Funny You Should Say That. Chuck Sr. Coburn

to be misused.

      As stated in Manly Hall's The Secret Teachings of All Ages, "The most dangerous form of black magic is the scientific perversion of occult power for the gratification of personal desire (italics mine) . Its less complex and more universal form is human selfishness, for selfishness is the fundamental cause of worldly evil."

      We can trace the modern use of "black magic" back to the Hermes mystery schools, where it was taught that "What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve."

      But Hermes did not write it as a glorification of the mind; he wrote it as a warning-a warning not to misuse it!

      This gift of mine was to be used explicitly for good and rightful purposes, not for material gain, or more specifically, non-spiritual enterprises. I would later understand the specific purpose for my gift and also learn how to implement metaphysical principles for creating what I need­not for my comfort, but for my education and growth. This lesson had to be experienced, the most effective means of learning.

      The second concept I was being taught was that there is no such thing as "coincidence." Virtually everything one does, everything that occurs, is for a purpose. Further, occurrences are created specifically by the person experiencing them. So, instead of believing that one's major learning events simply arise because of randomness or coincidence, consider that there is most often an explicit reason for their occurrence.

      You have, no doubt, heard the expression, 'We create our own reality." It's true. The reality we create is for our experience of iL We are the creators of our own little mini­ universes, and we play by the rules, or belief systems, we have created.

      The concept of "synchronicity," which is similar to the notion of "coincidence," suggests that we each create the significant events we experience for specific purposes. In addition, this process is often a vehicle used by our higher, spiritual self to present us with opportunities for learning lessons-the reason we are in physical form.

      I have a sweatshirt, which I often wear, that states this principle in another way: "COINCIDENCE, GOD'S WAY OF REMAINING ANONYMOUS!"

      Following this expensive field trip to Reno, I saw that there were some valuable lessons I needed to assimilate. I began to realize that I required specific direction if I were to understand and properly use this wonderful gift. I had to learn to master its use and channel it properly. I needed to find someone who could help me understand what was happening, as well as what to do with it. Susan, the mysterious woman from the seminar, lived somewhere in Los Angeles, but I didn't know how to contact her, and I didn't know anyone else versed in this matter.

      I had learned a few things, though. I learned not to waste or misuse this ability. I also learned that changing my profession to that of a professional gambler was slightly premature.

      Several weeks went by, and there were few people with whom I could confide who would not conclude I had gone "loony tunes." I was certainly not going to mention these experiences to friends in casual, cocktail-party conversation. I could just imagine their reaction to the disclosure that my life had completely changed because I was having psychic revelations! I probably would have received snide comments ranging from "Excuse me, you had a what?" to "O.K, so tell me what I'm thinking right now!" So I kept the secret to myself.

      However, I did share some of my experiences with several women who worked in a restaurant where I ate lunch almost daily. Recounting the episodes where I had "known things," I offered to "read" for several of them in exchange for their feedback. Initially there were funny looks and stifled laughter, but one waitress said she would be open to such an experience. A few days later, after the lunch hour rush, the two of us settled into a quiet booth where we wouldn't be interrupted. I took several deep breath, closed my eyes, and waited...

      I waited some more...

      Nothing... not even static.

      Then, mercifully, someone called her name, and found a way to slip out, mumbling that maybe I'd get back to her... much later!