My wife and I moved to Ashland, Oregon in 1986 in pursuit of our dreams. Ashland had no used record store at the time and we felt we could fill that need. We were also looking for a place where the 'New Age' was in bloom, an area that was attracting gifted psychics and healers. We had unanswered questions that traditional Judaism did not seem to address. We were hoping to grow spiritually while enjoying our free-thinking and free-wheeling lifestyle. We had already practiced astrology, and had communicated with spirits using crystals. I had also experimented with out-of-body experiences. We were looking for the next step in our path when we found a book that literally changed our lives.

In this book were step-by-step directions for communicating with one's 'guardian angels'. We obtained the materials called for, including an Ouija board and a supply of pure white candles, and set to work in the hopes of of speaking to angels who would have the answers we were seeking. As we lit the candles we prayed that only the highest angels would respond, asking for protection against any 'lower' entities, in accordance with the book's instructions. In a short time, we were each communicating via the board with our very own angels. And so began two years of spirit channeling.

Diana's guardian angel or 'guide' was named Hojk, seemingly a pleasant, easy-going sort; while my guide Timu was more solemn, never tiring of teaching me the lessons that were necessary for my becoming a more loving person. Certainly I was very self-centered and truly in need of such knowledge. I, however, would lead the conversations in the direction of other topics such as UFO's, 'past lives' (I began my evolution as a bug, and was a gangster last time out), lost civilizations of Mu and Atlantis, etc. We found that we could communicate with many other 'entities' including fairies, 'ascended masters' such as the Archangel Michael, and even 'car angels' that protected our Camry. There were other 'benefits' during those two years; I had neither a cold nor a scratch that whole time, and my razor blades never dulled!

The Ouija board quickly became too slow and clumsy, so the guides taught us to communicate by automatic writing. We would hold pen in hand still, and the spirit would move it over the paper. Each 'entity' had a different handwriting. Some, such as plant spirits, write very tiny. I first saw automatic writing on the 'Alcoa Presents' TV show when I was young, and was in awe. Now I was actually doing it! As I mastered the technique, I was told that I was to have a book written through me that would reveal the latest secrets of the coming 'New Age' of Aquarius, as well as the truth about ancient lands and life on other planets, and much more. The main theme of the book, however, was that of unconditional love and how to achieve it.

When the special day arrived, my guide told me that it was not he that would channel the book, but 'The Christ' also known as 'Wotan', the 'highest spirit', the creator of the universe! Timu, 'stepped away', and 'The Christ' introduced himself to me. I knew nothing of Christian theology, but I had heard of this spirit 'The Christ' and had read about a 'New Age' leader that was already channeling him. I couldn't believe my good fortune, to the degree that I began to doubt. Why was I chosen? After all, I was no leader. My hedonistic lifestyle was certainly not a righteous one by anyone's definition. Although I was seeking truth, I was looking more for validation of what I already believed. I was a lover of self. Why would the creator of all things lower himself to speak personally to me, much less dictate a book? I expressed my doubts to 'The Christ', which disappointed him. He said perhaps I was the wrong person to undertake this task, not because of my lifestyle, but because of my doubt. A few days later after not hearing a word from any spirit, I humbly apologized and asked for another chance. The dictation of the book began.

The work continued for months and I became adept at automatic writing. But even this method proved to be too slow. 'The Christ' then began to teach me a meditative technique that would enable me to actually hear his voice. At first he would move my lips so that his voice would come from my mouth. After a few days I was able to hear his voice clearly, as well as the voices of many other spirits. Over time, almost imperceptibly, the voices of my invisible 'friends' became more controlling and demanding. They threatened to cease communicating if I did not obey their increasing demands on my time and person. Occasionally I'd be punished by having to sit totally still for long periods of time.

But the 'miracles' that were taking place in my life assured me that I must persevere. In being taught to truly love my neighbor, 'The Christ' had me begin attendance at a church. At first I balked, saying how I hated Christians, and that as a Jew I had nothing to do with Jesus. I was told to not be concerned about Jesus; although he was the avatar of this planet, I would go on to greater things, becoming an 'ascended master' myself. I'd never been inside a church before, but once inside I sat down at the back by myself. To my amazement, the pastor was teaching from the Jewish Bible, although he called it the 'Old' Testament. But his lesson was at odds with the things that I had learned. I asked whether I should challenge and correct him, but was told that there'd be time for that later. For now I was to listen and observe. I longed to share the superior 'truths' I'd learned with the congregation, who believed that Jesus was G-d himself! 'The Christ' even baptized me in my bathtub, and told me that I, too, was now a Christian. Meanwhile, our book was nearing completion; people would know the 'truth' soon enough.

