There is much I would like to share with you from my wanderings through Quinn, Bach, quantum physics and all sorts of other interesting places from Shamanism to Mysticism. Chapter One is my history in brief. It is easier to tell what I have come to know by explaining it as it happened to me. I expect to make continual additions as I am just beginning to fulfill my destiny as a mystic traveler, putting together pieces of the puzzle. My name is Standingtree. Join me.

I would be very grateful if you would sign my guestbook. which you will find near the bottom of this page along with my E Mail address. The guestbook will appear at the bottom of almost every page. You may also use the site ranking selection at the top of each page. Do me the great favor of leaving comments. I cannot know how I am doing until you let me know.

The Meandering Mystic is updated regularly. If you have poetry, quotes, questions or comments, please enter them in the comment box in the guestbook or send them to me via E-mail. I am always looking for more ideas.

For me, spiritual life is much like a climbing a mountain. I believe that there are many paths to the top. The only real difference in the trek lies in the villages we choose to visit on the way up, how long we choose to be there, and what we take with us when we leave. Each time we stop in a village for awhile we pick up knowledge, habits, and or advice from the inhabitants. Then, after resting, we remember the goal (or not) and move on again to the next village that feels interesting. We stay awhile where we feel at home, skip over those where we don't, and then move on. Hopefully, gaining more understanding from each stop.

Be aware that the view can be tricky and we are not always where we think we are. We think we are approaching the highest point, then come around a turn and look up into the far distance and feel we are just beginning. Of course, we may also feel that we are at the very bottom and then come to a view or switchback that looks out over the path we have traveled and shows just how far we have really come. Remember too, that sometimes, we must go down to make progress and that short cuts may not be so short. It depends on what kind of experience we choose to have and what we feel we need in our lives now.

Some of us may never reach the summit. Some stop in the first or second or even in the last village because they have found their place and do not want to move on. There is no rule that says we must go all the way to the top. We will be where we need to be and if we are happy cheering on the travelers from our seat by the road and if perfect happiness and fulfillment exist where we are then have we not reached our own goal? If not for the people who chose to become villagers there would be no villages to visit. If all of the villagers were visitors passing through, there would be little of interest to find, no reason to feel at home for awhile and no masters to direct us to the next village where we might find our own enlightenment.

Please remember that the number of villages is infinite. There is never any need to stay where you are either not welcome or not " at home." If you are unhappy where you have stopped, let the villagers have their village back and move on until you find, or create, you own home ground. There will be so many places and fellow travelers to experience on the way. .