In
addition to our primary Source — Adi Da Himself — and the Adi
Da Up Close staff, we have drawn upon, and are indebted to,
hundreds of contributors, sources, and helpers as we created and
evolved this site. It is a living example of what Adi Da calls
"everybody-all-at-once"! We'd like to acknowledge and express
our gratitude to as many of those contributors as possible.
Adi
Da has said to His devotees, "Without your response, Adidam is mere philosophy."
Most of our contributors are devotees of Adi Da. They have helped
make this site a very full and personal introduction to Adi Da
as the Divine Person in living, human form; and a very full and
personal introduction to Adidam as a living community of people
who have received (and responded to) that Revelation, and whose
lives have been transformed by It.
Some
of our contributors are not formal devotees of Adi Da. Many of
the non-devotees listed below are professionals who have appreciated
Adi Da's contributions in their own area of expertise: art, spirituality,
social wisdom, etc. (For a version of this page that lists only
our non-devotee contributors, click
here.)
The
Art of Adi Da Samraj: Cenacolo di Ognissanti
— In this video as well, Dr. Acidini speaks about the
unprecedented exhibition of Adi Da Samraj's image-art
at the Cenacolo di Ognissanti, in February, 2008.
Dellanna Adams-Bain has been a devotee of Avatar
Adi Da since 1974. While a devotee, Dellanna obtained her
Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She worked professionally
as a psychologist for many years and also served Adidam
as a consultant in her professional capacity.
Shaktipat
and Possession by a Leopard — Clinical psychologist
Dellanna Adams-Bain was being possessed by a leopard in
meditation. This is her story and Adi Da’s Instruction
to her.
Alicia Aguilar is a gifted healer, and has been
a devotee of Avatar Adi Da since March, 1983. She has a
daughter who was born and raised in the community of Adi
Da’s devotees.
Initiation
in Another Realm — Alicia describes her first encounter
with Avatar Adi Da. It takes place in another dimension,
in her distant home village in the Philippines.
He
Was the Same Divine Presence I Had Contacted Before
— Steve describes how he discovered a Divine Presence
in his heart, and how that ultimately led to his devotional
relationship with the human form of that Presence: Adi
Da.
James Alwood has been a devotee of Adi Da for many
years, and is the Director of the Laughing Man Institute
of the Adidam Academy, as well as a senior instructor in
the Academy. He feels the urgency to bring many more devotees
to Adi Da, especially focusing on those who are of the disposition
and intention to move quickly into the First Congregation.
He also feels the keen necessity to particularly enable
young devotees to come as quickly as possible in order to
rightly serve Adi Da’s world-work altogether.
James' responses to some frequently asked questions.
Megan Anderson grew up in the Adidam community as
Adi Da's devotee. She has served Adi Da in the Editorial
Department for many years, and has also served the Adidam
Mission as a public speaker.
Adi
Da's Teaching as Transmission
— This video clip includes: Commentary from Jonathan Condit,
Senior Editor for the Adidam Editorial Department, and
Adi Da's primary editorial assistant; An excerpt from
an Avataric Discourse by Adi Da ("My Teaching is a Direct
Transmission of Me") on October 28, 2005; and commentary
from Megan.
Light-In-Everybody
— a song the Celebration of Light-In-Everybody for which
Megan wrote the lyrics.
Albert Aprigliano was classically trained as a pianist
at The Juilliard School of Music. For over thirty years,
he has been a Manhattan cocktail pianist, serving as house
pianist for many high class Manhattan restaurants, and providing
accompaniment for numerous cabaret acts.
Dedication
by Schumann: Piano Tribute to Adi Da
— This is a special video tribute by Albert in honor of
his partner's spiritual teacher/guru, Adi Da Love-Ananda
Samraj (1939-2008). This piece was written by Robert Schuman
to his wife Clara and featured in the movie, "Song of
Love", with Katherine Hepburn.
Meditation
by Massenet: Piano Tribute to Adi Da
— This is a special video tribute by pianist Albert ,
in honor of his partner's spiritual teacher/guru, Adi
Da Love-Ananda Samraj. This piece by Jules Massenet is
from the opera, "Thais".
Jane Attardi has been a devotee of Avatar Adi Da
Samraj since 1976. She has been a principal person involved
in sacred and cultural overview of the community of devotees.
She has lived and served many years at all of the Hermitages
and Sanctuaries established by Avatar Adi Da. Jane also
serves in the Art Department as a framer.
Exactly
That Same Embrace — Jane tells how Adi Da used the
circumstance of dancing to reveal to her a lifelong pattern
of "masculine" aggressiveness that she used to prevent
herself from being vulnerable as a woman.
Marla Baggetta is
a prolific painter and teacher, whose artwork and workshops
are nationally sought after. Contributing to many art publications
such as Pastel Journal, she is a signature PSA member and
an IAPS Master Circle Recipient. Marla worked as a commercial
illustrator for 25 years. After moving to Oregon in 1993,
she was inspired by the beauty of the Willamette Valley
and began painting landscapes that blend realism and abstraction.
