In my twenties, I spent part of my life exploring the New Age movement. I had myself a Wiccan friend and was escorted by her and my soon-to-be-boyfriend-the-first to my first “Light Faire”. It was all very exotic, especially for this Chrirstian-raised girl. But during that time, I was presented with a theory I find kind of fascinating. It is the theory that babies are born knowing everything, and that they forget as they age. It resonated with me because of one of my very clear memories from San Jose.
The details are fuzzy, but I have a clear sense memory of sitting on my bed and talking to my mom. The sun was muted behind a shade over the window that was positioned over the bed frame, and I believe I was waking up or lying down for my nap.
I recall saying something, and my mom’s eyebrows raising and her lips parting slightly in surprise. “How did you know that?” she asked.
“The ghost of my other life told me,” I replied. I remember feeling a great deal of certainty in what I was saying, and in the information I’d gained from that “ghost”. I still consider it one of the things in my “foundation” of questions that help me define my faith.
San Jose, CA: 1967-1968
Did a thrill run up your mother’s spine – or a chill? Must have been a fantastic moment.
I’m fairly certain that it was a chill. My mother didn’t really embrace the concept of even a slightly open mind until much, much later in life, I’m afraid, and never regarding spirituality.
For me, it was just…truth. It’s part of the reason I could never really accept all that they wanted me to in the name of “God.” I knew/know there’s more than the usual dogma of the Christian church. I’m just not sure what it is, yet. And I still believe in Christ and His sacrifice, so….