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To be a student of a genuine spiritual teacher is so natural to me now, I have to pinch myself to realise just how much my life has so overwhelmingly changed during this, the most significant period of my life. As a seeker happily sharing the experiences of his spiritual journey I hope to inspire others to look beyond their immediate understanding and to realise that seeking and living a spiritual life with all of its benefits, is now more widely sought, practiced and embraced by the west.

My teacher is Sri Chinmoy, and on these web pages I have outlined  the profound changes that he has so amazingly brought into my life through his example and inspiration. But firstly I wanted to outline how I became and what it means to be his student, and how Sri Chinmoy’s wisdom and teachings have opened my understandings and awareness to the purpose, true meaning and highest values in life.

With a bit of a story I should go back and describe the circumstances that unfolded, that brings me to where I am now -

As a male growing up in the west, I was never introduced, taught or searched for anything that remotely suggested spirituality or its practical significance. It all began, totally by chance, or so I thought at the time, when a friend gave me a meditation flyer. Now at that time I had done everything that I thought would bring me happiness. A good variety of jobs, travel and I have been married, yet still there was an emptiness, many questions unanswered, something missing. The ready solution back then was to think ’oh well that’s life,’ grab a drink and watch a video. I genuinely felt that I was a good person, and hoped that one day I would have an opportunity to fully express this, but at the moment the pieces of the jigsaw were just not fitting. I felt that I was just ‘stuck in a rut’ and someday, somehow I would find genuine happiness, or more worrying as it was becoming increasingly apparent, I may not!

So what was I to do with this meditation flyer? At the time it seemed simple enough, the classes were free and I would be safe because I was going with a friend. No financial commitment just a sense of curiosity about a subject that none of my friends or I ever discussed, or knew anything about. Why not, I’d tried everything else and this was new, or was it so new!

I had travelled to Thailand some years before, and I was overwhelmingly moved by the serenity I felt in Buddhist monks and nuns. I used to observe them for many hours within their temple grounds and villages with a deep yearning for the quietness, simplicity and peacefulness of their lives. How could I duplicate that in the west, it’s a totally different culture and life style? We simply didn’t have anything that matched the serenity and deeper reality that these devotees were experiencing, or so I thought.

I am always the ‘eager beaver’ so I arrived early to our meditation classes and sat in the front row and asked lots of questions. The meditation exercises and the explanations opened within me a whole new inner experience, a freshness and a new expanded awareness of myself. It seemed so simple and yet was so powerful, I wanted to experience more, so I came back to the regular follow up classes and then applied to be a student of Sri Chinmoy.

From that very moment there was a profound changes within me. There were so many questions to ask and so many answers I was longing to understand. I knew I had everything to gain and nothing to lose, I was sincerely searching for 'real' happiness and meaning in my life.

Remembering back to those Buddhist monks I thought that to be a student of a spiritual teacher required years of absolute sincerity, purity and devotion, or to be born in Tibet or raised in a holy family. I came from a normal middle class suburban family in Brisbane who occasionally went to church - I certainly didn’t fit the description! But as Sri Chinmoy shows all sincere seekers shall ultimately be guided to a teacher.

Looking back what instantly attracted me was the happiness, sincerity and openness of the class presenters. I immediately knew and felt that their qualities were what I had been searching for in others for years. If they as students radiated these qualities, then what must Sri Chinmoy their teacher be like, perhaps I could experience this as well? Gradually over the years I have learnt and am still learning more and more about Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy, and how to apply his teachings and wisdom in my daily life.

In the beginning I felt things were going too slowly - I think I was expecting too much from myself and Sri Chinmoy - my first teaching, let go of expectation. I then realised that I had to patiently apply myself to my meditation practices and everything else would naturally flow from that. This then opend me to the beauty of witnessing the present moment. I loved meditating and what it revealed, plus I am my happiest when I am helping others, and as there are so many opportunities to be of self-giving service on Sri Chinmoy's path, I knew that I had made the right decision.

With Pushpendra, Veeraja and Prabuddha after my first 12 hour walk.

There are so many things we can do to make this world a better and happier place, but firstly we have to be better and happier ourselves. Our own spiritual development is most important, based on our meditative experiences we need to embody the lessons before we can sincerely serve others with an open and caring heart.

We travel a lot which I really like because it introduces me to beauty and wonder of so many different cultures. No we are not wealthy, it just seems to work that you find an  employer  who gives you the flexibility for the holidays. If that doesn’t work other opportunities present themselves, one experience opening another. You can really feel the progress in your life through your increasing happiness and contentment as each new situation brings its own lessons, no matter how small. One of the greatest aspects of this path is that it deals directly with the world in a very tangible and dynamic way - you get better the world gets better, its that simple!

So now looking at the changes that have accurred over the past 12 years - on the outer physical level I now follow a vegetarian diet, play a Chinese bamboo flute, am healthier and fitter, have a global circle of the best spiritual friends and have plenty of places to rest my head on my travels. Plus recently I had published a delightful new book on Sri Chinmoy’s inspirational poetry – Sri Chinmoy’s Heart Garden. But most importantly on the inner spiritual level, I have developed a permanent meditation practice with my teacher's guidance, and through my spiritual growth I now reap its benefits, I am now the person I always wanted to be – happy and inspired and putting all of my enthusiastic energies into so many positive initiatives.

My family has noticed so many changes in me over the years. In fact my father who is now 84 told me that he wanted to be a student when he was 79. And now my Mother who is 82 is also a student. Since then I have seen so many changes in them, a peacefulness and quietness in this the sunset of their earthly years. No longer is death a source of anxiety or concern, as it is with so many of their generation.

I am blessed to be involved in a number of international and Australian projects that offer hope, encouragement and inspiration, with the belief that we can all through our own efforts, day by day as we improve, offer that better part of ourselves to others. I now realise that the world community is my extended family and I want to offer my all to each and every member.

So my journey has begun, I still have a long way to go, but that’s just fine because every second, every minute, every day unfolds with new experiences and new opportunities, and I intend to the best of my ability to make the most of them all.

To dearest Sri Chinmoy, my heart’s deepest and fondest love and gratitude for all that you have brought into my life, for your tireless inspiration, love and concern.

Now I would like to continue with The journey begins Part 1 - first recollections  -how Sri Chinmoy's wisdom and compassion touches our lives.