From Combat to Consciousness: A Veteran’s Journey to Spiritual Awakening – An Interview with Martin Lewis

Can one soul’s awakening ignite clarity in a world of chaos?

For Martin Lewis, the answer unfolded over decades of military service, spiritual encounters, and a profound reckoning with pain. From prophetic childhood dreams to a battlefield deployment that fractured his sense of self, Martin’s journey reveals how light finds a way even in the darkest hours. What began as an unspoken connection to the divine transformed into a conscious partnership with ascended masters—and ultimately, a mission to help others remember their light.

In this conversation, Martin shares the unseen guidance that shaped his life, the spiritual epiphanies that followed a long night of the soul, and how we can each begin to co-create Heaven on Earth. Continue reading or listening by subscribing for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or YouTube to discover how Martin Lewis’ insights can inspire your spiritual path.

From your perspective, as you see the things unfolding around the world, what do you sense is happening in this day and age?

Martin Lewis: That’s a great question, David. What I see right now is that things are happening on multiple layers simultaneously. There is a last gasp by what we might call the forces of darkness—entities and organizations that seek to control humanity and prevent us from ascending into a golden age.

They’re trying to make things miserable, maybe as one final act. But at the same time, individuals come into this world with a pre-life plan. Some even sign up to play the role of the so-called “bad guy.” They are experiencing exactly what their soul came here to do.

For those of us on a different path—seeking ascension and higher consciousness—this backdrop allows growth and learning. It invites humanity to decide: Maybe we don’t want war anymore. If you set the intention in your own life not to focus on fear and conflict—not ignoring them, but refusing to let them dominate your emotions—then you give yourself the chance to grow spiritually.

In your Awakened Hearts chapter, you write about your spiritual journey, which started very young. What was happening, and how did that morph or change as you got older?

Martin Lewis: It started for me in our very pro-Christian family. We were part of a denomination that emphasized reading the Bible ourselves rather than relying solely on others to interpret it. From a young age, I remember attending Sunday school and enjoying it—it came naturally to me.

That inclination was likely part of my soul’s experience from previous lives—being spiritually active and attuned to the more profound message behind teachings like those of Jesus or Buddha. The essence is the same: kindness, compassion, mercy, and treating others well. I didn’t need to be persuaded. It just made sense to me.

I had what you might call prophetic dreams, though they weren’t monumental—just symbolic hints of events to come. They never became a massive part of my life.

The first deeply impactful spiritual moment for me came during my baptism. I was about 11 years old. As I emerged from the water, I felt the unconditional love of Source glowing throughout me. From that moment on, I connected with the Order of Melchizedek.

At first, I didn’t recognize what it was. Like many do when reading the Bible, I thought this must be the Holy Spirit. But it was something more. The Order of Melchizedek is a spiritual organization not limited to Earth or even our galaxy. It’s multi-universal, a collective of thousands of ascended masters who work to spread Source’s light. The name itself means “my king is truth.” It’s about embodying light, fairness, and the spiritual virtues humanity needs.

So you felt that connection when you came up out of the water.

Martin Lewis: Absolutely. From that point forward, I could ask, like, Is this a smart thing for me to do?—and I would get a yes, no, or maybe.

What questions would you ask when you’re connecting with the Order of Melchizedek?

Martin Lewis: I could ask anything that would return a yes or no answer. Sometimes, I would get a “yes, no,” which meant: “You can do this, and you’ll succeed, but the result won’t align with what you truly want.” You’ll accomplish the task, but the deeper reward you’re hoping for won’t materialize.

Did you tell your parents about this experience or keep it to yourself?

Martin Lewis: I think I mostly kept it to myself. I don’t recall having the kind of spiritual conversations with my parents where that would naturally come up.

As you continued to get older, how did that connection help you navigate life? How did that impact even career or relationship choices?

Martin Lewis: It remained useful as I grew into my teenage years and went off to college.

