My Awakening Journey - Part 1
By Jon Anderson
The word “awakening” is often used by those who have experienced something difficult to explain. It’s especially challenging to articulate to someone who hasn’t had a similar experience. Sound confusing? Believe me, it is. In this three-part series, I will share my personal journey in the hope that it helps you on your own path. This article is not meant to convince anyone of my beliefs but rather to encourage others to pursue their own answers.
Defining our own reality is a critical element of self-preservation. As we attempt to control our narrative, it gives us a sense of safety, belonging, and structure to believe in. Yet this perceived framework is, in a way, an illusion. It reveals a face of reality that may only exist in our mind’s eye. The truth of our existence is far more complex and layered. To navigate this intricate labyrinth, I’ll start with my own story.
Like many stories, it began a long time ago...
Throughout my life, there were many odd occurrences—the kind you keep to yourself in the hope that others won’t think you’re crazy, especially friends and family. Later in life, I came to understand that these strange events were clues that would reveal their meaning over time. At the time, I stored them away in a mental file cabinet labeled “WTF.” These occurrences included lucid dreams, a UFO sighting, connections with deceased loved ones, emotional links to people across the world, interactions with animals, and more. Mostly, I went about my busy life, all the while plagued by an itch I couldn’t scratch—a deep knowing that there was more to life’s puzzle than I could understand or access... or so I thought.
The Night My Dad Passed Away
My dad on his back deck not long before his passing in 1996. Weeks before, a neighborhood cat showed up and sat on his lap. The cat would not sit with anyone else and was there every single time my father was. The night of my Dad’s passing I went to the front door to get some air. When I opened the door, the cat was sitting on the mat and then jumped right into my arms. I held it for the better part of 10 minutes before it left never to be seen again.
When my dad was battling cancer that had spread throughout his body, he would sit on the back porch in a papasan chair and smoke his cigarettes. He knew his passing was inevitable and decided he might as well do what he wanted.
A couple of weeks before his transition, we sat down for a long talk—the kind of talk that moves mountains. He expressed regret, saying he wished he had been a better father. It was a humble thing to say, as he had been a wonderful father. I spent two hours reminiscing about all the good times we shared over the years. What a gift that moment was for both of us.
At the end of our fireside chat, I asked him what it was like to know he was going to pass away. He simply said, “I am walking with one foot on this side and one foot on the other side. The other day, I was in the grocery store, looking at people. I never realized how beautiful the soul of the everyday person is.”
I’ll never forget his words. I’ll never forget that night.
The night he passed was extraordinary. I sensed a light and a powerful energy from above—it felt as though the ceiling was transparent. It was as beautiful as it was sad. I think Keanu Reeves said it best when, during a talk show interview, he was asked what happens when people die. He replied, “The people you leave behind miss you.”
Somewhere on a Highway in Turkey
On the road to Pamukkale, Turkey
The conversation with my father reaffirmed my belief that there was something more out there, something beyond what we perceive. Not long before his passing, he told me he wanted to explore the universe and, if possible, find a way to contact me. As intriguing as this idea was, it wasn’t until four years later, on a bus in Turkey, that those words would come to life.
My wife and I had been traveling the world for 11 months. On our way to Pamukale, I was staring out the bus window, lost in thought. The “experience” happened in the blink of an eye, as if reality folded into itself.
In my mind’s eye, I saw a fuzzy image of my father, grandmother, and grandfather sitting on a beach having a picnic. It was a distant place with impossibly high cliffs. The scene unfolded in black and white tones, like a grainy old film. As I watched, I heard a voice in my mind say, “I just wanted you to know.”
Sketch of lucid dream. Circa 2001
Then, as quickly as it began, I was snapped back to reality on the bus. I sat there, completely perplexed. Was it a message from my father? Had I imagined the experience? Did someone spike my tea at the last rest stop?
It took weeks to process what had happened. After careful reflection, I decided it was real. I made some sketches and filed it away in my “WTF” folder.
Scratching the Itch in the Back of My Mind
In the summer of 2022, the world stood still as the pandemic created one of the most remarkable social dynamics of our lifetimes. My wife and youngest kiddo had left for a road trip to visit family, leaving me home alone with our oldest son and the pets.
In the stillness of those days, I decided to turn off the news and social media, simply enjoying my own thoughts and the peace of Northern Idaho. It was during this time of calm that I began to truly listen to my heart. It felt as if someone was calling out to me, trying to get my attention. Thoughts buried in the back of my mind rose to the surface, and I felt compelled to explore past life regression.
At the time, I wasn’t even sure if past life regressions were real. Ever curious, I dove into research and found a wealth of experiences from people around the world—videos, podcasts, case studies, and even peer-reviewed literature. It was clear there was something to this.
“Ultimately, I reached out to a local hypnotherapist to see if she could help. I wasn’t even sure what I was looking for; I just knew I needed to scratch that itch.”
You’re Not Early or Late; You’re Right on Time
My initial call with Autumn Joy began with timid optimism. Would she think I was crazy and politely hang up? I started with, “This might sound a little strange.”
Autumn’s calm, professional demeanor immediately reassured me. Whatever I shared, she made it clear it was okay. I had the strange sense that she understood more than she let on.
After 30 minutes of sharing every odd occurrence I could remember, I took a deep breath. It was a powerful relief just to be heard. Autumn reassured me that everything I had described was perfectly normal and that my reaching out was right on time.
We began working together over several sessions. I had never been hypnotized before and had no idea what to expect. It turned out to be a state somewhere between waking and dreaming.
What I didn’t realize was that I was about to visit places I couldn’t imagine and have experiences that made my lucid dream on the bus in Turkey seem like a mere pony ride. The adventures of lifetimes were about to completely transform my understanding of existence, my worldview, and… everything.
Check back next week for Part 2 of my awakening journey…
Jon Anderson
Local Healers founder, Jon Anderson, is a seeker, spiritual healer, creator, connector, and purveyor of all things positive. His 25+ year career as a designer and creative director has led him around the world and he currently calls Coeur d’Alene, Idaho home.
