Bob's Note about Joe:

If it was not for Joe Polansky, Bob Lancer would not have been. Period.

When Joe gave me an Astrology Reading when I was 21, my destiny commenced...

He verbally dueled for my soul with an old-time kabbalist on the beach, and won... using Alfred Korzybski's ammo in his fast-action mouthpiece...

A REAL star-dowser, profound esotericist and Neptunian seer supreme, see some of his popular published work at amazon.

See his mandala below and many more associated with my contributions to this site, as noted.

Feel welcome to contact Joseph Polansky to learn more about his profound contribution to the human race: diamondfiremagazine@comcast.net

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MARS IN THE 6TH HOUSE  
A spiritual wisdom story in the esoteric, cosmic tradition,
 By Joseph Polansky © Malchitsedek Productions 2010
Previously published in Diamond Fire magazine, reprinted with permission.

Dr. Stanley Mars was a classic Virgo. He loved to work. Work was good for its own sake. He was also very good at what he did.

Meticulous with his patients. Always strove for excellence and perfection and people responded to this. His waiting room was always filled. His work ethic had given him a measure of success. No he was not a household name, nor did he ever appear in the gossip columns. But he had achieved a measure of name and fame in his field and with his patients.

He had money, investments, patients, and a beautiful trophy wife. By the standards of the outer world - and even by his own standards - he was a success.

But something was terribly wrong. He was not as happy as he should have been. There was this gnawing sensation inside. A discomfort. An unease. His busy outer life didn’t afford him the leisure to explore this feeling in depth. So basically he ignored it and focused on his work.

The few moments of leisure that he had - such as before going to sleep - didn’t yield much insight. It was a feeling of fear - anxiety. Everything he had, everything he had achieved, was “temporary” and could change in a trice. It was a feeling of insecurity. What if this or that happened? All kinds of scenarios played out in his mind. If these things happened, he would be broke and alone.

He knew his success rested on a shaky reed - so many things could snatch it away from him. This feeling gnawed at him endlessly. It was like a psychic cancer devouring him from within.

Like many Virgos he took refuge in his work. Work seemed to ease the bad feeling. No, it didn’t take it away, but it distracted his mind. It was like a drug, a form of therapy.

He started to work longer hours. He took on more patients. He spent more time with his investments, talking to brokers, reading all the financial newsletters. As long as his mind was occupied, the gnawing fear seemed to lessen.

But all this extra work was taking a toll on his marriage. Ann, would often complain - “you went from a work ethic to workaholism! You have no time for me anymore. And when we talk you are distracted, in another world! What’s wrong Honey? You aren’t emotionally available the way you used to be.”

“Nothing honey. I love you very much, but I have been very busy.”

He dared not explain the truth to her. First off, this would mean confronting it - bringing it up - something he didn’t want to do. He was doing everything possible to “put these feelings” under the rug. Like everything in his life, his emotions needed to be neat and tidy.

As the months went by a coldness crept into the marriage. Nothing overt. Nothing you could put your finger on. He and Ann did their duties - and to perfection. They attended the right parties and presented the picture of the perfect couple. If Ann wanted something he got it for her immediately. She lacked for nothing. On her last birthday he presented her with a new Jaguar. Ann on her end, took care of the house, the meals and the social arrangements. Always to perfection. Yet, something was amiss. They were robotic with each other. The spark - the flame - the passion that they always had for each other was not there. Just two people going through the motions.

Their sex life was also like this. Cold, mechanical, methodical. A few heaves, pushes, a squealing neurological release and it was over. Ann always achieved orgasm - after 10 years of marriage, Stanley,

master technician that he was, knew how to please her - but it was just a surface kind of orgasm. Strictly of the body. The soul of the sexual act was not there. An emotional distance had appeared between them.

There were other things that bothered Dr. Mars as well. In practice for over 10 years, he noted that while his patients invariable improved, they tended to come back, again and again, for the same things. He was a chiropractor. He would align and adjust them - often curing them of terrible pain - and then a few weeks later they would be back. Again the spine was out of alignment. He took it as a compliment that they returned to him. It showed that they trusted him and approved of his treatments. It was also very good for business. But why did they come back? Why didn’t the treatments last? Perhaps the body was a machine like any other machine and needed periodic “servicing” and “re-tuning”.

For him healing was more than just a job or wordly career - it was a calling - a mission. It thrilled him to the core to watch a patient respond to a treatment. When a patient got wall he was in greater ecstacy than the patient. But after 10 years he was beginning to suspect that he was not really healing people - only relieving their symptoms temporarily. There was more to this healing business than what he understood or had been taught.

Dr. Mars was deeply depressed. But his work and busy schedule masked the symptoms. He had no idea of how to deal with this. He was not an especially religious man. Oh yes, he believed in a creator, but rarely ever prayed or otherwise try to contact it. But now, as he saw the joy of his life evaporating before his eyes - his marriage not going well, worldly things not making him happy and the constant feeling of insecurity tormenting him - he cried out to God. “Dear God, if you exist, please help me.” Instantly he felt a sense of peace and fell asleep - a deep dreamless slumber.

.................

Mary Ann Jones was clairvoyant from birth. For her the angelic realms were as real - as tangible - as the ground beneath her feet. Now everyone - without exception - is surrounded by angels, but with her it was conscious and this made all the difference in the world. Even as a young child she would hold converse with them. They would teach her, tell her the future, tell her about other people and what her next actions should be. She was not only privy to the angelic kingdoms, but to the whole astral world of ghosts, spirits, devas, fairies and other entities.

Though young - only 24 - she had already suffered much because of her gift. In religious circles, she was a pariah because they considered her abilities the work of “familiar” (and unclean) spirits. Exorcism had been performed on her more than once. To no avail. In the secular world she wasn’t treated much better - she was merely a “freak” - a little zany - and secular psychologists had all kinds of fancy labels for her condition - delusional - schizophrenic - compensating for things that she wished for, but couldn’t have. Since she was harmless - non violent - they never recommended clinics or asylums - only medication, which wisely, she never took.

For the most part, people shunned her. Her social life was less than stellar. Those who sought her out only wanted “fortune telling” from her and since she couldn’t always comply (the angels would counsel silence in many cases) - even these people would soon disappear. The boys were afraid of her. The girls threatened.

A part of her - her carnal, physical nature - was just like any other healthy 24 year old female. She longed for love, a soul mate, a happy romantic relationship. Outwardly she was very beautiful - slender, willowy, supple - the body of a fashion model. But rather than attracting the boys, her physical attributes and the aura around her made her seem “unapproachable” - untouchable. She was something they could only admire at a distance.

The angels had explained all this to her. She was being “saved” for someone special. She was not to

defile herself with impure carnal love with the wrong people. So intellectually she understood her predicament - but that didn’t make it easier on the emotional level. Her hormones were very active.

Perhaps this is the explanation for what happened on a wintry, January evening. The Soul histories of those involved had not been revealed to her. She had attended a spiritual lecture by a visiting Guru - a renowned Swami from India known for his remarkable powers. Swami Bhaktananda was someone just like her - though much older. The inner planes of existence were as real to him as to her. She could see in his aura the presence of Masters and Angels. His outer physical form was wrinkled - old, but he was filled with light. His aura was huge, filling the entire lecture hall. And these Celestial presences were obviously using this man as a channel to bless the audience. She could see the angels moving about the audience doing spiritual ministry - giving to each exactly what was needed for each.

He spoke about the need to put God first in one’s life and to have no other interests that were more important. If this was done properly all the other mundane concerns would just “fall into place”. He spoke about the importance of doing God’s will - that our purpose in life was only that; that the body had no other purpose but to be “servant” of the Divine. If this was adhered to, the carnal desires would be ordered and fulfilled correctly. “Don’t try to impress people, just please the Lord”.

The audience didn’t seem to care much about the intellectual content of the message. They were just basking in his presence. They were like beach goers basking in the sunlight. His silent radiation was the real message. The words he spoke were mere “ornaments”.

Mary Ann, was not schooled in the Yoga traditions or terminology. Many of the words and phrases were Hindu terms that made no sense to her mind. But her heart leapt at every word nonetheless. The man sitting next to her - perhaps reading her mind - or more likely responding to the inner prompting of the angels - said “Swamiji is giving us Dharshan, this is his job, his service to us”.

