I am a retired liberal minister (UU) as a second career (28 years). My ministry followed my first career as an urban planner (in Alabama 1 year and Oklahoma for 14 years). That background includes a 3 ½ year stint in the US Air Force (as a draftee during the Viet Nam era): late 1970 to early 1973. That was an era of true giftedness. My daughter was born, and my USAF assignment took me (and family) to northern Japan. There I also learned the Japanese culture and language.

My first college degree was architecture. That foundation—and especially learning the practice of natural organic architectural design—formed my mode of thinking and creating. My senior thesis was on Low-Cost Housing for the Appalachian People of Eastern Kentucky. That year-long thesis project grounded me in natural and soulful inquiry that has guided me with intuitive-imaginal-creative discernment through my adult life.

NB: That foundation led me eventually to Natural Inclusionality.

A divorce in February 1978 awakened me into a period of deep self-awareness and meditation (including Holotropic breathwork). In August 1982 I married Jean Ellen Lamer, and we have now retired to my home region in eastern Kentucky, near much of my extended family. Our other extended families are in Oklahoma: my daughter and her husband plus their two sons. Well, one son died tragically at age 16. His younger brother is married. They have two daughters, and another child is on the way. So I am a great grandfather!

My natural intuitive-organic imagination and grounding—as my practice of grounding through thoughtful discernment—eventually led me to reading and learning from Dr. Alan Rayner—gaining his wisdom—starting in February 2006. I have companioned Alan and his Natural Inclusion Community ever since via email, You Tube videos, and now recently through our Monday Zoom conversations.

Coincident with my discovery of Alan’s Natural Inclusionality I became drawn to the soulful writings of Dr. Robert Sardello, a spiritual psychologist. (NB: There’s a backstory that needs to be told as well; a story of soulful awareness that emerged during my seminary years. It led me to learning later of soul psychology and eventually to the wisdom of Robert Sardello). I am in ongoing communion with both Alan and Robert now as my inner story of awakening and deepening continues to grow.