Sharing the spirit

Suzie Harrison

Filled to capacity and aglow with candlelight, the Neighborhood

Church in Laguna Beach was the scene Wednesday for an inspirational

talk and dramatic healing.

Ron Roth, mystic, teacher and healer, was preaching over ethereal

background music on how to live a fulfilling life.

People listened intently as Roth spoke of his life experiences and

how he grew up, explaining his views and the clairvoyant ability he’s

had since the age of 7.

He used a sense of humor and his enthusiasm to illustrate his

stories designed to inspire listeners to live without fear.

He also used his own life as an example of what he feels is God’s

healing power. He said he had a stroke and two near-death experiences

that he transcended through his belief in God.

“Nothing shall be impossible for you if you simply trust,” Roth

said. “There’s a power a paradigm, when God is for you nothing can

harm you.”

Some audience members were drawn to the chance to be part of a

spiritual experience.

“I feel we’re very fortunate to have such a sacred mystical

experience in Laguna Beach drawing in the Holy Spirit through Ron

Roth,” local Becky Prelitz said.

“I saw something about tonight in Vision magazine, and it sounded

in line with what I needed today,” Laguna resident Ali Taghavi said.

During the second half of the three-hour event, Roth called people

up to experience a healing power, stressing that it was not his power

but the power of God through him.

“Whatever you have brought here tonight, let the love of God touch

it, heal it, be open to it,” Roth said.

Some who had seen Roth before told of the changes in their lives

and cures to their ailments. One woman said her hearing was vastly

improved, while others told of back pains that were healed.

Audience members filed to the front of the church and he touched

each person in an effort to heal them. He said they should take note

of the changes that will occur throughout the next 24 hours.

As Roth touched those wishing to be healed, some fainted.

Volunteers stood behind each person in case they needed to be caught.

“The healing itself ... I found myself relating to it, the fact we

have it in ourselves to heal ourselves,” said Ann Wood, longtime

Laguna Beach resident. “I am an environmentalist, people worry so

much about things -- there are more important things than ourselves.”

Roth served as a Roman Catholic priest for more than 25 years. For

the past eight years he has been teaching principles designed to

enhance the lives of people of all faiths. Roth has a doctorate in

religious studies, a master’s in theology and a bachelor’s in

philosophy.

Roth said people don’t need to get closer to God because God is

already within them. He said it is more important to see it, feel it

and open oneself up to the fourth dimension.

“To understand spirituality you have to view it as energy, not

dissipating energy but an energy that’s a consciousness,” Roth said.

“We’re all one in this consciousness.”

He stresses that it is important to believe that God is available

to everyone and that loving God oneself and sharing this love with

others is integral.

Roth explains that not everyone calls God by that name. He said

some refer to their inner voice or a higher power. He says that

regardless of spiritual belief, Judaism or Catholicism or Hinduism,

the world shares the same higher power.

Two of the most important principles, Roth said, is an awareness

of the presence of the divine spirit and to realize who you really

are.

“Manifesting the energy of the spirit is seeing the fourth

dimension,” Roth said. “Learn to live in the world of the fourth

dimension while still enjoying this body.”

He said the most important healing is what happens on the inside

and not the outside. Many times physical outcomes are a result of

emotions of beliefs that are negative and are in need of inner

healing, he said.

“It’s about love, learning to love,” Roth said. “The true

spiritual path is the path of love and is not based on fear.”

“The best way that I teach is by modeling,” Roth said. “It has to

be modeled by me, not spoken in words. It’s not about doctorate or

dogma -- it’s about a lifestyle, how you treat other people.”

“I was very impressed and inspired,” Wood said. “I have a book of

his, ‘The Healing Path of Prayer.’ He taps into it and believes it

very strongly. He’s a modern mystic. I find him really wonderful and

fascinating. Not everyone has the spiritual power that he has.”

Roth will be in town for a weekend workshop, “Integrating

Spirituality with Medicine,” from 7 to 10 p.m. tonight and 9 a.m. to

4 p.m. Saturday. The workshops are intensive and are $150 in advance

and $175 at the door. Information: 494-8333 or 494-8061.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.