“Dharshan?” “It means his Presence - his vibration, his attainment. He is sharing this with us.” “Oh.”

For the first time she turned to look at the man sitting next to her. He was darkly handsome - could have been Hindu or from the Middle East. His teeth were perfectly white - dazzling. They held her attention. His aura held her attention as well. It was luminous. Yellow with sparks of blue shooting out of it. But aside from this she couldn’t read him. He was encased in a tube of light that seemed hermetically sealed. He was a “somebody” but that’s all she could discern. It was as if he was a fortress and no alien mind could enter without his leave. She could only see what he allowed her to see. She was both thrilled and a bit fearful in his presence. But also deeply fascinated.

They listened to the rest of the lecture in silence.

When the lecture was over, he introduced himself. “My name is Zack Goren, I would be honored if you joined me for a bite - I know a wonderful place. You can get breakfast at all hours”.

“I’m Mary Ann Jones. Yes, I’d love to.”

Mary Ann’s heart was filled with love. She was naturally a very loving person. She had just spent an hour listening to a Guru who was also filled with love. The whole lecture hall was saturated in this vibration. She understood that the whole creation - the whole universe - was about love and created for the purposes of love. She loved everything and everybody. So, in the company of this handsome, charming and fascinating man, nature followed her course. The snack was followed by an invitation to his apartment, to a back rub (which totally exhilarated her) and to a night of sex never to be forgotten. She

had been a virgin hitherto (difficult to believe in this day and age but here and there it exists) but the deflowering was relatively painless. An initial hurt followed by unspeakable bliss. She always lived in the heaven worlds, but this was a different kind of heaven. A heaven of the carnal nature. Her body was able to experience heaven - not just her mind and emotions. She believed that at last she had found her soul mate.

The next morning she awoke in his apartment. Zack was gone. On the dresser table was a note and a few 20 dollar bills. She read the note. “My Dear Mary Ann, I had to get up early to make a flight to Europe. You were sleeping so soundly I didn’t want to disturb you. There’s money on the dresser for a cab home. I will be all over Europe for a while and there’s no place you can reach me. I will return and find you. I’m not sure when, though. Love, Zack”.

She started to cry. This had not worked out according to her expectations. She expected an intensified romance, a prolonged togetherness. She was abandoned. Alone. He was not her soul mate. Probably a rich European playboy who plied this routine many times. She cried for what could have been. How beautiful it could have been.

When she got home, her depression deepened. Yes, the rejection (or what she took as rejection) was painful but this was only part of it. For the first time in her life she felt disconnected from her guides, from the angelic world, from heaven. She couldn’t reach them. She called and there was no answer. (The fact is that they did answer, only she couldn’t hear it.) She was in some strange inner space - a netherworld - a darkness. She felt defiled - unclean - this in spite of taking many showers. This was the most difficult thing to handle. How could something so beautiful - so perfect - leave her feeling like this?

After her 3rd shower she bent down to pick up her towel and in that motion her back gave out. Perhaps she was too quick in the motion or bending from an unbalance position. She wasn’t sure. But the pain was physical and excruciating. She couldn’t walk or move. She screamed. In a few moments her mother rushed into the room.

“What’s the matter honey? Why are you lying like this. What’s wrong?” “Oh Mom, I just bent down to pick up my towel and my whole back hurts. I can’t move.” “Here let me help you, let’s get you to bed and decide what to do. Lean on me, is that better?”

Slowly, painfully, with her Mom’s help she made it to her bed. Even lying down was painful. She had to lie in a certain position - on her stomach - with her arms at her sides - no pillow. Any other position was painful. Her mother, carefully put some pajamas on her - a major project - any wrong move caused screams.

“Oh dear, dear....what shall we do? Shall I call an ambulance and get you to the hospital?”

“No, Mom let’s give it some time. Maybe it will get better. Maybe I just need to rest. I didn’t do anything - just bent down to pick up a towel and pow, my back went.”

Her mother left the room came back with some Tylenol. “Here, hon, this will make you feel better.” And it did. The pain was not completely gone, but more manageable. She could think straight.

“I’m going downstairs to make a few phone calls. If you need anything just holler.”

In an hour her mother returned.

“I made a few calls. Our chiropractor, Dr. Mars, doesn’t think its too serious. He feels he can fix it. He said that you can always go to the emergency room if he can’t. There’s no rush for that. I agree with him. What

do you think, dear?”

“Sounds good to me. When can he see me?”

“Tomorrow morning at the earliest.”

“You mean I have to stay like this all night? Oh my! But with some more Advil, I should be able to handle it.”

........

Ben Richards was known as a “spiritual healer” - some called him a “faith healer”. He was born with the gift. He discovered that he had it when he was 10 years old and his brother was dying of Leukemia. At the hospital, with his parents and friends gathered around his brother, he was so moved by the spectacle - the pain, the weeping, the anguish - that he was moved to touch his brother in a certain way. He didn’t really understand what he was doing. He merely had the urge to touch this spot, then that spot, then to massage here and then there. Instantly his brother’s pain left and he started to smile. Then little Ben made in image in his mind of his brother being perfectly well. His parents and the various well wishers gathered around were, in their hearts, making funeral arrangements. Ben was seeing his brother happy and well. Then he envisioned a Golden Healing Flame, consuming the darkness in his brother’s body. From that moment, his brother started a miraculous recovery. Within a few weeks he was out of the hospital. The doctors said that a “miraculous remission” had occurred. Remissions often happened, but they said, “we still need to watch him, remissions are often temporary”. (His father took him to another room shortly after and gave his a severe beating - “that’s for practicing witchcraft, don’t ever let me catch you doing this again!)

Logically one would think that such an awesome gift would bring him fame, renown, and riches. But it didn’t turn out that way. Initially, he did receive adulation - especially from the people he healed and their families. But with time, the authorities would learn of him and find some way to harass and persecute him. He was forced to move from city to city to escape the authorities. Apparently it was illegal to cure anyone by “unconventional” means.

The pattern was always the same. He would move to a city, take any job that opened to him, rent an affordable apartment and start to live. Inevitably he would hear of someone being sick and he would heal the person. The word would get out, more people would come, the authorities would find out, and he would be forced to leave.

Though he did spend a few days in jail in North Carolina, (practicing medicine without a license) he was otherwise never jailed. The police were generally kind to him. They would say “what you’re doing is illegal, but if you get out of town we’ll look the other way.” Once, after such a speech, the officer said “before you leave could you please come see my Mom, she isn’t well. I’d really appreciate that.” Ben did, and healed her.

Ben never charged for his services and this was probably why he was rarely jailed.

He considered this healing gift to be a curse. It had brought him nothing but heartache, poverty and persecution. It had made him a pariah, a refugee, a stranger in a strange land. But he had no choice. He had a compulsion to heal. He couldn’t help himself. If he saw suffering he needed to relieve it.

Gurus told him that he had many incarnations as a healer. Thus his natural gift. They also said that he had taken vows in many many lives to heal the sick - hence the compulsion. Healing was his Dharma and he had to do it regardless of the consequences.

Though he lived the life of a vagabond, a nomad, a wanderer Ben never lacked for anything. He was not rich by the world’s standards, but was always supplied. He always had food, clothing and a roof over his head. On the books, he was living below the poverty line, but in actuality he was always supplied. Sometimes patients would give him money, clothing or other articles he needed - sometimes the family of the patient. If he needed work, doors would magically open for him.

His outer status was no obstacle in love. He met his soul mate and married her. No outer condition could prevent it. He and Lisa would wander from town to town in the same pattern that he had always followed. But now she worked as well as he and so they lived more comfortably.

Lisa was getting a bit tired of the wandering to and fro. “Ben I want to have a baby. I want to get roots. We can’t be doing this for all of our lives!”

“You’re right, Lisa, the question is ‘how’. You know our situation.” “We’ll figure it out, but this wandering has to stop!”

“Yeah, we’ll figure it out somehow.” Then both Ben and Lisa prayed. “Dear God, give us roots, a sense of permanence, a permanent place to live.” A powerful prayer, heartfelt. A sense of peace descended on both of them.

............

