During September of 1998 I took a short break from hiking the Long Trail, which spans the length of Vermont, to rest my knees and re-supply with dehydrated food and candy bars. In my pile of accumulated mail I found a flyer inviting me to experience a DNA Activation with Robert Gerard, PHD. I knew from high school biology class that strands of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) are located in the nucleus of every cell and are the building blocks of life that are responsible for all the diverse aspects of our physical being. Intrigued, I attended the Saturday evening workshop.

Robert Gerard, a psychologist, publisher, and author, stood at the front of the small room that overlooked Lake Champlain. Men and women ranging in age from twenty to sixty years filled the room, and everybody seemed friendly, relaxed and excited. Robert had flowing dark hair and laughed easily. His humor was contagious, and at times I felt I was at a comedy club. He made sure that we all understood that although he loved leading groups and joked a lot, he took his work very seriously. He said that this Activation which we were about to receive will more than likely change our lives.

In preparation for the Activation, Robert led us in a visualization exercise he called the "Soul Bubble." Its purpose was to help us enter into a meditative state called Theta, where the brain waves have slowed to 4 to 7 cycles per second. It is in Theta that the DNA Activation takes place. We were each standing with our eyes closed and I began to feel as if I was floating off the ground as colors filled my mind. When we sat down I was in a deep meditative state.

As the formal part of the Activation began, we sat quietly with eyes closed, while Robert stood and stated the intent of our gathering and this Activation. The words he spoke sounded almost prayer-like, but instead of requests they were stated as commands. The command was given to Activate the Youth and Vitality Chromosomes. Robert had explained that there are 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) in most human beings and that the Youth and Vitality Chromosomes, (which are archetypal in nature), are activated first. The "Youth" chromosome must be activated first because it is the timekeeper, and counts every second, minute and hour of our lives. The "Vitality" chromosome carries the "key which unlocks the door," permitting the dormant DNA to be activated to its full potential. It brings into consciousness all that has been hidden.

As Robert was speaking, an enormous wave of energy entered the crown of my head. It felt as if a hole had opened and someone had poured warm etheric bath water into me. Robert asked the group to repeat what he said from that point on. We each commanded the Activation of our Youth and Vitality Chromosomes. Then we commanded that five new pairs of DNA strands be stacked on top of our two existing DNA strands. Robert had explained that each of our chromosomes is made up of two strands of DNA forming what looks like a spiral staircase. He said that the power of DNA comes from a simple coding system that manifests in a rich variety of life expressions. These hold all genetic information, such as eye and hair color. Robert said that five pairs of "virtual" DNA strands are called into being during an Activation and joined to our existing DNA. Their names are Communication, Perfection, E-Motion, Creativity, and Immortality. As we commanded each of the new DNA strands to be stacked on top of our existing DNA, the energy coming into my head increased.

During the final part of the Activation we each gave thanks for the gifts we had received. As I opened my eyes I saw that some people were crying joyfully, while others were dazed and smiling. Robert had leaned back against a windowsill, totally relaxed, still in an altered state of consciousness. After a few minutes we shared our experiences. Everybody had felt a new energy inside them but the experiences differed. One person felt tingling in her arm, apparently in the location of an old injury. Several of us felt energy enter our heads, and Robert said we were receiving new information that would be processed during the weeks and months that followed. Some group members saw colors, while others said they felt as if they had been out of their bodies.

Robert talked about the cleansing period that would follow. Although some people's experiences are subtle, Activations often cause cold or flu-like symptoms to manifest for a few days as the cells dump impurities. It is important to drink lots of pure water during this process. Other common experiences after Activations are; hair and nails grow faster, frequent lucid dreaming, increased sensitivity and telepathy, quicker manifestations, peace and calmness, finding truer love with others, attracting soul-mates, and speaking your truth. Robert emphasized repeatedly that Activations come from the heart, and tend to make people, "Happy, happy, happy."

Three days later I was hiking back on the Long Trail. It was a beautiful autumn morning as I stopped to eat lunch on the rocky shores of Stratton Pond. The golds and yellows of the birch trees reflected onto the still water. I felt the new DNA energy surge in the crown of my head. My hair and nails seemed to already be growing faster. It was there, sitting beside Stratton Pond that I decided to learn as much as possible about the DNA Activation and become a certified practitioner.

In January of 1999 Robert Gerard returned to Vermont, and I attended a certification course along with four other Vermonters. We re-experienced the first and second Activations that we had received last September, and the feelings of joy and clarity deepened. I am continually amazed at the simplicity of the Activations.

Published in Ever Changing magazine, May/June '99