Conversations with a Duck: And the End of Separation!

By Grant A. Watson

These feelings are just choices not emotions, as you call them. Arent they, Tnarg?
Emotions are energies in motion. You have chosen the way in which your energies will flow. You know that was your choice.
Remember that emotions are best not confused with compassion, understanding and the empathy procured from wisdom. This is entirely different.

We all feel alien and confused at times; at times we all search for a different path to happiness, one that promises more than the status quo. We feel this path must exist. Blessedly, it exists inside of each of us; by learning to ask the right questions, we will change our lives with the answers we find.

In Conversation with a Duck, reverend and spiritual healer and councilor Grant A. Watson brings us an indispensible and universally accessible guide to finding joy and finding our true selves in the midst of the wild flow that is life. Framed as a candid, personal question-and-answer story between an ordinary seeker and a knowing teacher, Conversation with a Duck explores with us the essence of love, peace, faith and the evolution of the human experience. Through Tnargs honest and heartfelt searching, we find our own path out of frustration, out of grief and into, finally, being able to simply trust and be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press AU
• Release date: Jul 26, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452502199

Grant A. Watson

Reverend Grant A. Watson has traveled the highways and hallways of the spiritual world for over fifty years, spending many of those years as a Reiki Master, spiritual life coach, crystal healer, tarot reader and psychic councilor. Grant lives to help others see the value in pursuing joy. He currently lives in New South Wales, Australia.

Book preview

Contents

Preface:

The Dream of Who You Are and the Support You Have Is True

Chapter One:

THE BURNING BUSH

Chapter Two:

CONVERSATION!

Chapter Three:

QUESTIONS

Chapter Four:

ASSIMILATION

Chapter Five:

DISCOVERIES

Chapter Six:

UNSETTLED

Chapter Seven:

THE AWAKENING

Chapter Eight:

INTEGRATION

Chapter Nine:

MIRROR

Rev. Grant A. Watson of 1/26 Victoria Street, Coffs Harbour New South Wales has written this story and would like to thank some of the people who aided in the completion of this work.

Mr Gary R. Watson I. I. A.

For supplying me with a computer and never losing faith in me.

Ms Angela Juricic

For helping edit my book.

I dedicate this story to all those in our times that feel alien and are searching for alternatives to the emotionally acceptable status quo, and who find that they don’t fit into the normal flow of what is available.

© I.P.GAW2005

[1]© I.P 2005

Preface:

The Dream of Who You Are and the Support You Have Is True

It is another oppressive, blistering day in this strange, dirty village and yet one I am sure will be filled with many spiritual evocations. Since being in Puttaparthi and Sri Sathya (Sai Baba’s ashrams) I suppose I have reaffirmed my relationship to the God/Good in me, rather than lay my power at anyone else’s feet. All manner of emotional turmoils seem to be inherent in this ‘transmutational period’. This ‘transmutational period’ is one that they (the illusive ‘they’) have told me humanity must go through at this time. It is part of humanity’s evolutionary process of changing its cellular intelligence from animal to spiritual. As for me, I would rather be totally unaware of this, so that I could merely exist from day to day, doing my work and not having the entire universal Akashic records playing their top forty in my head. That is why I am now, after having washed in a bowl of water and dressed myself in my kurta, about to venture out onto the streets of this strange Indian village at this time of my spiritual journey.

The throng and smells associated with this village are smashing into my senses as I venture deep into the street and laneways. I walk towards a meeting with a group of western friends who have travelled from all over the planet, seeking answers to our similar confusions in life. As I arrive at the café, I see Tom sitting at a table outside, sipping chai tea. Tom is tall, about 45 years old and the strains of his journey to this point are etched across his face. I think, as I slump down into a chair next to him, that I am sure that it how I see myself, albeit a little older and showing many more strains. ’Morning Tom.

The morning continued with many cups of tea and much discussion of the spiritual indiscretions of the world around us, by the five people who had joined the session with me. Even though we were all between the ages of 35 and 50, and of both genders, the conversation was pleasant, intelligent and lacking of obvious ego. It was difficult to embrace too much ego in India; it could humble one very quickly. The topic of conversation ventured onto a newly released book about some guy who had conversations with God. The group agreed that it was a good book and the author had a great message, but that it became personal and lost a lot of the its general application towards the end. We challenged that if he wrote that he had had conversations with anyone else at all except God, he would have possibly been accepted more widely. I piped up and said, If I were to try something like that I would have said that I had conversations with a dog or a duck, so no one would have to think of me as luckier or better than them. The readers could then reach the same conclusions and enjoy the same outcome of connection that we all inherently have. Good on you, they said, Why don’t you do it?