Mary Ann Jones was sitting in Dr. Mars’ waiting room. Her pain, in spite of the Advil was intense. Even sitting in the chair was unpleasant. Lying down was more comfortable. With her Mom’s help she managed to make it to the office. Mom had to actually dress her - just like when she was a baby. Mom put a few pillows on her seat to prop up her back, and this eased the drive over. She was tortured by the thought that she would be a “cripple” the rest of her life. What if, the Doctor couldn’t fix this???

“The Doctor will see you now, Miss Jones.”

With Mom’s help she walked into the therapy room and climbed on the table. Movements that she normally took for granted were now ordeals. How wonderful, what a gift, just to be able to walk, sit and get dressed! She had never thought of this before. The little things that she took for granted were awesome gifts.

Dr. Mars walked in and calmly assessed the situation. “This doesn’t look too bad, show me where it hurts.”

“Here Doctor, she pointed to her lower back and to the hips.”

“I see, I see. Nothing broken here. But the spine is all out of whack.”

Gently - oh so gently - but with the exact amount of force needed - he was like a surgeon with his fingers - he pressed a point, made a sideways motion and adjusted the spine. It was so quick Mary Ann didn’t feel a thing - just some pressure. Most of her pain disappeared instantly. She breathed a sigh of relief. At that moment she knew, without a doubt, that she would be well.

Then the Doctor tested her thigh muscles. “Sure the quadriceps are blown.” He then pressed into them - with firm pressure - and massaged. Mary Ann yelped with pain. “Please stop, this is unbearable! Aghhhhh!” He stopped for a while, smiling. He had seen this all before. Very common.

“Take a little breather, and then I have to do some more. It will be over very soon, I promise.”

Then he began again and again Mary Ann screamed. The muscles were so tender that any touch caused pain, and the Doctor was really pressing.

He tested her thigh muscles again. “Lookee here, look how much stronger they are. You responded beautifully!”

“The gluteus max muscles look like they need some work too”. And he began to press into them. Again she screamed in pain. She couldn’t believe how tender they were. All this pain just out of the blue.

“Now stand up, here I’ll help you”. Miraculously, she stood up - no pain. No problem.

“Your muscles will be sore for a few days - especially where I rubbed. This is normal. The soreness will go and you’ll be fine.”

Then turning to Mary Ann’s Mom who had been watching the proceedings. “Did you see the spots I was rubbing?” and he pointed to them.

“Yes.”

“They could use some deep massage a few times a day. It will be painful to her, but will heal. Keep the massage up until the tenderness is massaged out. Also if you like you can bring her here for some follow up.”

Mary Ann was grateful for the physical healing but more important to her was the spiritual connection. Once again she could see the angels, her guides and converse with them. Her faculties had been instantly restored. This was the real healing as far as she was concerned. Silently she gave a prayer of thanksgiving.

She looked at the Doctor’s aura and saw the brown clouds of depression around him. He was a light being - though he was probably unaware - but there were brown clouds all around him.

“Mom, could you go to the waiting room for a while. I need to talk to the Doctor, privately.”

“Sure, Hon.”

“Dr. Mars, my guides want me to tell you that the crisis you’re having was long foreseen. What you need - and what is actually happening - is a spiritual breakthrough. There is no other solution. This is happening and it will change your whole life for the better. Your marriage will probably not work out, but there will be love in your life. By this time next year, you will be in totally different conditions and circumstances. They also say - and I don’t understand this myself - that you need to return to your first love.”

The Doctor gasped at this. Her words pierced him to the core. How could she, a total stranger, know all this about him?

Mary Ann reading his aura and thought said, “I have been clairvoyant from birth Doctor. But I only give messages when I’m instructed to.”

For the first time, Dr. Mars, looked at her as a person. Up until now she had been a patient. Everything was clinical and professional. Her body twisted and racked with pain did not present a very appealing image. But now she stood up straight - posture nearly perfect. Not there yet, he noted, but would get there very soon. Blond, tall, slender. Shoulders straight. Good muscle tone. Her eyes had a light in them that he had never seen before - a green fire - like the flashing colors of emeralds in the sun. A very attractive young woman. Someone he could be with if not for this clairvoyance business. Who wanted a woman who would be reading his inner most thoughts! There would be no privacy, no personal space, with such a person. Or so he thought.

“My guides tell me that you are a gifted healer. I know I just experienced it. They say that you are going to take your healing gift to another level. You are going to meet another healer and your talents will blend with his. He has things to teach you. You have things that he needs. They also say....”

“Yes.”

“No, I can’t continue... its too much.... another time. I told you the important things. Be ready for major change.” She was very agitated as she said this, as if she saw something horrible. This only piqued his interest more. He was polite enough not to push the issue but inside he was burning to hear more. What could it be?

“I’m going home now Doctor, thank you so much!” “You might need a few follow up treatments, young lady.”

“I don’t think so, I’m healed now, thanks to you. But if I do, I’ll be back.” With that, she strode out of the office. The other patients in the waiting room saw her leave and were agape. This was the same lady who was twisted with pain and needed help to walk through the door. Dr. Mars standing was enhanced even further. Mary Ann walking out the door, unaided, pain free, with confidence, did more for Dr. Mars than a national advertising campaign.

.........

Dr. Mars mind was all abuzz the whole day. Mary Ann’s words (and Mary Ann herself) had struck a chord in him. He didn’t question the veracity, but couldn’t understand the meaning of what was said. Take healing to another level? Were there other levels to it? Be ready for change? New conditions and circumstances? This made him a bit afraid. Would he lose everything he had? Yet, somehow he felt better. He had done an excellent job on the girl. She was healed both physically and emotionally. His depression was much lightened. He found himself humming inwardly. Something had changed in him during this encounter.

When he got home, Ann was waiting for him. After ten years of marriage he still admired her beauty. A brunette, with dark eyes and a dark complexion. A perfect body. When he met her she was modeling and she gave it up when they married. She had always been the perfect wife. He couldn’t have asked for better. For him, she was the ultimate.

This night she was dressed in black. She wore a black Dior skirt, and a navy Valentino blouse. Her necklace and earrings were Onyx from Cartier. She was impeccable as always. As if she had stepped out of a page from Vogue.

“Stan, we need to talk”.

“Sure, Hon.”

“It’s no secret that things haven’t been working for us lately. We’ve grown apart. Oh, its not your fault. You’re very busy. But that’s the fact. Maybe its destiny. We need to separate. I can’t take it anymore.”

“Separation? Just because of that? You’re just upset honey. Tell me what you want and I’ll do my best to correct things. I love you, always have, we can work this out.”

“No, Stan. I don’t think we can work this out. I know you love me and I love you too. You will always be in my heart. But I met someone, and I love him more. I’m going to live with him and marry him.”

“Met someone????Who????When???Marry him???” Stan’s mind was all aflutter. “Is there anything we can do to patch things up?”

“No, Stan. This is final. I’ve been thinking of this for a long time. My mind is made up. I don’t want anything special from you, just what I’m entitled to by the law. I’m not trying to hurt you. This sort of just happened. I’m leaving tonight. Here’s my lawyer’s number. We can talk through him.”

She threw a business card on the table and walked out. Her gesture was like throwing a javelin into his heart.

In marriage two people become “one flesh”. This is so whether one is biblical or unbiblical. Ann’s leaving felt like the loss of an arm or leg. Something vital in him had been amputated. He skipped dinner and went straight to bed. Once again he prayed, “Dear God, if you exist please help me. Last time I prayed, I was in bad shape, now I’m even in worse shape. Is this the best you can do?” Once again a peace descended on him. A still small voice from somewhere above his head spoke. “If you want my help you have to let me shake things up a little.” Then he thought of Mary Ann and her words. “Your marriage is over....be prepared for major change....” How could she have known this? But she also had said “there is love in your life.... all this was foreseen.” Strangely he felt better. He fell asleep exhausted - as if he had run a marathon.

.............

Ben and Lisa Richards had been on an extended honeymoon ever since they married. They were vagabonds and happy about it. They would stay in one part of the country and then another - never staying in one place too long. For Lisa, who had lived in Brooklyn all her life, it was a real eye opener. She got to experience different cultures, life styles and people. After ten years of this, the thrill was starting to wear off. The more things were different, the more they were the same. The underlying patterns of life were the same. Beaches were beaches, parks were parks, mountains were mountains and people were basically interested in the same kinds of things - love, marriage, children, health, money, survival.

