The Answer Illuminated: Book II

By Claudia Helt

In this sequel to The Answer, eight old friends continue their individual and shared adventures, responding to an urgent call to assist Mother Earth by intentionally focusing upon the reversal of her tragic decline in health. As they meet more people, who have had a similar call, the circle of those committed to the planet’s critical health crisis expands. Everyone involved grows more confident in their increased intuitive processes as the validity of the “unusual” experiences occurring around them becomes more evident.

The beloved elder gentleman, who first enlisted them in this compelling mission of rescue, remains mysteriously present in their lives and activities. Although he is rarely visible in this phase of their development, he and the ethereal companions whom he represents, vigilantly follow the progress of their earth-bound friends’ efforts to assist the Earth. As the elder continues to affirm and encourage the circle of friends through telepathic communiqués, their understanding of the simple yet profound ways in which they can help heal the Earth broadens. Evolving individually and collectively, the friends become creatively emboldened to greater and greater action on this remarkable life being’s behalf.

Travel with these gentle, thoughtful people through The Answer Illuminated, and learn how each of us can do our part in restoring wellness to the Earth. Without our assistance, her health will continue to decline. Her recovery depends upon us, and our future depends upon her survival.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Mar 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781982223410

Claudia Helt

The manner in which Claudia Helt receives books is as mysterious as the material itself; however, after two decades of participating in this process, she now simply accepts these experiences as cherished connections for which she is eternally grateful. Her commitment to this collaborative process remains firm, and she intends to continue sharing future communiques as she is invited and guided.

Book preview

~ Chapter One ~

Good morning, dear house of mine. I trust you are enjoying the sunbeams streaming through your windows. It is a lovely, lovely day! And you, my friend, are even more gorgeous than usual because of the dazzling light dancing about your walls and reflecting off the mirror and glass tabletop. I apologize for not acknowledging you before, but it was so early, I did not want to intrude upon your waking hour. Pausing for another look, the narrator of our story glanced appreciatively about the living room. You are looking very good, old friend. And then consumed by the ever-functioning mind, work became the focus. A quick glance at the daily planner indicated a busy day ahead. Thank goodness, I awoke early this morning and was able to have my walk. I’m not at my best without it. Recognizing it was too late for a leisurely stroll to the office, the morning ablution was quickly attended, two bites of a not-so-tasty breakfast bar were managed, and then the drive to work commenced. My trusty, but rarely used vehicle enjoyed the brief outing. Just five minutes on the road seemed to raise her spirits. If nothing else, I thought in an attempt to console my guilt, residing in the parking lot makes for a much more exciting day than being confined in the dark, lonely garage. Note to myself: I must give more attention to The Car!

My first client of the day arrived just I was backing into my favorite, but infrequently occupied parking space. We greeted each other with a hug and made small talk as we walked side by side towards the office. Our conversation would change profoundly once the session began. She made herself at home in the waiting room, while I readied what is referred to as the sacred space in my office. There at the far end of my rectangular room was where the real work took place. With purpose and intention in my heart, the massage table was appropriately laid out for the energy work that would naturally unfold after our conversation concluded. The process always astonishes me. Preparing the table for each client feels like a sacred experience, one intended to honor the client and also to celebrate those who accompany the client during the session. Witnessing what transpires in these sessions never ceases to amaze me, and each time, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the privilege of being present. Often I wish there were some way of sharing these remarkable experiences with others, but alas, articulating the process and effects of energy work is challenging. In truth, one must actually experience energy work to appreciate its gifts. After a few moments of silence, I returned to the waiting room and invited my client to join me.

I was expecting the session to begin as they usually do; however, my client, who shall be called Karen, surprised me. Instead of taking a few minutes to inform me of the latest news in her life, she instead, immediately launched into her topic of concern. I’ve had the most unusual experience, she announced, and I must tell someone about it, and quite honestly, you are the only person I know who can hear this without presuming the worst about me. She hesitated briefly and then revealed her deep-rooted fear. You won’t, will you? You won’t think I’m some kind of nut, will you? Her vulnerability blindsided me. I felt her fear of being erroneously judged so strongly that it rattled my own state of well being. Recognizing that my empathic abilities were keenly operating, I took a deep breath and released her fears from my psyche while envisioning healing white light about her.

