At one point in my life, I was an atheist. I also was once an alcoholic and addicted to pornography. I was depressed and overweight and had little love for others let alone myself. My life has changed dramatically as a result of my devotion.

 

My father began to delve into Vedanta when I was a young man in my early 20s. He had books on Ramana Maharshi and others and speaking with him piqued my interest in non- duality.

I lived in Santa Fe for a while studying Eastern Classics at St John’s College and was reading the Upanishads and Shankaracharya’s commentaries in particular. The Upanishads translations I had were the 4 volume set by Swami Nikhilananda.

 

I gravitated towards Vedanta over the years though it would be sometime before I was actually introduced to Ramakrishna. I first read the Gospel in 2014 and had a digital copy on my phone that I read every chance I could get.  I knew God was there though and was blessed to have Thakur come into my life.

 

I have been going to a Vedanta Center now since 2014. The first one I went to was Perth and then Sydney where I was blessed to meet Swami Sridharanandaji Maharaj. Swami Sarvadevanandaji Maharaj in Hollywood initiated me.