Life is full of new awakenings. I realised that my anti religion necromancer was finally being put to rest when I accepted an invitation to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC. This yearly event is hosted by Congress, and the President of the United States.

Founded in 1953 by the United States Senate, and the House prayers groups, the National Prayer Breakfast unites individuals of various nationalities, religions, and political orientations in the power of prayer.

Over 3,000 guests, including citizens of the United States and 140 nations from all over the world, come together to set aside differences, to embrace and enhance the moral and spiritual fabric of our lives. This momentous and spiritual gathering is to remind attendees that what unites us is greater than what divides us. The hope is that the fellowship will bring spiritual sustenance throughout the year.

The history of this gathering traces its roots to a local vision. In April of 1935, 19 business executives in Seattle, Washington, met together to face a critical situation in the life of their city. Looking for a way to deal with the tensions and fractures that often accompany public life, they turned to a 2,000 year-old story of Jesus of Nazareth — at a meal.

According to the Scriptural record in John 21, Jesus invited a few friends to join him on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. At this breakfast he demonstrated the power of God with the abundant catch of fish; the love of God in his reconciliation with Peter who had denied him; and the transcendent importance of people to eat together; fellowship together and pray together.

As the Seattle executives continued to meet regularly a new vision of a life of usefulness was born. Their resolve grew as an agent of reconciliation in their personal lives and in their business communities. A concern for the poor and the oppressed people of their city and beyond developed among them.

Over the months and years that followed, as they told others of how much this group meant to them, other breakfast groups sprang up throughout the State of Washington, southward to San Francisco, eastward to Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston, and then in 1942 to Washington DC. There breakfast groups were founded in the United States Senate and House of Representatives. Today this simple idea of people meeting together for mutual encouragement and fellowship in order to find “a better way” has become the basis for small groups in over 180 countries on every continent.

With the teaching, principles and person of Jesus of Nazareth at the centre, this ancient idea has spread spontaneously and at an incredibly rapid rate to meet the long felt need of men and women at all levels of society in our modern world.

As a former elected official I had been invited to attend the NPB many times. However, as I was against religion in all forms I refused to attend, at least that was what I had convinced myself. I soon learnt while at the event sessions that the NPB is not about religion. It is more about finding ways to help evolve humanity by helping the less fortunate, uplifting and inspiring others through our own dignity and love for mankind. Jesus’s life is a central theme, as is the lives of so many others who shared their stories with us.

The trip from Seattle to DC was uneventful. I slept most of the way.

However, I was armed with my Jesus quotes supporting my journey in the “Great Work” at Ramtha School of Enlightenment. I took the time to review them. I was also armed with a few copies of Ramtha’s books; “Jesus the Christ The Life of a Master”, “The New March”, and “A Beginner’s Guide To Creating Reality.” These were books I would give to others. I focused my mind on sending healing love over Washington DC as we approached it. I was ready to be a light.

On my first day, I was introduced to a Sunni Muslim Cleric from Lebanon who was dressed in his full regalia. I reached out my hand to shake his and was startled when he did not take mine. He bowed his head instead and was gracious in his conversation. I was reminded by some other Muslims observing this interaction that he is carrying out the strict following of the Koran that states that a woman cannot be touched by any man other than her husband. Shaking my hand would be breaking that law. A great start in reminding me of my lack of adherence to any belief that makes a woman second class, religious or otherwise.

There were several dynamic speakers at the various events leading up to the main one at which President [Barack] Obama was to give the keynote address. The central theme for many of the speakers was love. The need to love, and help our neighbours, the downtrodden, and the sick. All spoke of their personal journey in getting to their spiritual place. There were Congressmen, and Congresswomen, European, African, South American, Indian, and young people who took to the stage sharing powerful stories of pain, love, and redemption.

