“After 12 years of spiritual practice, extended periods of fasting, countless hours of yoga, days of quiet meditation, medicine plants, mantras in every language, sensory deprivation, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, & angel therapy… I can honestly say that I still have all of my same neurosis’; only now we are friends instead of enemies. It is the perfect situation to practice unconditional love and to become a fully integrated being.”
Brothers and Sisters, I personally welcome you to The Fasting Path. If you are reading this, then most likely you are considering coming to one of our future retreats. I understand that for most of you this is a big decision. So in this sharing, it is my intention is to be as clear and transparent as possible about myself and the vision of The Fasting Path, to help guide you to your deepest truth as to whether or not attending our one of our events is in your highest good.
Journey
“Brother”, born in America and given the name Patrick O’Connor is a spiritual teacher devoted to serving the awakening of all beings during this time of transformation. The Fasting Path was born in 2007 and is a result of several decades of his own personal search for peace, happiness, freedom and truth.
“In the past, this search for peace, happiness, freedom and truth came from a place of survival. Just trying to figure out how to enjoy being here (alive). For most of my life, being here on Earth was just never that easy or interesting. As a child I can remember thinking, but that doesn’t make sense, but why are we here, what are all these silly creatures doing, why do we treat each other so badly, why are we killing each other, what about this???… But due to religion, schooling and my loving parents (with all of their best intentions), I was eventually taught not to ask those questions and to simply accept the beliefs, thoughts and ideas they were handing me. It took awhile, but eventually I broke; giving in to the ways of society. It was around 12 years old that I remember completely giving up, stopped listening to what felt true for me and instead became a “good little boy.”
Of course, from this point on, my parents and teachers were happy… finally, I was being “good” and fitting in! However for me, It was like a death. My spirit was broken and I had lost all connection with that little voice within. That inner voice that tries its best to perfectly guide each and every one of us. By the time college rolled around, I was on board with “fitting in” 100%! Get out of high school, got to college , get a degree, get a good job, get married, have children a dog, a cat and live happily ever after… “The American Dream” as it was once called.
But then it started. I wanted to fit in so much, I really did. The only problem was that everything that I had been trying so hard to suppress over the years, was fighting to come out. Living in the world, I felt I had to keep pushing it away, stuffing it down, to remain a functioning part of society. At some point however, the pressure (depression) became unbearable for me. On the outside, I had this charmed life; MBA graduate, money (or at least plenty of credit), good looks and physical health, a new home, motorcycles, wave runners, brand new sports cars, loving family and friends… but on the inside I was empty! Some where along the way, my life stopped being about living and instead became about survival.
In the midst of several suicide attempts, I continued to search for answers. I could not figure out why, as smart as I was, I could not solve this crazy riddle of life. Feelings of deep sadness for no apparent reason, worthlessness, meaninglessness… an empty vacuum that was my experience of life. One medical doctor and psychiatrist after another simply told me that being “bipolar” or “medically depressed” meant that I had a chemical imbalance in my brain; that there was nothing to be ashamed of by taking anti-depressants. So, I would go on them for a short period of time, feel a bit better (more numb to the feelings), but always feeling that it was only masking the problem… and that was not acceptable to me. I wanted to find the cause of the problem, not just keep covering it up. I knew deep down that there had to be a “bigger” reason. A deeper meaning to all of this… and I was willing to die, if that was the result, in order to be with “what was” and find the cause.”
Awakening
In June of 2000, Brother had what many describe as a satori experience or an instant awakening. This profound evening was the catalyst for the radical transformation that would occur in his life. Since that day, Brother has been guided to share information of the changing times and provide tools and practices to gracefully make our way through them.
“I was brought up in a Catholic family, went to Catholic school and went to church on the my request of my parents, most Sundays. Never really resonating with church, at the age of 18, I left home for university, and also left the whole religion/God thing behind. From 18 till 29, I had no real sense of God or spirituality in my life. Then in June of 2000, after another hospitalization for a suicide attempt, I had what many describe as a Satori experience or instant awakening.
I had never meditated before and yet after one hour of “ommm-ing” and “ahhh-ing”, I opened my eyes to see colors and to hear sounds that I had never seen or heard before. I went outside, looked around and realized that I was not longer a separate drop of water in the ocean, but the ocean itself. Forms ceased to exist; only shifting and vibrating colors. Universal truths made themselves known to me, meditations felt like download sessions with instant access to anything and everything. My mind became so clear, I could literally see peoples thoughts, so physically sensitive that I could feel the vibration and toxins in everything I put into my body and a sense of peace that I had never felt before.
All I knew is that I felt alive for the first time in my life and thought this bliss would never go away. I thought that I would never experience depression, sadness or suicidal thoughts again… but I soon realized that I was mistaken. I was graciously given a brief glimpse into human evolution, God consciousness, Buddha nature… but then shot back to Earth, ready for the next test; learning how to integrate and fully embody this state of being. This became my purpose, my dharma… my reason for being.”
Purpose
After that evening, Brother’s purpose as a spiritual guide was clear and he set off in surrender to the ways in which the Universe would manifest this through him. Fasting in a retreat setting would be reveled as the perfect way to create an opening for the awakening of higher consciousness. A space to let go of the noise of the world and connect with deep truth. A setting designed to cultivate a deep remembering and return to LOVE. Brother had found his platform for sharing.
“After my awakening, I was guided to find the “red pill”… a way to share the shift in consciousness that I had experienced with others. Practices such as fasting, yoga, meditation, self inquiry, visualization, hypnotherapy and plant medicines had become my primary “methods” for maintaining and deepening this connection with the Divine within myself therefore began sharing them with others.” The ways in which I share continues to evolve, but the core of what I am sharing stays the same.”
Teachings
Brother’s non-dualistic, soul-based teachings transcend all labels of the material world and are directed to those who are sincerely called to awaken to their true nature and embody this realization now. Expressing both the infinite possibilities and the ordinary simplicity of a spiritually realized life, Brother’s heart felt teachings of love and acceptance continue to spread far and wide.
“We are obviously living in extraordinary times. The rules of the game are changing fast. And just like with any game, if you can see the changes and have the tools to play accordingly, you can thrive as a natural way of being. Thanks to the expanding consciousness of humanity, healing no longer has to take years and years of practice or therapy. We are being given access to everything we need right now to let go of the karmic baggage of the past and embody the fully-realized self today!
The Fasting Path retreats are not for those wanting to just relax and drink some juices. There are plenty of places offering that. But if you are wanting to look at, question and unlearn everything you have been made to believe about who you think you are and what you think is possible, then come sit with me. You will be held in a safe, beautiful space of love and openness for you to do your inner work. You will be given all the tools you need to peel away the layers, let go and realize the Divine nature within you right NOW! “
I wish you all the best, whether our souls cross paths at a future retreat or not.
with so much love,
Brother