Please look at me, Karen. Embarrassment, an intrusive and often debilitating emotion, had taken advantage of the moment creating a wall between us. I repeated my request. Karen, please look at me. Do I look like someone who is judging you? Please take a few deep breaths with me so the fear that was ignited within you can be released. Fortunately, she immediately responded to my request and we both cleared the energy of fear from our bodies. I also quietly suggested that the energy be taken from my office to a reservoir for purification. After our breathing returned to a normal rhythm, I opened the door for conversation. Karen, thank you for joining me in that exercise. I always find a few deep breaths can bring one back to center. By the way, before I lose track of your earlier question, the answer is NO! I do not, nor have I ever thought the worst of you. In truth, I have great respect for you, Karen. Obviously, you have had quite an experience and I am eager to hear about it. If you are ready to pursue the topic, I am ready to listen. Karen sank into her chair with a sigh of relief. As she sat with eyes closed, I waited patiently and held the space for her inner process. I was confident that Karen was gathering both her courage and wits about her. My assumption was correct.

Thank you for your patience. I’m myself again. Her testimony, composed of three words, was validated by her appearance. Karen was back! I nodded in agreement.

Yes, I can see that. Quick recovery…nice work!

It was, wasn’t it? Good for me! It was nice to see Karen acknowledging herself. She really had in a few brief minutes recovered from a significant emotional nosedive. I was glad she recognized her strength and resilience.

Well, she accessed the four-letter word that sets the stage for countless stories. As I said, I’ve had a very unusual experience. I believe one might say I’ve had an encounter. It’s the strangest thing, yet I am absolutely confident that it really happened.

Remembering my client had just returned from a pilgrimage that she had personally designed, I interjected, Karen, did this occur during your recent trip?

Yes, it did! The trip was great by the way.

Was it as you hoped it would be?

Oh, it was so much more than I ever imagined possible. Every day was an opportunity for growth, and for some marvelous unknown reason, each experience deepened my connection to… she paused obviously searching for a word that might appropriately describe her experience. Afraid, I don’t how to articulate what I felt, because I’m not sure what the right words are. But it was so powerful. I felt as if I was being summoned to do…SOMETHING! I’m not quite sure what the something is, but it did seem as if I was being called to attend something of importance. Digressing for a moment, she spoke of her daily walks and how remarkable each one had been. This surprised her a bit, because she is an avid walker who appreciates her surroundings and loves being out in nature, but this pilgrimage brought her to another level of connection. Even though she was uncertain about what was actually happening during those heartfelt excursions, she knew her experience was new, different, and more expansive than her walks had ever been before.

"I feel quite emotional just thinking about the time that was shared with Mother Nature. It was such a privilege. And it wasn’t just about the beauty of this planet, because I’ve always marveled at Earth’s grandeur, but this was different. I felt more alive and more connected with life than ever before. It’s so fascinating. I was pondering all of this while walking on the 5th day of my journey when I became overwhelmed with a strong sensation that I was not alone. It was palpable. And it made me realize that the intense sense of connection occurring during the entire walkabout was related to this notion of being accompanied. It was rather strange and made me giggle. There I was, alone out in the middle of nowhere, and still, I was convinced someone was with me.

Anyway, as you might imagine, my mind was running with this idea. Was I having some kind of God experience? Was I in touch with my higher power? Etc., etc., etc. My mind had a great time wondering about things, while I just continued bounding along the trail. It was fascinating how active my mind was, while at the same time, I felt completely at peace and engaged with my surroundings. Karen paused and flashed a delightful smile my way, And by the way, the trails were magnificent and the views were beyond belief. You would absolutely love this area. I walked different trails every day and only explored about ten percent of what is available."

It sounds lovely, Karen, and we can talk more about the hiking opportunities later, but for now, I am intrigued with your experience and want to hear more. Tell me everything! My enthusiasm pleased Karen.