Among her numerous awards are Arts for the Parks Annual
Juried Exhibition. She has been featured in the Pastel Journal
and is included in Pure
Color: The Best of Pastel and Sketchbook
Confidential II. She is the author of Pastel
Step by Step. Her paintings can be found in numerous
public and private collections throughout the country. Marla
travels extensively throughout the United States teaching
painting workshops and jurying shows. More about Marla on
her personal
website and her landscape
painting lessons website.
The
Meaning of Life — Marla talks about her desperate
search for "the meaning of life", and how she
Gracefully found Adi Da Samraj.
Aura Bakker grew up in the Adidam community as Adi
Da's devotee. She is a musician, singer, and composer. She
received early training and experience in Indian music and
jazz. She completed her BA in music at the Maastricht Conservatory
of Music in Holland in 2004 after which she moved to London
for two years where she performed regularly and found her
voice in songwriting. More at her
Bandcamp page and her
Facebook page.
The
Heart's Shout
— Music by Aura Bakker. Sung by Aura Bakker. Poem by Adi
Da Samraj, from His book of poetry, Crazy Da Must Sing.
Light-In-Everybody
— a song the Celebration of Light-In-Everybody for which
Aura wrote the music (along with Adam Weiss).
Frans Bakker, M.D., is a long-time devotee of Avatar
Adi Da, and served for a period of time as Adi Da's personal
physician. Frans has been a principal public representative
of Adidam. He has given seminars worldwide on Adi Da’s Instruction
about death and dying.
The
Fierce Woman — This story takes place at Da Love-Ananda
Mahal, then called “Tumomama”. It was during a time of
intense consideration of esoteric spiritual practice with
just a small group of practitioners. Frans tells the story
of Avatar Adi Da’s Instruction to him and the lessons
he learned from a visitation by the Goddess Kali.
Journey
Into Death and Back — In December 1983, two months
after Adi Da's arrival at Adi Da Samrajashram (on the
island of Naitauba in Fiji), an accident occurred that
would have been fatal without Avatar Adi Da's Intervention.
The story of that incident is told by two people: Frans
Bakker, one of the doctors involved; and Tom Closser,
the devotee to whom the accident occurred, who describes
his near-death experience, and a profound lesson about
how "guilt" can become a self-destructive impediment to
growth.
Review
of Not-Two Is Peace — Mary wrote a review of
the Florence Dance Company's ballet theater event, Not-Two
Is Peace.
Jensen Bellin grew up in the Adidam community as
Adi Da's devotee.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes several
video clips from Jensen.
Pamela Bennett has been a devotee
of Adi Da since 1978. She
is a founding member and world-wide coordinator of the Adidam
Weather Guild and a regular contributor to the Adidam
News Guild. She also does occasional research
and purchasing for the Gifting Guild and News Guilds. She
serves as a member of the Plastic Arts Guild, which helps
grow her skills in painting, drawing, print-making and photography.
Ice
Cream and Divine Distraction — Pamela:
"I turned my gaze away from the frozen yoghurt toward
a most unusual image: a Supremely Attractive Being whose
photograph graced the book's jacket. . . in an instant,
a shift occurred. There was no granite topped counter
and wooden stool with music in the background. There was
not a shred of bodily awareness whatsoever. There was
only a Bright, Radiant Field of Whitest Light, a tiny
point of witness, and the most extraordinary, limitless,
astonishing feeling of extravagant and limitless Joy."
Divine
Healing — Pamela
describes a sudden and dramatic healing that took place
through Adi Da's Blessing-Power while she was sitting
with Adi Da in meditation, in one of the temples at The
Mountain Of Attention.
I
Could Not See Her Face —
Pamela describes a miracle that occurred, upon the arrival
at Adi Da Samrajashram of two unique gifts for Adi Da.
John Bent is a longtime devotee of Adi Da Samraj.
"Be
Fearless!" — John tells the story of Adi Da Samraj's
great Blessing Work with His devotee, Tamara Mcphail (who
was John's intimate partner from 1999 until her death
in 2002).
Justin Berry has been a devotee of Adi Da for several
years.
Quiet
Dogs
— Justin filmed the panoramic view from the porch of Quiet
Dogs, one of the retreat quarters at The Mountain Of Attention.
Note: Quiet Dogs was burnt to the ground later, in the
Valley Fire of 2015.
Dr. Monica Bietti is the Director of the Museum
of the Medici Chapels. She was formerly with the Superintendency
of Artistic Heritage of Bologna and Florence.
Colin Boyd has been a devotee of Adi Da for many
years. He lives in London, England. He teaches the practice
of "Intrinsic Touch Energy", and is the author of The
Practice Of Universal Touch, which was inspired by Adi
Da's Wisdom.
Walter Brew has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
for many years. He is a professional healer, and serves
Adi Da at the European Danda (priest, chanting, self-sufficiency
and gardening, Danda maintenance and repair).
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes several
"Danda Unity Garden Chronicle" video clips,
narrated by Walter.
Roger Briggs is the founder and CEO of Naptech,
a company specializing in refurbishing electronic testing
equipment for resale. Started with a staff of one (Roger),
Naptech is now one of the major companies in this field.
Even from the beginning, Roger has always given generously
for the support of Adi Da, Adidam and renunciate devotees,
and has always been an inspiration to other devotees in
this regard.
Unimagined
Success — Roger's story of living by the Guru's Instruction,
and living in the disposition of faith.