It was as if there was ONE energy, ONE process acting though different people and different locales. The outer styles and appearances were different, but the inner realities were the same. Every town had its place of worship, its leisure areas, its business areas, its local politics, its real estate market, its movie houses and of course its corporate “chains”. The corporate chains were ubiquitous. Almost every town - even the teeny, teeny ones - the ones you drove through in 5 minutes - had a McDonalds, or Burger King, a Post Office, its Exxon station. The bigger towns simply had more corporate chains than the others. They might also have a Wal-Mart, Walgreens or Publix. Driving through America was really a billboard tour of corporate chains.

There was another lesson that Lisa learned these past 10 years - and quite a surprising one. She always thought that she needed the right clothes, the right house, the right environment, the right jewelry, the right friends in order to be “happy”. After 10 years with Ben she knew differently. The only thing that mattered was the “feeling of love”. As long as she was in the feeling of love she was happy everywhere. It didn’t matter to her that this town had no movie theater or that the motel room was dirty and the towels weren’t changed. She saw the fallacy of what she learned in psychology class about “environment” shaping the person. It was only partially correct. It was the “inner environment” not the outer one that shaped a person.

In the state of love she discerned beauty everywhere - over powering beauty. Often she was moved to tears by it. The sun shining through a slum area at a certain angle, transformed the slum into a temple of

beauty. People doing mundane tasks, when seen in the larger perspective, became a thing of beauty. There was a certain “rightness” to it. An order. In their long drives her attention was often drawn to the various cloud formations. Always different. Always changing. It was as if the Lord of the Universe was painting living art, just for her. She was living in an artistic masterpiece of nature. Even traffic jams became beautiful - for the clouds, the sky, the sun and the wind were still there. Traffic might be snafued here on the ground, but the overall universe was still working perfectly and the Great Beauty was still creating beauty - oblivious to the facts on the ground.

They were not rich and their car was 10 years old. But it did have a good sound system. Good speakers and a 6 cd player. When her favorite songs played, and they were driving at highway speeds with little traffic, she felt like she was in a space ship, not a car. Not on earth. It was just the music and the purring motor. She would cry during these experiences too.

When Ben saw her tears, he was concerned. “What’s up honey! Are you OK? Did I do something to make you cry? Whatever it was, I didn’t mean it!” “No, its not you. I was just thinking of something. Don’t worry.” “Uh, OK.” Women were strange creatures sometimes, he thought. A different civilization.

They were driving through Sarasota, Florida. They were on I-75 headed wherever. It didn’t really matter to them where they went. Lisa saw the signs for Sarasota and said, “Ben, lets get off here and drive though. my parents always raved about how beautiful Sarasota was, let’s take a look.”

He got off at University Parkway and followed the signs to US41. So far nothing special. Then he arrived at US41 and right there is the Ringling Museum. On a hunch they drove in. It was really not just one Museum. There was a circus museum, an art museum, and the Ringling Mansion, which was also a museum of sorts.

Ben was awestruck. The grounds were huge, acres and acres of lush foliage, beautifully kept, magnificent trees, statues and benches in strategic spots. A sign explained that these grounds were the actual estate in which the Ringlings, John and Mabel, lived. The Ringling mansion - a few stories high - with 50 plus rooms was right on the water - Sarasota Bay. The whole place was a beautiful combination of all the elements of nature. It had a “woodsy” feel as there were many trees, but also a maritime feel - by being on the water.

Ben had mostly lived in motel rooms or cheap 3 room apartments all his life. That people actually lived this way was an eye opener to him. His concepts didn’t operate on such a scale.

Also he knew that he had inadvertently, seeming by coincidence, entered into one of the most beautiful spots on the earth. Revelation followed upon revelation. Doors opened in his mind. His concept of art immediately expanded. He saw that art was more than just some lovely painting or piece of music. Landscaping, architecture, living itself - lifestyle - was art. Creativity could be expressed in tangible things. He was not in an “art museum”, but actually standing in a living work of art.

“What a place for a healing center! The people would be healed just by walking in here!”

“Someday, Ben. Someday.”

They spent the rest of the day on the grounds. There was a huge rose garden with perhaps hundreds of species of roses. This was Lisa’s favorite spot. Ben liked the Banyan trees. They were so royal, majestic. Expansive was the word that came into his mind. If they could, they would spread their branches all over the world. They were bursting with life and energy. Beneath one of these trees you were in an enclosed

space, shaded from the sun, but with ample room.

“What an office this would make! As long as it didn’t rain, no problem.”

“Someday, Ben, someday.”

He and Lisa had been in heaven ever since their marriage, but now they had entered into one of heaven’s many mansions.

At 5:00 PM the park closed. So they decided to drive on and see the rest of Sarasota. Driving on US41, the main road of town (and the main road in South Florida in general) they were struck by the physical beauty of the town. This was not just Exxon stations and McDonalds. There was culture - opera houses, art galleries, theaters. There were elegant restaurants and shops. Like the Ringling Mansion the town was on the water. There were boats of every variety - yachts to small motorboats and everything in between. Later he learned that there were people who actually lived on their boats. This was their home. As they approached Marina Jack’s they saw all kinds of cruises available - dinner cruises, sunset cruises, fishing cruises, day cruises. Boating was a major activity in this town.

“This is where we should stay for now” said Lisa. Ben agreed.

They had the kind of marriage where they were so in synch that there was never a feeling of dominance. He trusted her feelings and she trusted his logic and intelligence. They basically wanted to do the same things. Their differences - and there were some - were of the “cosmetic” variety. She liked vegetarian cuisine, he liked meat and potatoes. She liked one color he preferred another. She liked romance novels he liked esoteric literature.

They checked into a local motel and scouted the town. They visited Siesta Beach where the sand is like talcum powder and never gets hot even on the hottest days - quite different from the Sea Gate beach! They visited St. Armands circle and explored the shops. Then Longboat Key. They were typical tourists. Everything was pleasing.

The next day they scouted around for apartments and this was their first blockage. The rents were prohibitively expensive. After a few attempts Lisa petulantly asked the realtor “isn’t there anything around here that’s reasonable?”

“Not around here, but you might find better prices in North Port or Port Charlotte - 25 miles south of here.”

This was the turning point. Apartments were plentiful and cheap in North Port and Port Charlotte. They rented one that even had a swimming pool - an unheard of luxury in New York. Lisa quickly found a job as a meeting planner at the Best Western. She was hired as soon as the interviewer saw her - just what we were looking for he said. Ben found a job as a lifeguard at the local Warm Mineral Springs - an internationally known health spa. Ben had never heard of it, but the realtor who rented them the apartment, suggested he go there and apply. As luck (or Destiny) would have it, one of the lifeguards had just quit the day before and he was hired instantly. This is how things happen when one is in the flow of life. This confirmed for them that this is place they should be for now.

When Ben saw Warm Mineral Springs, he understood immediately why Sarasota had not worked out. He was meant to be here - a place of healing. The spring - really a lake that was fed by springs - was like a clear emerald sparkling in the Sun. A jewel. One dip in the water showed him - instantly - why people came here for healing. There was an energy here that he never before experienced - not even in the Atlantic Ocean. As a lifeguard he was permitted to stay in the water if he liked, so long as he was watchful of the people. And, he often did this. He could feel tension, blockages, melt and dissolve away. He would always emerge from the water with new spiritual insights and understanding. This water was not just

water, it was some kind of “portal” to a higher dimension.

Lisa would come and join him after work and on weekends. Technically the Spring was closed to the public at 5:00 PM, but since he was an employee he could stay afterwards. On weekends Lisa would spend the day there. And she caused quite a sensation. Most of the people were elderly and infirm. She was young, beautiful in the pink of health.

They spent a few months in this “island of healing” and had many adventures which are beyond the scope of this story.

His Guru had often said, “the earth would be paradise if not for returning Karma”. And, Karma reared its head now. Lisa received a call from her Mom, that Dad was very sick. Could she come to Brooklyn and help out? It would boost Dad’s spirits and perhaps Ben could heal him. This was an emergency, please come.

Lisa’s relations with her parents were lukewarm ever since Ben came into her life. They were not hostile, only cool and distant. She married Ben - over their violent objections - and threw her lot in with him. She would call them occasionally from wherever she was, but that was about it.

