Spiritual Explorers and Their Discoveries – Introduction
These pages list individuals or groups of individuals who dedicated themselves to discovering their spirituality in many cases. They then attempted to share what they found with all of us. In many, if not most of these cases, it was the greatest gift that they could give us.
We must search through those offerings and determine which gifts are relevant for our use. You should also look through some of these discoveries and see if they are relevant to fit your soul and provide interest and usefulness while you are here in this earthly realm and beyond. They are not offered in any particular order of importance, for they are all important and have great value to many individual spiritual searchers.
We are not listing many important people representing an organized religious affiliation primarily because they are not themselves originating a spiritual concept but espousing a belief or theology that has been established for a long time. That fact does not mean that those beliefs are not valid, but simply that our pages identify those individuals or organizations originating ideas or concepts that might be of interest to our visitors. The established religions do not need our help in this regard, and those who are happy with their religion will most likely not be searching for alternatives. These churches do not need our help in getting the word out.
We are also avoiding those individuals, groups, or entities that appear to be establishing a cult of any kind. We will leave it up to you as to what is a cult is, but we have our ideas of what that encompasses. We promote the concept that a soul looking to discover their spirituality does not want to turn over that responsibility to another person or group of people.
The concepts promoting cult-hood are anathema to our goals.
Dan Millman is a former world champion athlete, university coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor.
After an intensive, twenty-year spiritual quest, Dan’s teaching found its form as the Peaceful Warrior’s Way expressed fully in his books and lectures. His work continues to evolve, to meet the needs of a changing world.
Comments from Dan Ford:
Dan Millman was one of my first, if not the first motivational writer and speakers who inspired me to look beyond my everyday experiences to see if there was something new and essential that I could base my life on. He was an excellent launching board for me, as I am sure he has been for many others. I read his books and attended his talks. Both were worth the time and expense.
I traveled to Orlando, Florida, to attend an inspirational talk he gave many years ago. I was very inspired by meeting him and hearing what he had to say about becoming a Peaceful Warrior.
I recommend that you spend some time and effort to see if he can offer you something as well. It is invaluable for young men and women who are beginning their spiritual search.
Shirley MacLaine is an famous American actress, singer, author, activist, and former dancer. She is known for her portrayals of quirky, headstrong, eccentric women in a career that spans seven decades. MacLaine has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two British Academy Film Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. She has a strong interest in spirituality and metaphysics. Some of her best-selling books include Out on a Limb and Dancing in the Light. She has undertaken such forms of spiritual exploration as walking The Camino and practicing Transcendental Meditation.
Comments from Dan Ford
I first fell in love with Shirley MacLaine when she starred in Sweet Charity way back in 1969. When she began to write books, I read each one of them as well. One of my latest writing endeavors on this Emerald Crystal website is called, “A Lonely Man On A Wakeful Road.” who embarks on a personal Vision Quest. It was inspired by both Shirley MacLaine’s “The Camino” and by Paulo Coelho’s, The Alchemist. I have not copied Shirley in my personal lifestyle, but I sure am inspired by her. She lives a life that is certainly the life she wants to live, which is a major lesson we all have to learn.
Your life is your life and nobody else’s, and you should live it your way. I suggest you take some time and read the books she has written, and certainly you have to watch Sweet Charity, if you get the chance.
Born 7 October 1931 – Died 26 December 2021
Desmond Mpilo Tutu was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. He was Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986 and then Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996, in both cases being the first black African to hold the position.Wikipedia
He headed the establishment of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission which was a pioneering international event. Never had any country sought to move forward from despotism to democracy both by exposing the atrocities committed in the past and achieving reconciliation with its former oppressors. At the center of this unprecedented attempt at healing a nation has been Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whom President Nelson Mandela named as Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. With the final report of the Commission just published, Archbishop Tutu offers his reflections on the profound wisdom he has gained by helping usher South Africa through this painful experience.