Gavin Brown has been a devotee of Adi Da since
1988. He is currently the primary
missionary for the Adidam Mission in the United Kingdom.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip from Gavin, talking about his relationship with Adi
Da, and another where he talks about Adidam South Africa.
Steve Brown has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
since 1984, and was personally instructed by Adi Da in the
sacred arts, particularly music and theatre. He is the Artistic
Director of the First Room Theatre Guild, and he has performed,
produced, and directed enactments of Adi Da's Orpheum
Trilogy within the First Room Theatre Guild for over
25 years.
The
Mummery-Cult Of Pairs Set Free — In response to Shakespeare's
famous monologue, "All the world's a stage", from his
play, As You Like It, Adi Da Samraj wrote the extraordinary
poem, "The Mummery-Cult Of Pairs Set Free", which appears
in His Happenine Book. Because Adi Da intended
this as a direct response to William Shakespeare, reciter
Steve Brown is standing before the River Avon in Stratford,
Shakespeare's hometown.
Dennis Bumstead has been a devotee of Adi
Da since 1984. He received his B.A. in Economics and Sociology
from the University of Cambridge in 1966, and his Ph.D.
in Social Psychology and Management from the MIT Sloan School
of Management in 1975. He went on to a distinguished career
that included a professorship at Antioch University and
a position as Senior Human Resource Specialist at the World
Bank. After retiring, his heart's passion has been to bring
Adi Da's Wisdom from Not-Two
Is Peace to the world, to help initiate the creation
of a Global Cooperative Forum. He has also been an advisor
for The
Dawn Horse Press, the primary publisher of Adi Da's
books, CD's, and DVD's.
Divine
Love Heals Everything — Dennis Bumstead's story about
gathering with Adi Da on Naitauba in 1992, the Divine
Love poured out endlessly by Adi Da, and how that Divine
Love healed Dennis at a profound level.
Leo Burke is Professor and Director of the
Global Commons Initiative at the Mendoza College of Business,
the University of Notre Dame. In this capacity he teaches
courses on the commons to undergraduates, MBAs and Executive
MBAs. From December 2000 through June 2008, he served as
Associate Dean and Director of Executive Education. In 2009,
he co-founded the Anthroposphere
Institute, with Carolyn Lee and Kathy Skerritt.
Prior
Unity (video) — In this video, Leo talks about the
new book, Prior
Unity, containing Adi Da's wisdom about world
peace, cooperative community, and much more. Prior
Unity follows on the wisdom in Adi Da's Not-Two
Is Peace, containing excerpts from the
earlier book as well as much new material.
Terry Cafferty has been a devotee of Adi Da
Samraj since the early 1980's. He is an aerospace engineering
consultant specializing in orbiting imaging systems, and
has worked for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Hughes
Aircraft, and Raytheon. In addition to being one of Adi
Da Samraj's patrons, Terry also generously supports the
Adidam Fear-No-More Zoo, and is on its Board of Directors.
He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Adidam
Global Ashram.
"Let
Me Live You. Dissolve In My Current Of Bliss" — Terry
tells how, even in the midst of a conventionally "successful"
life, he became aware of his own inability to truly love,
feel, and be in relationship with others. The crisis engendered
by this realization ultimately led him to his Spiritual
Master, Avatar Adi Da Samraj.
The
True Source of Security — Three more stories from
Terry. In the first story, Terry learns a lesson about
letting go of his tight grip on money as his source of
security. In the next two stories, Terry's brushes with
death (and the extraordinary Grace that saved him both
times) would reveal the True Source of Humor, Security
and Eternal Life.
Scott Campbell is a longtime
devotee of Adi Da. He has been the Director of the Sacred
Archives of Adidam for 22 years. The Sacred Archives
encompasses a vast collection of artifacts that Avatar
Adi Da generated during His lifetime, including photographs,
audio recordings, video footage, handwritten pages,
Adi Da’s art and His personal effects. Over the years,
Scott has overseen the gathering and preservation of
these treasures that are so precious to Avatar Adi Da’s
devotees. He also received a great deal of personal
instruction from Adi Da on how these materials should
be preserved and used by devotees for all time.
Truth
Alive in Human Form— Scott talks
about how he came to Adi Da, and describes his first
sighting of Him.
Stuart Camps has been a devotee of Adi Da
Samraj for many years.
"You
Have a Choice to Make" — Stuart: "Just as Adi Da was
about to leave the room in the early hours of the morning,
He softly whispered, almost to Himself, 'Blessings on
those who pass today'."
Serving
the transition of dying animals — Stuart: "People
often wonder what to do when their pet, or another animal,
is dead or dying. Adi Da Samraj has given instruction
on the death process for humans in His book, Easy
Death. The process is essentially the same for
non-humans yet there are unique points to consider in
serving the death of animals, including whether euthanasia
is appropriate."
Marvin Carpenter has been a devotee of Avatar Adi
Da Samraj since 1975. He works as an insurance broker, and
is currently living at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary,
in northern California.
Ruy Carpenter grew up in the Adidam community as
Adi Da's devotee. He spent the last few years before Adi
Da's Divine Mahasamadhi (in November, 2008) serving Adi
Da on Adi Da Samrajashram in the creation of His Image-Art.