A call like this was quite shocking. The first shock was Dad’s illness. The second - and perhaps greater shock - was asking for Ben’s help. For years they vehemently opposed everything he stood for. Suddenly they are asking for his help? Things must be serious indeed.

In spite of the distant relationship she felt the internal bonds that connected her to them. They were stronger than steel. Someone like Doris Dearson could probably explain all the details. She knew she had to go Brooklyn and help. Would Ben be willing though. He had suffered greatly at their hands. This was the question in her mind. She wouldn’t blame him one bit if he refused.

That evening she approached him.

“Ben, Dad is sick. I’m not sure what it is - Mom was fuzzy about it - she wants us to come to Brooklyn to help out. She needs support right now. Also, she specifically asked if you would come and heal Dad.”

He started to laugh. Fate had a sense of humor. His most virulent enemy was asking for healing. He knew without a doubt that this was a call from the spirit world. He had long since forgiven her parents. He completely understood their anger and the reasons for it. And if he had been in their shoes, he might have acted the same. But now his forgiveness was being tested. How far did it go? Was it merely a superficial forgiveness - no longer angry or hurt - or did it go deeper? Was he willing to leave this idyllic happy place, go to an uncomfortable climate, suffer great inconvenience and help his bitter enemy? Or would he just stand pat and let whatever happens happen? He knew the choice was his.

“Lisa, let’s go. Hate to leave this place, but let’s go. I have a feeling, we’re going to be in Brooklyn for a long time. As long as we’re together it doesn’t matter where we are.”

Lisa got up and kissed him passionately. She hugged him with a fervor and voltage that he never before experienced - not even on their honeymoon. The feeling was so intense that it had to get expressed in some way and it did. They went to the other room, without a word, and did what couples in love normally do.

When they finished both knew that their love had entered another level - another octave. Never had he experienced such nuances in love. Lisa was in tears. He felt that if the voltage got any higher, his body would explode - disintegrate. The powers that be mercifully took him to the limit, but not over the limit.

His Guru came into his mind. Smiling and radiant. “You think it was the lovemaking that gave you the joy,

no my son, you made a spiritual breakthrough and this was just the side effect. Lisa is pregnant.” Abruptly he left.

His Guru failed to mention that Venus “just happened” to be conjunct to Neptune this day and certainly played a role in this experience.

.........

Mary Ann’s mom dutifully followed Dr. Mars’ orders. When they got home, she started to rub the places that the Doctor had indicated. But something was missing. Mary Ann was very tender in those spots and when she started screaming, Mom would stop. Eventually she so lightened the pressure that the pressure point therapy became meaningless.

Mary Ann noted what was happening. Mom loved her and wanted her well, but the healing spark was not there. This was not her thing.

Mary Ann tried rubbing the spots herself, but they were so tender, she didn’t have the discipline to cause herself pain.

“I feel good Mom, but I guess I’ll go back for follow up treatments - neither one of us is very good at this. Dr. Mars knew exactly how to do it. I never met anyone with such a natural healing touch. I need him and he needs me.”

“Needs you? What on earth for?”

“My guides have been giving me more messages for him. There are things he needs to know.”

“Oh”. Her Mom gave her one of those quizzical looks - eyebrows raised - a look that showed that she understood there was more to this story, than Mary Ann was telling. But Mary Ann didn’t volunteer any more information.

“What do your guides say about me? Are there messages for me? Why only him?”

Mary Ann laughed. It felt good to laugh. “Oh Mom, you’re being silly. They say just keep doing what you’re doing and all will be well. Dr. Mars is in for big changes, he needs the guidance.”

......

Stanley Mars woke up and went through his daily routine - shower, shave, trim and breakfast. Generally Ann made breakfast and it was always ready when he got dressed. This morning he rummaged through the fridge and decided on milk and cereal. It was easy to prepare. Something vital was gone from his life, but he could still more or less function. After breakfast as he bent down to tie a shoelace he felt his back give out. He could actually feel the vertebrae slip out of alignment. The pain was intense. His knees were weak. Oh my God, I won’t be able to work today. I can’t work like this.

If this were another person he could fix it in a snap. He knew exactly what the problem was and where. The stress of last night could have weakened some of the muscles that held the spine in alignment and thus, they gave way under the movement. But he couldn’t reach these spots on himself. Couldn’t adjust his own spine or massage the appropriate muscles on his own - they were in places that were hard to reach.

Inwardly he sent a thought to God. When I began praying I was just depressed. Now I’ve lost my wife and maybe my health. Is this the best you can do?

No answer, just a silence. At the time he didn’t understand that the silence was significant. That this too was an answer and a message to him. He took it as “no answer”.

He called an old friend from Chiropractic school. “Sam can you come here immediately. Yeah, I know this is inconvenient and out of the blue. My back is out and I can’t adjust it myself. Could you come over here and do it?”

“Sure, sure, I’ll be right over, buddy”.

It took Sam Yates a half hour to get there. He lived and worked in Manhattan. Stanley lived in Brooklyn Heights. Stanley had already called his office to say that he would be late.

Sam took a look at him. “The lower back, right”.

“Right.”

“I’d rather take you to my office where I can put you on the table and do a proper adjustment.”

“We don’t have time for that Sam, I need to get to my office. I’m fully booked today. Can you adjust me on the floor?”

“We’ll give it a shot.”

And so Sam adjusted the spine as Stanley was lying on the Kitchen floor. The conditions were far from optimal, but the floor was straight and hard - it would do. He put a pillow under Stanley’s face, had him lie face down on the floor, pressed the lower back and shifted the vertebrae where they should be.

Stanley heaved a sigh of relief. He felt the adjustment happen. “Can you massage the hips, buttocks and quads too? Those are the muscles that popped.”

“Sure thing.”

“Ouch, Owwwwwww” as Sam pressed into the tender muscles. Now he understood what his patients felt when he worked on them.

When it was over, Stanley was able to stand and walk. “Sam thanks a million buddy. I owe you one. I’m pretty sure I can get through the day.”

“I don’t have to tell you that you need some follow up. Stop in the office when you’re finished working and we’ll have at it.”

“I will.” “Want a lift to the office?” “No thanks, thanks to you, I can drive. Take care.”

.......

When he arrived at his office, he had a full waiting room, as expected. Methodically, diligently, like the true Virgo that he was, he dealt with each one. He still felt pain in the back and it wad definitely not up to

par, but he could work.

At 11:00 AM Mary Ann walked in. She had been in the waiting room but he hadn’t seen her as he was focused on the patients he was working with.

“Good to see you! Boy were you right on yesterday! Its amazing. There are changes happening for sure. My wife left me last night too. You said my marriage was over. You’re amazing!”

“There’s more change, Doctor, this is just the beginning. “ “Oh my. I don’t know how much I can handle. Its all so sudden.”

“You can handle it and you will. All of this was foreseen.There’s more to say to you, but we’ll talk later. Mom tried working on the spots you mentioned, but it didn’t work very well. I feel much better, but need your follow up.”

“Sure thing.”

He started to work on the spots he worked on the day before. “Ouch! Owwwwwwww! Oooooooooh! It hurts so much!”

Stanley smiled ruefully. He fully understood her feeling. His own problem gave him a new empathy for her.

“I have to cause some pain or the treatment won’t be effective. We have to work out all these tender spots. If it gets too much we’ll take a break and try again later.”

There were frequent breaks. But the treatment went on. When the pain got too intense, he adjusted her spine. Once again it had gotten out of alignment - but not as bad as when she first came in.

“It hurt like crazy, but I do feel better.”

His muscle testing confirmed that she was stronger and better.

“It’ll hurt tomorrow too. And after that, the soreness will fade and you’ll be fine.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“When can we talk?”

“Later.”

“Let’s have a bite after work.”

“Not today, but we will. Oh we most certainly will!”

Towards the end of the day, Stanley’s back started to hurt again. Just doing what he did was miraculous, but now he was paying the price. The back needed more rest. But with a full work load, it was impossible.

He handled his last few patients by sheer will power. And then he drove to Manhattan and had Dr. Yates adjust and massage him. He felt better and stronger, but the back still wasn’t right. It felt like any false move - any unconscious movement - would knock it out again.

