<< Back 10/16/02 Another colorful episode — bright red — on life’s mosaic By John Beckman Life is full of interesting meetings and chance encounters, restricted only by a willingness to avail ourselves to their possibility and our own self-imposed limits of comfort. The more receptive we are to the vast array of the planet’s offerings, the more likely we are to discover something new about the world around us, and indeed about ourselves. Sometimes these happenstance events can change our views and opinions for the moment, other times it seems our lives are permanently affected. An info-blip shot across my e-mail screen a while back that resulted in a most timely and interesting evening that included a psychic reading and spiritual healing experience. The message offered a free lecture at the Center at Rose Creek (www.centeratrosecreek.com) north of Franklin by speaker Rev. “Red” Duke, a minister, spiritual healer and mystic from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. About 40 people from many walks of life gathered that evening to listen to him either out of curiosity, or a personal interest in the subject matter. His story is an interesting one. Blasted by radiation in the Bikini Atoll as a U.S. Navy man in 1946, a strange experience of tools and metal objects swirling around him while working as a carpenter in 1968, and founder of the Haven for Spiritual Travelers Church in 1977. He now spends his time as a speaker, radio personality, teacher and natural healer, sharing information and assisting people on their own spiritual journeys, helping them to unlock their own natural psychic potential. One of the first things you notice when he takes the floor is a full head of big, long, red hair with just a splash of gray. Not such an unusual sight, until you learn that he is nearly 75 years old. As he began his talk a second trait became apparent, his genuine concern for the needs and interests of his audience. He has a gentle demeanor and friendly, oftentimes playful way of sharing his stories and information. He told of his experiences and his wrong turns as encouragement for us all to accept and smile at our own shortcomings. During his presentation he made it clear that the information he offers is not his own, but that he is meerly a channel or conduit for the infinite source of universal knowledge that is available to us all. His readings on an individual’s health or personal concerns are brought to him by thousands of “spirits” or guides that are always available to assist us. His answers are instantaneous when a person’s name or energy is applied to a specific question. He joked that when questioned by medical professionals that his type of healing work differs from theirs in that “he has never lost a patient yet.” He queried the group for anyone with an ailment to come forward and receive the healing energy coming through him. Several participants came forward with problems including back pain, bladder functions, weak eyes, hearing impairments, and neck injuries. I presented my own knee troubles which truly felt better after his brief healing session. He then asked each of us to write our name and a question that concerned us on the papers he handed out, and offered to do a personal reading for everyone in the room. He read each name aloud one at a time and offered the information that came through him. Some were amazed at the specific nature of his replies. One which sticks in my mind was a woman who was under some sort of pressure. “I get the name Amy coming to me, she will be alright , you needn’t worry,” he stated. At this the woman began to cry. “Who’s Amy ?” he questioned. “She’s my youngest daughter, and I’ve had a tough time with her,” she replied. He continued around the room until he had reached out to everyone, most nodding in agreement with his assessments and suggestions, some quite flabbergasted by what they heard. When he reached my name he queried if had an association with someone named Harris or Harrison, which I said I did not. “You will,” he returned. When he finished around 11 p.m., I made an appointment for a private hour-long reading the following evening, as did several others. I have visited other “sensitives” in the past, but this meeting was more like a friendly chat. We sat on the couch and talked of many things, and how by making ourselves open to the possibilities of the universe we allow all sorts of things to happen in our lives. I may not have received all the answers to my questions, but felt my time had been well spent with a most dedicated and interesting individual, and another swash of color added to the mosaic of my life here on planet Earth. By the way, if Harris or Harrison is reading this feel free to contact me. I’ll be expecting your call. (Note: for further info contact www.reverendredduke.com ) (John Beckman is a builder, organic farmer and operations manager at Unahwi Ridge Community in Jackson County. He can be contacted at www.unahwiridge.com)