I had to write about my experiences with religion, with the hope of opening people's minds and hearts to various belief systems. I want to offer a pre-emptive apology if anyone is offended because I'll be discussing multiple religions. I must also mention that some of my friends will be mentioned in this narrative, and if you're one of them, I want to express my gratitude for being a part of my life. This account is simply a reflection of my encounters with people from different religious backgrounds and the lessons I've gleaned from these interactions.
With that said, I want to emphasize that I love all people, regardless of their beliefs or religious affiliations. I choose to assess individuals based on the goodness of their hearts and their intentions, rather than their religious beliefs. It's not my place to pass judgment on others.
In this narrative, I'll be sharing my experiences with individuals from various religious backgrounds, including Catholics, Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baha'i Faith practitioners, atheists, mystics, and Muslims. Through these experiences, I hope to provide insight into my personal journey thus far and the wonderful people I've had the privilege to meet. If I had judged them solely based on their religious affiliations, I would have missed out on the opportunity to form meaningful friendships.
When I was around 8 years old, I attended church with my neighbor. It was my first time going to church because my family didn't attend, and we rarely discussed God. As a curious child, I was eager to learn about this "God" person. My mother had a large Bible full of pictures, and I remember falling in love with the images of angels. So, when I received an invitation to church, I was glad to accept it. At that age, I wasn't aware of different denominations; I believed there was only one church, one religion, and one way to learn about God.
During the church service, I listened intently. I distinctly recall the "father" asking if we wanted to give our lives to Jesus. I was deeply moved and inspired, feeling both ready and excited to do so. However, as we got up to take communion, my neighbor informed me that I couldn't participate. My heart sank, and I couldn't comprehend why. In that moment, I felt unworthy and like a bad child because I saw other children my age going up and receiving Christ. I couldn't understand why I wasn't accepted by God. Now, years later, I understand that the Catholic religion has a specific process one must go through, but as a child, it instilled negative emotions and beliefs about myself and God.
In my twenties, I began my search for God once again, seeking answers. I hadn't actively pursued this since my experience in the Catholic Church as a child. At the time, I was working at a spa in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and I had developed a close relationship with another massage therapist. We used to exchange massages between clients. One day, I confided in her about some experiences I had during my massages, such as seeing things in people's bodies or receiving messages about their well-being. I asked her if she thought this could be a form of communication from God. To my surprise, she replied, "God doesn't communicate with people that way. You must be tapping into something dark."
This response prompted me to delve deeper into this matter. I asked her how she knew this and if she could provide evidence. She agreed to show me and began studying the Bible together, using pamphlets as a guide. I was impressed by the organization of her study, and I had many questions about the source and authorship of these materials. It turned out that people all over the world were studying the same material from the same book. I was eager to gather information, and she was passionate about teaching it.
However, as I continued learning, I found that I didn't agree with everything she was telling me, and she couldn't address some of my questions adequately. I was particularly interested in revisiting the topic of my intuitive abilities while working with clients, but her response remained that God no longer communicated with people in that manner. My heart couldn't accept this teaching, and I also couldn't reconcile her disbelief in angels. While I respected her and her organization's efforts, I ultimately realized that this path wasn't for me.
During my time at the spa, I had an encounter with a client that left a lasting impact. It was my first session with this client, a 60-minute massage. However, it turned out to be a divine appointment. As I worked on him, he began talking about spiritual concepts like the law of attraction and manifesting. At the time, I was skeptical, but I listened attentively. I shared that sometimes I sensed things in people's bodies, not just physically but emotionally. Intriguingly, he asked for my address, and I felt an inexplicable sense of peace about giving it to him.
A few weeks later, I received tapes from Caroline Myss on energy anatomy. I vividly remember setting the scene for listening to them, running a bath, lighting a candle, and pressing play. However, after only 10 minutes, I was confused by what Caroline Myss was saying. I couldn't comprehend her message, so I placed the tapes in a box, where they remained undiscovered for years.
In my mid-twenties, I relocated to San Diego, where I worked at a spa downtown. I met a stylist there, and we quickly became friends due to our shared clients and interests. Despite working in an industry often marked by negativity and drama, she remained positive and drama-free, which drew me to her. One day, she mentioned attending a seminar in Los Angeles that focused on creating your own reality and positive thinking. I was intrigued and wanted to know more, and she mentioned the seminar's speaker, Caroline Myss. This name sounded familiar, and I remembered the tapes I had received years earlier.
Excited, I dug out the tapes, and this time, I found resonance in Caroline Myss's teachings. I ended up attending the seminar, which marked a turning point in my life. I immersed myself in Caroline Myss's books and learned about topics like "Anatomy of the Spirit" and "Sacred Contracts." While her other spiritual workshops were expensive, I managed to attend one later on.
After spending several years in San Diego, I returned to Michigan and met a woman at a former job who instantly captivated me with her unique charm. She hailed from England, and she introduced me to concepts of communicating with spirits. Her stories about encounters with the deceased and hearing their voices intrigued me, especially since I felt comfortable discussing these matters with her. However, her spiritual approach differed from the traditional religious perspective I was familiar with.