Between his back and his full work load, he didn’t have much time to think of his marital situation. He

would deal with that when time permitted. Health and Work were his number one priorities. It had always been so, but now he was able to see it clearly.

The next day was more or less a repetition of the previous one. Of course no two days are ever the same. Astrologers will tell you that no two hours in a day are ever the same. But the basic pattern was repeating. When he awoke, he felt twinges in his back and decided to go to Manhattan for another adjustment. He called the office saying he would be late.

When Dr. Yates checked him out he said “Son of Gun, this bugger is out again, and we adjusted it perfectly yesterday!”

Then he adjust the spine and did his normal routine with the muscles. They were still ultra tender.

“Thanks Sam, I feel much better and I can make it through the day. But I’ll see you after work today. This back needs all the help it can get. I hope I don’t need surgery!”

Mary Ann was back at 11:00 like the day before. She still complained as he worked her muscles, but this time something was different. The second he touched her he felt a thrill of electronic force course through his body. It was a feeling of rapture. Boundless joy. A feeling he hadn’t felt in many years. It was as if something in her, on some level, was sending him healing. Oh, his back was still tender - and apt to go out at any moment - but he felt happy. This was a non-physical joy. He wondered if she felt this too.

“Did you feel that?” “Yes, you were massaging my spots - it hurt.” “No, no, no I didn’t mean that. Did you feel anything else?” “Aside from that, nothing special.”

Dr. Mars continued with his work. He once again adjusted the spine and worked the muscles. But every time he touched her that same thrill came through him. No, it was not sexual - though she was very attractive - it was something else. Unearthly. Spiritual. Not connected to the body at all.

“I’m going to see a friend at 5:00, how about we have a bite afterwards?” “Love to, we need to talk.”

Mary Ann was a vegetarian and Stanley, though not a strict vegetarian, enjoyed the cuisine. So they hit upon one of the new, trendy, “gourmet vegetarian” spots. They served basic vegetarian fare - beans cooked in 20 different ways, barley soups, miso, sushi, salads, humus and also things like “cucumber and honey” juice. Mary Ann’s face lit up as she eyed the menu. She was in her element.

“The teriyaki salmon looks interesting” said Stanley. “I think I’ll have that.”

“No thank you, if its got eyes I can’t eat it. I’ll have the salad, pinto beans and that “cucumber” juice.”

“I’ll try that cucumber juice too - never heard of it before.”

It was surprisingly good. The presentation was also most interesting. It came in cocktail glasses - oblong glasses with stems. It was as if they were being served “liqueur” not juice.

After the meal, over green tea, Stanley said:

“I think its very coincidental that just after you had your back problem I developed the same thing.”

“When things are divinely planned there is always synchronicity. That’s how we know we are on the right path.”

“Synchronicity?”

“Yes, you call it coincidence - but that’s just a catch all label for things we don’t understand. Spiritualists call it synchronicity - events are orchestrated by the spirit in perfect order and harmony. These ‘coincidences’ are planned.”

“How fascinating.”

“Your back problem - that happened after you broke up with your wife right?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, the next day”.

“Well, there you have the spiritual root cause of the problem. Mine developed after a love rejection as well.”

“How fascinating.” Stanley had not seen the connection between the two events until now. It made sense to him.

“There’s only one difference. My back problem - though I’m treating it everyday - is still there. Yours is pretty much gone.”

Mary Ann smiled. She had an unearthly, far away look in her eyes.

“My guides tell me to tell you that these back problems are not what they seem. Oh they were real in a certain way, but your interpretation of them is not real. These are doorways - star gates if you will - to new and deeper places in yourself and in your life. My back problem was the door to meeting you. Now that the purpose was fulfilled, the back problem isn’t necessary anymore. So its gone. Your back problem will be gone as soon as its purpose is fulfilled.”

“Wow! You’re saying these things have a purpose?”

“Yes. Now don’t get me wrong. The Divine never planned for anybody to be sick. But if humans create sickness he allows it to serve a deeper purpose.”

Mary Ann continued: “My guides say that someone is coming to you very shortly - he has been dispatched from above - and he will heal your back. But the healing of the back is only the side effect of a larger purpose. He is going to take you into deeper levels of the healing art.”

“What’s his name, what does he look like?” “They say that you don’t need to know this now. But you will know when you meet him.” “When we met, you said there was something else to tell me, but you didn’t. What is it? I’m so curious!” Mary Ann started to blush. She closed her eyes and her unearthly look intensified even further. “I’m not comfortable saying this. But my guides insist. I have to obey. You and I are twin flames.”

“Twin flames? Is that something like soul mate.?”

“No. Soul mate is a temporary thing. For a time. Your wife was a soul mate. She was there for a certain stage in your life. Now that you are going deeper, she is moving on. A twin flame is forever. The relationship goes on life after life.”

“This is a bit much.” “Yes, it is for me too. I need to go home now.” “Sure.”

Stanley paid the tab and drove her home. They were both in silence. He was trying - unsuccessfully - to digest all this information. Small talk was out of place now. Even normal romance was out of place. His mind was grappling with all the ramifications that he had heard.

At her house. “Please, Stanley, I’m not angry. We will meet again soon. I just need to go home.” “Sure. Sure. Me too.”

..........

Ben and Lisa were once again back in Brooklyn. In Sea Gate where they first met. The drive up was magical but uneventful. In fact the magic was precisely in the uneventfulness. They made the trip in under 24 hours. When Ben got tired, Lisa drove and vice versa. In a 1500 mile trip (approx) they encountered no traffic, no delays, no obstructions. The feeling of being in a spaceship rather than a car came back. It was as if, mighty forces had cleared the way for them. When they needed gas, they always found the cheapest prices. When they stopped for food, it was often “on the house” - the proprietor would wave them on. Sometimes total strangers would pick up the tab. When they needed the toilet, it was always clean and sparkling - as if it had been just washed moments before they got there. (Which was the case.) After being in a car for almost 24 hours, they felt no fatigue or tension. They had all the signals of being in the “flow of life”.

Lisa’ parents offered them Lisa’s old room as a place to sleep and Lisa’s Mom promised to do all the cooking. All their needs were handled.

Sea Gate hadn’t changed much in 10 years. It was still private and you needed a special sticker to drive in. If you were a visitor you were stopped and questioned as to who you were visiting. Beach 1 and the cabanas were still the same. Beach 3 was more or less the same, though Ben noted that the beach seemed larger than usual. Later he learned that the Army Core of engineers had done work to stop the beach erosion. Lisa noted that there were many more chassidic jews in the area. Easy to spot as they wore unique dress, beards and side curls. Chassidim had always been a presence in Sea Gate, but now it seemed to increase.

Ben went in to see Stan Loving. He had aged considerably in 10 years. Time and the ravages of disease had caught up with this high powered attorney used to getting his own way. His hair was white. He was frail. Apparently he had undergone a few surgeries.

“Ben, I’m so sorry for the way I treated you. It was only after going through a serious illness that I understand Lisa’s position. Thanks for coming here to help me.” Tears were rolling down his cheeks. His apology was sincere - not strategic.

“Apologies accepted. Its over and done with. What do they say you have?’

“Prostate cancer that has metastasize into the bladder. The prognosis is not good.”

Ben looked at him and saw the correctness of the diagnosis. The prostate area was completely black. There were shadows in the bladder area. He also saw shadows in the bones.

“Did they mention anything about the bones?” “No. They say it’s a possibility in the future.”

“I see.” He began the treatment. He couldn’t even touch the reflex points of the prostate. Every time he tried Lisa’s father would howl in pain. “Stop it, you’re killing me”. Ben would stop for a while and then return. Again screams of pain. Then he would pause, let Mr. Loving, rest, and return to the points. It was slow going. But little by little, he managed to massage the points.

He decided to alternate between physical manipulation and spiritual therapy. He would massage the points briefly until the pain got too intense and then he would lay his hands on Mr. Loving’s head - right hand on the back of the neck, left hand on the forehead. Then he would invoke the Golden Healing Flame and send it though the body. The black areas were incredibly resistant. But after a few efforts, he saw them dissolve.

This alternation went on for an hour. Ben was exhausted. He was as tired as if working on a chain gang for 8 hours. He had given of his vital force and he needed to rest and re-charge.

