I am grateful
to George Ritchie, M.D., Brian Weis, M.D., and the late Ian Stevenson, M.D.,
for their courage to go where few physicians have gone before as they
explored their near death experiences, cases suggestive of reincarnation,
and encounters with past-life recall both in their own lives and with
patients. Their ground-breaking publications have given encouragement to me
and to other health care providers, therapists, and clergy who have moved
into these unconventional areas of research, study and spiritual growth.
Many other authors are mentioned throughout this text and in the
Bibliography, which recognizes that we all stand upon the shoulders of past
explorers who continue to open for us new paths of spiritual discovery and
growth, thus helping us move toward Limitless Living.
I am indebted to my wife, Mary Ann Kinser, who read
and re-read this book to help me clarify that which is often shrouded in a
cloud of unknowing. Thanks also go to: my sons, Mark and ‘PK’; to my
daughter Patricia; to my daughter-in-law, Aleta Meyer; to my grandchildren,
Alex, Sacha, Quinn, and Morgaine; to my sister, Pat; to Marsha and Jim
Peterson, Anne and Ed Brooke, Maggie Finefrock, and, Mary Schweitzer (my
“eagle eyed editor”). Their presence and love in this lifetime helps
keep me centered. I also thank my son-in-law, Chris Woods, for the T’ai
Chi photos that formed the basis for the sketches produced by the artist
Phil McKenney in Chapter Seven. And thanks to all family, friends and
parishioners who encouraged me to complete this work before I move on into
the next great adventure. They helped provide the motivation to keep me
going.
Thanks
to the Board of Directors of Blue Ridge Pastoral Counseling Centers, who
first encouraged me in the early 1990s to record the stories that were
emerging in my clinical practice which make up part of this text. Please
note that even where clients and/or parishioners have given permission to
use their stories, or where people involved are now deceased, I have chosen
to disguise identities to honor the privacy of individuals and families. The
contributions of those clients and parishioners, though anonymous, are
immense.
My
deep appreciation also goes to Faye and Bill Richardson, who contributed
office space for a counseling center in Warrenton, Virginia, and who remain
dear friends. Little did I know then what was opening up to me in 1982 when
a mutual friend said, “You must meet my weird friends Faye and Bill.”
They also introduced me to the A.R.E.®
which has been a part of my own Limitless Living. Also, special thanks go to
Katey Denner, LCSW, who donated office space in Sterling, Virginia, and was
a good friend and colleague as I weathered the challenges of earning a
doctorate.
I also thank my advisors, teachers, and supervisors
at the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia, who
probably prefer that their names not be associated with this rather
unorthodox spiritual guide … you know who you are and I thank you!
And finally, thanks to the many fellow clergy
who have advised and supported my spiritual pilgrimage: Jim Cunningham, Tom
Clifford, Howard LaRue, Mark Engle, Jenks Hobson III, Hal White, Milt LeRoy,
Vic Malloy, Mary Fran Hughes-McIntyre, John Westerhoff, Craig Anderson,
Harry Pritchett, the late Bob Hall…forever my Bishop, and the late Urban
T. Holmes…forever my Dean. Some of you might consider parts of this work
heretical. So I don’t credit you for the heresy, but I thank you for your
love. Our lives are dedicated to the same Master and Lord!
Prentice
Kinser III, D.Min.