Mummery
Documentary
— Ruy appears in this documentary about the making of
the first full theater production of Adi Da's epic work,
The Mummery, in January, 2000, at The Mountain
Of Attention. (Ruy was also an actor in The Mummery.)
Rolf Carriere worked with the United Nations and
the World Bank from 1971 till 2005, mostly in Asia. His
last field postings were as UNICEF Country Representative
in Bhutan, Burma, Bangladesh and Indonesia, and he also
served for seven years as UNICEF's Head of Health and Nutrition
in India. Before his retirement in 2005, he was the first
Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
(GAIN), a public-private-people's partnership based in Geneva.
He is currently Senior Adviser (pro bono) to Non-Violent
Peace-Force and to EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program.
He recently gave a TED talk (at TEDxGroningen) on the
use of EMDR to heal trauma on a global scale.
Rolf
Carriere on Not-Two Is Peace
— In this video, Rolf describes his experience reading
Adi Da's books communicating social wisdom, including
The Transcendence of Ego and Egoic Society and
Not-Two Is Peace.
He also describes his conversation with Adi Da in Cape
Cod, Massachusetts (in May, 1996), and his experience
of serving as Adi Da's spiritual instrument in the right
times and places so as to affect human history in a positive
manner.
Pauline Chew has been a devotee for many years.
She received a B.S. in Professional Computer Studies from
Pace University, and also studied Computer Technology Applications
Development at Columbia University. Starting as a developer
in information technology, she has spent the last
two decades working for Fortune 500 companies and other
major organizations (including UC Berkeley, Apple, Goldman
Sachs, and IBM), developing a wide range of business technology
solutions.
Audio/Video Library — Pauline composed the music for
the contemplative chant in this
audio clip, which was performed in Temple Adi Da for
Da Purnima, 2014. She also set this
poem by Adi Da (from Crazy
Da Must Sing) to music.
James Edward Clarke is a singer, composer,
and producer from Penarth, Wales. He manages the Ty
Cerdd recording studios at the Wales Millennium Centre
in Cardiff Bay where he produces music in a plethora of
styles and genres, from opera to rock to dubstep to pop.
James has a first class masters degree in music from Bristol
University. He has composed a symphony, Eleutherios:
The Turning to Satsang, based on Adi Da's Teaching.
The
Sun of the Heart — The Sun of the Heart is
a chanting CD made by Simon
Pritchard, with James and Rosa
Guilfoyle as his musical partners, and with the assistance
of several additional devotee musicians and singers.
Jacqueline Clemons has been a devotee of Adi
Da since 1998. She is a singer and composer, and
has released a number of albums.
Jaya — Jacqueline was one of the lead singers for the
world music group, Jaya. Her voice can be heard on a number
of audio and video clips in our Library that feature Jaya
music (here,
for example).
Tom Closser has been a devotee of Adi Da for
many years.He currently lives in Northern California.
Journey
Into Death and Back — In December 1983, two months
after Adi Da's arrival at Adi Da Samrajashram (on the
island of Naitauba in Fiji), an accident occurred that
would have been fatal without Avatar Adi Da's Intervention.
The story of that incident is told by two people: Frans
Bakker, one of the doctors involved; and Tom Closser,
the devotee to whom the accident occurred, who describes
his near-death experience, and a profound lesson about
how "guilt" can become a self-destructive impediment to
growth.
Everything
Bows To The Divine Lord — Tom: "There were very full
arrangements of flowers on both sides of His seat. The
flowers literally bent toward Him, obviously acknowledging
His Presence as were the other devotees in the room."
Gary Coates has been a member of the architecture
faculty at Kansas State University since 1977, where he
is also Victor L. Regnier Distinguished Professor. Coates
is nationally and internationally recognized as a leading
voice in the movement to create socially, technologically
and ecologically sustainable buildings, cities and bioregions.
He has received more than 40 research, demonstration and
service grants and has been a keynote speaker, lecturer
and workshop leader at more than 90 professional and scholarly
conferences in this country and Europe. Coates' publications
include a half-dozen research monographs, more than a dozen
book chapters, and some 70 papers published in professional
journals. He has edited and authored five books, including:
Resettling
America: Energy, Ecology and Community (1981); Erik
Asmussen, Architect (1997); and The
Architecture of Carl Nyrén (2007).
The
Rebirth of Sacred Art: Reflections on the Aperspectival
Geometric Art of Adi Da Samraj — "For nearly
forty years the artist, scholar and spiritual teacher
Adi Da Samraj (1939-2008) was involved in the production
of a highly diverse and unique body of artistic work,
ranging from Zen-like ink brush paintings to multiple
exposure photography, videographic suites synchronized
with music and, most recently, monumentally scaled abstract
geometric images generated by digital technology. Adi
Da’s purpose in all of this work was to create images
which would enable the fully participatory viewer to experience
a taste of the inherently blissful state of nondual awareness
that he asserts is our native condition once we transcend
the presumption and experience of being a separate 'subjective'
self perceiving a separate 'objective' reality."
Dennis Coccaro has been a devotee of Adi Da
Samraj since 1979. He received a B.A. degree in English
with a minor in education. He has been an instructor
for Adidam since the mid-1990's, serving primarily in New
York City, and the East Coast of the United States.
