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