Brotherhood

This morning, sitting by the warm fire and enjoying the cool Pacific breeze, I looked at the promotional poster for a special event next week. Jeffery Armstrong, a dear friend and fellow traveler on the path of wholeness, has just written a book called The Spiritual Teaching of the Avatar. The launch is only one week away, and I am so excited for him.

What came to mind as I looked at the poster was the word "brotherhood", which has been an important theme running throughout my life. I was the oldest child and only male in my family, and although growing up with two sisters allowed me to learn plenty about the feminine side of life, I always wondered what it would be like to have a brother. Then, during my time as a monk, I began to experience the importance of having close male friends. I relished it, and for the past forty years I have known the joy of having authentic and intimate (in-to-me-see) relationships with men. Presently, I have eight (Jeffery makes nine) very important males who are a part of my fellowship. Each one holds a special place in my life and all of them are yogis!

My brotherhood includes: Lee, an Assistant VP of Real Estate Development; Sid, an award winning television director; , Fred, a dentist; , Allan a therapist, Jack, a businessman, Maurice, a government employee, Stephen, a theater design consultant; , and Mel, a business consultant. Some of them are quiet and understated, others are gregarious, but all of them possess the highest degree of emotional availability. We share the sorrows, joys, concerns and bliss of life, and each of us possess qualities that balance and compliment each other. And we all love life to the fullest, which means humor is always high on our priority list.

Now let me tell you a little bit about Jeffery. The very first time I met him I knew I was meeting an old friend, someone who I soon learned had been traveling the same path as I, and for just as long. Only three years my elder, we have some remarkable similarities.

We met last September upon the urging of Gabrielle, a lovely woman who studies and practices Chinese medicine. She escorted me to his weekly class, and as I walked up to the doorway of his home, we both immediately recognized each other. A heart-felt hug was the precursor to a wonderful Wednesday evening, and even though i have met and studied with many amazing yogis and spiritual teachers over the past forty years, his class on the Baghavad Gita was by far the most spectacular I had ever experienced. He shared wisdom with humility and humor (a combination I think is essential in any teacher), and I was impressed by the fact that he was living his life in accordance with the very same principles that have defined mine.

It turns out that we both have spent the last four decades dedicated to the study of Vedic knowledge. An ancient set of scriptures, the Vedas offer a road map of how to live in complete harmony with our body and mind, our dear mother earth, and all sentient beings. Not only did we have this in common, but we were also both altar boys, joined ROTC during college, directed an international spiritual organization, had taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in the Holy Order of Sanyas, and ultimately decided to leave our vows in order to pursue our life’s calling. For both of us that meant dedicating our life to service, which is called seva in Sanskrit. Every one in my brotherhood lives in accordance with this principle, and we believe that a healthier planet with joyful inhabitants is a win-win for everyone.

So, right here in Vancouver, I have found a yogi brother who has spent the last forty years studying, practicing and teaching yoga. He is also a poet of extraordinary talent, and I feel fortunate to know Jeffery. A good friend is one who inspires you to be a more loving individual and a more productive member of society, all the members of my brotherhood do that for me. ALthough Jeffery is the newest member of a group of conscious and loving men, all of whom are both insightful and inspirational, it gives my heart such delight to know we are now together once again. Our connection also has allowed us to hang out with other powerful men:

Jeffrey and me with Deepak Chopra

I am blessed to know these men, and I am thankful for the strength and balance they add to my life.

Postscript: On Monday June 29th Jeffery Armstrong's The Spiritual Teaching of the Avatar will be presented to the world. I predict that the book will offer important lessons for everyone who wants to be a part of the healing process for our planet. Check him out!

http://www.jeffreyarmstrong.com/