I for one am pretty skeptical about Alan's claims. The reason is that I posted a reply maybe a week ago saying I thought he was just copying and pasting other sources, and writing his name at the bottom (basically I thought he was plagiarizing).
Since then I have gotten vehement personal messages from him that almost defy description in their ridiculous anger and insulting tone. I've been called "stupid" multiple times, "small minded", and had such fun sentences directed at me as " Read the other threads of mine, even if the are too deep for you to comprehend." and " I said the forum members are not stupid back could you not see I excluded you in this comment."
At one point Alan wrote to me:
Quote: The forum members are not stupid and I knew they could easily read it was not my work and not from me.
And then went on to attack me again. Basically he (1) denied plagiarism and got extremely insulting because I suggested he was plagiarizing, then (2) he admitted he was plagiarizing, then (3) he went back to denying plagiarism / insulting - all in the same letter! Bizzare.
He also peppers his letter with gems such as these
Quote: Of course over the years of reading thousands of books on nearly every subject, together with much musing, contemplation, meditation
and referred me to his blog which is literally titled "Alan McDougal Master of Wisdom".
I did call Alan immature in response to his insults. This is because I'm a high school teacher and grow tired of immaturity in my every day life, let alone from adults who should know better. His response specifically to this was enlightening:
Quote: You say I am imature, what abject stupid nonsense. I am 67 yrs of age, and have a life time of mystical experiences and if you would just try to get to know me better you would gain much from dialogue. I really find this funny. I AM ALSO HIGHLY EDUCATED AN ENGINEER AND A IT SPECIALIST. WHAT ARE YOUR CREDENTIALS?
In any case, I think Jesus' admonition helps here in trying to assess the spiritual information that someone is claiming to be a bearer of based on their character: "Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit." Matthew 7:17. Let me rephrase; I think Alan has some good info here; I doubt his ability to be honest and his spiritual adventures, because I don't think he is a developed spiritual person.