Tamerat, from Ethiopia, who had been imprisoned and persecuted for his political beliefs, young Bethany who had lost her arm in a shark attack; story after story told of the journey of a human spirit, and the power of the soul. I was humbly moved during the two days leading up to the actual Prayer Breakfast, and the President Obama’s address. There were also riveting musical performances, including my favourite gospel singer, Yolanda Adams.

Joe Biden was the first of the President’s entourage to take to the stage. Secretary of State, Jim Carey, along with several other members of the Cabinet, Senate, and Congress were already seated in the audience, along with other world leaders, presidents, prime ministers and others.

I was extremely excited to be sitting 50 feet away from the leader of the “free world”. When President Obama and his wife Michelle entered the room I rose to my feet and gave a warrior cry. The Obama’s epitomise for me what is good about America. A black couple, educated as they may be, who rose to be President and First Lady of the United States of America. Based on its past history this is something America should truly be proud of. As a person of colour myself I never thought that I would see this in my lifetime. I am proud of this handsome man who said “Yes we can”, and his chic beautiful wife who said “Yes we will”. I am proud for America and the example that it sets for many other countries where family name, financial wealth and connections are the only way one can rise to the top of the leadership pyramid. The Obamas worked their way to the top through education, determination, and struggle. I admire their tenacity. I admire America’s evolution.

The President spoke of his own spiritual journey. He reminded us of the work being done through US foreign policy that supports universal human rights including freedom of religion around the world. He sited examples of many countries where this is the case. “No society can survive unless it protects the rights of all of its minorities, including the right to religious freedom”, stated President Obama.

The President remarked: “Give humble thanks for the freedoms that we enjoy in this country as we seek God’s grace in all our lives. I pray that his wisdom will help us to do right, and to seek justice, and to defend the oppressed wherever they dwell. May God bless America, and all those who seek peace, and justice.”

I was pleasantly surprised that the NPB is not a religious revival, but one based on the principles of love and fellowship, regardless of personal or religious beliefs. Every opportunity afforded me I spoke of my own spiritual journey, and the teachings of Ramtha, my teacher. It was easy to do so with people who do not seem to have any judgement on the spiritual journey of others. What became clear to me is that we are all seekers of a high purpose in life. We hear an inner voice that urges us to go on, seeking knowledge that can bring about wisdom, and personal truth.

As President [John F] Kennedy in his excerpt from a previous address at the National Prayer Breakfast states: “We must recognise that human collaboration is not enough, that in times such as these we must reach beyond ourselves if we are to seek ultimate courage and infinite wisdom”.

In a previous remarks at the NPB, President Obama reminded us that: “Down through the centuries, it has become apparent that great things happen when a few people love God and people become bound together in a common commitment with a great love for one another. Ordinary people become extraordinary when such a relationship exist.”

My teacher Ramtha, the Enlightened One in the book ‘The Mystery of Love’ states: “Now if God is love, masters, then God has been a very close kept secret for a very long time because the actions of love are not taking, but giving. God’s love, and God called love is defined that God brought you forth into life. It has given you life, and has never taken it away from you, so if God is love then the secret of love is the act of giving without conditions. Taking does not mean love; it is giving that means it.”

Ramtha further remarks: “Love in a civilisation that doesn’t consider people to be equal does not exist. In a civilisation where all people are considered equal ~ and indeed men, and women, regardless of the colour of your skin or eyes, regardless if you are fat or skinny, young or old ~ they should be considered equal; love exists.”

As I ended my journey and took a taxi to the airport, the driver ended up being a fundamentalist Muslim from Somalia. He promptly gave me a lesson on the Koran, and why I should support being a Muslim. I listened for a long time, and then told him that I am not interested in religion, and what I had learnt from life, and through my teacher. I told him about the teachings, the basis of RSE, and that we are all gods experiencing life in human form. His parting words to me were “Lady, Lady, do not let your crimes be any greater. Never say that you are a god, read the Koran, and become a Muslim.” We both laughed hysterically when I retorted that I would do so when the Islamic Cleric shakes my hand.

My spiritual journey continues.

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