I’m delighted to interview Christopher Foster, author and founder of The Happy Seeker blog.
Christopher is author of The Raven Who Spoke with God, an inspirational novel recently published in Kindle format at Amazon. This book was first distributed on 9/11 and has appeared in 11 foreign language editions.
1.Where are you from and when were your born?
I was born in London in 1932. My dad was a reporter on big London dailies and my mother was a teacher. I was an only child in a traditional middle-class British family and when I left school I became a reporter like my dad. I had a good career ahead of me but for some strange reason I just couldn’t fit in.
I longed to find the truth and when I was in my early 20s I give up my family and career and native country and went to British Columbia to find freedom.
2. What inspired you to write The Raven Who Spoke with God?
I’ve always loved animals, and nature. I wanted to show the connection that binds us to the natural world, and I also wanted to portray through the form of a story the longing that is in each one of us to answer the call of “The hero’s Journey,” as Joseph Campbell described it. I believe the Unknown is always where our true freedom lies.
3. Tell us a bit about the book. What lessons does it teach?
I wanted to illustrate through a story the importance of persistence, and courage, and listening to our own heart. Joshua is a brave but sensitive young raven with a big dream in life. He has listened to his grandmother’s stories about how the raven used to be honored as a messenger and guardian of humanity, and he wants to restore that ancient honor of his kind.
He experiences many difficulties and traumas but his own integrity will not let him give up his mission. The message of the book is: Trust life. Trust your own unconquerable spirit.
4. How would my readers benefit from reading your book?
I think they would benefit in two ways. First, it would be an opportunity to set aside the worries of modern life and immerse themselves in a charming and inspiring story.
Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, I designed the book as a blueprint to help people navigate through the challenges of their life and be reminded of the true meaning, beauty and happiness that is the divine birthright of each one of us.
5. When did you first realize you were destined to be a writer?
It was in the early days of the blitz in London in World War II. Bombs were falling all around the apartment block where I lived with my mother at the time. My dad was overseas as a war correspondent.
One day for some reason I just started writing a story in an old scrapbook, and the more I kept writing this story the more I realized what fun it was. I still find writing to be enormous fun and hey, it has this great advantage that you can pretty well keep writing at any age.
6. What have been some of your biggest challenges?
My first wife and I were returning from the Caribbean in 1991 where we had celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. She had a stroke on the plane and died a few hours after we arrived in Vancouver. It was devastating. Then two or three years later, the spiritual community to which I belonged for 36 years collapsed – this was after the death of its leader — and I had no option but to leave the community at 63 with no idea at all how I would live or what I would do.
Those were both very difficult experiences, but the biggest challenge of all came a few years later. I had moved to Colorado and remarried and I thought everything was fine, when suddenly, without warning, I fell into a deep and excruciating one year depression.
It was the most difficult period of my life, and yet the strange thing is that it also turned out to be a blessing. It was like I had experienced some psychic healing, because the depression just lifted one day and I felt a beautiful stillness and peace that has never left me.
7. Do you have a spiritual routine? What is it?
Oh dear, difficult question to answer Angela. I do and I don’t. I like to take a little time first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening just to sit quietly and commune with myself. And I like to include a bit of abdominal breathing in the evening, which helps to calm me in a wonderful way.
But above all, as I age, I find the true joy of my life is taking a few moments every now and again to simply be conscious of my own timeless presence. To love that. I love “looking at myself,” to quote a friend and mentor, John Sherman. I find that as I continue “loving myself” in this way life changes and transforms in magical ways.
8. There is a turning point in your book where Joshua finds a mentor. Has synchronicity played a part in your life?
Synchronicity has played a huge part of my life. I believe there is a hand of grace on each one of us. There have been many times when just the right person came into my life at just the right time and changed my life forever.
This is how it was, for example, when I met my wife, JoAnn, about 16 years ago. We lived far apart geographically, we didn’t know each other from Adam, and yet synchronicity – or the Angels, as I sometimes like to think of it – found a way to bring us together. It opened a door to a whole new chapter in my life including a move to this great country called USA.