As life got busier with school and military service, that spiritual connection didn’t go away—but I didn’t use it as fully as I could have. One of the most memorable times it stood out was when I met my second wife while deployed in Iraq. We were meeting together, and out of nowhere, I received a clear directive: “Go talk to her. That girl over there—go talk to her.”

I did. About six or seven months later, we were married. That was one of the most profound moments when the guidance really came through clearly and strongly.

Talk to me about your 25-year career in the military. What did you do? How did that experience impact you?

Martin Lewis: During the first half of my military career, I worked in medical logistics—supporting military hospitals. My very first assignment sent me to Desert Storm. We were stationed at an air base that was not in direct combat, but we saw everything. The machines of war. The endless takeoffs of fighter jets. It was intense to witness how this massive operation unfolded.

Our base was frequently targeted, and although we weren’t hit directly, the danger was real. I didn’t experience symptoms of trauma immediately, but six months to a year later, I started to notice depression and early signs of PTSD.

Things escalated much more significantly during my second combat deployment to Iraq. I spent a long and demanding 15 months there, which was simply too much. The pace, the intensity, the responsibility—it left a mark.

This time, I wasn’t just supporting hospitals. I was working with all military units, ensuring they had food, fuel, bullets, vehicles—whatever they needed. The PTSD was more severe after that. Not because of any one horrific event, but because of the sheer magnitude and emotional weight of everything happening.

During those years, did your spirituality either come more to light, or was it more pushed down? How did that play out for you?

Martin Lewis: It was a mix of both. My spirituality wasn’t as front and center as it was in my youth. Military life is busy and demanding.

Still, I sought out small group discussions where we could go deeper. I preferred that to attending full church services, which sometimes felt disconnected from what I truly believed.

Military chaplains are wonderful people—some of the best I’ve ever known—but the big-picture messaging could still carry traces of dogma. I remember one small group discussion debating the idea that “the Word of God holds everything together.”

To explain my view, I picked up a soda can and said, “The Word of God is like the metal of this can. Without it, the structure of the universe wouldn’t hold. The soda would spill everywhere.” That idea resonated with the teachings of the Order of Melchizedek. One of their mantras is: ‘Word, I am Word.’

What does “Word, I am Word” mean?

Martin Lewis: What it comes down to is much like how Lao Tzu described the Tao. There is everything—the Source, the All That Is. The energy of Source holds everything together and is the baseline that connects not just all people, but everything in existence. “The Word” is the power of Source itself.

I’m assuming that after 25 years in the military, the structure and way of operating stay with you. Has that stayed with you or receded at this point?

Martin Lewis: It’s receded since my spiritual awakening. Before that, I still had many of the same habits and the desire to control or shape events. But after I retired, I didn’t miss it. I was ready. I know some people have a hard time transitioning out, but I was prepared to move on. Still, it was a tough period—there wasn’t yet a new purpose to focus on.

One of the things you talk about in your Awakened Hearts chapter is a 12-year dark night of the soul. How did that begin, and how did you navigate it? Did it start during your time in the military?

Martin Lewis: It began within the first couple of years after I returned from Iraq. I had just married my second wife and thought things might finally be great. But I started losing my ability to concentrate and communicate clearly. I wasn’t performing well at anything I used to be good at.

Depression, PTSD, joint pain, headaches—they all hit me hard. I became angry, disconnected, and I wasn’t a good husband then. Then I was lined up for another deployment to Afghanistan. As I prepared to go, everything just fell apart. The pain, the anger, the unhappiness—it all became overwhelming. That’s when I was set up for retirement because I couldn’t keep going.

Even after retiring, it took years to begin the healing process fully. Around the 10-year mark, I started receiving messages from my higher self—clear auditory messages—telling me it was time to step into something greater. But it still took a couple more years before my true awakening began.

You wrote a deeply vulnerable story about a family vacation that became a major turning point in your chapter. Can you share what happened before and during that vacation?

Martin Lewis: That was the turning point. We had planned a road trip from the Midwest to California. We’d stop in Phoenix to see family and then head to Disneyland. But I hadn’t made the reservations, hadn’t gotten tickets, and hadn’t booked the hotel. The whole trip looked like it was going to fall apart.

