I have not visited this page until yesterday. I suppose I should have long ago put something down - so here goes - belatedly.
My family migrated from Northern Ireland in the mid 50s to Australia. I was born in Northern Ireland but grew up in western and central Victoria and Tasmania, where I was a passionate bushwalker through my teens. I have had paranormal experiences since I was around age 4. Nothing consistent and often wild. My family was Protestant - my father joined the Orange Lodge and the Apprentice Boys in Australia. His passion turned me against Christianity. But I was living a life full of supernatural things - and with a love of science.
I have been a public servant most of my working life - in federal and state departments (5 of each). I have worked in cities (Hobart and sydney mostly), but most of my working experiences have been in regional areas. Since 2001 I have lived in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney in roles that have focused into Syndey and out west (associated with disability services).
I have trained in western magic and Wicca. I have Masters (2000) and Masters Honours (2010) degrees in Social Ecology. I read in metaphysics, religion, psychology, philosophy, history, anthropology, sociology, archaeology, management theory and practice and anything else that catches my interest. I am struggling to understand what religion is - and I need this stuff to help me.
I call myself an aspiring animist (hence my often neglected blog -aspiringanimist.com). I want to be animistic in my awareness, and I try, but I know I am deeply conditioned by my culture which has merged Christianity, atheism and materialism into an awful melange of confused sentiments and thought. That's why I read/listen to books and catch podcasts - an exercise in 'de-educating' myself from the multiple errors I was induced to believe in my education and cultural conditioning.
This is my passion. I grew up having experiences that confirmed me as mad (science) or bad (religion) and I knew I was neither. What is the real nature of religion - and hence our reality?
In April 2008 I came down with GBS (google it please). That left me paralysed for 3 months on a respirator in ICU and 7 months on a rehab ward (note for American readers - that cost me $35 a week for 7 months for access to television - I have still got my house and I am not in debt because of the hospital care). I have residual disability that has forced me to see life in a different way. This has added a profound spiritual, psychological and philosophical dimension to my life.