Wow! she replied. Tell you everything! That’s a tall order, and that’s exactly what I want to do. The truth is I really do want to share this with someone. Perhaps my experience is not really unusual. Maybe people have experiences such as mine all the time, but it was new for me and from my limited perspective, it was unusual. As I said earlier, I was aware that this experience was important. And I still believe that is true, but at the time, other than recognizing that some unusual, yet significant event was transpiring, I really didn’t have any clarity about the situation. Fortunately, there was no anxiety during the entire process. If anything, I was calmer and more at peace than I’ve ever been. And I felt excited as well. Yes, excitement was definitely burning within me. Even though I had no idea what was really going on, it felt like an adventure and I was very charged about it. Does any of this make any sense? Karen’s question indicated no insecurities, she simply was curious about my reaction.

Hmmm, does it make sense? Well, I don’t really understand what was going on either, but I am very excited for you and with you, and I’m eager to hear more. What might best describe my reaction at this point is that I am content with my confusion. I know something was transpiring for you and the fact that I do not understand every nuance of the situation at this moment does not concern me. Does that make sense to you?

Actually, it does, and it gives me clarity about my reaction at the time. I never experienced concern during my confusion. Even though I am someone that can become very frustrated when I don’t understand something, that was not the case in this situation. I never felt rattled or unsafe. I knew something unusual (there’s that word again!) was happening, but I didn’t feel the need to have an immediate explanation. For some unknown reason, I was comfortable to simply watch the process unfold.

Karen, you’re really remarkable. You managed this very well. She quickly dismissed my compliments.

Well, thank you, that’s nice to hear, but I’m not sure I did anything really. I simply lived into the experience. And again, she hesitated as if seeking some type of clarity from within. Well, this takes us full circle, she mused. There was nothing to manage, nothing to be alarmed about, because I wasn’t alone. I knew I was safe. Now that’s remarkable! You see I’m still living the experience even now as we discuss it. Whew!

It was such a privilege witnessing my client’s growth. She was expanding right before my eyes, and I suspected this new beginning offered many new opportunities. I wondered where this path would take her, and I also wondered whom she would meet along the trail. Before that thought completed itself, she proceeded with her story.

As you might imagine, there is more to this story. Karen looked at me and asked, Are you sure you’re ready for this? I assured her my heart was open to hearing about her adventure.

Well, I had been walking for a couple hours and was debating whether it was time for a break. You know how it is when that happens. Your mind starts wandering to the treat in your backpack and then you immediately start searching for the perfect place to park yourself. At that point I was about half way up a steady incline and my obsessive hiker side demanded that we reach the rise before indulging in a snack. It made sense. Who wants to face an incline first thing after a nice break? So I pushed forward and eventually landed on a plateau revealing the most stunning views I’ve ever seen. Initially, I thought about grabbing the camera, but quickly decided against it. The view, well I don’t know how to say this other than what was true for the occasion. The view demanded my attention; it demanded interaction and the plateau was the perfect setting for such connection. As the landscape captured my imagination, my awe of its magnificence resonated into and throughout the entire area being observed. Mutual respect and gratitude exchanged between the viewer and the viewed. It was a serendipitous moment in time when life of all kinds meets and experiences mutual unconditional acceptance. Karen closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and fell silent. In an attempt to give her privacy, I closed my eyes as well.

Neither of us showed any surprise when we opened our eyes at the same time. We simply shared a smile. That was a beautiful rendition of a remarkable encounter. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. I feel very privileged, and yet, something is telling me that there is more to this story. Karen giggled in that childlike way that she does.

How do you do that? she asked. How do you know there’s another chapter to this story?

Oh, it’s just a hunch, I laughed. And it seems my intuition is correct, yes?

