Raymond Buckland ... continued

Raymond Buckland is a sprightly 78 year old gentleman with a wide ranging reputation
as a metaphysical researcher.  His interest was sparked early in life when he came across
a relative's library of spiritualist writings. He was hooked and it became his lifelong passion
to learn, experience and share what he discovered with generations to follow.

His father, also a writer, was a king of his gypsy clan.  He married an English woman
and became one of the first 'settled gypsies' in England.  That caused no small friction
with his Roma mother and other female relatives. The new bride suffered rejection
and harsh treatment at their hands.  He knows what it is to have a foot in both worlds...
that of the Roma and that of the gadje (pronounced 'gowjoes') or non-Roma.
He gew up in an age of transition within their communities.
Young Raymond published his 1st article at 12, but he was 35 when his 1st book was published.
Since then he has written over 50 books on a wide variety of  metaphysical topics.

His first lecture provided an overview of Roma history with a few new insights that were
clearly the views of an insider rather than a cultural anthropologist. Along the way, he made
few apologies for some of the questionable attitudes and activities of his people, but he was able
to lend a humorous and compassionate understanding to the picture.
We were treated to a great slideshow of early photographs of the travelling Roma.
Mr. Buckley described the lifestyle, customs, beliefs of his people.  He also gave a good history
of the vardos or wagons with all their various styles. For those of you who need a vardo 'fix'
now and then, this is my favorite site..  http://gypsywaggons.co.uk/varsuk.htm 

In the later lectures, we practiced various forms of scrying, meditating, use of crystals
and various other methods of developing communication with your higher self and with
the non-visible world.   His experience is vast and covered not only Roma techniques,
but the various methods of spiritualism.  He told stories about how it took him 50 years to
make contact with his own father after his passing.
His friend, famed psychic John Edwards worked hard for 3 years to reach his own mother.
It's not often that you get to talk with someone so honest and knowledgeable about these topics.

In passing on his experience, one of the most memorable things he shared was that
"Spirit speaks first".   What he means by this is that as we notice our thoughts and impressions
throughout the day or when we ask for help, the first lightning-fast, fleeting impression
comes from spirit.  All subsequent thoughts are coming on a slower vibration.
Information from the spiritual realm is characterized by its swift and subtle quality.
Meditation helps us slow down, clear the mind and listen.
With time, we learn to discern these messages.

In all, Raymond Buckland was an inspiring guide and fascinating personality.
He was not a stereotypical Roma by any means, but he is a good historian
and a living link to his heritage.
We were grateful for all he shared with us...