In the Beginning
As a young boy growing up in New York City in the 1950s, I was fortunate to have loving, supportive parents. I was also surrounded by helpful mentors in the form of relatives, family friends, neighbors and sports coaches. By my teenage years (in the 1960s) I chose new mentors in the fields of natural food, alternative healing methods, yoga and Buddhism. I loved to play sports and the piano, which I still happily do.
A Unique College Experience
In the early 1970s, I enrolled at a new and innovative university called, Empire State College, in Manhattan. I was allowed to audit classes at almost any other college, or receive direct mentorship from teachers that were willing to work with me. I studied Eastern philosophy, art and transpersonal psychology. I worked closely with many teachers who sincerely wanted me to be fulfilled in my desire to be enlightened.
I Moved to Another Planet
In 1974, I moved to Santa Cruz, California to be mellower than in NYC. It worked – sort of. I found that meeting so many calm people in one small town, made me a little crazy! I worked in the natural foods industry and learned a great deal about nutrition and supplements. I spent most of my non-working time attending lots of workshops in the fields of quantum physics, personal growth and spiritual development.
I also started a family. To this day, being with my family is my favorite way to spend time.