Relax, "One Vision has no intention of starting a recipe page, and if it did I certainly wouldn't be the one writing it!  My culinary skills are strictly limited to egg and chips.

Nor does this article have any connection with the kind of wild mushroom, which, (so I am led to believe) can induce mind altering hallucinations.

And yet, it was a simple dish of garlic mushrooms that paved the way for the experiences in the summer of 1990 which culminated in the top of my head being blown into orbit. Keen observers will note that whilst skin and bone returned immediately, much of the hair has never been seen since !

One lunchtime a colleague (a vegetarian) and  myself were studying the menu at our local hostelry looking for something other than the inevitable "cheese and onion quiche and chips" usually reserved for vegetarians in those days.

"Do you like garlic mushrooms?" she asked. "No", was my quick response.

"So you never eat mushrooms then?", she countered. "Oh, yes!!", I said. "I love mushrooms"

 "Then it's the garlic you don't like ?", she persisted. "That’s right, I don't like garlic" I  replied.

I should point out that this lady was a Virgo, who probably learned her trade during the Spanish Inquisition.

"Have you ever tried it?" she countered triumphantly.

Now, I had to admit I hadn't. She suggested that we order two servings on the grounds that if I didn't like them, she could always eat them. For the next few minutes, the look of disappointment on her face grew, as having gingerly tasted the first mushroom; I proceeded to clear the plate. It is still one of my favourite dishes.

But how did this contribute to my spiritual awakening?

You will have heard it said that when you have a question, the answer might well be in the chance utterance of the next person you meet, or the words of the next song you hear. Or, maybe, both.

Now I had learned not to prejudge.  And so if someone suggested that I listen to a song by Barry Manilow or Meatloaf, Cliff Richard or Martika, Lionel Ritchie or The Shamen, Gloria Estefan or Led Zeppelin,  George Michael or Bette Midler, Freddie Mercury or Michael Ball, The Bachelors or D J Fresh, Take That or T'Pau.  I would no longer say " But I don't like …."

It could be in the next book you read. Or the next conversation you have.

Does the very mention of the words "Christianity", or "Jesus" cause to you visualize born again bible thumpers?

Please don't overlook the wisdom in the simple teachings of the man from Galilee.

Does the mention of the words Pagan or Wiccan, cause you to visualize men and women dancing naked around a tree, before bonking each other stupid?

Please don't overlook the wisdom in the lore of these gentle people.

In the words of Cliff Richard, our own opinions can make us blind. The aim of One Vision is to encourage people to seek the common ground in all belief systems, whilst celebrating their own unique spirituality. 

"I Believe" that we are "Phorever People"  holding back "The Flood" and if we learn to "Listen Without Prejudice" it will soon be "Daybreak", and "Coming out of the Dark", we will  "Heal The World" together, and if you will forgive my "Innuendo", "This Could Be Heaven for Everyone". "From A Distance", you look like my friend, and if we "Don't Give Up", we'll  be "Keepin The Dream Alive".  Our dreams are "China In Your Hands" , but it only takes "One Voice", to make a difference and maybe "You're The Voice".

 "When Love Calls Your Name" and you add your voice to ours we are going to get "Louder" , and when you join in our "Mind Games", we'll harness "The Force Behind The Power". together.

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join me, and the world will live as One. "Imagine" that!

"It's a Kinda Magic".

[This article first appeared in the "One Vision" magazine back in Autumn 1999. - I've updated it a little... and now of course you can listen to most these songs, and find the lyrics, online]