Curious, I asked her how she acquired this knowledge and whether it was supported by the Bible. She confessed to knowing little about the Bible; instead, she listened to her heart. This openness conflicted with my preconceived notions, but I appreciated her confidence and reverence. She invited me to join her in a class she was attending on the subject, and I reluctantly agreed to explore her beliefs. During one meditation session led by the instructor, the woman singled me out and said she saw angels all around me. She even provided a specific number of angels she perceived. Surprisingly, her insights were highly accurate, and I opened up to her about my fear of night experiences, where I sometimes saw things or people. She explained that these were my spirit guides and offered guidance on how to communicate with them and seek their protection.
This encounter broadened my perspective, and I became more open to diverse beliefs. I realized that spirituality transcends rigid religious boundaries. However, my quest for spiritual understanding was far from over.
I recognized that my journey could not be limited by traditional religious frameworks. I wanted to explore various belief systems and learn from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. I believed that if I connected with grounded, energetic, and kind-hearted individuals, I could gain deeper insights into my spirituality.
My relocation from Michigan to San Diego led to another pivotal encounter. While filling up at a gas station, a fellow customer noticed my Michigan license plates and struck up a conversation with me. She had also lived in Michigan and offered to show me around the San Diego area. Our friendship quickly blossomed as we explored clubs, concerts, and shared moments with her welcoming Filipino family. Through this newfound friendship, I learned that she followed the Baha'i Faith, a belief system I hadn't encountered before.
Intrigued by her faith, I asked her to explain it to me. She described how Baha'is believe that God sends messengers at various times in history to share essential messages. They also revere Jesus and His teachings. She introduced me to Bahá'u'lláh, who emerged 120 years after Jesus with a new message. While our conversations about her faith were brief, I cherished her as a friend. I could sense her deep spirituality and connection with God. Later, I attended a gathering of the Baha'i Faith and appreciated the warmth and inclusiveness of the community. My friend's spiritual path intrigued me, and I believed she and her fellow Baha'is had a unique connection with God.
Now, let me share the story of the forgotten tapes. As I mentioned earlier, I had stored away some tapes by Caroline Myss, an author and spiritual teacher, after initially being unable to connect with her message. After hearing her name mentioned by my friend in San Diego, I felt drawn to revisit those tapes. This time, I found her teachings resonating with me, and I eagerly devoured her books and attended one of her seminars, which became a life-changing experience.
After several years in San Diego, I returned to Michigan, where I met a woman at a former job who radiated positivity and energy. Despite not knowing each other well, we formed an instant connection. She introduced me to the concept of healing and mentioned attending a seminar in Los Angeles. Her discussion of healing piqued my interest, especially since my experiences in the spa industry had exposed me to various perspectives on wellness.
However, when she suggested that she could see an issue with my first chakra and offered to perform a healing on me, I hesitated. I was cautious about these alternative practices and questioned their compatibility with my beliefs. Nonetheless, I agreed, and she performed the healing. Later, she explained that she could conduct the healing remotely, even while she was in Hawaii. Skeptical yet curious, I allowed her to proceed.
To my surprise, I experienced a profound transformation. I woke up with newfound energy, joy, peace, and positivity—a stark departure from my usual morning disposition. These feelings had been absent in my life for a long time, and I knew something extraordinary had occurred. Furthermore, the accuracy of her insights during the healing and her understanding of my life's challenges left me in awe.
I became her student, traveling to Washington for her intuitive class. She later invited me to a spiritual workshop and a spiritual tour to South Africa. During the tour, I encountered Sangomas, traditional South African healers, who conveyed messages similar to those I had received from others across diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds. It perplexed me that individuals with different religions could deliver consistent messages and validate my life's path and spiritual gifts. Moreover, I attended a Christian church in South Carolina, where I received prophetic words that echoed the same messages.
However, my introduction to the prophetic realm occurred a year earlier at a Christian church in Santa Maria, California. My sister, who shares different beliefs, invited me to attend a meeting on dream interpretation. Intrigued by the idea of Christians engaging in this practice, I joined her. At the meeting, I encountered Doug Addison, a Christian evangelist, who delivered a message that left a lasting impact. He noted the presence of the "light of God" around me and prophesied that I would help people find their destinies.
This experience challenged my preconceived notions about religious boundaries. It became evident that divine messages transcended religious affiliations and could be found in unexpected places. I realized that it was essential to focus on a person's heart and spiritual intent rather than their religious label. Love and acceptance were the common themes among all these diverse spiritual encounters.
In my journey, I have received messages, readings, and prophetic words from various individuals, each with their unique beliefs and practices. I've come to understand that while the terminology may differ, the core messages often align. If one is grounded, possesses a loving heart, and seeks a genuine connection with God, they need not fear exploring these diverse sources of spiritual insight. Each person can take these messages into their heart and discern their personal truths.
In conclusion, my experiences have led me to realize that God can communicate through anyone, regardless of their religious background. It's not about seeking out these messages, but rather, it's about recognizing the love and acceptance that should unite us all, transcending denominations and belief systems. I continue to cherish my friendships with people of various beliefs, including those who identify as atheists, as I believe that God's presence can manifest in profound ways, even in unexpected places. I am a soldier of love, and my journey has taught me to appreciate the diverse ways in which people connect with the divine. Peace be with you all.
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