How did you get interested in New Thought/Religious Science? I've always been interested in the meaning of life since I was a child. (What's it all about, Alfie?) In the '80s I read a lot of works by Alan Watts about Zen Buddhism, also Plato, Karl Marx, Jean-Paul Sartre, Bertrand Russell. In the 1990s, when I owned a bookstore, I began reading general metaphysical works and began to see the commonalities inherent in them all. New Thought interests began with Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Joseph Murphy, Catherine Ponder, Napoleon Hill, Claude Bristol, etc.
I was introduced to Science of Mind by Dr. Jerry DeShazo. He had been a customer of my bookstore and we always engaged in long spiritual/philosophical conversations. Later, much later, I found out he was a practitioner of Religious Science himself. And somehow I got sucked into the vortex …
Who are some of your most significant teachers/mentors? Well, gotta say, obviously, Jerry DeShazo. And my life partner, Mitzi Lynton, who is always inspiring me with her inspirational choices.
Do you have an area (such as health, prosperity, pets, etc.) that you’re drawn to? I am drawn to all areas of life, particularly LOVE, which is just another synonym for God and the world's highest aspiration. However, by this question, I assume you mean do I have practitioner specialty? I like to work with people who have esteem problems since it is such a pervasive issue in our society.
Do you prefer to work face-to-face, over the phone, or other ways? I am comfortable with either of these. Even email. But, please, just not a pair of tin cans connected by a string!
How long have you been a Practitioner? Since May of 2005.
Are you a native of Arizona? Yes, I am! Bet there are not a lot of other practitioners who can say yes to that question!
Did you start in another religion? I was brought up without any religious teaching at all. However, my grandma Ann, a wonderful sweet lady, was a Jehovah's Witness, so I used to hear about that philosophy quite a bit. I found out later that my parents, in fact, met at "The Hall," which is what Witnesses more or less call their church. But my parents rejected the faith and consequently raised my bother and myself without any religion. I'm not sure if this has been a blessing or a curse. Christianity has been such a basis for much of Western Civilization's history that I feel that I've missed out on some of our cultural touchstones.
What is your greatest joy about being a Practitioner? Being in touch with my authentic self and helping others get in touch with their authentic selves.
