Frances, I discovered you through Celia Farber’s substack. She shared one of your stories. It’s raining here in California and I’ve got my sweet 17 year old kitty nestled on my lap while I am bingeing on your autobiography. Thank you for sharing your life. Your gift of storytelling is beautiful and has captured my heart. On to memory lane #5!
Oh, Frances, what a gifted writer you are. Thank you for sharing that wonderfully poignant memoire. Who else used to receive visits from a mystical maharajah? Was it Gurdjieff? Ouspensky? I can't remember. IIRC, Gurdjieff could bi-locate, so perhaps the maharajah was Ouspensky's visitor? Confused.com?
Frances, I think what your description of the visit from the mystical maharajah may have reminded me of was the account in "In Search of The Miraculous" by P D Oespenski, of how Gurdjieff could and did shapeshift. It is also discussed in this Dark Journalist video, starting around 58:00:
The Maharajah who visited me was an elderly but fit, living man. He held my hand and he was warm. I was stunned by all the jewellery he was wearing. Lots of pearls and gems. Heavy brocade fabrics and a turban decorated with more jewels. This guy looked like royalty! He definitely was not an apparition until he disappeared without opening any doors! Annie and I were rooted to the spot with shock. Who sees people dressed like that in London's decaying and decrepid docklands? I searched online for images that come close to him and found this:
Your experience is certainly quite special. We don't need to know who/what/why to understand that what he had to say to you was important. I have had encounters with unusual people, messengers who have had things to tell me, too; so I can relate to how you felt. It seems that reality is far more complicated than we were told at school!
Episode I - https://francesleader.substack.com/p/frances-leader-is-my-birth-name
Episode 2 - https://francesleader.substack.com/p/sunday-in-memory-lane
Episode 3 - https://francesleader.substack.com/p/sunday-in-memory-lane-episode-3
and here is Episode 5:
https://francesleader.substack.com/p/sunday-in-memory-lane-episode-5
Sweets! cats and mama at the same time. Lovely ending 👌
Oh my God, Frances!!! What amazing life, and what amazing writing. Thank you.
Thank you for reading my story, Sue! It is a roller coaster ride and still rolling! xx
Frances, I discovered you through Celia Farber’s substack. She shared one of your stories. It’s raining here in California and I’ve got my sweet 17 year old kitty nestled on my lap while I am bingeing on your autobiography. Thank you for sharing your life. Your gift of storytelling is beautiful and has captured my heart. On to memory lane #5!
Welcome aboard, Audrey! Be prepared, the ride is wild! xx
I loved this! Thank you. Brought back fond memories of my own 1st pregnancy. A different world. Memories to cherish. My son is now nearly 28. 😌
💕😹omg 😹 💕… felt like i was there!
Oh, Frances, what a gifted writer you are. Thank you for sharing that wonderfully poignant memoire. Who else used to receive visits from a mystical maharajah? Was it Gurdjieff? Ouspensky? I can't remember. IIRC, Gurdjieff could bi-locate, so perhaps the maharajah was Ouspensky's visitor? Confused.com?
I dunno! I have not heard of this happening to anyone else! Let me know if you figure it out.
Frances, I think what your description of the visit from the mystical maharajah may have reminded me of was the account in "In Search of The Miraculous" by P D Oespenski, of how Gurdjieff could and did shapeshift. It is also discussed in this Dark Journalist video, starting around 58:00:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afv9-n3txyU&list=WL&index=6&t=3164s
The Maharajah who visited me was an elderly but fit, living man. He held my hand and he was warm. I was stunned by all the jewellery he was wearing. Lots of pearls and gems. Heavy brocade fabrics and a turban decorated with more jewels. This guy looked like royalty! He definitely was not an apparition until he disappeared without opening any doors! Annie and I were rooted to the spot with shock. Who sees people dressed like that in London's decaying and decrepid docklands? I searched online for images that come close to him and found this:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20498306
Your experience is certainly quite special. We don't need to know who/what/why to understand that what he had to say to you was important. I have had encounters with unusual people, messengers who have had things to tell me, too; so I can relate to how you felt. It seems that reality is far more complicated than we were told at school!
This is so beautiful. Thank you Frances x