Overhead a huge hawk soared and dipped, searching the forest edge on the opposite bank. I was overwhelmed with joy.

With a thud, an Indian man falls over my back, pushing my head down to the floor.

If the yogi can control the breath to the extent of consciously reaching samadhi, then the yogi can choose any samadhi.

Hindus and yogis and Sikhs by the thousands are going to the temple, this 9th day of Navaratri.

The sky is charcoal after the glorious sunset. Streaks of lightening blaze across the dark gray of the mountains.

When did my fascination with spiders turn to fear?

He called me into the temple. He took my hand and we began to dance together. As we danced, the temple fell away and we began to dance a new

In his room, he had me read out loud a long passage from Saundarya Lahari, and together Justy and I read the long introduction to the book.

Swami Rama came to the ashram weeks later, breaking our long retreat. He said, “So Justin, you are going to London?”

The air is close, hot, humid. Summer insects scream outside in the trees and bang furiously against the inside walls.

You will make many more books. Do all your work for the sages and they will take care of you.

When my hand touched Nandi’s nose, the energy of the place shot up my arm to my heart, shattering my mood, pulling me inside myself.

5 Short Stories The Second Lie There was a problem one day when we received Swamiji’s new book, from the printer. As Guruji and I leafed ...

Karma One day, in about 1978, it was early morning at the ashram and I laid out Swami Rama’s fresh clothes and shaving cream as usual. He...

The next morning after my practice I could stand it no longer. I wrote out a little slip of paper, folded it, and placed it on the breakfast

. “Now, where is Swami Rama?” I huffed in a Santa voice. “Bring him to me!”

“Well I’m not going. I’m finished with taking orders from him. I never want to see him again. Why can’t I just have a normal life?

The Surgeon Swami The mole hole was crackling with work. There was the newsletter, just past its due date, to complete and rush to press,...

He blushed and stammered out the word “Healing” as I pushed him out the door.

Meeting Justin: a photo blog.