No Future Without Forgiveness,
Tutu argues that true reconciliation cannot be achieved by denying the past. But nor is it easy to reconcile when a nation “looks the beast in the eye.” Rather than repeat platitudes about forgiveness, he presents a bold spirituality that recognizes the horrors people can inflict upon one another, and yet retains a sense of idealism about reconciliation. With a clarity of pitch born out of decades of experience, Tutu shows readers how to move forward with honesty and compassion to build a newer and more humane world.
Social and international issues quotation
“I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say sorry, I mean I would much rather go to the other place. I would not worship a God who is homophobic and that is how deeply I feel about this. I am as passionate about this campaign as I ever was about apartheid. For me, it is at the same level.”
— Tutu in 2013
Tutu also spoke out on the need to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic, in June 2003 stating that “Apartheid tried to destroy our people and apartheid failed. If we don’t act against HIV-AIDS, it may succeed, for it is already decimating our population.
Comments from Dan Ford
I would see little reason for me to add more comment to this man’s credentials and his accomplishments. Along with his astounding sense of humor, he talked the big talks, acts the big acts, set the most important goals and achieved the most amazing things. He was still active when he passed and we will all miss what additional work he might have accomplshed.
Samuel Benjamin Harris is an American author, philosopher, neuroscientist, and podcast host. His work touches on a wide range of topics, including rationality, religion, ethics, free will, neuroscience, meditation, psychedelics, philosophy of mind, politics, terrorism, and artificial intelligence. Wikipedia
Sam Harris’s work focuses on how our growing understanding of ourselves and the world changes our sense of how we should live.
Why you should listen!
Sam Harris is the author of five New York Times bestsellers. His books include The End of Faith, Letter to a Christian Nation, The Moral Landscape, Free Will, Lying, Waking Up and Islam, and the Future of Tolerance (with Maajid Nawaz). The End of Faith won the 2005 PEN Award for Nonfiction. Harris’s writing and public lectures cover a wide range of topics — neuroscience, moral philosophy, religion, spirituality, violence, human reasoning — but generally focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world changes our sense of how we should live.
Harris’s work has been published in more than 20 languages and discussed in the New York Times, Time, Scientific American, Nature, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and many other journals. He has written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Economist, The Times (London), the Boston Globe, The Atlantic, The Annals of Neurology, etc. Harris also regularly hosts a popular podcast. Harris received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.
Comments from Dan Ford
Sam Harris is one of a kind when it comes to having an opinion on almost any subject. You may not agree with him on every one of those opinions, but you generally have to admit that you probably agree with him on most of them. And what he has to say is offered up in a very erudite manner. He has attracted many admiring fans through the years.
A discarnate speaker using the name of Seth was channeled by Jane Roberts and recorded by her husband, Robert Butts.
Seth is the internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher who spoke through Jane Roberts while in a trance and coined “You Create Your Own Reality.” Seth’s empowering message launched the New Age movement.
Books originated by Seth have sold over seven million copies and were translated into more than eleven languages. Seth’s clear presentation of the furthest reaches of human potential, the eternal validity of the soul, and the concept that we create our reality according to our beliefs, has rippled out to affect people’s lives in every corner of the globe.
Seth’s voice stands out as one of the major forces which led to the current New Age philosophical movement.
His personal work, (first published in the late 1960s) has withstood the test of time. It is still the most dynamic, comprehensive, brilliant, and undistorted map of inner reality and human potential available today.
If you want answers to life’s most important questions, if you want to improve your living conditions, Seth will show you how, not by relying on him, but by accessing and using the tremendous source of power and wisdom that lies within you.
Comments from Dan Ford
I discovered Jane Roberts and her husband Robert Butts many years ago. I have devoured The Seth Material, The Nature of Personal Reality, Oversoul Seven, The Magical Approach, and many more fantastic books by Jane and Robert Butts. But I was totally hooked by “Seth Speaks”.
