The Awakening

This is the story about an introduction to alternativewhere to start. I felt that I needed guidance, but there
healing in an extremely alternative manner. It provideswas no one in my network of friends with that kind of
an insight into the journey of self-discovery. I wasknowledge, and only one with whom I was
introduced to alternative healing in a very alternativecomfortable even mentioning the experience. It took
way. I had a vision. In my vision an old Indian womanone year before I found anyone who could help me
approached me. When I asked who she was, sheunderstand what it meant.
replied:I had moved with my family from Dallas to Portland.
I am you, I am your mother, I am your sister, I am yourThis move created whole-sale changes in my life: a
grandmother, I am the Earth. She had gray hair pullednew job, new community, new church, and new
back tightly in a bun, and her skin was wrinkled andfriends. I did not know at the time, but I understand
weathered by life. She was wrapped in a wool blanketnow, that this move was part of a major shift that
and smoking a pipe. She asked if I wanted to join in thewould lead to a reordering of my life.
sisterhood, but warned me that my life would beShortly after the move, I was at the Oregon coast
forever changed. I was doubtful, but kept hearing thewith my husband, who was attending a convention. He
word "trust" in the background. I nodded my head andburst into our hotel room saying, "Jan, come down to
spoke the word yes.the vendor displays with me and meet this person
When we finished smoking the pipe, she spoke again.who has a booth with some very unusual books. I think
"Your guidance will be provided. Your medicine thatyou will be intrigued."
you carry is North, Wisdom, Healing, and Love. Begin atI followed him down and browsed through the various
this time to start reading and learn to understand thebooks. They addressed a wide range of spiritual
Ways."matters, many from nontraditional perspectives. I do
Looking back on this experience, I see the meaning ofnot remember the specific titles of the books, but I do
the vision with clarity and understand fully the intent ofremember feeling an uncontrollable urge to ask the
the visitation, but at the time I was left perplexed andsales woman if she knew anything about visions. She
wondering. I had had no exposure to any indigenousdid not, but offered me the name of a woman who
teachings. I did not know what sisterhood meant. I didmight help. I remember the excitement-the bolt of
not know anything about the pipe ceremony; I did notenergy-that ran through me as she handed me a
even know that it was traditional for Indians to smokebusiness card with the woman's name and phone
pipes. I had no idea what the word "medicine" meantnumber written on the back. I called immediately when I
except as some combination of chemical elements toreturned to Portland.
take when you are sick. I was engulfed in the mysteryThe woman referred to herself as a channel, and
of the vision, but confused as to its meaning. Why hadclaimed that she connected with the client's guardian
I had a vision? What did it mean? What, if anything,spirits, or angels, for guidance. She told me over the
was I supposed to do with these strange images thatphone that she felt my own guardian spirits could help
had invaded my consciousness?Even to start readingme understand my vision. I caught my breath. The
about the Ways presented a mystery. What were thewhole concept of guardian spirits was completely
Ways? Where would I find readings that would teachforeign to me. I had been to psychics in the past, but I
me the Ways? I was involved in psychology in a veryhad never experienced anyone who claimed to
traditional way; I knew no other way. I was active atchannel. I had little idea what the word channel meant
the time in the Methodist Church. In fact, I wasor what I had gotten myself into. Yet still I was curious
considering studying for a doctorate in theology andand felt innately that this was the right choice. I drove
perhaps pursuing a ministry. This vision was not at all ato her house. From that point on everything changed.
part of my existing reality system; it left me completelyDue to this shift in my awareness and my willingness
baffled. However, my love for God was so great that Ito open to new possibilities, I became exposed to the
honored the experience. I reminded myself of thepeople, training, and concepts that completely remolded
many stories in the Bible where visions had occurredmy life and my profession. Each shift has been a step
with wondrous messages accompanying them. Ialong the divine path of my development and my
believed that this vision had come to me for a purposeunderstanding of how we all can heal.
I did not yet understand; however, for me to fully honorSince the original vision, I have had numerous additional
this spiritual visit, I needed to seek greaterspiritual experiences. I began to reorder my life, renew
understanding. Thus began my voyage of discovery. Itmy thinking, and interlace my knowledge of psychology
would prove to alter my very existence, and it is awith elements of spirituality and actual teachings from
voyage I continue to this day. The wonder of it hasthe spiritual realm. As I integrated these experiences
proven to be in the journey itself, not in any finalinto my own consciousness, I became acutely aware
destination.that my experiences were not only for me but were
I committed to joining the sisterhood, whatever thatalso to be used as teachings for others. The teachings
was. I had made a contract with the vision, and I wouldand experiences hold universal messages, or basic
keep my commitment. I just had no idea what to do ortruths, that need to be shared.