He is also Cultural Services Manager and Mission Manager
for the community of devotees there.
He is
Here! — After years of searching and practicing world
religions, Dennis discovered Adi Da Samraj in 1979, when
he heard a radio broadcast-interview which featured some
of Adi Da's early devotees. A profound and beautiful relationship
to His Spiritual Master ensued.
The
Relationship to Adi Da After His Lifetime
— This video begins with longtime devotee, Anthony Costabile,
describing how the relationship to Adi Da is manifesting
after the end of Adi Da's human lifetime. Then at 2:29,
Adi Da also speaks on this subject. This is an excerpt
from a talk He gave on April 16, 1995, "Love is How
I Got To Here". You can read a transcript of much more
of this talk here. The talk is also available as a CD
here. At 6:43, Dennis talks about the direct relationship
to Adi Da after His lifetime.
Jonathan Condit has been a devotee of Adi
Da for many years. He was also Adi Da's senior editorial
assistant for many years. He received his Ph.D. in music,
writing a dissertation on Korean music. He was ordained
as a Buddhist monk, and practiced in that capacity until
the moment when he recognized Adi Da as the "Maitreya
Buddha".
Adi
Da's Teaching as Transmission
— This video clip includes: Commentary from Jonathan;
an excerpt from an Avataric Discourse by Adi Da ("My Teaching
is a Direct Transmission of Me") on October 28, 2005;
and commentary from Megan Anderson of the Adidam Editorial
Department.
Creating
a New Spiritual Tradition
— Jonathan tells the story of the moment when Adi Da "captured
his heart", while he was an ordained Buddhist monk. At
the time, Jonathan had an immediate recognition of Adi
Da as "Maitreya Buddha". He describes how his recognition
deepened over time: "All the premonitions of a 'great
being to come' [Maitreya] are unbelievably pale in comparison
to the actuality of Avatar Adi Da."
The
Silver Hall (video) — The Silver Hall is a set-apart
hall in Adi Da's home on Naitauba, Fiji. Adi Da uses this
hall for the purpose of "Transmission Sittings" during
which He Initiates his mature devotees into the Spiritual
dimension of the relationship to Him. The Silver Hall
continues to be used for this very special purpose, after
Adi Da's Divine Mahasamadhi. Interviewed immediately after
a Silver Hall Sitting, Jonathan describes his experience
of Adi Da's Spiritual Transmission.
The Mummery Documentary — Jonathan was featured in a
documentary about the making of the first full theater
production of Adi Da's epic work, The Mummery,
in January, 2000, at The Mountain Of Attention. (Jonathan
was a production consultant.)
Alan Corne has been a devotee of Adi Da for many
years. He has also been a professional musician and drummer
for many years, and has played extensively in Adi Da's Company
both for Sacred Celebration offerings, and in intimate circumstances
of various kinds.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip created by Alan that is set to "Celestial Spheres",
a piece he composed and performed.
Anthony Costabile has been a devotee of Adi Da
Samraj since 1975. With an M.A. in Education, he has been
a professional school teacher and administrator. He is
the Director of the Adidam
Midwest Center in Chicago. He has served as a writer
and lecturer, producing monographs, educational materials,
and numerous articles about Adi Da Samraj and the Reality-Way
of Adidam, including his recent CESNUR paper, "The
Restoration of Spiritual Culture", and his article,
"Disciples,
Fools, and Enlightenment". Mr. Costabile has
lived in Adidam sanctuaries in California, Hawaii, and
Fiji. He travels internationally, speaking about Adi Da
Samraj, introducing Adi Da's Wisdom-Teaching to a variety
of public audiences, and leading public retreats (most
recently, in April,
2013). He is currently doing a series of public lectures
and courses based on Adi Da’s ultimate Revelatory Work,
The Aletheon.
The
Book Landed on the Floor in Front of My Feet — In
1974, Anthony was a young seeker, living in the Denver/Boulder
area, and given to browsing spiritual bookshops. As he
was browsing in the yoga and spirituality section of one
of those shops, Adi Da's Knee
Of Listening suddenly "fell" off the shelf, landed
on the floor in front of his feet, and changed his life.
The
Relationship to Adi Da After His Lifetime
— This video begins with Anthony describing how the
relationship to Adi Da is manifesting after the end
of Adi Da's human lifetime. Then at 2:29, Adi Da also
speaks on this subject. This is an excerpt from a talk
He gave on April 16, 1995, "Love is How I Got To Here".
You can read a transcript of much more of this talk
here. The talk is also available as a CD here. At 6:43,
another longtime devotee, Dennis Coccaro, talks about
the direct relationship to Adi Da after His lifetime.
Daji Megan
Fear-No-More — Anthony writes about Daji Megan. Until
the early 1980's, a German Shepherd named Megan lived
with Adi Da at The Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary. Adi
Da loved him dearly, and it soon became obvious that Megan
wished only to serve his Spiritual Master as devoted friend
and protector. He did so for nearly eight years. Daji
Megan's burial site is at the entrance to Fear-No-More
Zoo, a tangible sign of his guardianship.
Devotee
Books — Our Devotee Book section includes Anthony's
book, Avataric Revelation and the Restoration of Spiritual
Culture.