I read it cover to cover twice and recently bought the Audiobook edition as well. I learn something every time I connect with the speakings of Seth or the writings of Jane and Robert Butts. A newcomer to spiritual reading will be amazed to discover how many other spiritual authors rave about Jane Roberts and Robert Butts and write reviews about how much they have learned from them. I certainly join that chorus.
I had many questions that I couldn’t get answered by conventional sources, including religious teachings, but I was pleased to have most of them answered to my satisfaction by Seth and Jane. I urge readers to give them a try to see if they experience the same pleasure.
FROM THE WEBSITE:
Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lamas to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are realized beings, inspired by the wish to attain complete enlightenment, who have vowed to be reborn in the world to help all living beings. Firstly, as a human being, His Holiness is concerned with encouraging people to be happy. And helping them understand that if their minds are upset mere physical comfort will not bring them peace, but if their minds are at peace, even physical pain will not disturb their calm. He advocates the cultivation of warm-heartedness and human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment, and self-discipline. He says that as human beings, we are all the same. We all want happiness and do not want to suffer. Even people who have no religious belief can benefit if they incorporate these human values into their lives. His Holiness refers to such human values as secular ethics or universal values. He is committed to talking about the importance of such values and sharing them with everyone he meets.
Secondly, as a Buddhist monk, His Holiness is committed to encouraging harmony among the world’s religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. Therefore, all religious traditions need to respect one another and recognize the value of their respective traditions. The idea that there is one truth and one religion is relevant to the individual practitioner. However, he says there is a need to recognize that human beings observe several religions and several aspects of the truth concerning the wider community.
Thirdly, His Holiness is a Tibetan, and as the ‘Dalai Lama’ is the focus of the Tibetan people’s hope and trust. Therefore, he is committed to preserving the Tibetan language and culture, the heritage Tibetans received from the masters of India’s Nalanda University, while also speaking up to protect Tibet’s natural environment.
In addition, His Holiness has lately spoken of his commitment to reviving awareness of the value of ancient Indian knowledge among young Indians today. The Dalai Lama has always been convinced that the rich ancient Indian understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions and mental training techniques, such as meditation, developed by Indian traditions, are of great relevance today. Since India has a long history of logic and reasoning, he is confident that its ancient knowledge, viewed from a secular, academic perspective, can be combined with modern education.
Comments by Dan Ford
I have never had the honor to meet the Dalai Lama or be in his presence, but my life is not over yet, so there may be the opportunity. Since he was exiled from Tibet, I have read of his activities and am amazed by his grace to people from various backgrounds. Even though he is currently stateless, he is certainly not graceless. He represents a religion, of course, but he seems to live in a fabulous state of Spirituality that is evident at all times. He speaks and writes with the same sense of truisms represented by all Buddhism and even Confucianism precepts.
The Dalai Lama believes that the truths of Buddhism exist for the followers of other religions. He tries to enlighten his audience by employing the notions familiar to the followers of other faiths when he travels and speaks.
Pope Francis is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State since 2013. Elected on 13 March 2013, Francis is the first member of the Society of Jesus to be appointed pope and the first non-European to hold office since the 8th century. He described his papal name as pointing to what he wants to emulate in Saint Francis of Assisi: to have a poor church, for the poor, always going out to the margins, and to show concern for the natural environment. His papal motto Miserando atque eligendo (“by having mercy and by choosing”) contains a central theme of his papacy, God’s mercy, which has led to conflict with traditionalists on issues such as reception of Communion by remarried Catholics. In addressing real-life situations, he often appeals directly to Jesus’s emphases, in continuity with the Second Vatican Council, which showed a renewed emphasis on the New Testament sources of Catholic teaching. He has placed greater emphasis on church synods and widespread consultation and dialogue, uplifting the roles of laypersons and women in the Catholic church and criticizing clericalism. Francis’ concern for the poor is noted in his critiques of unbridled capitalism. His quite visible support of refugees and migrants and his outreach to liberationist, anarchist, communist, socialist and liberal movements in Latin America were under a cloud during the papacy of John Paul II.
His apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel), released eight months after his election, has been described as programmatic and “a core document of this pontificate”, in his own words, “pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey for years to come.” He has also become known for his “sharp and unscripted remarks. From Wikipedia
Comments by Dan Ford
As we have stated on our website, we generally don’t focus on religious or theological concepts as they generally focus or insist on following a rigid need to follow precepts as set forth by their organizations. Certainly, the Roman Catholics, like most other organized religions, fit that description, but with their newest leader, we see a tendency to modify that viewpoint somewhat.
Pope Francis has acted as somewhat of a rebel when faced by the Vatican’s more Conservative leadership, and in my opinion, this has placed him, as an advocate for urging a personal Spirituality for all souls.
Perhaps many will disagree, but I feel we should all watch and listen to this remarkable man. I am sure he will have left his mark on our world when he leaves it.
The Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation works to continue the mindful teachings and practice of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, support our mindfulness practice centers around the world, and engage in Sangha (community) building in order to foster peace and transform suffering in all people, animals, plants, and our planet.
Lovingly referred to as Thay (“teacher” in Vietnamese), Thich Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader, poet, and peace activist, revered throughout the world for his powerful teachings and bestselling writings on mindfulness and peace. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A gentle, humble monk, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called him “an Apostle of peace and nonviolence” when nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Exiled from his native Vietnam for almost four decades, Thich Nhat Hanh has been a pioneer bringing Buddhism and mindfulness to the West, and establishing an engaged Buddhist community for the 21st Century.
Robert Allan Monroe, also known as Bob Monroe (Born October 30, 1915 – Died March 17, 1995), was a radio broadcasting executive known for his research into altered consciousness and founding The Monroe Institute. His 1971 book Journeys Out of the Body is credited with popularizing the term “out-of-body experience”. Assisted by specialists in psychology, medicine, biochemistry, psychiatry, electrical engineering, physics, and education, Monroe developed Hemi-Sync, a patented audio technology that facilitates enhanced performance.
According to his account, while experimenting with sleep-learning in 1958, Monroe experienced an unusual phenomenon, which he described as sensations of paralysis and vibration accompanied by a bright light that appeared to be shining on him from a shallow angle. Monroe went on to say that this occurred another nine times over the next six weeks, culminating in his first out-of-body experience (OBE). Monroe recorded his account in his 1971 book Journeys Out of the Body and became a prominent researcher in the field of human consciousness. Monroe later authored two more books on his experiments with OBE, Far Journeys (1985) and Ultimate Journey (1994).
The Monroe Institute (TMI) is a nonprofit education and research organization devoted to exploring human consciousness, based in Faber, Virginia, United States.
Mind & Life emerged in 1987 from a meeting of three visionaries: Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama—the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and a global advocate for compassion; Francisco Varela, a scientist and philosopher; and Adam Engle, a lawyer, and entrepreneur.
The trio understood that science was the dominant framework for investigating the nature of reality and the modern source for knowledge that could help improve Life for people and the planet. And they wondered: what impact could be achieved through combining scientific inquiry with the transformative power of contemplative wisdom?
While science relies on empiricism, technology, “objective” observation, and analysis, the Dalai Lama, Varela, and Engle were convinced that well-refined contemplative practices and introspective methods could be used as equal instruments of investigation. They saw the potential to make science itself more humane and ensure its conclusions were far-reaching. They formed the Mind & Life Institute to bridge this divide and advance human well-being.
Introducing Himself
by Michael J. Roads
I am known as a modern mystic. Over many years I have gained a wealth of metaphysical experiences which offer me the most extraordinary insights into life. As a spiritual teacher, I have devised many inner exercises which allow people to experience the interconnectedness of All life, bridging the illusion of separation between our inner and outer worlds. I offer people the ability to maintain a state of inner peace and freedom, regardless of the situations and circumstances of their lives. Yes . . . this is possible!
