By Gregg Sanderson
If you don’t think BOB has a sense of humor, just look in the mirror. –Gregg Sanderson
There are many paths up the mountain, says the wise man, but sometime it’s not always a good idea for them to cross. A case in point: It was toward the latter part of the 20th century when the touchy-feely aspects of the human potential movement were at their peak. A group of novice workshop leaders from a community called “The Next Step” accepted an invitation to lead a workshop at a conference of the 3HO Foundation. They loaded up their VW Camper and off they went into the New Mexico hills.
“3HO” stands for Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization. They’re gentle people, who follow the Sikh teachings of Yogi Bhajan. They were friendly, helpful, and oh-so-impressive—dressed in white from turban to toe. That should have been the first clue, dutifully ignored by the enthusiastic little group, dressed for comfort in shorts and T-shirts.
They didn’t notice that the men pretty much hung out with the men and the women with the women—another missed clue. And who would have guessed their teaching eschewed physical contact to the point that even married couples were allowed to have sex only once a month? Certainly not this little band of Spiritual neophytes, eagerly preparing for their first big event. Like all their workshops, it had intermingling, hugging, touching and warm inter-gender communication.
It was a perfect setup for a Spiritual train wreck.
Enter the Divine Comedian. With the workshop scheduled for 2:00 p.m, it was noon when one of the group realized they had forgotten an essential prop, and had to run to the nearby town to pick it up.
While still a few miles from town along the dirt road, the camper developed—not one—not two —but THREE flat tires. With but a single spare, the first tire had to be changed, rolled into town, repaired, then rolled back and mounted. The same with the second tire, then they drove the third one in for repair.
The “Next Steppers” arrived back at the conference in time to apologize profusely, but with no time remaining to reschedule their workshop.
Wow! What appeared to be a disaster, actually turned out to have prevented one.
It’s worth remembering that BOB always has a different perspective than we do, so the best response to anything that happens is never to doubt Divine Wisdom.
When the members of the group later learned more about the 3HO teachings, they performed the ritual smack on the forehead, recited the mantra, “Oy Vey!” and gave thanks for the three flat blessings.
Then we went home.
Gregg Sanderson has a rare view of the metaphysical universe. He traveled the road from Christian Science through Judaism, Agnosticism, Atheism, Living Love, Psychic Development, Spiritualism, Teaching of the Inner Christ, all the way to the International Centers for Spiritual Living where he is a licensed practitioner. He is the author of What Ever Happened To Happily Ever After? and Split Happens – Easing the Pain of Divorce. Gregg’s latest book is Spirit With A Smile — The Way It Is (Unless It’s Something Else) (Transformation-Publishing.com). Email to gregg@spiritwithasmile.com.