I grew up in a middle class secular Jewish family in San Antonio Texas. My family moved to Washington, D.C. when I was about 7 years. Then, I moved to Monterey, CA where I went to high school graduating in 1977. Then, in 1981 I graduated from University California, Santa Cruz in Biology. In 1986, I got my M.S. in Biology from San Diego State University (SDSU). My specialty was pilot whale communication. I have lived in San Diego, California since 1981.
When I was starting school in 1981 at SDSU I got involved in the local peace and environmental movement.
During this time, I was drawn to move into a low-income neighborhood. At the time I had no idea why. I moved into a neighborhood called Encanto. It was about 80% African-American and 20% Latino. I began to work with local neighborhood groups during the same time as I was involved outside the neighborhood with the peace/environmental concerns.
I begin to see how divided "progressive" groups were. And I diagnosed the reason: they were trying to change the external world and most weren't involved in any internal practice. Thst included me as well.
During the early to mid 1980's, I finally came to grips with certain spiritual "experiences" that I began to have when I was very young. I was ready to begin to focus on my own interior life.
I moved to Mexico after my graduation in 1985 and I lived in the mountians outside of Tecate, B.C. I studied with a traditional cuarendera or medicine woman Catalina Mendoza---she was an Aztec Indian influenced by Christianity. She healed with herbs and also through faith healing. I worked with her. She passed away later during 1986. During this period I begin to see a variety of "miraculous" events. I don't think they were really important in themselves, but they helped push me onward. I couldn't ignore the inner life any more. I was over the edge so to speak, and couldn't turn back.
One experience stands out. When she was making the transition, I was with her at the very end. I had never been with any dying person before. I was accepting her death because 9 months before she told me that she would die in 9 months. In the last moment, I experienced an unbelievable peace and actual experience of light near her forehead.
I could see a white light that got progressively brighter. I was filled with Love. For days I wandered in a kind of euphoria---I wanted to join her in this wonderful "place" where she was.
The experience helped to show me alternative models of looking at the world. I was trained as a rational scientist, so this was a true awakening for me.
In the late 1980's I studied with a variety of Tibetan Buddhist Lamas, including Kalu Rimpoche. I also did the required literature search of spirituality including my own Judaism. After this, I had less use for my books on politics, economics, etc. Later, I would unload many of my spiritual type books too.
During the late 1980's I was in a very introspective phase. I was living on about $600 a month and sitting in silence for many hours at a time.
I began exploring the Sarvodaya concept of an integrative life in 1987. I started doing convivencias (spanish for sharing you life)--- basically community gatherings/pot luck dinner/community meeting. We had people from all races, religions, and economic classes, etc. there and it was very nice. I did that for many years organizing a variety of community projects in another low-income area called Sherman Heights (80% Latino).
Then in 1991 I met my first wife. Briefly, after losing my center and following her and having a very unhealthy relationship, we split up in 1992. I have a daughter who now is 4 years and lives in Playas, Tijuana, Mexico.
I was teaching in the San Diego Community College District's Harbor View Adult Education Center from 1990 to 1993. I was a learning lab instructor. I also was the "Jail Educator" in South Bay Detention Facility. Also, over the past six years I worked as a free-lance writer. Then, in 1992 until February 1996, I was Executive Director of Neighbors United, a local community-based organization in Logan Heights--- a low-income neighborhood where I also live.
Then, in 1993 I met my second wife. She is a very devout and spiritual woman. She is from Cotija, Michoacan, Mexico. She attends a Seventh-Day-Adventist church. I have a 10 year old stepdaughter Arlae and now have a 18 month old son Issac.
At present I still work towards having a totally integrated life---spiritually, in my family, my work, my neighboorhood, etc, and socially, economically, politically, etc.
I have lost "faith" in electoral political solutions---we are way beyond that kind of politics. We need a new local neighborhood/global based politics and economics. It is time to rebuild whole communites in a spiritual, sustainable, and comprehensive manner rather than working simply to reform the politcal system.
Well, as you know, this is very difficult time. But, I feel a call inside--- a voice that keeps speaking to me--- to be honest with myself and others, to work towards of vision of wholeness personally and globally--- but also a gentle voice. Even though I have experienced my share of grief and pain and seen my share as well, I still am full of hope and full of love and want to contribute in some way. I know that there are many people that feel this way.
It is my sincere hope to link up with others not just in my neighborhood but world wide. I would also like to help others make connections as well.
Please send comments to rflyer@earthlink.net