III. Gandhi, Jesus, & The Principles

Gandhi is remarkably fast on his feet!

Excerpt from The Compass, pages 8–12

Principles origin story

I first learned about Gandhi’s presence in my life in 2014 when I met with David Zarza, a gifted psychic medium in Seattle. At the time, my intuitive coach, felt strongly that I should see a professional to get an idea of whether this was a world I wanted to pursue. David and I quickly bonded at his condo not far from my own in South Lake Union, downtown Seattle. David gave me an intuitive reading and within about 15 minutes, he related his vision of a man of Indian descent who was absorbing negative psychic rays on my behalf. He told me it looked like lightning bolts were being drawn into his legs and arms. He was literally a lightning rod. I asked if it might be Gandhi. When he asked why, I told him Gandhi was one of my long-standing heroes back from my time studying theology at Seattle University. David opened his eyes and said, yes, it was Gandhi.

♦

After moving to Orcas in the winter of 2016, I went through quite a rough integration into island life. It was an exceptionally snowy winter, and the town was shut down, right at the time I needed to meet people to help me repair my house and generally function. My business was operational, my house was freezing, and I was lonely. Part of the loneliness, honestly, was because my principal guide in meditation, Winslow, a beautiful white horse with a gray mane, quit talking to me after the move. I had no idea what I did wrong.

After several months of lying on my meditation mat while my inner vision traveled down the stairs and out onto the path to the beach, a man walked up to me. When he came nearer, I could see he was wearing strappy sandals and a long worn-out cloth tunic. His hair was curly & dark brown, his eyes were kind, and he took the time to just stop, sink his feet into the rocky sand and look into my eyes.

Finally, I said, “Are you…Jesus?!” He said, “Yes. You want to help people? I am here to help you help people.”

♦

By this point, Spring opened its arms to the island, and I got out more. One evening, I decided to rent the movie Gandhi. I made my favorite popcorn mix: popcorn mixed with almonds and fresh blueberries.

(If you have never seen the award-winning movie Gandhi, starring Ben Kingsley, it is a masterpiece and a definite “thumbs up.”) The movie is long. In fact, it includes an intermission.

I’m at least two thirds of my way through the movie when I notice out of the corner of my left eye a small, energetic figure sitting cross-legged on the other end of my sectional. I got the intuitive hit it was Gandhi but I froze; part afraid and part excitement. I noticed I quit breathing. There was a pastoral scene on our giant television screen – a sunset with land outstretched for miles, hot air hovering over the ground like a mirage.

“I miss India.” Gandhi said quietly.

“Really?! Even compared to where you are now?” I am now fully staring at the figure, realizing his energetic signature also looks like a mirage. My clairaudient skills have always far outweighed my visual sense, especially after shaking hands with the internet, but that’s a story for another day.

“Yes.” He says, very somber.

A new scene opens, and it grabs my attention. Many people are walking and filing into a gathering place. There is a brief exchange of words from beyond the scene, when suddenly, gunfire breaks out, and we watch dozens of Indians mowed down by gunfire, all of them defenseless gathered in peace. It’s a horrible part of the visual history which goes on for several minutes. We both watch in horror and my throat begins to close. The black intermission sign comes onto the television. I need air so we decide to go outside together, speechless, to be by the beach. I sit down to meditate, cross my legs, and face a setting sun over Saturna Island. Gandhi is ahead of me on my left, about 3 yards away. Our eyes close.

“What would you do if you knew you didn’t have much time left?” 

I take a long breath. My eyes remain shut and I internally tell Gandhi, “I would travel.” I decide to open my eyes and look at him. His eyes remain closed. “I would travel to India.” The sun sinks quickly this time of year. I return to meditation and after about 10 minutes, we walk back together to watch the movie and the scene reopens, our timing perfect. When the movie ended, my new fried was gone.

♦

The next morning, I laid down on my Biomat for meditation, and when I “walked” outside near the beach, I saw Gandhi facing the waters. We walk together towards Mt. Baker.