Paula Crema is an artist who is well-known for her
exquisite mother of pearl, bronze and silver table sculptures.
Audio/Video
Library — In this video clip, Paula speaks about the
exhibition of Adi Da Samraj's image-art at the Cenacolo
di Ognissanti, in February, 2008.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip of Da Love-Ananda Mahal that Bruce helped to create.
Jym Daly has been a devotee of Adi
Da for a number of years. He is one of the founders of Fidget
Feet, Ireland’s foremost Aerial Dance Theatre Company.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a number
of experimental video clips created by Jym.
Catherine Dames became a devotee of
Adi Da Samraj in 1985. She has had a particular interest
in animal welfare, and was the founder of and national organizer
for Animal Aid in England. She was active in animal welfare
projects from 1977 to 1984. As a devotee, Catherine has
served as a priest and educator. She lives in the European
Danda, in Holland.
I
Knew He Was the Divine Being in Human Bodily Form
— Catherine: "At a certain point into the video, I felt
a strange but very pleasant feeling between my eyebrows,
as if an electric charge was plugged into that spot.
When I looked at the Guru, I felt completely overwhelmed
with Joy. His bodily expression of total Happiness and
Freedom were such as I had never seen before in any
man or woman."
Dennis Dardzinski is a longtime devotee
of Adi Da. He is a contributor to the Adidam Academy's "Easy
Death" classes, as "a 'sensitive' who is able
to communicate with the recently deceased."
"She
Is With Me" — A story of the illness and death transition
of Cathy Lewis, as told by Cathy, her intimates, and other
friends (including Dennis).
Ram Krishna Das is a learned singer of Indian ragas.
Nina Davis was Adi Da's first devotee.
She met Him in 1961, while they both were attending Stanford
University. Over the years, Nina has served Adi Da's work
of liberating all beings (including His Own Re-Awakening
in September, 1970) in a wide variety of ways (some of which
Adi Da writes about in His autobiography, The
Knee Of Listening).
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes several
videos (here
and here)
of Nina remembering the early days in Adi Da's development
of the culture of Adidam.
Laura deBaun has been a devotee of
Adi Da since 1988. She is a California-licensed Marriage
and Family Therapist. For many years, she has been caring
for Holy Sites at the Mountain
Of Attention Sanctuary.
The
Guardian Owls: The Empowered Protection of Earth-Fire
Temple — At Earth-Fire
Temple, an elemental outdoor Holy Site at the Mountain
Of Attention, the squirrels would messily eat the flower
offerings every day. Laura tells how Adi Da worked via
Empowered animal fetishes to protect this sacred Temple
while also blessing the squirrels.
Andre Decio has been a devotee of Adi
Da for many years.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
of a Darshan Andre attended, and which he writes about.
The
Divine IS Everyone and Everything —Andre: "Let me
try to tell you about the deepest yearning of the human
heart, and how it was fulfilled beyond measure, by the
truth of all."
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
in which Colin performs his version of "The Lord
of the Dance", in celebration of Adi Da's birthday
in 2012.
Brian Deschamp is a former Senior Advisor to the
United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
Audio/Video Library — In this
video, Brian talks with great fondness about hosting
Adi Da's visit to the United Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland,
in 1996, and how Adi Da's Blessing (and being Adi Da's
"instrument" for conducting that Blessing in
the right time and place) helped serve his work with the
United Nations. He also discusses the uniqueness of Adi
Da's Teaching and Revelation in the history of the world's
great spiritual traditions.
The
Baby on My Shoulder — Margaret: "One night, I had
a dream. I was standing in my kitchen, looking out to
sea, and I had a baby on my shoulder. Because of how the
baby was positioned, I couldn't see the baby's face, so
I leaned back a little to look — and got the shock of
my life when I recognised it as the face of Adi Da when
He was a baby."
Ashoka Dhar is the first female dhrupad
singer in India. She is the oldest disciple of the Late
Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar Sahab of the great Dhrupad Maestro
(one of the senior Dagar brothers). She lives in Kolkota,
where she teaches at the Ustad Moinuddin Dagar Dhrupad Ashram.
She was blessed to make a pilgrimage to Adi Da Samrajashram
and receive the Darshan of Bhagavan Adi Da Samraj.
I
Felt Adi Da's Divine Power Immediately — Ashoka Dhar
is India's first female dhrupad singer. She describes
her spiritual recognition of Adi Da Samraj and her visits
to Naitauba to sing for Him.
Rishabh Dhar is a master dhrupad player.
He lives in Calcutta, India, and is the son of the first
lady dhrupad singer in India, Ashoka Dhar. Rishabh travels
around the world giving concerts and workshops. He has been
a visiting faculty member at many universities (including
London University), and has worked as a composer and producer
in the television and film industry.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes an interview
with Rishabh, where he talks about living in the house
of his music Guru for twenty years; and his time with
Adi Da Samraj.
Margaret Dickow has been a devotee of Adi Da for
many years.
A
Gift of Life — Margaret tells
the story of her eleven-year-old niece's miraculous recovery
from a skiing accident, through the Grace of Avatar Adi
Da.
Mary Anne diFranco is a nutritionist. She has been
a devotee of Adi Da Samraj since 1999.