9. If you could have 60 seconds to give a message to the world what would it be?
Listen to the nudges of your own heart and stay true to your own wisdom and integrity and everything will work out just fine.
10. What project are you working on next?
I do see some exciting possibilities but right now it’s time to stay calm and let what wants to emerge keep on emerging.
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P.S. to learn more about synchronicity check out these books.
For more from Christopher, please visit his blog at The Happy Seeker, where he writes about wisdom and personal growth. You can check out The Raven Who Spoke with God BY CLICKING HERE.
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I’m always happy to learn more about Christopher. His life story is an inspiration in itself. On top of that, he is a great writer! Thanks to both of you for sharing this interview.
Galen Pearl recently posted..On Judging Others
Galen, many thanks for your kind words. My wife JoAnn is in the living room next to my little office. I called out to her just now and shared your kind comment. “I second that,” she said.
So I’ve been blessed twice. Love to you Galen and my thanks to you Angela for a great interview.
Christopher Foster recently posted..Are there surprising benefits in challenging times?
“Having a Raven as an ally is powerful medicine indeed.” This quote is by Angeles Arrien, Ph.D., and appears beneath “Praise for the Raven Who Spoke with God,” in the beginning pages of Christopher’s book.
I couldn’t agree more. As Christopher so clearly illuminates through the thoughts of Sam, the mother Raven, there was a time when Ravens were honored as the majestic and intelligent beings they truly are. I wish to share my thoughts about the Raven, from my own website:
“The Raven, a mysterious and fascinating bird, is renowned in mythology and legend as a method of divination.
The ancient Greeks chose the Raven to symbolize Apollo in his role as a god of prophecy. Some mythological tales depict the Raven as Apollo’s talisman, representing protection, magical powers, and the hand of fate moving in one’s favor.
Both the Greeks and Romans used augury, the fascinating art of divination by observing birds. These ancient augurs divined messages based on the color of the bird and the direction in which it flew. It was considered a harbinger of good fortune to see a Raven flying in from the east or south.
Some Native American tribes portray the Raven as a symbol of transformation. Other tribes attribute to the Raven everything from creating the world to the gift of sunlight.
Rather than a mischievous creature or omen of bad tidings as depicted in some wayward folklore and stories, we honor the majestic and intelligent Raven as an iconic symbol of prophecy and auspicious tidings.”
My admiration and fascination for this bird led me to create not only a deck of cards featuring the Raven, but a T-shirt and note cards, as well. At the Body Mind Spirit Expo in Portland last November, more people were drawn to the Raven than anything else at our booth. (I don’t know if I’m allowed to reference my own website within a post, but this is the link to the Raven page. http://www.lotteryintuition.com/raven.html)
As an anecdote, a friend of mine has a Malamute/Wolf mix dog named Kumo, who is an incredible spirit, beautiful both physically and in his gentle ways. Most of us are aware of the Native American tales of the bond between the Wolf and the Raven. This was shown to me one day when Kumo was in the back of my car, as I drove along a highway in the mountains of Oregon. A Raven appeared, flying overhead, just to the right and above the car. Kumo never took his eyes off that Raven, not until it was long out of sight. He had never done such a thing before, not even with eagles.
There is something quite mystical about the Raven. Just as it is a symbol of transformation, I hope that Christopher’s book will help to create a transformation in people’s minds and hearts not only about the meaning of life, but about the Raven as well. Edgar Allen Poe did this bird a great disservice by linking it to foreboding and misfortune and calling it a “thing of evil,” for the opposite is what is true. When you are fortunate enough to see a Raven, you are seeing a messenger from the Heavens, from the Collective Consciousness. Try to discern the meaning of its presence, for it is always first and foremost a messenger. Thank the Raven, wish it godspeed, and it will carry your blessing forward to the end of its days.