All is possible within the power of unconditional Love. I have the consciousness and ability to empower people, thus assisting them in remembering and reconnecting with their Divine potential. When certain universal principles of Truth become an aspect of your life, the extraordinary becomes quite ordinary. Eons ago, we settled for life in the illusion. I will teach you the way out. I have spent five decades exploring the higher realms of consciousness. It is time for your outdated and outmoded personal world reality to give way to the higher potential of a far Greater Reality.
Welcome to my world!
I love what I do, which is why I am good at it. I live what I teach and teach what I live; this is important to me. If I embody inner growth, then I can teach it. Instead of simply saying words, I am consciously sharing energy. And, as I have stated, I teach a way to live that works. I no longer experience fear, anxiety, worry, stress, anger, blame, self-criticism, or judgment. It works for me, and it will work for you!
Comments from Dan Ford:
I bought The Secret World many years ago, not knowing what I would get myself into later. I will use the old tired rhetoric of saying that I couldn’t put the book down, but I honestly couldn’t. His story transported me to a world I didn’t know existed, and Michael Roads’ way of writing convinced me that I didn’t have to care if he was truth-telling or simply writing of an imaginary world. I didn’t care because his world was a wonderful one. I have read many of his books over the years. And I have become a believer in his wonderful worlds. I am now a writer of similar stories and visit Michael’s Worlds and some unique ones of my creation within my Vision Quest and Meeting Tiber short tales.
One day, I might reach his quality of storytelling, but for now and until then, I can only thank him for his influence on my life to date.
Oprah Gail Winfrey is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, broadcast from Chicago, and one of the highest-rated television programs of history. It ran in national syndication for 25 years, from 1986 to 2011. From Wikipedia
Additionally, she has promoted individual spirituality and social responsibility. And she is accepted as an exceptional authority in that area. She is arguably one of the most famous and respected celebrities in the world.
She is especially interested in authors and philosophers who espouse spirituality issues and has used her extensive social platform to help bring their messages to souls hungry for spiritual knowledge. This single act of spiritual judgment and promotional activity has probably been one of the most socially responsible acts ever done by anyone.
Comments by Dan Ford
Like most humans in the United States and worldwide, I was introduced to Oprah Winfrey when I tuned into her talk show. This talk show was one of the best ways to meet and get to know some very interesting people I would not likely ever meet in person. That alone was of great value to me.
Then I was blown out of the water, to use that ridiculous phrase, when I saw her act in The Color Purple. I had never thought of her as an actress. But now I think of her first as a spiritual advocate. Then as an actor, a book critic, a promoter, and then as a talk show hostess. This lineup is not an attempt to prioritize any of these creative functions, as she excels in all of them.
This Brazilian author is considered one of the most influential authors of our time. His books have sold more than 320 million copies worldwide, have been released in 170 countries, and have been translated into 83 languages. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, he soon discovered his vocation for writing. He worked as a director, theater actor, songwriter, and journalist. His collaboration with Brazilian composer and singer Raul Seixas gave some of Brazil’s greatest classic rock songs.
In 1986, a special meeting led him to pilgrimage to Saint James Compostela (in Spain). The Road to Santiago was not only a common pilgrimage but a turning point in his existence. A year later, he wrote The Pilgrimage, an autobiographical novel considered the beginning of his career. In the following year, Coelho published The Alchemist. Slow initial sales convinced his first publisher to drop the novel. Still, it became a bestselling international phenomenon, remaining on the New York Times bestseller list for over 427 consecutive weeks.
Comments from Dan Ford:
Although Paulo Coelho is probably not considered a spiritual adept by many people, his writing style and storyline choices make him a natural leader in the spiritual venues.
Reading his novel, The Alchemist tends to launch the reader on a journey to discover an essential attitude when setting goals to make your life more meaningful. This novel is composed of philosophical advice offered in a simple but straightforward manner.
I believe these attributes make this, and his later novels required reading for anyone that cares about the meaning of how to live out our lives.
Betty White with Stewart Edward White.