One day, however, 'The Christ' informed me that it was time to take the next step in my spiritual evolution. I was to join them in heaven to better serve mankind from that vantage point. I asked 'wouldn't I have to die first'? The spirit answered affirmatively and offered to arrange this by means of a car accident. At that point all my suppressed doubts came to the fore. Would the creator of the universe truly ask this of me, particularly now? Our new daughter was merely 6 months old, our son was 10. I'd only recently mastered the last spiritual 'step', and the book was not yet completed. I fell on my knees and prayed, not to Jesus the avatar, but to the Jesus I'd heard about in that church: "Jesus, I don't know if you're real, but if you can help me, please show me how I can stay alive and still serve G-d." 

At once I heard a new voice saying, "Rise off your knees in the presence of an angel of G-d. I'm permitted only to tell you that the spirit you've been listening to is Satan!" A rush of emotion overwhelmed me; I felt scared, confused, angry, and dirty. I called for my 'guardian angel' who had told me he'd always be there to protect me. He answered, 'Yes, I am Satan. Certainly you knew all along that I was the one you were serving!' I asked that he would leave me and he said he'd comply if I was really sure that's what I wanted. While offering me some last 'advice' his voice grew lower and disappeared with 'you won't hear my voice again'. I felt a freedom I hadn't felt in years, as if a burden was llifted.

But upon awakening the next morning, a cheerful voice asked me to reconsider my decision. It reminded me that my gift of hearing the voices of angels was a great one, too precious to just toss away. 'But', I replied, you said I'd never hear your voices again and an angel wouldn't lie. You must not be an angel'. The voices became ugly with cursing and threats, on through the day and night. I tried to drown it out by singing "Oh Happy Day", the only Christian song I knew, remembering it from the 1960's when it had been a pop hit. I sang '...He washed my sins away...', but without knowing what it meant.

In the morning I phoned the pastor of the church I'd been visiting to make an emergency appointment. While waiting for him to get there, the 'angels', fallen angels or demons to be precise, were threatening to kill me and my family if I revealed anything to the pastor of what had happened. Finally, he arrived and listened to my story; then led me through the Gospel of salvation, the 'Good News' that Jesus was indeed the Son of G-d, who became a man and died for my sins. The following Sunday I answered the 'altar call' at church, the same church I'd attended as an 'infiltrator', hoping to win 'deceived' Christians over to the 'New Age'. But now I belonged to the real Christ, the Messiah of Israel and the whole world. Finally, the voices ceased.

I started reading the Bible and soon understood that I had greatly sinned against G-d, and how in His mercy and love He allowed Satan and his demons to have their way with me, hoping that I'd call on the name of Jesus. I read in 2 Corinthians that Satan masqueraes as an angel of light. 1 Peter says that Satan, our enemy, prowls the earth like a roaring lion looking for anyone to devour. In 1 John is an admonition to test spirits, and to not believe every spirit. And 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, 'No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And G-d is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it". And so, in June of 1989, Jesus was my 'way out' of Satan's 'new age'.

But 'Jesus' is not merely a magic word to ward off evil spirits. He is the living G-d, Creator and Savior, for Gentiles and Jews as well. Jesus said: "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of G-d" (John 3:3) "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

Some of you reading this may be fellow Jews, and the name of Jesus suggests to you the millions that have been persecuted and murdered in His name for 2000 years. Perhaps you consider Christians to be polygamists, bowing not to one G-d but two or three. I understand and I've been there. Please look at the links I've provided. Jesus is the promised Messiah of Holy Scripture. And Christians stand with Jews in belief in the "Sh'ma"; there is One G-d. Your issues and concerns are valid but are beyond the scope of this website. I just wanted to share my story and my joy.

To my fellow "new-agers", well, it's nothing "new" at all. 'You can create your own reality', the Devil proclaims today; 'you will be like G-d', the serpent said to Eve an eon ago. And yet there will be a new G-dly age someday; you can read about it in the prophetic books of the Bible. There will be peace and the lion will lie down with the lamb after all. So far all Bible prophecy has been fulfilled with 100% accuracy, so we can be certain that future events will transpire as well. Sadly, not everyone will enter this wonderful 'golden age'. "Cowards who turn back from following Me, those who speak with demons, immoral men...their doom is in the lake that burns with fire "(Revelation 21:8); but "the one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37b).

NOTE: The 'dashes' in the word "G-d", are used out of respect for observant Jews to honor their belief not to take His name in vain. This is common practice in the Orthodox community. Please understand that there is certainly no disrespect to G-d or Christ in this usage.