What led you to begin your Spiritual Quest?

We're interested in hearing about what led you to explore spirituality, please discuss it here.

I would love to know how everyone got started on their spiritual journey -- so i will start the ball rolling with my story . . . . .

when i was younger i used to attend the local spiritualist church with my mum, and had quite a few strange but wonderful dreams as well as things that happened when i was awake, but then, as a teenager, i had several 'experiences' which terrified me!! I decided that i was not having anything to do with 'that part of my life'!!!

unfortunately, i also switched off my intuitive side - i would get a tingling feeling and a knowledge that things weren't right, but i ignored the warnings and so some things happened that should not have!

Anyway --- to cut a long story short -- my life has been fairly sh*t for quite a long time, and i realised at the beginning of this year that i didn't know 'ME' -- i had grown used to liking what my frineds and partners liked and i had forgotten who i was and what i dis/liked.

i made the decision to get to know ME again ... ... and it was as if i opened a door .... 'stuff' started happening -- unfortunately somne of the stuff was a bit negative, so i think i may have a negative spirit around me, and one of the things i NEED to do is learn some psychic protection techniques (that make me feel safe) before i open that door fully.

but i have become seriously intersted in all forms of healing -- i just can't read enough at the moment!!!
I have been trying to find a 'teacher' to help me, but it does seem as though there ae lots of blockages and barriers to finding that person (i think that either the 'right' person to help me is not available yet, or someone/thing is putting these obstacles in my path to stop me going froward!!)

Well, that is me and my journey - i would like to thank pat et al (and S&D) for being in the right place at the right time to help me realise that i'm not some loony witchy wierdo freak!!

i know i'm currently on the right path as my confidence has grown so much and i am able tostand up for myself, and i have taken a step away from the things which i know in my heart are not right for me. It has been a bit difficult but i'm so much happier than i have been for a long time. here's to the next step!!
Lynn

I think there's a definate possibility that we're all "witchy weirdo loony freaks" here!!!! and so much the better for that!

I think I have two different subjects here. One is the 'supernatural' one, and the other is the 'personal development' one.

The first, oddly enough, is the easy one as I've always been a bit spooky - sensing presences, earth energies and all that. I've been dowsing (energies and archaeology) for a long time, and that came very easily to me. The older I get, the more I find that whenever I dabble in new 'supernatural' type things, I get massive 'flashes' of insight which I still find slightly alarming. I think I need to crack subject 2 (the self development) before I can go further on subject 1.

The personal development side is massively important. I was born clever for my family, was over-educated (long story) and under-socialised. I have shy parents who resist enthusiasm (eg. I was very musical but they had no interest in attending performances!), and I learned to keep my mouth shut, too.... except when it all burst out and I would say exactly what people didn't want to hear (aargh). So basically, I am a bit of an unexploded bomb and this doesn't help your social life or career, and led me to a pretty depressing life.

I started with Louise Hay's books, which were a revelation on the personal identity front. Then I fell into reiki - not sure how? - I think it may have been through a friend of mine. The reiki lady was also slightly uncomfortable with me, but something about balancing energies hit home - I needed to reconcile the brain and the heart. I moved on to reiki 2 quite quickly which was right for me, I think, as a definately started to get a bit more control after that. I was able to keep my mouth shut at times, express myself less controversially when I needed to (well... most of the time) and persuade people I'm not all that scary really. I also quit the booze and became a veggie. I also quite corporate jobs, although that has had mixed results!

So reiki was actually about fixing me, not healing others. Seems to be a rare one, that, but it was critical to me. If that sounds selfish, well I think I would be dangerous to others at times, so better to wait!

I can and do send distant healing, but I have to be hit by a strong urge, I can't do it casually. Not sure why, really, perhaps I'm still developing!

Since then, I've developed a strong appreciation for the natural world - moved out of the city into the sticks, make lotions and potions, into aromatherapy and making candles, veggie cooking, grow my own veg and herbs. I have always been keen on history but I now find I suck up ancient history... and I live near a stone circle, yippee!!.I am quite confident that I am discovering my inner hedge witch.

I've now moved onto law of attraction and variants. This is helping a lot as life has thrown me a new set of obstacles (which I can't tell you much about because I'm ignoring them and manifesting better things!!!), and I find myself mostly cheerful for the first time in my life.