Celeste,
Thank you so much for sharing all this excellent information about Ravens with us.
It’s fascinating!
I was not aware the Raven had such a place in mythology and symbolism in so many cultures.
Angela
I am convinced I am destined for good things. Yes, my mind is completely open to them
So maybe they find my invitation good enough to honor me with their presence.
Christopher, it is such a pleasure to read about you again. The raven is a revered bird in India and has many spiritual connotations. As soon as we cook each morning, we offer a little ladle of freshly cooked rice, with a dot of lentils and butter in a designated place on our balcony where the ravens know they can expect this offering. The idea is to feed our forefathers before we eat and the ravens are believed to represent those loved ones who have passed on in life. Even when we perform last rites and the anniversary rituals of those who have passed on, we wait for the raven to eat what we offer before we have our food. On days when these rites are performed, it can be as late as 3 pm in the afternoon before anyone puts something in their mouths.
And so, I love the title of the book (I have it and love it). Soon I look forward to writing a review on my blog, too and I’ll let you know when.
Thank you, again, for such an inspiring read – the book as well as this interview.
Love, Vidya
Vidya Sury recently posted..The Re-Awakening
Vidya,
This is a fascinating custom!
Thank you for sharing it with us here.
I learn something new from you all the time!
Hi Angela,
I’m so inspired by Christopher. He is a role model for all. Thanks for an insightful interview. Looking forward to reading Christopher’s book.
Cathy | Treatment Talk recently posted..Treatment Talk’s Monthly Message ~ April 2012
Hi Cathy,
Christopher is truly an inspiration. I soo agree!
Thanks Angela, just what I needed…a little inspiration. Sounds like a book I will definitley read.
Hi Rosemarie,
You’ll enjoy Christopher’s book.
Great interview! It’s nice to learn a little more about you Christopher. I already subscribe to your blog and look forward to reading your book!!
Betsy at Zen Mama recently posted..Did Getting Mad Find The Sock Any Faster?
Betsy,
I’m so glad you enjoyed this interview with Christopher.
I very much enjoyed reading this interview and especially liked this one, “Listen to the nudges of your own heart and stay true to your own wisdom and integrity and everything will work out just fine.” I’m looking forward to reading Christopher’s book!
Lisa Frederiksen – BreakingTheCycles.com recently posted..Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of NIDA, Answers Questions on Addiction
Hi Lisa,
I’m so glad you’re going to read Christopher’s book.
You’re in for a treat!
Synchronicity has played a huge part of my life too! The cool thing is that when you recognize it, it shows itself over and over again. I’m constantly thinking to myself “how did that happen?” and “what a crazy set of events!”—Synchronicities are amazing! I’ll check out Christopher’s book as well as your other resources.
BTW, Angela, I love your blog!
AJ | OpenPsychic recently posted..Review: Lisa’s “Trust What You Get”
Hi AJ,
It’s so nice to meet you and to welcome you to Powered by Intuition.
Christopher’s book is wonderful – you’ll really enjoy it!
Synchronicity is amazing. It’s true – once you begin to notice it you see it more and more too.
The journey of spiritual awakening begins when we become aware of synchronicity in our lives.
Thank you for your lovely compliment about my blog too. Please let me know how I can be of help to you with yours.
xoxo,
Angela
Hi Angela,
Love to learn more about Christopher Foster. I am always amazed and inspired by him. The book looks great and I can’t wait to read it!
Cathy | Treatment Talk recently posted..The Re-Awakening: A New Guided Meditation Program That Can Change Your Life
I am so uplifted to see that Christopher overcame much sadness to start writing like this well after the age of 63! That is so very encouraging for this “senior reprised writer.”
Rose Byrd recently posted..“……and we so hungry now are full”
Rose,
Yes, it is very inspiring to know that Chris was able to rise above the tragedy of losing his beloved wife!
It gives all hope for overcoming the difficult times in our life no matter what age we are.
Thank you so much for commenting. It’s such a pleasure to see you again.