Indeed, it is. Karen prepared for the next chapter by taking a deep breath and then she began to giggle again. I’m sorry, she said, but once again, I will begin by saying well. My goodness, how often does that word lead me into conversation? She found herself giggling again, when she cheerfully said, "Well, okay, here we go again! The scene is the same. I’m still on the plateau but this is Act II. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with hunger. The need for a treat had reached the intolerable level. I quickly surveyed the surrounds and selected the perfect place to land and rushed towards it while escaping from my backpack. Just as I reached out to set my gear on the large flat boulder that I had already claimed as my own, another backpack was being set down at the exact same time and place. Apologies were immediately exchanged as we both expressed surprise at seeing the other. ‘This is so odd,’ I said to him explaining that I had not been aware of his presence before and actually thought I was alone on the plateau.

He gave a similar response and very cordially asked if I had just arrived. Of course, I said no and told him I had been on the plateau for quite some time, but then realized I had lost track of time and was completely unsure of how much time had passed. I mentioned this to him, and again, he provided a similar response. ‘One loses time when you’re in a place like this,’ he acknowledged. ‘Sometimes, I wonder if places such as this one are actually some type of time portal.’ He blushed slightly and then suggested his comment sounded rather odd. And it did! But at that point, I was getting accustomed to odd things happening around me and his comment piqued my curiosity, so I suggested that the boulder looked big enough to accommodate both of us. He agreed so we both sat down and started rummaging through our respective treasures. He pulled out a sandwich the size of a loaf of bread, while I grabbed my meager health bar. The disparity could not go unnoticed. Our laughter echoed through the canyons.

In gentlemanly fashion, he sliced two small portions from his gigantic sandwich and offered one to me. I happily accepted, because it looked delicious and I really was starving. Then I halved my bar and offered him a portion, which he seemed eager to receive as well. So there we were dining on this huge flat bolder surrounded by unbelievable beauty, which for the moment was being completely ignored. Driven by hunger, social etiquette lapsed as we both wolfed down several bites of our meal. I expressed my appreciation that our paths had crossed and admitted it was the best meal I had ever enjoyed. ‘I think I’m going to live.’ He nodded and chuckled as he finished chewing his last mouthful.

‘When I’m involved with nature,’ he commented thoughtfully, ‘it seems I become incapable of tracking time. As a result, I frequently forget to eat and then this happens.’ Pointing to his sandwich, he admitted starvation had overwhelmed him. He suggested his hunger might be the reason he hadn’t noticed me when I reached the top of the plateau. He noted how the beauty of this particular setting immediately captured his attention, even though his hunger was rapidly mounting. Popping the last bite of his health bar into his mouth, he asked, ‘Which trail brought you here?’

I turned around looking for my entry point but couldn’t make it out from a seated position, but indicated it was marked as the East Trail ‘Oh, yes,’ he responded. ‘That’s a great hike. It can be challenging at times because of the steady incline, but it is perfect when you are in need of solitude. You rarely encounter anyone on that trail.’ His comment seemed incomplete. I sensed there was more he wanted to say, but his eyes returned to the landscape, and once again, he was captured by the moment. Silence prevailed as we both viewed the area with admiration.

‘I love this place,’ he quietly announced. ‘Every time I come here, it’s as if it were for the first time. I never tire of it. Can’t imagine I ever will.’ A pause sustained the moment, and then he asked if this was my first visit here.

I told him it was and added that I didn’t think it would be my last. ‘This countryside pulls at you. I can’t explain it, but it feels like I’ve been here before. Obviously, I haven’t been, and yet, it feels…’ My newfound companion politely interrupted my train of thought and completed my sentence for me.

‘It feels like you belong here.’ His words, which served as both a question and a declaration, resonated within me. My inquiring mind had been riddled by the notion earlier, as I explored up, down and around the East Trail, and the more I listened to my thoughts, the more deeply connected I felt to the area.

My response did not surprise him. ‘It is very odd, but I have a sense of coming home.’

He nodded in agreement and his unspoken reply was very comforting. Perhaps it was presumptuous of me but I suspected he truly understood my experience, because he was someone who had his own unique and probably somewhat unusual experiences as well. As I strategized how to broach the topic with him, he asked if I had ever had this kind of reaction before.

