul, reading whatever I could comprehend and much that I didn’t. In quick succession I meet Pam, Austin, Walter Matthew Brown, Wendy Yanke, and Tom Olsen. What a group of angels they were.
I used to go to Austin’s house to balance my energy out. I would get these very strange head aches that were absolutely distracting. I was probably going through some kind of Kundalini awakening at 16/17 without knowing it. Once I was 50-100 ft from his house, it was like entering some kind of energetic force field. As I approached the back door it would only get stronger. Often, he would be underneath his beloved truck in his little garage. I would yell that I just needed to use his couch for a little bit, and he’d laugh and reply, “Go right ahead.” I would go into the house, plop myself down on the couch in the living room, and wake up after about 20 minutes feeling like a million bucks. I’d leave the house, Austin still underneath his truck. I’d give a hearty “Thanks Austin!” to which he’d reply, “You’re welcome, freeloader!”
When I arrived to a mist-shrouded property in the Oregon coast range in 2002, it was like stepping into Shangri-La. Have you ever gone to a place and had as strong intuitive familiarity with almost everyone there? That’s what it was like. Even though I was deeply nervous about getting sent away or being judged (for my own capacity for self-judgment knew no bounds) as unworthy for the place, it was one prolonged deja vu for several days.
For years, I wanted to be a very good mystery school student. Some of my peers came up with the best questions. I admired them for this ability, because I felt I lacked the capacity. I would wait and wait until I felt I had a good question to take to my spiritual teacher. I would head to their room, knock on the door, come in, and as soon as I entered the space, the question evaporated from my mind in a thick cloud of Silence. This happened more than a few times, and looking back, it was absolutely hilarious.
I’ve performed hundreds of Guru Pujas, as part of meditation initiations, to sanctify spaces, and for the enjoyment of it. So often when I do them I feel my body as the front of an endless thread, a doorway to a vast corridor, through which love and power flow into this physical reality.
Upcoming Events
Ascension Meditation First Sphere Course- August 8th and 9th
This is a weekend course learning my primary effortless meditation practice of the past 24 years: Ascension meditation. The course runs from 4pm to 8:30 pm (Portugal/UK timezone) on both days. We’ll flow between meditation practice, conversations on the multi-layered evolution of consciousness, and time for questions and answers.
Normally, this class is 300 USD. The special price for this course is 222 USD or a sliding scale donation. We don’t turn students away for lack of money. And, if you’ve already learned the practice, attendance is free.
To pay on the sliding scale system, you can simply send a course fee by PayPal and an email letting me know that you’ve signed up. If PayPal doesn’t work, Zelle or Bank Transfers are also options.
About Me
I am a meditation teacher, writer, gardener, and an evolutionary astrologer. You can find more information about my vocations through my websites: www.ascension-meditation.com and www.awakenedlightastrology.com. I also have a youtube channel, which is starting to get as much attention as the garden.
These are exciting times!