About Me
I found women and men who had acquired the knowledge, skills, and achievements to be genuine spiritual teachers. I stayed as close to them as possible to acquire a body of knowledge that, in time, my heart and mind transmuted into wisdom.
My Story
First Impressions
The first time I saw the cover of Autobiography of a Yogi I said out loud, “He’s the reason yoga has a bad reputation”. His long hair triggered my bias against my classmates who were choosing to “Turn on, Tune in, Drop out” by quitting work and school, using psychedelics daily, and having disdain for anyone trying to improve their life in 1968.
My Journey Begins
My parents were pilots in World War II and met at a military airfield where my mom gave my dad a ride in her T6 Texan fighter pilot trainer. The dynamic in our household was church-going, positive, productive and encouraging, but not what you’d call hippy friendly.
Childhood
With my four-year-old over-exuberance, I pleaded to start piano lessons, and two years later I added trombone and banjo to my instrument list. Later, I added voice lessons. I earned a scholarship to the Institute of Music in St. Louis and began mixing in my original pop songs with classical piano concertos. My fingers loved playing classical music, and creating songs, yet my soul had an unexplained attraction to chants from the west and the east.
Discovering Spirit
When I was in college I had a strong curiosity and explored astral projection at Eckankar, aura reading from clairvoyant Edgar Cayce, sound healing with crystal singing bowls and harmoniums, and took lessons for how to see prana in the spiritual eye. I became a vegetarian, extended my prayer and meditation times, and studied the Yama and Niyamas.
Bipolar Hollywood
The week after I graduated from college I arrived in Hollywood, CA to pursue my dream of being a professional songwriter. I rented a room at the YMCA and spent my days walking and knocking on music publishers’ doors, hoping they would listen to my original songs.
In the night, I’d join the other guys staying at the Y for dinner at inexpensive cafes .We would then people watch along Sunset and Hollywood Boulvards, check out comedy clubs, and listen to bands at places like the Whisky a Go Go, and The Troubadour.
Crossroads
New Influences
Many musicians had come to LA from other large cities, and they presented this small-town boy with my first view of big city night life. With some of their backgrounds and experiences I was faced with the reality that I was no longer swimming in a small town pond, but surfing over a stormy ocean of drugs, alcohol, disease, narissism,and greed.
Feeling Alone
I had a shocking nightmare one night. I dreamt that I was surrounded by dark, evil beings and trapped in a small room without windows or doors. I was gasping for air and felt that there was no way out – but then a soft golden light appeared in the corner near the ceiling.
Feeling Loved
As the light increased, the sense of cold evil and darkness started disappearing and I saw two faces warmly and compassionately smiling at me. My nightmare was replaced with a feeling of light and love. In the morning, I instantly remembered the nightmare and realized that one of the comforting faces was Jesus. The other face I had seen on the cover of the book, Autobiography of a Yogi.
Feeling Guided & Protected
(Painting of Yogananda by
Marcee Gutman-Ballantyne)
At Bobby Hart’s house a few months later I noticed that he had a copy of Autobiography of a Yogi. He saw my interest in it and generously gave me his copy. In spite of my misguided first impression of Yogananda's long hair, I read it cover to cover in just two days. I knew that I had found the enlightened yogi to teach me how to find and stay on my spiritual path!
Applied Spiritual Education
I enrolled in Paramahansa Yogananda’s Self-Realization Lessons and learned Kriya meditation and energization techniques. I resonated with the scientific spiritual teachings of India, handed down by illumined seers and sages from time immemorial. I discovered that they were the moral and esoteric principles of original Christianity and original Yoga. I found these teachings to be sacred knowledge that answered the questions I’d had since childhood. The truth of these enlightened teaching began explaining, inspiring, and transforming every thought and action in my life.
Professional Career
Song Writing
I was successful writing songs recorded by famous TV stars, musicians, singers, and others such as The Brady Bunch, Roger Williams, Jim Nabors, Bobby Vinton, and Jackie DeShannon. I built relationships with celebrities as, Bobby Hart, and Peter Tork of the Monkees, Sonny & Cher, Dennis Weaver, Casey Kasum, and Goldie Hawn. The temptation was to do more and more, faster and faster, but I listened to the small still voice of gratitude within and saved myself from the harms of a discontented life.
Public Relations & Charity
I retained my songwriting contract with my publisher while expanding my opportunities to serve and grow by opening an advertising and public relations agency. At the same time I started doing fundraising for non-profits who serve children and lost, abandoned, and abused animals. I enjoyed working with saintly people like Betty White by writing music for promotional videos.
Today
I live a yogic lifestyle. I follow the timeless Ayurvedic advice I share in my book Yoga and Your Hidden Soul Power by joyfully rising before the sun to energize and meditate. I take my daily walk along the Arkansas River Valley with Marcee and Anahata. My days are filled with evaluating opportunities, overcoming challenges, attending meetings, woven in with solitude for study and creative work. After sunset, following yoga, meditation, and a home-cooked meal, we celebrate another day as astral beings animating physical bodies.