I attempted to explain that I thought the answer to his interesting question was no. ‘It’s a bit difficult to discern because I’ve always felt connected to nature, which is probably why walking is so important to me, but this situation is different. I feel a deeper connection here…one that seems to involve more than just adoration and respect for the beauty of Mother Earth. There is a sense of commitment operating here that is odd, but striking. Excuse me, but I am struggling to find the right words to articulate what’s going on with me. There is something very important happening here, but at this point, I do not have clarity about it.’ Before I could lapse off into self-diminishing thoughts, he took the lead.

‘Not to worry,’ he stated gently. ‘Clarity will come! It just takes a while to sort out all the pieces.’ He became quiet again, but I knew there was more to come, and it did. ‘I think this setting is what some people refer to as a thin place. There are other names used to describe places like this, but thin place is the one that comes to mind at the moment. When you are here, and I don’t mean just here on this plateau, but when you are in this area, things get stirred up inside of you. People, some people, not everyone, but some people have unusual experiences when they walk the land. Maybe they hear things, or see things, or feel things, or know things. And even if they don’t immediately understand what is happening, they know from within that something significant is indeed transpiring, and they also know without knowing exactly how they know it that the unfolding process is real and it cannot be denied or ignored.’ He paused again and sighed peacefully.

‘I believe you are one of those people,’ he stated quietly. ‘Does this make sense to you?’ His question was an act of kindness, but he didn’t really need confirmation from me. His gentle smile indicated that he knew his intuition was accurate. Nonetheless, I affirmed what he already knew with a nod and then waited for him to continue. I knew he had more to say.

‘I met a gentleman on this plateau almost a decade ago. It was life changing. I’m a different person because of that encounter. It was without doubt the most powerful experience I’ve ever had. Perhaps, it’s why I keep returning here, hoping that someday I might run into him again, maybe here on the plateau or on one of the trails. Wishful thinking, I guess.’"

My client’s eyes were bright and twinkling as she relayed the story. Karen’s excitement was infectious and because we are both people who share a need for specifics, I imagined her sitting on the great boulder with her new friend, rapidly firing one question after another regarding his experience with the yet to be described gentleman. No comment was necessary, but I nudged her to continue.

Well, you know how I am, she said, openly admitting her desire for details. I wanted to know EVERYTHING, but fortunately, at that point, I had already learned that this fellow was one who spoke at his own preferred pace. So, I impatiently waited for more information about his encounter, but it didn’t come. I waited a while longer, which seemed like an eternity, but he remained silent. Finally, my curiosity could be denied no longer so I decided to use one of your steadfast approaches. Karen smiled as she demonstrated her version of my so-called approach. Reaching over, she gently touched her companion’s knee, and said, Your encounter is intriguing and I would love to hear more, if you would like to share it. Please tell me everything.

We both chuckled knowing full well that her impersonation of me was on the mark.

"Well, my invitation did not result in the immediate response that was hoped for and intended.

Even though I asked for patience, my internal request failed and my mind, as it often does, pursued its own course of action. The more the mind chattered with itself, the more impatient I became. Lost in the whirlwind of my mind’s misdirected activity, time escaped me. Had we been sitting in silence for a few minutes or an hour? I was unsure. While considering some of the possible options my mind had conjured up, a remarkable thing happened.

‘It’s only been a few minutes,’ my companion responded. ‘Thank you for allowing me time to sort through my own thoughts.’

Needless to say, his comment took me aback. I was absolutely certain my thoughts about the time lapsed had not been spoken, and yet, it seemed evident that he had responded to the inner workings of my mind." As Karen related the experience, my excitement rose. It appeared that once again I was in the right place at the right time. I eagerly awaited the rest of her story. Leaning forward and gently touching her knee, I asked her to please tell me more. Amused by my gesture, my approach as she had referred to it, she chuckled under her breath and then quickly returned to the interaction that occurred between her and the new companion. Karen openly admitted that her ever-growing curiosity about his encounter had overcome her. She was concerned that her impatience had interrupted his train of thought and apologized for her behavior. He reassured her that no apology was necessary, and then, ever so politely acknowledged her wayward mind.