“Let’s take a break for now and I’ll see you in the evening.” “Thanks Ben, I feel much better.”

His Guru Sri Mojumdor came into his mind again. “Your patient will die. His time has come. The very forces that you invoke are the ones that have decreed this. Make him comfortable. Take the pain away and prepare him for transition.”

“Die? Why?”

“The Lords of Karma say that he was on a negative track. The mercy of the law decrees that he be taken out of embodiment so as not to create even more negative karma for the next embodiment.”

After the treatment, Lisa asked:” How did it go? Mom says that the doctors give him 3 months to live.”

“Not so good, Lisa. I don’t know about the 3 months part - maybe six, maybe a year, but your Dad is going. He’ll have a remission now, but I don’t think it will last. I wish I had better news.”

Lisa started to cry. He hugged her and let her weep.

Ben continued giving Stanley Loving treatments. It felt like he was inflating a tire that had a hole in it. It would inflate, Mr. Loving would have more energy and life, and then when the treatment ended, the air in the tire would leak out again. By the time of the next treatment, it would again be deflated. Stanley Loving couldn’t hold the energy.

Lisa and Ben phoned their jobs and explained the situation. They had to quit because of a family emergency. They also canceled the lease on their apartment.

“Well we’re here in Brooklyn for a while” said Ben. “Just like I thought”. “We’ll need to find some work - maybe a place to stay. I don’t feel right taking money from my parents.”

“Neither do I” said Ben.

Lisa found a job with a modeling agency. Like their trip to New York, a Higher Power was involved in this. At her interview she was asked if she had photos of herself - a portfolio - photos the agency could use to market her to clients. She didn’t have any. But the interviewer inspecting her said, “No problem. We’ll take the photos and set it up for you”. An unheard of favor. (There would be a fee involved, however.) Lisa eagerly accepted. If she got hired, the pay was good. “I have 3 clients right now who love to have you on their ads. I was praying for someone like you to walk in. Amazing.”

Ben would have taken a job as a security guard on the Sea Gate beach. He knew the work and it was close to home. But alas it was fall and the beaches were closed. He knew he would find something but at the moment he was clueless.

In the meantime he kept up his treatments with Stan Loving. At first he was doing it 3 times a day, and now it was twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. He could see the artificialy - pumped up - improvements in his patient - but not the results that should have happened. It irked him that he would considered a failure and even worse, that his form of healing would be considered ineffective.

His Guru came into his mind again - he always popped up in these kinds of moments. He simply said “those who wait upon the Lord shall not be put to shame”. His Hindu Guru was quoting Western scripture to him! It made him feel better though.

Of late Ben had been having strange dreams. Not bad ones. Not horrors. Just dreams of strange kinds of places. The light was bright - scintillating - and everywhere was rich foliage. The light shining through the foliage was magnificent. These dreams were oh, so real. He felt he was actually in this place. The problem was he didn’t recognize the foliage (a strange variety) or the place. He mentioned it to Lisa.

“Do you know of any places like this? Primitive yet beautiful.”

“No. But the dream is interesting. Let me think about it.”

Then he thought of his Guru and asked him. “What is the meaning of these dreams?”

The response. “Those who wait upon the Lord shall not be put to shame.” and his Guru vanished. No more to be said on this topic.

.........

Mary Ann kept coming for follow up treatments long after she needed them. She came because it made her feel better and also because it gave her opportunity to see Stanley. The pattern was more or less the same. She would come in around 11:00 AM, get her adjustment and sometimes massage and they would make plans for dinner. Ostensibly the Doctor was treating her, but he knew that he was receiving healing as well. Something in him was being healed. Every time he touched her he felt that same electronic force shooting through his body. “Did you feel that just now” he would ask. And she would say “no, only your adjustment.” Something was going on here, and though he didn’t understand it, he knew it was good.

Their relationship had not become sexual. The desire was there on both sides, but something inside prevented. This was a spiritual kind of relationship. Something he had never before experienced. They were just happy in each other’s company.

Dr. Mars’ back problem was still there, this in spite of daily treatments from his friend Dr. Yates. He knew that Sam was doing his job, but something was missing. He got enough out of the treatments to get

through his day, but twinges of pain warned him not to push too far.

One day after one of her treatments Mary Ann said: “My guides say that it would be a good idea to have a massage therapist and reflexologer in the office. This way the patients can get have their adjustments and also other forms of therapy. It would be good for your income as well.”

“Hmmm, a good idea.” Other doctors were doing this as well. He would do it. He gave instructions to his secretary to put an ad in the newspaper. Let’s see how this plays out.

.......

“I’m going to die, right Ben?” It was not so much a question as a statement. This was during a treatment as Ben was sending him healing energy through the head. Ben didn’t answer right away. He feared putting a negative suggestion into the patient. At that moment, his Guru came into his mind. “Tell him the truth, but also tell him there is no death anywhere in the universe. Prepare him.”

“It looks that way” said Ben. “The treatments are not taking as they should. They’re helping, but only temporarily.”

“Yes, I always feel better after our sessions. But if you gotta go, you gotta go. I’ve been so foolish in my life Ben. A wasted life. There really is a Higher Power - God - who really is in charge of things. I thought I could do anything I pleased.”

“My guides tell me to tell you that there is no death in the universe. Your body will die, but you - your soul - will live forever. If you made mistakes, you will re-embody and correct them.”

“You mean there is reincarnation?”

“Yes. But not the popularized version. This personality - Stan Loving - will not re-incarnate. This is his first and only life. But the essence of you, your soul - the part of you that actually created this personality, will re-incarnate. It has done this many, many times and will probably do so many more times. Stan Loving is only one incident in a long, long history. Be prepared to live forever.”

“Ha!”

“Here’s what I sense will happen. When you die, it will be like falling asleep. You’ll sleep for a while and then you will wake up on the other side. It will be like stepping into another room. At first you won’t realize you are dead, but you will see your loved ones who went on before you. Angels and Masters will greet you and give you your new assignments. Yes, there is much work going on after death. You’ll be more alive than when you were in your body.”

“Thanks Ben. I know you’re trying to make me feel better. You have. I’ll think about what you said.”

..... Lisa had many modeling assignments and so there was money in the Richards household. But Lisa was

starting to show - her normally flat stomach, was not so flat. They had been in New York for two and a half months. Ben looked at her and understood immediately what was happening. He knew from the beginning. Lisa saw his glance and said:

“Ben I was trying to keep this secret until the right time. Didn’t want to upset you. I”m pregnant.” “That’s great Lisa. Its wonderful!”

“You mean you’re happy? We’re going to have expenses. You’re going to have to work. I won’t be able to work for a while. Noone is going to hire a model with a fat tummy!”

“Yes I’m happy. I know you wanted a baby and now its happening. I’ve always been provided for and Providence will provide for this too - I just don’t know how its going to happen.”

Sri Mujumdor came into his mind again. It’s a boy. Oh how marvelous are the workings of Destiny. How beautiful is the Great Law! He is Stanley Loving’s reincarnation. The roles will be reversed. You and Lisa will now parent him and much Karma will be expiated. Your Law is so perfect Oh God! Go out and buy the New York Post.

Ben was totally flabbergasted by this. Lisa, eyeing him, asked:

“Are you OK? You look disturbed. What happened? You were just so happy and now you look glum. Is it the baby?”

“No not really.” He didn’t feel that he could explain the new information. He had a hard time handling it himself, he wasn’t sure how Lisa would take this. It was a bombshell. Better to keep silence.

“Honey let’s get the New York Post.”

“The New York Post? You never read that paper! Besides there’s snow and ice out there. You’ll be lucky to make it to the newstand!”

“I have this yen to read the Post today. Can’t explain it. You want to come?”

“No thanks, I’ve got a little one to take care of now.”

Lisa wasn’t lying. The weather was treacherous. Driving was out of the question. There was ice all over. So he walked the 5 blocks to the local newsstand. He had to watch every step. And he almost fell more than once. But he managed.

