Rome My first job, upon arriving in Rome, was in real estate. The employer was a posh American lady, in her late sixties and as tough as nails, working in partnership with her ambitious, competitive daughter. In the Eternal City, the two ladies had been able to smell an opportunity in the business of selling and renting houses and apartments to the international community of the wealthy. Me at that time, … Read More
Spiritual Growth
Love: Human and Divine
How many loved your moments of glad grace, And loved your beauty with love false or true, But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, And loved the sorrows of your changing face. – William Butler Yeats Americans often finish their phone calls with relatives by saying “Love you!” @Pexels: Words may become inflated and empty when used too … Read More
Spiritual Growth
Mother of Us All
Mother of Us All @Unsplash Our neighbor’s car door was badly scratched. The householder, a dentist, had sandpapered the damaged area on the driver-side door, but that had only served to highlight the need for the whole door to be repainted. The little boy I was at that time, normally inattentive to concerns about cars, couldn’t help but notice the … Read More
Spiritual Community
Swami Kriyananda – The First All-Round Dwapara Yuga Leader
Swami Kriyananda, the first all-round Dwapara Yuga leader Swami Kriyananda An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man. Never could I read Emerson’s aphorism, oft quoted by Swami Kriyananda, without a feeling of heavy resistance rising within my heart. It may have been the result of my Dutch mindset, in which every form of determined, visionary leadership smacks of … Read More
The Devoted Heart
Long ago my youngest son, age five at that time, asked me, out of the blue: “Dad, do you exist?” “Yes,” I responded, without thinking. The answer, I now think, was just as interesting as the question coming out of the mouth of a little child. What made it interesting was its immediacy. Of course, I exist! A thousand fleeting joys, … Read More
Spiritual Growth
The Propelled Heart
In my early forties, quite unexpectedly, I felt propelled to have my Dutch university degree recognized here in Italy. I immediately acted upon this unforeseen objective and fearlessly challenged the labyrinth of this country’s bureaucracy. Finally I was told that, in order to get what I wanted, I had to pay a year’s university fee, take three additional exams, and … Read More
Spiritual Growth
The Steady Heart
In his early teens, my father was a fervent opponent of European colonialism in what was then called “the Dutch Indies” — an archipelago which, like a garland of emeralds, winds about the equator. Not surprisingly, his views also opposed those of my grandfather, who was of the opinion that “we (the Netherlands) simply cannot afford to lose our colonies.” … Read More
Spiritual Growth
The Propelled Heart
In my early forties, quite unexpectedly, I felt propelled to have my Dutch university degree recognized here in Italy. I immediately acted upon this unforeseen objective and fearlessly challenged the labyrinth of this country’s bureaucracy. Finally I was told that, in order to get what I wanted, I had to pay a year’s university fee, take three additional exams, and … Read More
Spiritual Growth
The Dark Heart — Stages of the Heart, Part 1
Introduction The seed of Self-realization lies buried in man’s consciousness. It is the natural love of the heart, waiting to be awakened by man’s willingness to turn his attention within and seek connection with his own Spirit. It’s not necessarily an easy path to travel by; sometimes winding and uphill, other times straight and smooth; sometimes bright and tranquil, other … Read More
Spiritual Growth
The Eight Meannesses of the Heart: How to Overcome Them – Part 8
Years ago I was involved in the founding of an Ananda center in Rome. Although I scarcely had any prior experience with starting a facility like that, my enthusiasm was intense and sincere. It was not always kept under control though. Yogananda encourages us to interiorize our spiritual enthusiasm so that we might apply it judiciously. Properly used and placed, … Read More
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