I told him I wanted to be his devotee.

“To become a devotee, you must first learn to love yourself. I will help you with this.”

Gandhi is holding a staff as he walks. He says, “Take this.” He threw a staff to me from nowhere and I grab it with my right hand, planting it into the wet sand.

“So, tell me how you live your life…what are your PRINCIPLES?”

Sally: My principles? You mean, like, …my values?

Uh-oh, I’m thinking to myself…

Gandhi:

What are your principles? How do you know if you are living your life according to the way you want to?

Wow…I’ve got nothing. I remain quiet.

Gandhi: You know my story. What do you think caused me to change my life in accordance with a deeper plan?

I take a deep breath and plant my staff for the next stride.

Sally: When you were thrown off the train?

Gandhi: Correct!

Gandhi waves his fore finger into the air. I haven’t seen that since my days at my Catholic grammar School on the Southside of Chicago.

Gandhi:

Everyone has events in their life which call them to wake up. To seek the deep meaning of things. This was mine. So, let’s begin.

What do you think your first principle is?

More deep breathing on my part. I look down at the rocks and then up ahead. Is it my imagination or is the weather improving as we walk?

Sally: I don’t know. But it must be regarding compassion. I believe compassion is the answer. To everything.

Gandhi:

Yes. This is your first principle. In fact, when all else fails, it is your only principle:

START AT THE HEART.

Sally: Perfect. Start at the heart. This makes a whole lot of sense. And it sounds like me. Like something I’d say.

Gandhi:

When you explore the heart of things, there is allllwaaaays something waiting to be revealed! (His finger wags again.) Whether it’s a problem or your mission in life, you need to get to the heart of things! How does this strike you?

Sally: Perfect. I can even tell sometimes when there is an issue in the room simply by walking in and feeling the energy.

Gandhi: Precisely. Yes. I was in many meetings with many people. From all over the world. It made no difference to me what their background was or how important they were. I listened to what they had to say-good or bad – and waited. I would wait to feel what was behind the message.

Two: what is your second principal?

Sally: I don’t know.

We were walking faster now. It made no difference to me if I was walking on the physical plane or in meditation, I still liked to avoid all the rocks on North Beach! I could tell Gandhi was excited in this new role but I needed to concentrate on my gait and I would rather—

Jesus: I know what it is.

I look up quickly and bring my eyes back down to the path. The historical Jesus of Nazareth was matching us, stride for stride, on my right. Jesus and I are old friends by this point and to be honest, I was a bit relieved he showed up. His instruction is much less abrupt.

Jesus:

Honor your own emotions, first.

This slowed me down to a stop. It was too important to gloss over. I look at Jesus as he turns around and puts his hands on his hips. His tunic sways in the wind. Gandhi turns also, holding his walking stick with both hands. They wait.

Jesus: Sally, you are a very generous person.

You have a tendency to put your feelings aside to help those around you. This is not uncommon. While this may be necessary, at times, it is not a sustainable way to live.

I stare at him, taking it in.

He is right, of course. I just didn’t think this guideline thing would be so…honest. Practical.

Jesus: It’s okay. We understand that this is something new to you.

You will need to learn this. These two principles form a discipline that are the foundation for the rest. You will need to practice. We're going to remind you and your public of this again and again.

Gandhi kicks in:

PRACTICE! What is a practice?

Jesus and I both look at Gandhi.

Gandhi:

The ability to remain stable with open awareness.

He says it more softly…The ability to remain stable with open awareness. Repeat this.

Sally: The ability to remain stable with open awareness.

It was years before someone told me this was from a sutra.

Gandhi:

Good. This is today’s important lesson. I have only one additional message for your readers.

Open your eyes and open your hearts.

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The Seven Living Principles

1. Start at the heart.

2. Honor your own emotions, first.

3. Find connection in the present moment.

4. Body knows best. Listen to it.

5. Work with what’s at your feet.

6. Remember that passion is personal.

7. Embrace grace. (create space)

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