Walk with an Open Heart
by Gloria Lionz
Intro:
In my early 30’s I left my first husband; began a new life. I also withdrew membership from my Christian path. It was clear a change was due. Members of my church conveyed my decision to divorce was ‘my responsibility’ as a “Good Christian wife could have helped her spouse heal from alcoholism and live faithfully.”
Nine years and too many failed counseling sessions later, I “read the writing on the wall for what it said, not what I’d hoped:” I had done all I could. It was time to move forward with my life.
Fast forward a little about 4 years, I had met and married again. The woman we chose to conduct our ceremony was a ecumenical minister with an on-line degree. It sounded odd to us at the time, but she exuded a kind of living faith & deep respect for everyone’s search for God. Soon after we married, I began studying spiritual truths with her.
Before we met, I’d been hearing what I came to learn was the “sound current” for over a year. For the next year, she kept telling me it was “likely the space beings trying to get a message to me.” I just laughed and chalked it up to another mysterious aspect of the Divine. Confident “It” would eventually guide me to whatever I needed to know next.
My studies with her included studying Genesis as a book of symbolism; filled with metaphors designed to help humans realize God is always present in every moment. Water stood for Spirit, as did “Light.” References to ‘the path’ involved not only the seeker but also masters (seen and not) who were dedicated to helping each Soul find “their way home to God.”
She exposed me to channeling; for myself and a few times for others. Those ‘exercises’ weren’t done for show. She’d direct me to center myself while focusing on whatever I perceived as the ‘sacred voice within’ then ask whatever question she asked.
Most of the time, ever-so-gently, answers (some with visions, some with specific guidance and always a soft glowing white or golden light) followed.
One afternoon she asked me to “envision your next path.”
What came next was far too big for words at the time. I was immersed in a spiritual experience so ‘real’ I was altered beyond words.
The poem didn’t appear until a few weeks ago.
But it inspired me to go where the path showed me while I was trance state; a red-dirt path up a high mountain.
Love comes in stages; as does our ability to understand and grow into it. God doesn’t demand we ‘fit a particular mindset, book or ritual.’ Instead, It presents openings each Soul gets to choose how, when and where It wants to experience.
This is my story.
I titled it “Walking with an Open Heart.
Jesus was someone I ‘knew’ – in my early years (by choice) and as I later learned, in past lives as both a friend and a guide.
When it comes to Love, there’s NO SUCH THING AS TIME OR DISTANCE.
That’s what makes life’s walk SACRED, INDIVIDUAL AND MOSTLY BEYOND REASON.
As you read this poem, know this.
Everyone can be a way shower for others. Jesus was one of mine. Once I’d learned what I’d agreed to learn with him, he warmly nodded indicating it was time for me to move forward and meet my next spiritual guide.
I didn’t meet Harold Klemp, the Mahanta, the spiritual leader of Eckankar, in the 80’s for another year or so.
But here’s another cool fact: Masters don’t keep score, they don’t set time limits, they don’t judge. They love us where we are and when we’re ready, they agree to show us the way forward.
What I left behind on that mountain was only the beginning of what I now embody; true compassion for myself and others.
I’d say that’s a gift worth sharing, and re-learning every single day.
May the blessings be.
Gloria

Walking with an Open Heart
In my 30s, I left a dead marriage
Returned home from “duty” as an army Captain’s ex-wife
Starting over once I accepted that expired union
Would never breathe itself back to life
I’d indulged the fantasy too long
Then mercifully ended it before I lost my gumption
Landing “home”’ashamed yet determined to realize
Competency wasn’t dependent on being a wife
My sparkle reappeared when I stopped waiting
Accepting being valued in an inside job
When I tossed away the poison apple of self-doubt,
I nurtured myself with gratitude & engaging dreams
A year later, the Army returned stored items I no longer wanted
My innate optimism quickly led me back “home”
As I celebrated each new feather in my nest,
Friends arrived affirming love was my Superpower
So where does Jesus come in?!?
It’’s “how” he showed up on a hike that surprised me
Not just “any” trek; but an inner call from Mt Shasta
During a meditation with a spiritual teacher
The guidance was simple: ‘climb a red dirt path
Go with a friend. Leave at pre-dawn
There you’ll meet someone
Don’t worry about the details; “He’s waiting.”
At my side, a spiritual teacher 40 years my senior
Whose familiars included guides beyond 3D
Assured me this trip was “exactly what I needed”
As new and odd as trekking sounded, off we went
I was never a “quest kind of gal.”
But the mountain ‘called’ so I followed
In an act more random than rational
Two fools for God left at predawn for who-knew-where.,,
Some choose quests to discover insights
Some abandon comfort to find renewal
Some obliviously curious suit up for “whatever”
Strangely landing exactly where they want to be
When the “mountain” invited me, I accepted
My curiosity led me; my strong legs carried me
Meeting Jesus was never my goal
But I’d seen us meeting during contemplation so off I went
My vision in the teacher’s home weeks before
Opened a visceral, ephemeral portal
Real yet not; solid yet surreal; melting any misgivings
Two hours “in” there Jesus stood, illuminating me
“Welcome, my dear. So good to see you.”
Standing in front of him felt as natural as greeting a neighbor
No drama, only gentle all-enveloping peace
His presence suffused everything with Love
A brief gaze exchanged then obliterated the “self”
Inwardly I asked, “is it OK if I walk past you?”
He nodded & replied, “I’m here because you asked a question.
There is another master waiting for you, go forward with my blessing
Because you asked, you are ready
There are many things you will learn
The greatest of these is to trust yourself
Always ask questions, listen then move on
Whatever you do, remember it’s only part of you
We agreed to meet long before now
How you see will change as you mature
But always remember your purpose is to love
Begin by loving yourself as it’s part of you
Continue refining your ability to hear
When in doubt become a channel for the Light
And always, always challenge what you fear
The only illusion that closes any path is fear
Or confusion you are not enough
Everyone is enough
As long as they walk with an open heart
(C) Gloria Lionz
January 25, 2026
