I always love a good adventure, but as you know, most good adventures don’t expose themselves right away. They send out clues, most of which we ignore, but then they wait– until they can’t wait anymore. Such is the story of my journey to Estes Park Colorado when I took my Reiki Master training back in 1994 at the Stanley Hotel.
On my first day there, prior to class the next day, I explored the Stanley’s old wooden structure that is nestled into a picturesque, rocky hillside. It immediately struck me as quite an architectural feat, especially for 1909 when it was built by the Stanley Brothers who are most remembered for inventing the Stanley steam engine.
Besides a long dark corridor in the basement that seemed a little too spooky for me to follow, nothing really felt or appeared unusual. My room definitely showed signs of its age though, so when the lights in the bathroom went out while taking a shower, I just chalked it up to an antiquated electrical system. I had no idea that this hotel is where Stephen King was inspired to write “the Shining” or that it is listed as one of Colorado’s most haunted sites.
The following day, first day of class, was fun and exciting as I made new friends among the group. Nothing unusual happened or was even talked about. But again, as I was taking a shower that evening, the lights in the bathroom went out.
It was on the second morning when things really began to change. As everyone was assembling for class to begin, two women who looked like they had not slept at all arrived with a frantic energy of fear surrounding them. It didn’t take long before their story unfolded. Apparently, during the night, one of them was awakened by a dark mass of energy that seemed to be trying to smother her. As soon as she could free herself, she turned on the lights and noticed there were now black “prints” on the wall above her bed. She then moved in to a different room with a friend she had met in class, but of course, they were up all night talking about the experience and no doubt fueling each other’s fear.
Upon hearing the story, I asked if I could go to the room after class and see for myself these marks or “prints” as they called them. At this point, it might be important to tell you that while I definitely believe in what is commonly called the supernatural, I also know how vivid our imagination can run when we are in our fear. I was not convinced their story was true.
Upon entering the room, I noticed that it seemed cool and damp. Classic signs of ghosts by the way, but my logical mind would have none of it. Even upon inspection, I doubted what I saw. There were marks okay, but from what I did not know. I reasoned that perhaps they were caused by the moisture in the room creating mold on the drywall. Of course, nothing I said made an impact on them, so rather than fuel the drama of fear, I went back to my room.
The following morning I had breakfast with one of my new friends. As we spoke of the events of the previous day and evening, she related an interesting story to me. She had come back to her room late, and feeling exhausted, laid down on her bed. Reaching to one side, she turned on the light which immediately blew out. So she reached to the other side, and the same thing happened. She then called the front desk for assistance complaining the electrical wiring was inadequate. They responded by asking her if there was any smoke or sparks coming from the lamp or wall socket. When she replied no, they told her there was probably nothing they could do because it was most likely a ghost. Furthermore, they then explained to her that the entire hotel was haunted and that from time to time even the piano on the main floor would begin to play by itself. Needless to say this was not very consoling for my friend so she asked if they could find her a new room. Upon hearing her story, I began feeling as if I always missed out on these sorts of things. “ Why does it always happen to someone else” I lamented. We finished breakfast and went off to class.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “be careful what you ask for.” Well, up to this point in my story I had ignored or discounted all the clues around me. It was upon returning to my room in the late afternoon that I could do so no more.
Drawing the Reiki symbols out in my room as I practiced the attunement process for opening our energy centers to accept a greater flow of the Reiki energy, I noticed a strange noise coming from the television which was on a stand nearby. I stopped drawing out the symbols and the noise stopped. When I started again, the noise resumed.
At first, I thought I was imagining things. So I decided to draw out numerous symbols without stopping while speaking their names out loud to intensify the energy even more. Immediately a loud clattering noise began which appeared to be literally shaking the television. At this point my fear kicked in. Without thinking, I ran to the desk drawer, pulled out the Gideon’s Bible and opened it somewhere in the New Testament. The first verses my eyes landed on, I began reading aloud. In a very short time, I began to regain my composure and called upon the energy of the Christ through Jesus and Babaji to be with me. In the next moment, I felt the sweet serene power of Divinity descend upon me. True spiritual power surged through my body as I regained my confidence and lost my fear. I then began to speak to the spirit responsible for this chaos. “Whoever you are, please know that your dissatisfaction with my presence and my work is not going to deter me from what I need to do. I’m going to continue practicing this process whether you like it or not. As I see it, you have three choices. You can stay and create havoc. You can leave. Or you could choose to use these high vibrations to transform your experience to one that is in alignment with peace and goodwill. Whatever you choose, I’m not going to stop.”
As I began again, all I heard was the sound of my own voice. All I felt was the stillness of spirit within me.
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