In this 2005 recording, Halcyon sits down with his beloved grandfather, Reverend Caleb Elroy Shikles, for a timeless dialogue on spirituality, love, change, and the evolution of the soul. What begins as a simple question — “Are you going to Burning Man?” — blossoms into a profound exchange about faith, integrity, and the beauty of living with open-minded devotion.
At 92 years old and a minister for 68 years, Grandpa Caleb reflects on what he’s learned from a lifetime of service: blending Christian compassion, Buddhist awareness, and universal humanism into a worldview rooted in love, curiosity, and humility.
Together, they explore:
🔥 The spiritual parallels between Burning Man and traditional church community
💫 Jesus’ teachings of honesty, humility, and love in Matthew 5–7
🌎 Seeing God through all faiths — from Baptist roots to Buddhist practice
🌿 The interconnectedness of life, nature, and cosmic consciousness
🕊️ Overcoming religious rigidity and embracing all people — “test everything by love”
💍 Lessons from 64 years of marriage: communication, forgiveness, and tenderness
✊ Memories of working with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the courage of nonviolence
💖 Facing mortality with wonder, readiness, and faith in the eternal
Caleb also shares the story behind changing his name at 75 — a symbol of renewal and alignment with his spirit’s calling — and closes with a moving prayer celebrating the pulse of life and love that connects us all.
“We are all brothers and sisters. The Lord is Creator, Sustainer — the mystery that holds it all together.”
— Rev. Caleb E. Shikles
🎧 Subscribe to the Hug Nation Podcast for more drops of Grandpa Caleb wisdom.