I am over 50 years old now and live by myself in a little farm outside Somerton, New South Wales, Australia. I read a little tarot, do a bit of feng shui consulting, ride my cruiser motorbike, write and work hard on being the fullest and most honest expression of myself that I can possibly be. I consider these days that if a flower is beautiful and a bird can be wise, then how amazing am I? I have been journeying along life’s road for a little while now, and have searched the halls and corridors of spirituality for answers to all the normal and not so normal questions in life.

The conversation in the little café, my egotistic pontificating and (not so egotistic) ability to write answers to all the trials and tribulations in an average journey through this world, have never left my thoughts for very long. I have now reached a time in my life when I really do trust that all is used and that my higher aspect really does have my best interests at hand. I have concluded that if I choose integrity within all my dealings and I trust that truth is the only religion, then whether or not I understand what is happening in my life or the world around me, it matters not. I affect the world I live in with relative peace and as I sow, I reap.

So, having as much Good in my heart and faith in my efforts to speak the truth, who knows? I could say that when I arrived at my computer to write to you this day, I felt a little exhausted with my search for spiritual peace and conceptual sanity. I have never written anything much in my life and a book like this should definitely sort out the ‘could I or couldn’t I?’ thing. I live alone now and have very little need for the normal sparkle and glitter, which still seems to (much to my amazement), excite most people in the world.

Okay, let’s go. I talk to animals! Nothing nutty, I’m just one of those people who says, Good morning birdies, Hello Mister Crow, Morning Sun, or Good evening to the moon and the ever present and unfailing, Greetings to Mother Earth! So, the kind of thing we all do, normal stuff, hey? I also have some pretty handy spiritual friends in high places, which will show up later. This part of that story is about a fairly long sharing with a large Duck and my guides; it is one of those so-called normal Hello’s! to an animal mentioned above that turned out to be really different.

As this story unfolds, you folk will listen in to a conversation I had with a Duck. I ask about everything that I ever felt unsure or confused about, which the Duck answers with amazing results and some highly spiritual ramifications for myself. I write this story for you or anyone who needs to hear from the Duck, because a travelling aspect of the divine (in a tourist’s outfit and an American accent) suggested I could and because the guys and gals in India encouraged me to have a go. So without further ado, meet my friend the Duck.

********

© I.P.2005[2]© I.P 2005

Chapter One:

THE BURNING BUSH

It was just after 4:00 a.m. when I got up to go through my morning constitutional. I bathed and went to my little altar area to pray. This was a standard thing for me to do since I had returned from India some 8 years ago, where the practice of rising at 4:00 a.m., washing, praying, and then washing and praying before retiring at 9:00 in the evening was the norm. Sound familiar? Well, all of us know someone or have seen a documentary that has mentioned the ashrams of India, the spiritual trek, and its value or lack of it. I personally had an amazing experience at the hands of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, although that’s another story. Let me get back to this one.

There were bright orange rays dancing across the lower fields and meadows when I finally donned my hat and walked out of the little wooden cabin that I had been so lucky to rent for the past few months. As I strolled further into the day, I could see the fight for life that life itself undertakes daily. The birds whistled their Good day. I just waved, Morning birdies. The sun’s emergence had quickly fulfilled its purpose of reaching every tree, rock, and blade of grass. I noticed that it was going to be another hot day so I dragged down the front of my hat to shade my eyes a little from the sun, as it was now peering over a hill in front of me and its rays were eager to reach everything. It truly was a beautiful morning, with Mother Earth wearing her finest dress and with just the hint of makeup. She looked stunning as usual. I smiled and said, Good morning, Mum! with as much conscious intent and love as if I was actually talking to my own physical mother standing in the kitchen. With the warmest reply that only my Earth Mother could give, I felt her answer. The rush of chi (life force) up through my body made me again realise how supported we are by Mother and just how unsupported she is in every sense by most of us. I grimaced a little and then surmised, The sooner the planet adopts a more matrifocal consciousness, becoming more nurturing in every way, the better off we will all be. As far as I could see, it was changing slowly; I can only pray that it won’t take too long, was my fleeting thought as I arrived at the pond.

