About Catherine
At eleven years old, I walked into a church alone, searching for the divine. Instead, I found the certainty that I wouldn't find what I sought within those walls. By fourteen, I'd left organized religion entirely, rejecting dogma for a personal spiritual quest. That pivotal decision opened the door to metaphysics—a path honoring my natural skepticism while allowing me to explore consciousness without traditional constraints.
At twenty-two, a series of synchronicities transformed my life. What began as therapy led to energy healing, then visions of ancient stone buildings bathed in sunlight. Following these mystical breadcrumbs, I discovered that Sister Sarita—the famous healer I'd imagined living deep in the Mexican jungle—was actually ten minutes away in San Diego. Through her, I met Don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements, and one transformative healing session opened a door to a magical world I hadn't known existed.
don Miguel Ruiz. Photo credit Ruiz family.
For over a decade, I immersed myself in ancient Toltec wisdom, living for two years with Don Miguel's family and training as a spiritual warrior. The purpose was profound: to crush personal importance, root out illusion, and learn the art of conscious creation. During the vibrant 1990s, I climbed the pyramids of Teotihuacan, experienced the temples of India where I first heard the Gayatri mantra, and walked the ancient paths of Peru and Greece. At these power spots, I learned to channel transformational energy, eventually becoming a teacher and guiding my own apprentices through their spiritual metamorphoses.
Sara (Mother Sarita) Vasquez, don Miguel’s mother. Photo credit Ruiz family.
Pyramids of Teotihuacan, Mexico
Simultaneously, I earned a Master's degree in Psychology and built a distinguished career in child welfare social work. My gift for recognizing the unique artistry within each person led me to leadership positions where I helped an entire generation of social workers discover how their work could become a form of personal artistry.
In 2016, a profound "crossing over" experience fundamentally transformed my perception of reality. A line was drawn in the sand. Emotional upheavals lost their grip, ego's hold loosened, the world lost all meaning, and I found myself observing life from a place of deep peace while still fully participating in it.
When I retired in 2020, the pandemic's stillness brought clarity. That crossing-over experience had planted a seed: What if an ordinary person, not seeking spiritual awakening, suddenly experienced reality cracking open? I turned to my childhood dream of writing fiction, crafting stories that employ all the metaphysical tools, spectacular experiences, and aha moments from my spiritual practice. The result was Crossing Over, a novel weaving ancient wisdom and modern awakening, making esoteric knowledge accessible through story.
Now living in Southern California, I've discovered my newest passion: helping others look inward for their possibilities. My stories serve as bridges—they may not make every reader my student, but they might inspire someone to explore an avenue they hadn't considered, potentially changing their life forever.