Stewart Edward White was a writer of Western adventure novels who turned his attention toward the inner adventures of life when his wife Betty demonstrated mediumship abilities. While in a trance, Betty explored the nature of the inner worlds while Stewart recorded her comments. From the wealth of material gained in this fashion, Stewart wrote several classic books: The Betty Book, Across the Unknown, and The Unobstructed Universe.
A popular author of adventure and travel books, Stewart Edward White (March 12, 1873, to September 18, 1946) became interested in mediumship in 1919 after his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” White, discovered her ability to receive messages from purported spirits utilizing automatic writing and the trance voice. “I had paid such matters very little attention and had formed no considered opinions on them one way or another,” White wrote of his attitude before 1919.
After Betty’s death on April 5, 1939, White began receiving messages from her through the mediumship of a woman named “Joan,” who preferred to remain anonymous. White then put Betty’s teachings together in The Unobstructed Universe, published in 1940.
The preceding information was gleaned from Spirits At Play/PSI Workers/Michael E. Tymn.
Comments from Dan Ford
I was in the US Air Force and stationed on a remote island in the South Pacific called Rongelap in 1958. We were conducting hydrogen bomb tests at the time, and I was on the island nearest Bikini Atoll, where the largest bombs were tested.
There were often long pauses between these numerous atomic tests, and this meant that we had plenty of time to lay on the beach, scuba dive within a fantastic coral reef, read, and so even more reading. I had selected a book by Steward Edward White called The Unobstructed Universe, and its message stuck with me for the rest of my life. Even though I eventually forgot about it, its message continued to reside in my mind for the most part. After many years, I could still recall the novel but not the message, which continued until I awakened to my spiritual urges.
Somehow I was gradually being awakened to various spiritual concepts because of certain daily occurrences and incidents. They certainly seemed to be introduced to me for a purpose. Then slowly, I was being encouraged to remember certain books and other readings that had influenced me. The Unobstructed Universe was one of them, and I started obtaining memories of it and other books that had been stored in my memories and somehow flagged as important to me.
Stewart Edward and Betty White were important influences in my spiritual evolution to date, and I recommend that anyone reading these words research and read their offerings.
don Miguel Ruiz is a renowned spiritual teacher and internationally bestselling author of the “Toltec Wisdom Series,” including “The Four Agreements,” “The Mastery of Love,” “The Voice of Knowledge,” “The Four Agreements Companion Book,” “The Circle of Fire,” and “The Fifth Agreement.”
The Toltec Wisdom books have sold over 12 million copies, and have been published in 46 languages worldwide. don Miguel has spent the past three decades guiding students to personal freedom through his profound insights regarding the nature of human reality.
His newest book, THE ACTOR, is part of the Mystery School series written with Barbara Emrys, and was published in November 2020. The youngest of thirteen children, don Miguel Ruiz was born in rural Mexico to parents who were healers and practitioners of ancient Toltec traditions. As a young adult, he graduated from medical school in Mexico City and practiced neurosurgery with his older brother in Tijuana.
A near-fatal car crash forever changed the direction of his life, however, causing him to leave medicine and to examine the essential truth about life and humanity. With his mother’s help, and through her ancestral teachings, he discovered his own path to awareness, which evolved into a deep understanding of the physical universe and the virtual world of the mind. Combining Toltec mythology and scientific perspectives, don Miguel has been able to merge ancient wisdom with modern physics and practical common-sense, forging a new philosophy for seekers of truth and personal authenticity.
His landmark bestselling book, The Four Agreements, contains practical steps for long-term, personal transformation and has been read by millions around the world. First published in 1997, The Four Agreements has since sold over six million copies in the United States and seven million worldwide. It has been translated into 46 languages, appeared on the New York Times bestseller for nearly ten years, and was the 36th bestselling book of the decade. Don Miguel is also the author of The Mastery of Love, The Voice of Knowledge, Prayers, and the New York Times bestseller, The Fifth Agreement, a collaboration with his son, don José Ruiz. Each of his books are international bestsellers.
