I came out of the late 1960s generation. I was intent on looking for a spiritual path that might correspond to my experiences of those days and times.

In the beginning, however, I didn't have focus. I soon came to realize that I needed to zero in on a particular path, one that came out of the tradition with which I was familiar. Early on I was led to various spiritual writers such as Rabindranath Tagore, Thomas Merton, and Ram Das. I had a definite bent towards Eastern mysticism right from the beginning.

The descriptions of reality in these teachings gave me a sense of connection to higher knowledge that was based upon "knowing" the Truth. I was very focused upon seeking a spiritual foundation, and my journey took me down many side lanes before I found a true path for me. I have to say this: George Harrison influenced me very much. Not in a significant way, but at least I thought, "Well, yeah, he's doing the right thing." At one point I began meditating, but my meditations also lacked focus and direction.

I eventually found my way to the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta as taught by Adi Shankara, and also in writings such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. In those works and teachings were metaphors and descriptions of the Infinite to which I could relate.

Then it happened that one day I came across Autobiography of a Yogi (AY). In that book was a verification of all of the truths I had been considering up to that point. When I embarked on Master's path of Kriya yoga it seemed right, appropriate, and very much central to my being. Reading the AY was significant, and carried with it the realization of, "This is it!" There were other intervening steps to get there, but reading it was profoundly consequential in my spiritual search. I was immediately attracted to and focused on the person of Mahavatar Babaji, the deathless saint who revived the lost science of Kriya Yoga. I was not overlooking Yogananda, but at that point Babaji, as a great incarnation, was my primary focus. For me, the connection was totally natural, and one that I didn't have to over think. I felt, "Yes, this is the one, this is it."

I would say that I was very comfortable in my understanding of the guru role. Babaji played the major role for me, with Yogananda as a secondary vehicle of this path. This is a little difficult to explain. It's not as if Yogananda was not significant, but rather that Yogananda was standing in front of Babaji presenting the path to me. For me, there is a very specific vibration for each one of the six Masters in our line of Gurus. It's definite. I feel the reality of their distinct energies as I connected with the energy of Babaji.

It seems that in an individual's path to God, to Self-Realization, each person creates his or her own path. There are many different roads, and even various paths taken in different incarnations that would be just steps along the way. But ultimately, the real path is the realization of the Divine as you. That ascension or realization is the goal of each and every path for all souls within all incarnations. The Master, the guru, is that consciousness which is pulling you back to God. That is the reality of the guru to me. I feel that consciousness inside of me. I feel that consciousness acting upon me inside. That is the guru.

It's sometimes hard to put this into words, or put a name on this consciousness. This is not just about the pictures on the altar. It's a living presence of consciousness that is within each one of us. It's not about putting a personality to this consciousness, or of creating an icon and wearing a little sign that says, "I'm a Yogananda disciple." I feel it's a lot more profound than that. The ultimate reality is that the Guru opens the door for you to higher consciousness, which is the end purpose of the spiritual journey.

I think that as we learn how to behave in life we see this as a by-product of spiritual progress and of the daily and long-term impact of the practice of meditation and the practice of the techniques which Master has given us. In this respect, it's also extremely helpful to learn the importance and the subtleties of being of service to God and to the gurus. Service has opened my eyes to so many of my shortsighted tendencies. The blessings that come with service are life changing, and give you an entirely different perspective and understanding of family, friends, co-workers, life situations, everything.

It is of utmost importance to me to cultivate a calm mind, no matter how my mind is placed in terms of situations or circumstances of my daily life. The challenge is to sustain the calmness of mind in the face of distracting influences. It can be very disconcerting when your calmness is ruffled by some mundane situation, or when someone says or does something, as Master said, that 'gets your goat.' If I can be calm in my life and mind, that is the goal for me of the spiritual path. Calmness of mind filled with joy. That's what it's all about for me.

The best thing we can possibly do for humanity is to become self-realized. That's what the teachings help us do. That doesn't mean service to humanity is not valuable, but ultimately and essentially it's the person's own Self-Realization that counts, because once one seed blooms, other seeds are nurtured into blooming.

One person becoming self-realized can do more than a thousand ignorant people trying to make things happen in a disruptive or confrontational way, such as the student activist in the anti-war protest screaming and raging about peace while he cannot see the inherent contradiction of what he is doing.

What works for me is the inner practice of the Aum Technique, repeating it over and over again inside, and letting it resonate. I also inwardly chant "Aum, Spirit, Christ.' I really extend the Aum, draw it out and let that resonate in my inner self, and then I actually can feel that vibration within.

Also, I do take time out during the day at various prescribed times to practice six rounds of Kriya meditation. This helps me to keep balanced. I try to do six Kriyas every three hours. I drop whatever I'm doing, entirely focus on the Kriyas, and then go back to whatever I'm doing. It doesn't matter where I am, I'll even go into a bathroom or any private space, and then I feel refreshed and ready to get back to this world.

Be absolutely implacable in your practice. Make it a life and death priority that if you do not practice the lessons and the techniques, then you are placing yourself in outer darkness. That's how I feel about it, that I simply must practice. There really are not any alternatives.

I feel it has to be approached with that kind of intensity because what is being summoned at this level of concentration is that which you are seeking to achieve. In other words, if you want dharana (concentration), you must invest your whole self in meditation. Nothing less than that would be adequate.

I've noticed in Self-Realization Fellowship that people are quite often operating at various degrees of regularity, intensity, and commitment. Everyone will approach this path in the way that is appropriate for him or her.

Master's path is fitting for every devotee in that person's own capacity. How I would possibly express encouragement to people is to allow each person their space to find the right balance.

I offer whatever insight I can in relating my own journey and struggle because I feel like every person's spiritual life is in many ways a Kurukshetra of struggle and realization, which is the background of the war of the Bhagavad Gita. Everyone has their own Kurukshetra; they have to find their own way. Jesus speaking about each soul taking up the cross implies that the spiritual journey doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be all pure peace and joy. There will be moments you will be tested and moments in which you will be faced with darkness.

But the most encouragement I can offer is the knowledge that we have the capacity, through the teachings and the intercession of the Masters, to see our way through.

I wait and rest in the touch of the Guru because it is the touch of the Guru that is the only thing that matters in life. There is nothing else that has any significance. That and the grace of God.