Back home he opened the paper. Nothing much there. A few political scandals. This starlet was cheating on her husband while another star was cheating with another starlet. The sports section was good - very complete - but he was not into sports. He wondered at his Guru’s instructions. But then he came upon the want ad section. In between the ads for accountants, sales reps, and franchise opportunities, he saw this: “Massage therapist/Reflexologer wanted”. The ad was circled in light and immediately he understood why he had to get the paper. This was the job for him - the Divine Providence. He knew at that moment - without a doubt and without even making a phone call - that he would get this job. The phone call, the interview - this was just the outworking of an established fact. He dialed the number. Spoke to a secretary and made the appointment. Apparently this was a posh office, many people working there. He was switched from line to line before he got the appropriate person.

............

Ben walked into the waiting room of Dr. Mars office. The room was full. Not an empty chair in sight. Many people were actually standing. He went to the receptionist and said:

“I’m here to see Dr. Mars.” “Are you a patient? Do you have an appointment?” “No, I’m Ben Richards and I’m applying for the reflexologer position. I have an appointment.”

“The Doctor is with a patient right now but I’ll buzz him and let him know that you’re here.” “Thanks.”

She picked up the phone, pressed a button, and said: “Ben Richards, the reflexologer is here to see you Doctor”.

She listened for a moment and turned to Ben. “He’s with a patient but says to come in anyway. Its through that door and then the second door on your left.”

“Thanks”.

Stanley greeted Ben with a warm smile and a handshake. There was voltage in that handshake.

“Hi I’m Stanley, this is Mary Ann who is here for treatment. Would you like some juice or cup of tea?”

“No thanks. Nice to meet you.”

Looking at the two he knew she was no ordinary patient. They had an aura together. Aurically they were one, though physically separated.

He looked at Mary Ann’s aura. Wow! An enlightened being. Once she learned how to control her emotions and passions she would be amazing he thought. Physically beautiful too. Not in Lisa’s league, but close. He also realized that he was prejudiced. There were no doubt many who would disagree with him on that point.

Mary Ann returned his gaze and knew she was dealing with a seer. She looked at his aura as was her custom - she couldn’t help it. A darkly handsome body masked a veritable blaze of light and life. Light and energy exuded from him.

As they sized each other up, a smile of recognition - something subtle - indefinable - wordless - passed between them. The poets say that a few such moments - even a few - make life worth living. They understood each other perfectly without a word having been spoken.

Dr. Mars continued. “Mary Ann has been complaining of back problems. How would you handle her?”

“With all due respect Doctor. She has no back problems. She is in the pink of health. Can’t see anything wrong with her. Hard to understand why she’s even here!”

They both gasped at the accuracy and the confidence behind these words.

“I would just give her a general treatment - give her energy and let it go at that. But she doesn’t even need that. You’re the one having back problems not her. And I’m ready to show you what I would do.”

Dr. Mars was as flabbergasted by this as when Mary Ann had first spoken to him. This man was a total stranger and he knew all these things. He obviously had a lot to learn and he was about ready to “enter the stream”.

Turning to Mary Ann, a twinkle in his eye, Ben said: “I too have guides, just like you, and they tell me things.”

Mary Ann started to laugh uncontrollably. She had met a blood brother.

Then he turned to Dr. Mars.

“Do I have your permission to remove that back problem?”

“You certainly do. It’s been plaguing me for a few months now. Do you want me to lie down?”

“Not necessary. You’ve had all the physical manipulations done on you. I’m going to do something different - something that wasn’t done on you.”

He put his right hand at the back of Dr. Mars’ head and his left on the forehead. Then he invoked the Golden Healing Flame of the Great Central Sun and sent it to the back and then to the whole body. Mary Ann, with her clairvoyant vision saw the whole thing. Stanley didn’t see anything. He only felt “electricity” going through him. A Joy. A rapture. Dancing electrons were shooting through his body. It was the same feeling he got every time he worked on Mary Ann. Something spiritual was happening. The energy was so intense that he felt it could shatter his body - shatter the temporal clay vessel. A part of him was very fearful. Ben noting this said: “the energy is precisely measured. If you relax and surrender to it, the healing will go better.”

As Dr. Mars relaxed, the pain in the back - all of it - even the little twinges - was gone.

Then Ben stopped. “You are well. Pretty soon even the memory of the pain will be gone too. It will be as if it had never happened.”

“Yes, I am well. Amazing.” Mary Ann almost shouted “He’s the one Stan. He’s the one my guides were talking about.”

Ben said, “I’m so happy you responded so well. I haven’t been getting good results with one of my patients and it seems he will die....”

Mary Ann broke in. “He will die, he is dying.”

“.....prolonged lack of success can make you lose confidence. You’ve restored my confidence, Doctor.”

“Well, you’re hired. When you can start?”

“I‘m ready to start immediatey. I just need my mornings and evenings free. I need to work on this patient I was telling you about.”

“No Problem. How is tomorrow at say 10:30 AM? You can leave at 5:00 PM. I’ll guarantee you a $100 a day, plus you get 40% of whatever any patient pays? It’s a dream job. You have no expenses and if you get busy can make some decent money.”

Ben was awestruck. He never expected to be offered this much. He was reminded of what his Guru had often said. “Children are born with their supply. It seems to come from the parents - they are only instruments - but the supply is their own. One never need fear to have children.”

Lisa’s pregnancy had opened unexpected doors. “Acceptable? And how!” “Can you join us for a bite around 5:00? There’s much we need to talk about.”

“Love to, but as I mentioned I have this patient I’m working on and its better if I get home early.”

“OK, let’s do it now. We’ll do lunch.”

“Great.”

In Dr. Mars’ red Mercedes, a discussion ensued. “Let’s go to the Red Roof diner - its close, quick and easy. The food is average - standard fare - if we had time we could go somewhere nicer.”

Mary Ann went “uggh”. Ben merely nodded - “wherever we go is fine by me.” “You can get a salad there, Mary Ann, the produce is fresh. We need to finish quickly.” “OK, whatever.”

Ben had never ridden in Mercedes before. It was a thrill. The car felt so solid - so sturdy. The motor hummed and purred. He like his car - his used Acura - but the Mercedes was something special. Another league. Another octave of quality.

Over lunch Stanley initiated the conversation.

“Tell me about yourself, Ben. How did you start in this healing work? Where was your last job? What school did you go to?”

Ben smiled wryly. “Never went to formal school for healing. I was born with my gift. My gift of healing is similar in many ways to Mary Ann’s gift. She never went to Clairvoyance school - she just had it. Born with it. I did study one on one with a Yogi - a great master - and he taught me many things. He understood what I had and explained many things about it. I still study with this person, but formal schooling - no, never.”

Ben started to recount his adventures as a faith healer; his wanderings, persecutions and run ins with the police. When he finished, he said: “Stanley, you never had those issues. A different karma.”

Stanley answered, “and you won’t have these kinds of problems anymore either. I am fully licensed and to my knowledge I can hire anyone to do therapy in my office under my umbrella. I’ll double check with my lawyer, but this is my understanding You’re not administering drugs or diagnosing.”

Ben smiled. This was too good to be true. Therefore it was true. His years of wandering were over. He was safe and could practice his trade. Finally he would have roots. He would easily be able to support Lisa and the baby.

“What was it that you did to me? It was amazing. Can you teach me to do it too?”

“All I did was bring in the spiritual dimension and cleared out the root cause of the problem. The physical and chemical manipulations that you do are great, but not the whole picture. But I’ll be happy to teach you anytime you like.”

“You see” said Mary Ann. “You’re going to take your healing work to another level, just like my guides said.”

Ben’s Guru came into his mind again. Tell them what you see, beloved. This is part of the purpose here.

Ben spoke ”my guide tells me that you and Mary Ann are to be married. There will be children. It was all planned long ago.”

“I always knew that” said Mary Ann “but could never say anything... too embarrassing.” “You mean you’ll marry me?” said Stanley.

“Whether we legally tie the knot or not doesn’t matter. It’s the spiritual reality that matters. We are already married on the inner planes and its always been like this. It just took these crises on your part and my part to bring us together here on the earth plane.”

Then Mary Ann spoke. “Ben, you’re having a baby. A boy. You dream of roots and you will have them for a while, but there is more change coming. You will be doing healing work is some faraway place - looks like a jungle to me - far from civilization and (here she gasps) Stan and I are with you! Oh my. Talk about change, the change is only beginning!”

Stanley let out a sigh at this. “Knowing Mary Ann’s track record as I do, we’d all better start packing our bags!”

finis