I knelt low enough to scoop a hatful of water. The rain of the past few weeks had served well in maintaining its freshness, reminding me that it had been quite some time since I had come to this particular portion of the surrounding properties. As it was not really owned by anyone, it seemed more like a no-man’s-land in the middle of all the acreages, and yet not fenced or seemingly tainted by title or deed. A great spot that was somewhat enchanted. It sat quietly in the western foothills, skirted by gums and low wattles covering about a hectare of land with lots of shade. The little tree and shrub-filled island in the middle was quite a picture with the light dancing across the top of its undulating foliage. Something felt funny or was different, but exactly what it was I was not sure. I sat down and opened the top of my small backpack, revealing some biscuits that (believe it or not) I’d baked myself. I popped one into my mouth, sucking it to an emptiness that provided room for another. I swigged more of the hat-held water, popped in another bickie, and lay down with my pack acting as a pillow. It was rather comfortable lying there against a large fallen gum tree. Day dreaming for some time, I warmly realised with a sigh that I was not so much tired as solemn and at total peace. I grunted, and yes, I dozed off.

The pond looked surreal. The little island was ablaze with the strangest lights. In the centre was a large tree-shrub, the likes of which I had never seen before. It looked as though it was on fire. In looking around, nothing was itself. It took on a brightness almost twice the norm and there was a lot of movement in my peripheries. I turned quickly to the left and was sure I saw something. Then I looked sharply to the right and there stood my dog, Sam. My heart jumped as I said, Hi, girl, here, Sam. She ran straight to me and wagged her tail frantically while licking my hand and face and knocked my hat off. Just as fast as my heart had soared in joy at her arrival, it dived with fear and disbelief. Sam had died twelve years ago! God! What’s going on? I yelled. Sam sat up straight like she’d always done when she thought I was cross. I looked down at her and said, It’s okay, girl. Patting her head, tears started to roll down my face. Was I dead? How I loved that dog. How I’d missed her. What’s going on? She seems so real. Boy, I don’t feel so well, I thought. I sat down with the slump of my body, ushering Sam. She lay along my side with her head on my lap just as she had done so many times when she was alive. Shit, this is unreal, was my next thought. Another large movement from my left side caused me again to turn quickly, only to see my Uncle Ross about ten feet away. I was startled, yet composed. Ross had died about eight years ago. I just looked at him, half wondering whether to say hello or not. I couldn’t get over how well he looked. Then he said without turning, Aren’t you going to say hello, boy?

Nice to see you, mate, I said. Hope you don’t mind that I don’t seem too thrilled to see you. It’s just that I’m not feeling too good about this obvious visit to the other side, so to speak.

You’re alright, boy, said Ross. You have always known, or at least spoken of your relationship with the departed. So you have known of your lineage connection spiritually to me. It should be no surprise to see me, boy!

Sure, Ross. I’ve spoken of the fact that I believed that you were on my team and that you were possibly still serving the living through many mediums including myself. But to see you now is not going to immediately confirm that all is as I particularly said it was.

Sitting astride the large gum that Sam and I were slumped next to, Ross said, Always wanting confirmation, aren’t you? You’ve been saying that you’re a spirit having a human experience and not a human having a spiritual experience and yet, you’re the only one who doesn’t believe it.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Well, consider that you are a lot more ‘right’ than you are wrong all the time, and then you might not be so unhappy. ‘Right’ for you and your relationship to you and your connections to the universe - not everybody else’s connections, mind you! Yours!

Sure, that sounds good.

Well, my boy, I wouldn’t be telling you these things at this time to confuse you. Consider that your quest for self is just that! Your journey to find that elusive you is not going any further until you realise that you are already you! To quote you and what you usually say to others, ‘You came with all you needed and God doesn’t make mistakes. You are all you need to do this journey, having all the support you need, being equipped with all you require, in every way.’ Yes.

So why do I doubt this so much, Ross?

You don’t! Those that you share with doubt themselves a little; you then take it the rest of the way, owning it as your own insecurity. Then in turn you develop all sorts of fears and imaginings that there might be something wrong with you. That’s your level of sensing the energies around you. Try not to take it on.

Well, we all do that, or at least some of us do.

This is not about ‘all’ boy; it’s about you!

I understand what you’re saying, mate, but it just gets so hard to stay centred and on track, if you get my drift.

Sure, boy, I get your drift! You need to understand that I have the greatest confidence in your evolutional progress, as do the rest of the beings working in your vibration, else you would not be and they would not be.

So, who are the rest of them, Ross?

You know! They are with you often. You think of them regularly and they of you. You’ve worked with them and have known them all for a very long time.

That’s not an answer!

It is, boy, for now. Must go; someone else wants to say hello!

Hang on, Ross, where are you going?

Nowhere and everywhere, T’narg. I’ll be here!

I watched as Ross walked slowly away, realising in a minute how much of an influence that my mother’s brother had been in my life, both physically and spiritually now. I already knew all this, but it was still a bit eerie to have it confirmed so physically. Ross had walked some distance from me when I heard a quiet voice say, Say hi to your mum.