There was tension, anger, and miscommunication between my wife and me. It all came to a head, and we’d have to cancel everything. I felt awful. But after taking a couple of hours to calm down, I pulled everything together—booked the tickets, lined up the reservations, and we went.

Before the trip, my laptop had died—my third in two years. So I couldn’t bring it, so I wasn’t playing video games like usual. I had more time to be present with my family. And when I had downtime, I watched more spiritual content on YouTube instead. I started discovering new books, like I Am the Word, and others that reexamined biblical history in fascinating ways. That curiosity opened a door—one small piece at a time, the illusions I held about history, reality, and even myself started to fall away.

And this was you, your wife, and your five-year-old child?

Martin Lewis: That’s right.

So during this vacation, you start to engage with spiritual content. Then what happened next?

Martin Lewis: I came across a video about a young man’s near-death experience. He had lived a good life in it—he stood for justice, fairness, and kindness. But when he crossed over, he was shown that he held hate in his heart for the things and people he stood against. That hate prevented him from staying in the spirit realm. He had to come back and learn more.

That hit me deeply. I realized—that was me. I had become so filled with judgment, thinking I was on the right side, that I had allowed hate into my heart. That insight was one of the most powerful moments of my awakening.

And then after the vacation, did you receive a message from Metatron? How did that come through?

Martin Lewis: Yes. That came in a dream. Metatron usually communicates with me through dreams. One of the books I read talked about how intense his energy is—if you’re not ready, it’s like trying to run 50,000 volts through a lightbulb. So he connected with me in a way I could receive clearly.

In the dream, I saw a space where Metatron stood, and behind him was Source. He told me that I would soon have an epiphany. The next day, I received it: everything is Source.

Wow. Everything is Source? Could you say more about that?

Martin Lewis: Yes. Everything—David, me, the readers—we’re all Source. We’re all expressions of the same divine energy. So if I am you, and you are me, and we are all part of this Oneness, then there is no more “us and them.” There’s no more separation. When you truly realize that, the entire paradigm of duality collapses. You can only move through life with love. Judgment falls away. Hate dissolves. What’s left is unity.

We’re all part of the same team and intimately connected. What are the ramifications of actually believing that and receiving it?

Martin Lewis: The first thing that happened for me was a major shift in perspective, especially leading up to the 2024 elections. I had one party I thought was on the right track, and another I didn’t resonate with at all. But then I realized—this isn’t about good and bad. That duality isn’t real. People are simply having their own experiences. They support what makes sense to them, and I might disagree, but that doesn’t make them wrong.

Metatron taught me I don’t have to agree with or like everyone. I don’t need to invite them into my life, but I don’t need to send them hate. Instead, I can send love—even if we’re not aligned—because that love might soften their hearts. And who knows? Maybe I’m the wrong one. At the very least, if I’m mistaken, I’ll feel better knowing I extended love instead of judgment.

You write, “Don’t judge, don’t hate. There is no room for hate in your heart, only for love. Try to understand others, even if it means your beliefs differ.” What has this done to you internally, and how has it changed how you act externally?

Martin Lewis: It’s transformed everything. All of that anger I carried before the awakening—it’s just gone.

Now, I’m present and calm when I interact with others, whether at the grocery store or on the road. I used to get triggered while driving, especially around Washington, D.C. It was a daily source of stress and frustration. If I see someone driving recklessly, I don’t yell or curse—I just send love. Maybe they’ll drive better, but more importantly, I drive better. I’m not distracted by anger anymore.

This shift is relatively recent, right?

Martin Lewis: Yes, I’m about 11 months into my full awakening.

How has this impacted your relationships—your wife, younger child, and older children?

Martin Lewis: The change has been tremendous. Without the anger and constant distractions, I’m able to be present and engaged. I don’t feel the urge to escape into video games anymore. I want to spend time with my family. Our interactions are more loving; naturally, my wife is a big fan of that shift.

