Her name was Ofelia. She was born in Mexico and grew up in an orphanage there. In her early twenties she made her way to California, where she married and raised twelve children.

Who among us has not had to deal with his share of trials? And when storms of trials arrive, the advance troops are the howling winds of worry.

What are some of the qualities of youth? A sparkle in the eye? A buoyant step? An enthusiasm for life? Laughter that springs easily from the heart?

There are many interesting connections between being an artist and being a spiritual seeker. The other day it struck me that there is a kind of “spiritual” color wheel—I’m given to these musings from time to time.

I’d like to share with you some of the life lessons I learned from Swamiji; perhaps they include lessons that you, too, have learned from the Divine Life that guides us all.

Let this be my wish: If sometime in the future I get amnesia—if my name, possessions, occupation, and very identity are all stripped away—then, like the character in my dream, let only love remain.

The process of creation and evolution—whether for a great, heavenly body or an individual soul—has in each case a similar pattern. Let’s start with the example of the birth of a star.

Our days and weeks are so entrancing that we rarely step back to see a broader perspective. When we do so, we see that there are layers to the apparent reality.

How can we genuinely forgive another person when they have hurt, or even betrayed, us?

Swami Kriyananda told us the tale of a boy who came to a saint and asked to become his disciple. The holy man said, “Come with me,” and took him down to the river Ganges.