About Edgar Cayce: Gleaned from Website
Edgar Cayce (pronounced Kay-Cee, 1877-1945) has been called the “sleeping prophet and the “father of holistic medicine.” And he was considered the most documented psychic of the 20th century.
For more than 40 years of his adult life, Cayce gave psychic “readings” to thousands of seekers while in an unconscious state, diagnosing illnesses and revealing lives lived in the past and prophecies yet to come. But who, exactly, was Edgar Cayce?
Cayce was born on a farm in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in 1877, and his psychic abilities began to appear as early as his childhood. He was able to see and talk to his late grandfather’s spirit and often played with “imaginary friends” whom he said were spirits on the other side. He also displayed an uncanny ability to memorize the pages of a book simply by sleeping on it. These gifts labeled the young Cayce as strange, but Cayce wanted to help others, especially children.
Later in life, Cayce would find that he could put himself into a sleep-like state by lying down on a couch, closing his eyes, and folding his hands over his stomach. In this state of relaxation and meditation, he was able to place his mind in contact with all time and space — the universal consciousness, also known as the super-conscious mind. From there, he could respond to questions as broad as.”What are the secrets of the universe? And “What is my purpose in life? To as specific as, “What can I do to help my arthritis?” And “How were the pyramids of Egypt built?” His responses to these questions came to be called “readings,” and their insights offer practical help and advice to individuals even today.
Many people are surprised to learn that Edgar Cayce was a devoted churchgoer and Sunday school teacher. At a young age, Cayce vowed to read the Bible for every year of his life. And at the time of his death in 1945, he had accomplished this task. Perhaps the readings said it best; when asked how to become psychic, Cayce’sCayce’s advice was to become more spiritual.
Comments by Dan Ford
There is no way I would be the one person on earth who had never heard of Edgar Cayce. His trance sessions about people’s heath and welfare are famous, but I was always very fascinated by his readings involving the lost continent of Atlantis.
My first fictional novel in my Quest Universe was inspired by the readings of Edgar Cayce discussing the fact that various souls from the time of Ancient Atlantis are reincarnating in the present day. They intend to grapple with similar issues that they had while in Atlantis and mention that ruins of Atlantis will be found near Bimini Island. I wrapped those insights well within the plot of my novel.
Edgar Casey was a fascinating individual and had much to say about many human issues that should interest almost everyone.
James Redfield is an American author, lecturer, screenwriter, and film producer. He is notable for his novel The Celestine Prophecy.
What’s New: From James Redfield
Are you a Millennial…or do you love one? The Celestine Prophecy Novel is
now being passed around in greater numbers by Millennials and their older children approaching college age. Why? Because these two generations are most alarmed at a world wracked by anger, division, and corruption, these two generations will soon make up the majority of people in the world.
All the Anger and Corruption we see around us is merely showing itself so it can be resolved. But reacting to corruption with more anger and hatred doesn’t work. Hate makes the object of our hatred react in defense of itself, so it seeks to grow larger and more powerful through becoming even more corrupt.
But the Celestine Prophecy describes the rise of a higher Spiritual Consciousness that can replace fear and hatred. The book depicts another future born of a loving honesty that can shine a light on the darkness and replace it with an authentic Spirituality.
The Celestine Consciousness is our birthright. It offers a Positive, Contagious, Uplifting effect on others. And it creates the best life any of us as individuals can attain — a life marked by a higher Spiritual Connection… and all that flows from it: intuitive guidance, a flow of Synchronicity that helps us through life, and ultimately, a destiny that leads us to our dream work that can help make the world better and more enlightened.
Remember, I’m not inventing this. I’m only describing something that is already occurring in the caring peoples of the Earth. I know you can sense it. It is a wave that is building. We’re all in this together.
Comments from Dan Ford
The Celestine Prophecy was a unique spiritual-style story when it was first published. I bought it soon after its publication and was very much affected by Redfield’s writing style and messages.
