About Theresa

Theresa Contaxis

Author, Reverend, Student for Life

I began my formal spiritual journey, pregnant with my third child, while on my first spiritual retreat— EMMAUS, based on the teachings of Luke 13, Ch. 24:13-32. The retreat was a defining moment in my life that forever changed my direction. I had never felt so much love—from the people there, my husband, family and friends—expressed with hand-written letters of their love for me. From that point on, all I wanted was to know more about God—the Divine, the Creator—to share the love I felt and explore that love more deeply. This is the weekend that made me look within and start to see the Truth. My change has not been instantaneous, such as Paul from the Bible who had a miraculous change. I say I am a work in progress, which is what we all are.

Up to that point I had not realized I suffered from loneliness, which caused my depression. I realized I had formed many habits to try to feel better. As many of us, I thought material gratification was the answer, and was trying to make myself feel better from the outside in. That does not, and never would, work because it is not what Life is all about.

The following year I was asked to give a testimony at the retreat. As I was writing it, I could not come up with an ending. Still suffering from loneliness, I felt like a hypocrite standing in front of people saying how wonderful our Creator is and all that has been done for me. I prayed for help and received an answer.

My husband and I were flying somewhere together, but our seats on the plane were separated. I sat next to a man who wore lots of chains and a silk shirt. I immediately judged him as shallow. He wanted to talk, and I wanted quiet. Unable to get that across, I decided to take out my Bible and testimony, thinking he’d get the message. Instead, my seat mate looked at the Bible and started sharing the most incredible stories with me. Who was the shallow one now? God teaches me with humor. I got off that plane filled with laughter and joy. On this flight, I became aware that I am never alone, and we are all somehow inter-connected by divine mind.

Upon returning from our trip, I was asked to do a practice run of my testimony. Before starting, the whole group prayed over me in the center surrounded by these wonderful people. With eyes closed, I heard an audible, gentle but firm, male voice saying, “Don’t quit, I need your help”. Opening my eyes there was not a man near me. I was bewildered. The next day, my mother said that my children and husband needed me, and I should drop out of this adventure. I got off the phone and started crying, wondering if she was right. Suddenly, I heard the audible voice again. “Don’t quit, I need your help”. There was no one in the room but me, and I had an inner “knowing” that the voice I heard was the voice of the Divine. In that powerful moment, my hunger for the Divine was born.

Since then, I’ve studied under many great known and unknown teachers—learning about mysticism from my first spiritual teacher, Mother Charlotte Mary, studying spiritual counseling with James Twyman, and studying Shamanism with teachers Evelyn Rysdyk and Allie Knowlton. I became a Reverend at All Faiths Seminary International. I have the deepest gratitude for energy healer and spiritual guide Ron D’Amico with whom I have been learning and sharing for many years, and who has been instrumental in my healing all throughout. Many of my teachers I have never met but learned from their writings, some here with us, and some who have left their bodies centuries ago.

It was while I was studying at All Faiths Seminary International that the idea of The Littlest Sailboat was conceived. It is a story about the Journey of the Soul, about Life, finding true happiness, sharing Love, and the process of continuing to evolve in Love. Through reading The Littlest Sailboat it is my hope that you will find comfort, meaning, Truth and joy.

You have found your way to my website, where my and other individuals’ writings will continue to be posted. There are opportunities to share your writings and responses. All material is monitored and may be edited for space and appropriate content. My only criteria is that it comes from a place of Love. We learn from each other by sharing our hearts. Let’s grow together, remembering what Life is about.