Summary
I was born in the US in 1953. I come from a large family (8 children). I was 2nd oldest. From earliest childhood, I was aware of beings around me who gave me advise and support internally – usually as a voice speaking to me. And I always loved God/ the Divine. My path led me through wanting to become a priest, political protest periods and searching for a teacher in India; to Glasgow where I spent most of my adult life.
I married my first wife Jane and raised 6 kids with her. Together, with a couple other teachers, we taught a psychotherapy course for 25 years.
That course, though I wrote and developed it myself; and it was based on a spiritual view of life, was never enough for me. It was/is a good course and a deeply holisticconcept of being present with the client in the moment of what really is going on; and no doubt helped many students and their clients.
My underlying intention was always the Spiritual Journey itself when I wrote the course – though it could not be central in the course script. Over the years, I realised for myself, how I was more and more drawn to put the Spiritual Journey at the centre of my life and the work I do with people.
When my wife passed away in 2013, I began to slow the teaching down and brought the course to a close.
In all these years of family and working/teaching life; I made frequent trips to see teachers. I also practiced a lot of Meditation. Seeking this connection to Masters/God/ higher world was always part of my daily life and a deep need/longing/knowledge/certainty in me; known since childhood on. And I always brought this into my approach to training students and working with clients.
About 25 years ago, I made a trip to Malaysia to meet Syed Yassin Ayah, a Muslim holy man living in the city of Ipoh. Ayah, and the prayers and healing he did, had a profound effect on me on all levels of my life. From that time, I spent many years going to and from Malaysia to spend time with Ayah. He became my best friend as well as mentor. He helped me and my family in many ways and introduced me to the Masters. It is difficult to describe in words the changes/support/insights and profound connections he helped me to make.
This summary is too brief to begin to share much of what took place with him over the years. He performed what many would call miracles that I observed, whether with me or others. They just proved the unknown dimensions of reality are always here, just not noticeable for most.
The internal spiritual learning/growing process he guided me through usually became clear to me only later; after things happened. My awareness of how life is supporting me grew slowly.
One important thing he did, was take me to the north of Malaysia to the Makam (Shrine) of a very revered Sufi Saint named Sheikh Abdul Jalil al Mahdani Wali Allah. Each time I went to the Makam, Ayah told me to ask this Teacher for what was closest to my heart. What I asked for were no small things. Over the years, all has been fulfilled of what I had asked.
Since Ayah’s passing in 2013, Sheikh Abdul Jalil Wali Allah has become my ‘direct’teacher – though this Master passed away in 1782, I have an increasing telepathic communication with him and I’m guided by him -very specifically – in my own spiritual journey.
Funny enough, he ‘introduced’ himself to me many years before I actually knew or heard of him. The meeting took place over a very short time. But in that time, I knew I had known this person all my life – and loved him, and he loved me. Not a word passed between us but so much took place.
That was more then 30 years ago and it took me 25 years to realise it was him. When we first met, I had no idea how much influence he had, and would have, on my life. There is not scope here to tell the whole story, but suffice it to say he has always been with me in my life.
He has been guiding me through all kinds of personality attitudes and behaviours; including: stubbornness, ignorance, sometimes arrogance, as you all probably know from within yourself; but also perseverance, and some degree of sincerity.
There is another Teacher (a past disciple of Sheikh Abdul Jalil Wali Allah) overshadowing me when I am working with groups and most 1:1 sessions – depending on the purpose of the session.
My way of working with people has changed, with this guidance, over the years. Currently, I am facilitating a course in ‘Mindful-ness to Heartful-ness’. I also lead personal/ spiritual workshops in several places in the UK and Europe andI also see some clients/students for 1:1s sessions.
I have 5 grown children (my oldest son passed away recently) and 2 grand-children.
My first wife, Jane McKeon- Rieck, the mother of all 6 children, passed away in 2013.
I am now married to Ulrike Zeller. I still live and work in the same house in Glasgow; though I spend several months a year in Malaysia.