CHARLES FERRIS (1914-2002)

mystic, astral traveller, dreamer, healer, writer

Charles Ferris was my father. We had known one another before, and his work has always felt familiar to me. My mother, Inez Henriette, was an integral part of the team. They meditated together every evening making a full commitment to spiritual guidance underpinning every decision. They were asked to bring spirit more practically into this world, not religion, not in place of religion but as a new perspective, a broader view of life that supersedes power and control. It is time to change the narrow, limited capitalistic view promoted in the West.

One evening in 1953, the speaker coming through Charles said Kahlil Gibran was present. Gibran said, “My friends, go to the hills of Lebanon, my birthplace.” My parents looked at one another perplexed and after a short time in meditation communicating with their souls, said, “Why not? If we are following this path we will be led by spirit.” This led to them buying tickets on a ship headed to Beirut. They were told that funds were not necessary. This was a test of faith. This story was told in my mother’s book, Waking to the Light. Suffice to say our family of six (four children between 4 and 8 years old) left on that ship. We were away from South Africa for fifteen months carrying no cash, following guidance. I was seven and  remember it well. Our family called it ‘The Faith Trip’. The practice of living simply with daily meditation, as they did, has served me well in my life.

Many psychic and paranormal experiences were a normal part of our lives. Charles described leaving his body and visiting other realms. At times, spiritual teachers came through him when he was meditating. The voice and presentation were not his. My mother would write notes and tape the talks to refer to later, as they were asked to bring spirit more practically into this world.

He was a prolific writer, my mother an editor. They self-published five books. Readers clamoured for more. There is still a box of original writing that he asked me to work with in order to share it more widely.

 I have had my own journey very much influenced by their life work, and with Buddhism. The box of  handwritten, unpublished writings by my dad arrived at my door recently, and I committed to bringing his work to the world at a time of war, confusion, intolerance, heightened capitalism and fear. It is time. In my meditation I asked, “Is it mine to pass on?” A voice said clearly. “Be still and know yourself (as God, Love, Buddha) If everyone starts there, whatever needs to happen will, with ease.” “Okay,” I said to myself, “This is what you teach in meditation retreats and with people as a psychotherapist.”

There is a method to knowing yourself. Are we our thoughts, our feelings, our behaviours? That is a start. Meditation and deep stillness takes us deeper and a way opens so that life, truth, love and universal consciousness can be available to us. Imagine if we were in this consciousness most of the time. This is wisdom training. Charles wrote about raising children as wise beings in his book, Columba Speaks, Wisdom for the 21st Century.

We are because of one another. Compassion and kindness is essential. We have help around us in spirit forms too. We are never alone. All spiritual paths speak to this. We have to ask for help and support others with kindness as part of our life practice. Charles speaks of Angels of Mercy in his book of the same title. In Buddhism, we say mantras calling on Buddha Tara or Chenrezig. Who do you find yourself calling on when you need divine help (something bigger than yourself)?

Charles found that healing occurred spontaneously when he was still and in touch with the vibration of someone who needed help. I have found this to be true as long as I was not attached to being the healer. It often happens in someone’s quiet presence. He describes some of the healings in his book, A Small Gift.

Life and death are on the same continuum. This was emphasized in Charles and Henriette’s training.

Charles visited what he was told was the Twelve Dimensions (his first book) describing our experience after death. It raises a different paradigm and focus for this earth life. If we bring feelings of suffering towards us and are open and honest, seeing them for what they are, they dissipate. We are in the moment with them without wishing things were different. They seem to sort themselves out or we get more clarity honoring what we know.

In an out-of-body experience, Charles was taken to a civilization 7000 years ago where cave dwellers lived a sophisticated life using crystals to power electronics. He saw himself and others he recognised, including a past love he still felt attached to. She had appeared in a different spirit or personality in this life which had been very confusing for Charles. Once he saw this in context he understood and the feelings subsided. He felt peaceful. He documents this in his book, The Ghost of Lylalee.

If you would like access to his books please email heatherferris46@gmail.com

Follow my blog or podcast as I unpack the box of writings. I will continue to share these teachings and welcome your feedback and personal experiences.