A
Sphere of Love and Compassion — Mary Anne tells of
being drawn in meditation into a Sphere of love and compassion,
which purified the difficulties in her relationship with
her intimate partner.
Douglass Dixon has been a devotee
of Adi Da for many years.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
several
videos from Douglass.
Elaine Dixon is a musician, composer, and
singer. She has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj for many
years.
I
Am The One Who Has Always Been Here—
Contemplative chant, composed by Rosa Guilfoyle, and sung
by Rosa and Elaine Dixon, from their album, A World
More Light.
Angelo Druda has been a devotee of Adi Da for many
years. He is a certified
practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a member
of the Australian Natural Therapist Association, and a senior
educator in Mate Moce, the Ministry established by Adi Da
Samraj to instruct human beings about the death process,
and serve their transition. He is the author of The
Tao of Rejuvenation and The Easy Death Workbook.
"Send
Him My Love and Blessings" — Angelo Druda tells
a miraculous story of the Blessing-Power of Avatar Adi
Da Samraj — the Power that transcends space and time,
body and mortality — to serve Bernie Kelly's passing,
and communicate the Love of the Divine Heart to the
need of the human heart.
Dennis Duff was one of Avatar Adi Da's earliest
devotees. He provided the funds for the purchase of The
Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary. In the early years, Dennis
was one of Adidam's principal missionaries. More recently,
Dennis became one of Adi Da's patrons and a supporter of
His Image-Art.
He is the former CEO and owner of a nationwide internet
marketing company in the United States.
Growth
as a Patron — Dennis's story about commiting to being
Adi Da's patron and learning how to do that.
Bill Dunkelberger is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant-colonel,
experienced in writing strategic military estimates and
in intelligence operations. Bill is a veteran of the Vietnam
War, where he led an intelligence battalion. He was the
devotee principally responsible for the flow of news to
Avatar Adi Da during the Kosovo war. He is also a course
instructor in the Adidam Academy.
Nick Elias has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
for many years. He is a freelance photographer and a videographer
who has made many of Adidam's introductory videos over the
years.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes several
video clips from Nick about Adi Da's life and work.
He also provided camera work for a
documentary about the making of the first full theater
production of Adi Da's epic work, The Mummery,
in January, 2000, at The Mountain Of Attention.
Paul Embling is a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
from New Zealand. Some of Paul's music can be found here.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a slideshow
of photos of Adi Da set to music composed by Paul.
Gilbert Evans has been a devotee of Adi Da
Samraj for many years, and is a longtime resident
of Adi Da Samrajashram.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip of Gilbert describing the damage wrought on Naitauba
by Cyclone Tomas, in March of 2010.
Simon Llewelyn Evans is a musician, composer, and
singer currently living in Victoria, Australia.
Tom Evert has been a devotee of Adi Da for many
years. A world-class dancer, teacher and choreographer,
Tom Evert is the founder and artistic director of DANCEVERT,
a nonprofit performing arts and educational programming
organization, in which he is joined by his co-director,
wife, and dancer, Susana Weingarten. His critical acclaim
and maturity as a performing artist developed while performing
and touring nationally and internationally with the Paul
Taylor Dance Company for eight years (1977-1985). He has
served on the faculties of universities, as well as professional
companies, art centers and private studios.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
a number of video clip of Susan Weingarten and/or Tom
Evert choreographing and performancing dances based on
the Wisdom of Adi Da (here
and here).
Kathleen Ewart has been a devotee of Adi Da
Samraj since 1979. She has lived and served Adi Da mainly
on Naitauba, Fiji since 1986. Her principal services have
included transcribing Adi Da Samraj's spoken communications
and tending the most sacred holy sites established by Adi
Da.
Naitauba,
Naitauba—
Composed and sung by Kathleen, singing in Adi Da's voice
about the Spiritual purpose of the island of Naitauba.
"Just
Happy and Free" — Kathleen Ewart describes how Adi
Da used the circumstance of dancing to instruct her in
the Master-devotee relationship and the inherent ecstasy
of surrender to the Guru.
Petrus Faller has been a devotee of Adi Da
since 1994. He lives in Freiberg, Germany and runs several
companies: Booja-Booja,
a British gourmet company whose vegan and mostly raw ice
cream desserts and organic vegan truffles have received
45 awards in the past decade or so; and The
Green Gorilla Surfs In Peace, a line of natural clothes,
bags, caps, and perfume.
Keith Ferrone is the director of the Florence
Dance Company. He has collaborated with Adi Da (using
Adi Da's Image-Art) in his production of Quattro Maggiore
("The Four Seasons"), and has continued to use
Adi Da's Image-Art (after Adi Da's death) in the more recent
work, Divina.com.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a couple of
video clips (here
and here)
of Keith Ferrone talking about these productions.
Solo Finau has been a Fijian devotee of Adi
Da Samraj for many years, and is a longtime resident
of Adi Da Samrajashram.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip of Solo describing the damage wrought on Naitauba
by Cyclone Tomas, in March of 2010.
Angela Fine is a musician, composer, and singer.
She became a devotee of Adi Da in 1997.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip from Angela.
Tanja Fleischmann is the head of Fleishmannfilm,
which does professional camera work for Dutch national television,
promofilms, and artshow registration. musician, composer,
and singer.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
DaPlastique video clips (here
and here)
for which Tanja did the camera work.
