Prologue. Spring, 1974: Toronto, ON

Before I began my journey, several months were spent in preparation. I shall digress here and relate this preparatory story. Events that unfolded during the spring and fall of 1974 shaped my vision and direction that I chose for this journey. It almost seems seeds were planted, gestated and gave birth to my need to go out, gather story and seek Truth. I was exposed to psychic phenomena that could be regarded as bordering on psychosis. I make no judgment but will relate them as I experienced it. Where the Truth lies, I make no claim, but will let that conclusion fall where it may. Much of this story is of a subjective nature. Intuition, and primal imprinting meshed with social and cultural programming provided a path through this unchartered territory. The soil these seeds were planted upon came from the turmoil and uncertainty that characterized the 1960’s.
During this period there sprouted germs that would develop into the Human Potential Movement. A bevy of groups spread throughout the world carrying the fruits that were developed in California primarily at Esalen and through EST (Erhard Seminars Training). Many of these groups explored realms of paranormal experience. I attended a workshop in Toronto during early spring, 1974 sponsored by PSI Mind Control. Techniques of relaxation, meditation and visualization were explored. It seemed powerful spiritual forces were being summoned to enter our physical world. I intuited a sense of caution when I realized these powers could fall into wrong hands and lead to evil ends. I felt we were bordering on culmination of ancient cultural myths. I uttered my first prayer. Sitting with this group I asked, “May I not use this experience to harm anyone nor derive personal gain. May I walk in the path of my Creator.”
When it was explained that the point of this work was to garner the ability to create the worlds of our desires, I felt much like facing the Tempter that Jesus faced after spending time in the desert. Even though it was stressed that we were to use this force for the good of mankind, it did mean that individually we could determine what was Good. It frightened me to realize that most abhorrent of our schemes spring from a desire to do good. I made a decision to distance myself personally from these forces. I neither regarded them as good or bad, just as something that was not for me. I sensed that we were perhaps on a brink that could lead to our unraveling. I gave myself the assignment to watch and observe.
The last experience I had with this group consisted of a group guided meditation. We were to individually visualize ourselves sitting in a pyramid structure meditating. As I sat there, I felt my consciousness travel upward and forward, I rushed over land that had been blackened by a fire storm. I followed over miles of devastated space and time. Finally, I traveled over a hill into a lush valley where a remnant of survivors were beginning anew. As the experience came to an end, many in the group shared experiencing a similar scene. Crying and sadness predominated. It was almost as if we knew, that tremendous pain would accompany such a birth. That theme carries with me and overshadows the landscapes I see. I am aware that idea also is woven throughout many cultural scriptural tales. As I travel about ,I run into that story as told in many languages. This is the backdrop against which I paint the picture of the world I perceive.

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