No worries, was my reply from so far away. Our conversation had just taken place on yet another level again. Wow, I thought, there are a lot of communication lines in this universe of ours.

Then the cracked voice of my grandfather answered, Sure are.

Hi, Pop! I yelled. Jumping to my feet and stumbling the distance between us, I fell into the frail frame of my old friend and sobbed.

What’s this? Hey, come on you, T’narg. You shouldn’t be that shocked to see me or unaware of the fact that I have been here with you since I left. What is all this?

I’m sorry, Pop, but it’s a bit overwhelming to see you, that’s all.

"Well it’s nice to see you too T’narg and don’t ever be sorry for who you are. Settle now, you really do see me quite often, if you remember. Like when you ask me questions about things for you and when you ask questions for your friends. You have said on many occasions that you knew it was me that you were talking to!

I know. It’s well, it’s just pretty nice to have you here like this, okay?!

Sure.

I dried my eyes, grabbed my hat and sat on the log next to Pop. Sam sat beside me again and we both looked at Pop as he said,

The thing is, I’m here like this to remind you that, in your own words, ‘they don’t go too far from you all. When they leave, they only leave the physical realm, thus the newly departed are still an inaugural part of your world and the things that affect us in our everyday lives.’ You say, ‘Listen to the words in that song, remember the odd fragrance and the memories it evokes, that phrase and even the unconsciously spoken ‘one liner’ can be a sign that they are here and are in contact’.

I know this Pop. It’s just that, perhaps I’ve lost trust, I don’t know where to turn anymore!

"We know, that’s why you are having this experience. You have prayed long and hard for the insights to alleviate these doubts and fears in this life. Well, here they are, by us reminding you of the very important point and position you hold in the bigger picture of things, encouraging you to relate to that inner knowing of yours. We on this side of your existence believe this event will help give strength to your faith and assist you with the events before you in this New Millennium with its enormous colours, vibrations and energies! You need to affirm consciously in order to do the work required that we are all here and will always be here to assist. It is our work to support your work. Believe what you would do if you suddenly left. You would not go until you helped your family, then we can’t leave you either.

I know Pop!

We chatted for a while longer. It was surreal to be chatting like there had been no time or events between his death and now. Then suddenly Pop stood and walked off into distance.

So what’s next? I yelled out to him.

You need do nothing, mate. Just sit back, relax and leave the rest to your support team!

Sure, bye!

I thought deeply about all of the things Ross and Pop had said and I was deep in the feelings their words evoked. A few moments of thought later I noticed that Sam was gone. I stood up and looked around for her. I was just about to call her name aloud, when a still and very deep voice asked,

What are you looking for?

My dog, I replied, without turning in the direction of the inquirer.

Why?

Cause I want to be with her!

You are and always have been!

Noticing that this was yet another familiar voice, I turned to face whoever it was that was stating the obvious, only to find that the shrub in the middle of the island was almost on fire or at least it looked like it was. In fact, it had taken on an outer shape of some sort of being…I suddenly felt quite shaky!

What’s wrong T’narg?

I don’t know… I just… who are you?

I’m you

I slumped back onto the log and just stared at this shimmering form and then said nervously,

Come on, who are you?

I’m you, or at least the spirit form of you.

What do you mean the spirit form of me?

I am that which is the essence of all, of that which you are. The divine part that you believe yourself to be. That piece of the eternal flame that you have said, ‘All beings are within’.

Sure you are!

It was then that I realised that this being’s voice was sort of my voice or vibrating from within me.

T’narg, trust! What then would you ask of that which you are?

Okay. What am I doing here? I mean in this life.

You asked to come. You requested to bring this aspect of universal consciousness to the Earth to assist at this time in the evolutionary process of the human race. The transmutation of an evolutionary piece of the natural process of life within the universe!

I asked?

Well okay, technically, I asked. You know though, and are deeply aware that we are ‘one’ for this journey.

Yeah, so I believe.

T’narg, you say that you are tired of this life, wishing that it would shift in some fashion. I would ask you to understand that you have done wonderful work both consciously and unconsciously. Your efforts to connect to me, that greater part of yourself, for the benefit of others is well noticed in the spirit world. We on this level realise that the increase in vibration at this time is not easy, that you get lost and exhausted, despondent and lose focus. So much so that sometimes you get so low that we can’t, or at least we find it difficult, to reach you. Almost as difficult as you feel it is in those dark times to reach us.

How?

"Well, when you dive really deep into depression on the human side of your experience, you enter the lowest vibrations you can, that we on this side have left far behind. It’s difficult for us to get to you when you feel so unsupported as you sometimes do within