This philosophy has led me to create my own magnificent spiritual garden filled with hand-picked cherries and other fruits from my life-long search for spiritual nourishment, development, enlightenment and transformation. This spiritual garden is deeply rooted in a wide variety of spiritual and religious experiences. These include:

An M.A. in Religious Studies and extensive work toward a Ph.D. at Chicago Theological Seminary: My research focused on the link between Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) and unlimited love.

Co-founding the first bilingual Spanish/English community newspapers in the United States with the goal of building bridges between neighbors and between generations.

Spreading the good word about the good works of non-profit organizations that are serving at-risk youth and their families during my years as a Public Relations Consultant.

Receiving in-depth inspiration from many sources including: the Course in Miracles; Spiritualism; the International Association of Near-Death Studies (IANDS); the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS); Robert Moore Ph.D. who shared his deep insights into Paul Tillich and Carl Jung; Stephen G. Post, President of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love who opened my eyes to the scientific research that is proving the value of altruism, love and compassion; Diandra who introduced me to the teachings of Salem, The Great Light; the Rev. Marrice Coverson for leading me to a place of forgiveness and helping me understand the principles of Spiritualism; and the many authors and spiritual guides and teachers (both human and Divine) who have helped me—and continue to help me—along the way.

Gratitude is my anchor. I have learned to be grateful for all things great and small from the smile of a child and the birds who visit my feeders; to the prosperity, abundance and love that surround me; to the challenges that sometimes rock my boat. Gratitude has taught me that through it all, I am surrounded by loving, caring and supportive soul-sister/soul-brother friends, family and colleagues.

My spiritual path diverged from the traditional long ago. That journey was summarized in this poem inspired by a writing exercise during a Hay House Writers Workshop:

I remember… A Spiritual Journey 

by Mary Montgomery

I remember that little girl sitting with her grandfather as he painted word pictures on her mind—grateful now that she was taught to see by a blind man.

I remember that little girl tagging along with her father as he chauffeured the parish nuns on Saturday visits: Old churches, smells of incense and that special Virgin Mary. The whispered invitation: “Say a prayer and make a wish.” And that little girl, in her childish wisdom, making the only wish that made fool proof sense. Spoken: “I wish that everyone will be happy.” Unspoken: “Then I will be happy too.”

I remember that girl, older now on the family’s Michigan cottage porch somehow at one with the darkness as it slowly lifted into dawn. Silence, then the faint rustling of leaves and the chirping of one bird and then another and another until a whole chorus crescendoed to greet the sun as it topped the trees.

I remember that girl in seventh grade suddenly knowing deep in her heart and soul that God did not want our glory or care about which or whether we had religion. The only thing that matters is how we love each other.

I remember that girl, a teen-ager now, branded a heretic by Sr. Kathleen for asking the wrong questions. Two years later. Vatican II. The same nun. The same questions. This time acceptance. Hope springs in the girl’s heart soon to be dashed. Pope John opened the window. She flies out. 

I remind myself to remember that it is not about the destination, but about the journey.

And so, I invite you to join me on my journey and share your own stories of your spiritual journeys too. By incorporating the spiritual and transformative into every journey that we take, we will nourish and replenish our spirits and our souls.

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