‘You have a very active mind,’ he stated.

No judgment was attached to his observation, she clarified for me. It was simply a matter of recognition, which of course, also acknowledged the fact that he was eavesdropping on my thoughts. Well, as you might imagine, my curiosity about his gift was soaring. A thousand questions were instantaneously forming in my mind. But you would be very proud of me, she declared. "I managed to keep my mind on task and directed the conversation back to his encounter. I began by introducing myself and he immediately presented his hand and told me his name was Michael.

‘Well, Michael, needless to say, the extraordinary ability you just demonstrated was noticed, and of course, my curiosity wants free rein to pummel you with questions. But I don’t want us to go in that direction now. Definitely later, but not now!’ Eye contact seemed essential in that moment and I paused to connect with him in that manner. He was receptive and returned my gaze with his. I took this as a positive sign and decided to pursue conversation about the encounter he had alluded to earlier. ‘Michael, I don’t want to be intrusive, but I am very interested in the encounter you experienced. Undoubtedly, it had a profound impact upon you, and for numerous reasons, I would appreciate hearing about what happened.’ His response came quickly, which surprised me.

‘Karen, please excuse me if I appear reluctant to talk about this. I’m actually not reluctant at all, because I believe we will both benefit from the discussion. My hesitancy is founded in old fears. When the incident occurred ten years ago, I was much younger emotionally. Because of my own confusion and excitement about the event, I needed to talk about it, and quite frankly, it never occurred to me that my friends wouldn’t be as curious about the experience as I was. I was not prepared for some of the reactions I received. Obviously, my youthful naiveté was a setup for disappointment, and it arrived unexpectedly when a couple of my best friends not only ridiculed my story, but they also dismissed my entire experience. It was a painful surprise at the time, and of course, I became very cautious after that. Unfortunately, the truth was and still remains that some people simply are not ready to hear about the extraordinary world we live in.

I have no reservations about sharing my story with you, Karen. In fact, I feel certain that you are someone who is ready to hear about my unusual encounter, and in some ways, which I am not yet clear about, I think our discussion will be a significant moment in your own development. So you see, Karen, the hesitancy you witnessed earlier was not about sharing my story with you, but it was about discerning where to begin.’

My client described this interaction with such precision that it made me feel as if I had witnessed the exchange. My curiosity intensified. I couldn’t stop myself from speculating about what was coming. Who was the unknown man that Michael had encountered? What happened between them? My thoughts were abundant. After pausing for a few sips of tea, Karen revealed how honored she felt that Michael wanted to share his experience with her.

Once I understood his initial behavior, I relaxed. His willingness to talk about the encounter indicated to me that a level of trust had emerged between us, and from that point forward, I felt like we were just two old friends hanging out together.

Attempting to monitor my own curiosity, I calmly posed the question. So, how did Michael begin his story?

He began with a bit of history, she stated. "It seems his parents were great nature lovers and introduced this way of being to their children from the time they were born. He actually has a memory of being carried by his father through the forest in a baby backpack. He remembers viewing the trees while riding in the backpack and also watching his mother trailing behind them. Oh, he also said that he has a very distinct memory of the smell of pines trees from that first walk in the forest. Isn’t that marvelous? So basically, his love affair with nature began from his beginning, as he so beautifully articulated it.

Michael said his desire to be in nature never waned, and as he grew older, his outings became more expansive, which both enhanced and propelled his curiosity, leading to more adventures, more travels, all of which deepened his connection with the Earth. Needless to say, his formative years were instrumental in his life pursuits."

What does Michael do? I interjected.

He’s a writer, she replied. He describes himself as an interminable student, who finally managed a degree in literature, which included heavy minors in geology, ornithology, zoology, and human anatomy and physiology. Laughingly, he admits he was not a role model for the typical four-year plan. Eventually he realized that only one degree was actually necessary. Once that decision was made, he quickly completed his academic career, which freed him up to move on with his life. Since then he has continued to take courses of interest, primarily online, without the burden of feeling obligated to acquire another degree. He’s a very interesting fellow… extremely well read and very broad in his range of interest.