I also find the psychic flashes are getting stronger, and I have done more healings than I have for a while. I am beginning to think that I may finally be a good enough person to help the world out there! (blimey. Only taken forty-odd years).

Hope I'm not boring you. Just thought this was a different story to some others.

Blessings, Ginger xxx

That's such a great and inspiring story. I too feel that I don't know the real 'me' either. You get, go to work, go to sleep - dreary isn't it!!

I too found Reiki by just being curious and loving being pampered and trying out new therapies.

I passed my Level I & II Tera Mai Reiki last year and it has certainly opened a new door for me regarding feeling that I had a ghost in my house which was later confirmed. Lived here 12 years and never felt a thing before. In 3 weeks I am to take the Seichem Reiki route as I really love being to give Reiki to others and help them even in a little way.

I do feel that I am a crossroads as to which direction to take Spiritually. I have always followed others throughout my whole life as I don't feel that I know what is right for me. I love Crystals and would love to take a course on them. I don't know how to develop any possibility of Psychic abilities I may have either. It is as though I am still waiting for a Psychic instruction book!! I think still being scared of the dark at 34 isn't helping me as I am most probably denying myself the sight of Spirits and things that go bump in the night. Yep I am that scared!! Just glad that I am reassured by Archangel Michael after dark

Sorry for my ramblings lol

hello Ladies!

It is fantastic to hear other people's 'stories' - it is amazing to think that many of us are treading the same paths ... I was put down a lot as a child but was the 'bright' one -- and i think this led me to feeling 'lost' as i grew up, and therefore drawn to people, places and situations that didn't fit me.

I, too, originally took to reiki in a selfish manner (wanting to find 'me' and heal 'me') but the more i practice, the more i feel drawn t o help others.

I want to be the very best that i can be though, and have some 'qualification' for my ability (this comes from childhood - wanting to justify my existence/feelings/etc) - which is why i recently joned the spiritualist church and started one of their healing courses.

I am also being drawn into other areas - crystals, pendulums, homeopathy (although i have always thought that a bit of a strange thing!!!), and have even started reading books on anatomy / physiology and the body's natural healing system . . . . i am reading these non-fiction books with a real hunger that i have never had before - and retaining most of the information . . . i must be on the right path!

Lynn

I munch my way through books, too! I have a special cupboard for my alternative and witchy books. I have to lock it when mum comes 'round though - she has enough problem with my green man carvings (I take the pentacle down before she comes...).

HaHaHa - Ginger - that made me laugh! i have to 'hide' anything, related to my 'hobby', from my fiance -- he doesn't like any of it and thinks i'm being drawn into a cult!!!!! (chance would be a fine thing - it is flippin' difficult finding like-minded people in real life - if it weren't for S&D and SQ [thanks Pat ] we'd all be lonely wierdies!!)

Tell me about it! You'd think there'd be loads around here, but if there are, I'm not seeing them (time for a cosmic order?)!

BTW love your part of the world - lived in Thornton le Dale for years and loved it with a passion. In fact, that's where I lived when I finally kicked off my spiritual quest in earnest! Indeed, my reiki wonder-teacher lived there...

My other half is happy for me to do whatever takes my fancy though he won't let me practise my Reiki on him as he is a 'non believer'. Shame but I gotta respect his wishes.

He is used to me filling the Office window with crystals around the Full Moon. Works from home!! I call out their names and ask if he likes any particular crystal but I can see it doesn't float his boat

ginger! what a small world, eh? i don't live far from T-L-D -- your teacher wasn't Janet from intuition was it?

Maeshadow - you are a lucky woman! Mine will 'allow' me (bless 'im) to 'dabble', but won't let me touch him either (although i occasionally send him a bit of quiet healing (heehee))

We recently got onto the subject of 'will's as my partner's Dad died this month and his Mum 2 1/2 years ago.

My Brother doesn't want my cats......or our Family Tree.....
My Partner doesn't want my Crystals, books etc....bless him he said I could give them to someone who liked that kinda thing.

I really don't mind as I would never dream of leaving someone something that really doesn't interest them.....though I might be mischievous and leave one item that will make them think of me and shake their heads lol.

Ps I ain't planning on going anytime soon but it's good to be prepared (crosses fingers!!)