I maintain correspondence with an inmate in a prison Illinois.  He is an interesting person because he is using his time in prison as if he were in an ashram, meditating, reading spiritual books and trying to walk on the spiritual path.  He recently read my memoir From Brooklyn to Benares and Back  and sent me this comment.

“I have received your memoir, From Brooklyn to Benares and Back, and read it straight through in two days.  Your vignettes engaged me and I especially related to your vagabond travel adventures allowing the Cosmic Magician to guide you. I could even picture you doing the “Alice’s Restaurant” act at the draft board physical. Baba Muktananda has been a guiding light for me inmy spiritual search as has Ram Das and I can’t believe you met them. Thank you for sharing your life with us and inspiring other seekers and devotees to travel the path of self-discovery”

7000 years ago, or so, Sadashiva, the founder of yoga, said that one of the seven secrets of spiritual success is to have a balanced mind.

What does this mean? One should not have a superiority complex, nor should one have an inferiority complex. Everyone knows that a big ego is an impediment to spiritual growth. However, just as the “umbrella of ego” can prevent you from feeling the rain of spiritual grace, an inferiority complex can cause you to stop striving for perfection. Continue reading