Even with my older kids, we’ve found more common ground. We used to differ a lot in terms of political views or what we prioritized. Now, we connect more meaningfully and understand each other better.

You also write about your relationships with Jesus, Metatron, and Kuan Yin. How do you perceive and interact with them now? What roles do they play in your life?

Martin Lewis: I see Jesus as a deeply revered ascended master. My respect for him has only grown. During my awakening, my view of religion fundamentally changed. I now see religion as a container—a helpful framework for people transitioning from third-dimensional thinking to higher levels of consciousness.

I no longer believe that everything must be framed through the lens of one God or another. I see Jesus as a guide, especially when it comes to working with my Merkabah, the light body. Metatron is deeply involved in this as well.

As for Kuan Yin, I view her as a divine feminine figure similar to Mother Mary in Christianity. I feel her presence constantly—like I’m always channeling her wisdom. I can speak with her anytime; she’s a consistent part of my spiritual life.

When I think of religion, that word “container” you used really resonates. It feels similar to how the military functions—a clear structure, protocol, and process exist. Are you surprised your mind has moved from that rigid structure to a more expansive way of seeing life and spirituality?

Martin Lewis: That’s a great insight, David. Yes, the military is incredibly structured—by necessity. But what that structure gives you is a foundation to build from.

With spirituality, the structure of religion can provide a starting point; for many people, that’s what they need. Metatron has shown me that all religions are valid. Each offers value and life experience, helping souls grow uniquely.

Stepping outside of that structure allowed me to identify the deeper truths that transcend the container. That’s where real spiritual growth lies—when you see the universal truths that apply in all spaces.

You spend a lot of time learning and expanding your understanding. How much time are you investing in your own spiritual growth right now?

Martin Lewis: Honestly? It’s pretty much unlimited. I spend six to twelve hours daily reading, meditating, and studying.

I’ve been part of several outstanding mentorship programs that have accelerated my growth. I’ve also built a personal library—so extensive that Kindle no longer works on my phone because the storage is maxed out. It’s become a lifestyle, not just a practice.

You end your chapter with a message of hope: “Earth’s dark night of the soul is going on right now. Greatness comes out the other side. Heaven on Earth—we can have it now.” How can we have Heaven on Earth right now?

Martin Lewis: That’s a fantastic question, David—and probably my favorite one.

It all comes down to your mindset—how you meet life and the universe. When you face challenges with love in your heart and approach each day with positivity and openness, you start to shape your own experience differently.

We’re going to face difficult moments. But if we meet them gracefully, we avoid being dragged down by the turmoil of the 3D world. We begin to consciously co-create our reality. As we choose love and joy, we generate our own version of Heaven on Earth.

As your frequency rises and you embody more light, the darker energies have a harder time sticking to you. Yes, this is a shared world—everyone has a say in how it unfolds—but your personal power to shape your experience is far greater than most people realize. I had no idea how much of my external world I was influencing until I stepped fully into this journey.

Beautiful. So, Martin, if people want to follow you and your work—especially as you begin to support others in their awakening and ascension journeys—where can they connect with you?

Martin Lewis: You can find me at my website www.larimardragon.com. I’m also on Instagram and YouTube under the name Martin Melchizedek.

And what can people expect as they begin to follow your work? What are your hopes and intentions as you continue forward?

Martin Lewis: My aim is to be direct and practical. Especially at this stage, my work is about helping humanity—specifically those just starting their awakening process, like I did last summer.

I want to ease that transition and make things easier to understand. So much of the awakening journey is filled with esoteric language and complex spiritual concepts. My focus is to make that accessible—to translate the deeply spiritual into something anyone can grasp and use daily. I don’t want people to feel like they need to read 300 books to make progress. I want to give them grounded, usable wisdom—something they can carry into their everyday world.

I love it, Martin. It’s great to see you again. I appreciate your authenticity and how you share your story—it’s deeply inspiring.

Martin Lewis: Hey, thanks for having me on today, David. This has been great.