An Authentic Life 1.1 for pdf - Universalist Radha-Krishnaism

affirmed my path. Nineteenth century rationalism,
Christianity, and Unitarian thought influenced him.
We are both essence seekers concerned with eternal
truths. Bhaktivinode presented Chaitanya’s teachings
in a new way to Bengali intellectuals of his day just as
I adapted those teachings for thoughtful Westerners
today. I felt Bhaktivinode blessed my calling, and I
deepened my critical theological approach to
Chaitanyaism.
Followers of Narayan Maharaj stayed at the
inn during a week-long festival that featured him. I
had some good talks with one of them. At the urging
of devotees and Geraldine, I went to the final night of
their meetings. While devotees who know me from
the past greeted me warmly, I wasn’t able to sit
through much of the program. I couldn’t stand to listen
to the rhetoric or take part in the gushing adoration
of “Gurudev,” which seemed like a personality
cult. The guru seated prominently above the deities
didn’t seem right either. Like the Protestant/Catholic
split on views of clergy, I see a more humble, less elevated
role for the guru or teacher as I redefine the
role.
Geraldine saw our move as a chance to start a
new life and renamed herself Jahnava after the
woman who founded my spiritual line. I felt much
better in Hawai’i than I did on the mainland. Hawai’i
nurtures life and eases the struggle for survival.
Phil stayed at our house while we were away
and did home repairs getting it ready to put on the
market. With the help of a realtor who happened to
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