And when did his spiritual journey come into play? My question amused Karen.

You and Michael are so similar. You both acknowledge thoughts before they are spoken.

Does that mean you were just about to start telling that part of the story? I was not surprised to hear her answer.

Of course, but you already knew that, she responded with amusement. You did, didn’t you?

I wasn’t certain, so it is nice to have validation. I trust my intuition, but it is far from flawless. Please tell me more!

"Well, apparently after a year of traveling around the world, he returned home not knowing what to pursue next. He said it was a very troubling time. Everything that had mattered to him no longer inspired excitement or curiosity. He was still interested in nature and traveling and writing about his adventures, but nothing seemed to enliven him. Although he was extremely healthy, he actually wondered if something was wrong with him. So to be certain he followed through with a physical and his physician gave him a clean bill of health, but she also made a rather interesting observation that gave him pause. She said he appeared to be someone who had seen and done everything he had ever dreamed about doing, and then, no longer knew what to do with his life. Michael agreed with her supposition and told her he was open to suggestions. She proposed it might be time for him to explore beyond the surface. When Michael asked the doctor what she meant. She simply said, and it gives me chills to think about it, but what she said was this. ‘There is more, Michael. So much more! Your travels now need to take you inward.’

Well, as you might imagine, that gave him a lot to think about. He believes that interaction was his first awareness that things were going to profoundly change in his life. So, it seems he has spent the rest of his life pursuing various paths that continued to deepen his connection with nature while also expanding his perceptions about reality. From what I understand his daily behaviors didn’t change all that much; he continued to travel, connect with nature, and write about his experiences. However, his studies made a dramatic change. As he described it, he began reading everything he could find about what people refer to as the ‘journey’ and also pursued various workshops, conferences, and trainings that led him into a much deeper appreciation of life and the interconnectedness that exists throughout all life in existence. He said his new studies enlivened him once again and completely altered his perspective of the world."

Wow! was the only expletive I could voice. He seems like a remarkable man. Is that your perception as well?

Yes, it is. He seems to be someone who is sincerely concerned about his role in the circle of life and feels responsible for having a positive influence on everyone he encounters. I would say he lives his life mindfully and feels a strong sense of obligation to be a good person.

Well, again my response is Wow! Karen, it must have been incredible to be in his presence.

She affirmed that it was and then continued, Well, all of this history leads us to the encounter he experienced. Again, it transpired about ten years ago when he was following the East Trail, the one that I had taken to the plateau. He said, at the time, he was deeply entrenched in the walker’s zone, lost in a waking unconsciousness and not even aware of the actual, physical process of walking. He referred to it in the most interesting way. He said, ‘I was, but I was not aware that I was, until I suddenly came upon an elder gentleman standing on the path.’ Michael said the fellow was just standing there looking rather out of place in his clean, unruffled suit.

My curiosity skyrocketed! Could this be happening again? Heart, be still! My thoughts were running away with themselves. Quiet yourself! Take some deep breaths and let Karen finish her story! Thankfully, my years of practicing breathing exercises were paying off. My excitement became manageable and I was able to focus once again. Karen fortunately didn’t appear to notice my internal outburst.

Michael greeted the man and made an attempt to engage with him, but he just smiled and pointed to top of the precipice. He tried several times, and each time the man pointed towards the precipice. And then, you’re not going to believe this, but the last time Michael tried to speak with the fellow, he again pointed upward, and then he faded into thin air. Isn’t that remarkable? Before I could even nod in agreement, Karen returned to the narrative.

"Well, obviously, Michael was stunned, but he instinctively rushed up the trail. When he reached the top, he looked around and found the fastidiously dressed gentleman sitting in lotus position on the great flat boulder where he and I first met. He approached the gentleman who welcomed him through gesture to join him on the giant stone. Michael wriggled out of his backpack and positioned himself in like manner across from the man who had just performed a vanishing act. They made eye contact, and Michael described the experience as one he had never come across before. He said he was overwhelmed by a deep sense of love and