Like everyone else, I often bought and read stories about characters that became involved with other characters and embarked on an adventure in search of something. I had also read mysteries that would involve the characters and readers attempting to find the solution to a complex question. I occasionally found a book that offered spiritual solutions to a character that needed a solution.
But I rarely found a story that had all of the fore-mentioned attributes and was very entertaining as well. James Redfield could embed all of those literary methods and means together into one storyline, and I was captivated.
I followed the rest of his publications and was never disappointed with any of them. I recommend that those of you who have not read his work consider doing so soon.
From his website:
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a globally revered spiritual and humanitarian leader. He has spearheaded an unprecedented worldwide movement for a stress-free, violence-free society. Through a myriad of programs and teachings, a network of organizations including the Art of Living and the International Association for Human Values, and a rapidly growing presence across 156 countries, Gurudev has reached an estimated 450 million people. Gurudev has developed unique, impactful programs that empower, equip and transform individuals to tackle challenges at global, national, community and individual levels.
Born in 1956 in Southern India, Gurudev was a gifted child. By the age of four, he was able to recite the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Sanskrit scripture, and was often found in meditation. He holds degrees in, both, Vedic literature and physics.
In 1982, Gurudev entered a ten-day period of silence in Shimoga located in the Indian state of Karnataka. The Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique, was born. With time, the Sudarshan Kriya became the center-piece of the Art of Living courses.
Gurudev founded The Art of Living as an international, non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization. Its educational and self-development programs offer powerful tools to eliminate stress and foster a sense of well-being. Appealing not only to a specific population, these practices have proven effective globally and at all levels of society.
In 1997, he also founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) to coordinate sustainable development projects, nurture human values and coordinate conflict resolution in association with The Art of Living. In India, Africa and South America, the two sister organizations’ volunteers are spearheading sustainable growth in rural communities, and have already reached out to 40,212 villages.
DEEPAK CHOPRA MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation.
Chopra is an Adjunct Professor of Urology at Mount Sinai, Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Central Florida, Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego and serves as a senior scientist with Gallup Organization. He is the author of over 90 books translated into over forty-three languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers.
For the last thirty years, Chopra has been at the forefront of the meditation revolution and his 91st book, Total Meditation (Harmony Books) helps to achieve new dimensions of stress-free living and joyful living. Chopra has also released several podcasts including Now for Tomorrow (Religion of Sports), Infinite Potential (Cadence13) and Daily Breath (Cadence13), a Webby Award winner.
This fall, he will launch the new podcast, Deepak Chopra’s Mind Body Zone: Living Outside the Box on Audible, which will feature thought-provoking conversations with Chopra and influential leaders from around the world. TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as “one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.” From his Website
Comments from Dan Ford
Deepak Chopra was one of the primary leaders of the modern-day spiritual revolution. I can remember how many of my friends and family, including my mother, we’re fascinated by Deepak Chopra’s soothing accent and amazing command of the subject matter. He attracted and held people’s attention even when they were not yet committed to evolving their spirituality. That was quite a gift.
I can remember purchasing a series of his books in anticipation of acquiring the spiritual growth that I desired in short order. It didn’t quite work that way, but I came away very satisfied, and I believe a better soul than I was before I read them.
And he has lasted to become another modern-day guru and is still attracting people to value his thoughts and knowledge.
Marianne Williamson is a bestselling author, political activist and spiritual thought leader.
For over three decades Marianne has been a leader in spiritual and religiously progressive circles. She is the author of 14 books, four of which have been #1 New York Times best sellers. A quote from the mega best seller A Return to Love, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…” is considered an anthem for a contemporary generation of seekers.
Williamson founded Project Angel Food, a non-profit that has delivered more than 13 million meals to ill and dying homebound patients since 1989. The group was created to help people suffering from the ravages of HIV/AIDS. She has also worked throughout her career on poverty, anti-hunger and racial reconciliation issues. In 2004, she co-founded The Peace Alliance and supports the creation of a U.S. Department of Peace. In 2021, Marianne launched
MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com and the TRANSFORM Podcast.
From her Website