Da-vid Forsythe has been a devotee of Adi Da since
the mid-1970's. He was in a Ph.D. program in neurophysiology
and behavior at Princeton University, with the intention
of pursuing a career in science, when he came across the
Teaching of Adi Da Samraj. He has lived and served on Adidam's
Sanctuaries for many years. For many years now, he has been
living and serving at Adi Da Samrajashram. (Da-vid's born
name is David. It was during the time of the story below
that Avatar Adi Da reshaped his name to "Da-vid", acknowledging
his devotion. His name, now hyphenated, it means one whose
life — "vid" — is in Da, or one whose real life is given
by Da.)
"Try
the Suppository" — Much of the Work Adi Da does with
His devotees involves their emotional character alone
(without involving their sexuality). Da-vid's story is
a beautiful illustration of how Adi Da works with some
common male character liabilities that negatively impact
Spiritual growth.
Peter Frank is the Senior Curator at the Riverside
Art Museum and an art critic for Angeleno Magazine. He is
an occasional contributor to The Huffington Post.
He was a long-time critic for LA Weekly, a past editor
of Visions Art Quarterly, and an art critic for The Village
Voice and The SoHo Weekly News in New York. He
was the Co-Curator of "Transcendental
Realism: The Art of Adi Da Samraj" at the 2007
Venice Biennale, and the Moderator of the Art Panel, "Orpheus
in the Modern World", at "Orpheus and Linead",
the exhibition of Adi Da's image-art at the Sundaram Tagore
Gallery in Beverly Hills, CA, 2011.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
a video
clip of Peter Frank talking about Adi Da's image-art.
He is also featured in this
video clip.
Naamleela Free Jones is Avatar Adi Da's youngest
daughter. Naamleela has been trained as a sacred musician
since the age of five, concentrating in both Western and
Indian classical music. While travelling in California,
Hawaii, New York, and Europe, she received training from
numerous sources and influences; she received a master certificate
in music production from the Berklee College of Music Online.
She has composed and performed piano preludes for the Florence
Dance Company productions, Divina.com and Not-Two Is
Peace. More recently, she has taken up a new direction in
her life: religious studies. In 2015, she received her B.A.
in religious studies summa cum laude from U.C. Berkeley.
(She was selected as the "most distinguished graduate in
Religious Studies" in the class of 2015.)
Tamarind Free Jones is one of Adi Da's daughters.
She has been studying North Indian Classical vocal and instrumental
music under Maestro Ali Akbar Khan since 1993, and has performed
in many of the Ali Akbar College of Music's concerts and
festivals. She also teaches supplementary classes at the
college and mentors new students.
Ben Fugitt has been a devotee of Adi Da for many
years.He currently lives in Hawaii.
Look
the Fire in the Eye — On September 17, 1979, a hot
and dry day, fire threatened the Mountain Of Attention
Sanctuary. Ben, then a devotee caretaker of the Sanctuary,
noticed the initial tuft of smoke, and sprang into action.
He soon discovered that the fire was out of control, and
heading on a direct line for the Sanctuary. He never anticipated
the adventure Adi Da would involve him in that day.
Michael Gabriele has been a devotee of Adi Da
since the late 1990's. He lives in Rhode Island, and
at various times has been a writer, a musician, and
an artist.
Alaya Gernon was just beginning the process
of returning to being Adi Da's devotee when Adi Da's
Divine Mahasamadhi occurred in November, 2008. She is
now a devotee, and is the manager of the Publicity and
Public Relations Program in the Mission Division of
Adidam.
No
Doubts Whatsoever — Alaya: "Suddenly,
Adi Da Himself appeared in the room, life size. He
was sitting right in front of me. . . And then — suddenly,
it was Ramana Maharshi sitting in front of me!"
Suddenly
a Foot and Thumb Appeared — "The Murti changed
to simply light as it often does for me. Suddenly,
within the Murti, a foot and and thumb appeared. The
thumb then extended and burst into my third eye."
"What
Is This Photograph?" — Alaya
tells of an extraordinary Revelation one of her non-devotee
treatment clients received (in June, 2015), while
looking at a photo of Adi Da, in which he saw Adi
Da blinking and breathing in the "photo".
That
Photograph Again — Alaya tells the story of a
little girl who receives an extraordinary Revelation
from Adi Da.
Stuart Gibson is Secretary to the State Hermitage
Museum International Advisory Board and a UNESCO senior
expert consultant on museums and museology. He was the Director
of Adi Da's 2007 Venice Biennale solo collateral exhibition.
Bill Gottlieb is the former editor-in-chief
of Rodale Books and Prevention Magazine Health Books,
and the author of five books on health and healing,
including the 1.5 million-copy bestseller, Alternative
Cures (Rodale, 2000). Click
here to visit his website.
George Greer was trained as a US Navy pilot and
an engineering psychologist. He has a Ph.D. in psychology
and led a professional career as a senior manager for one
of the giant U.S. aerospace companies. He has served as
a senior manager for Adidam and has been a principal Adidam
missionary in the United States.
He is Certainly The First
— George's "take" on Adi Da's description of
Himself as the "First, Last, and Only" seventh
stage Adept.
Alex
Grey is a renowned artist, and the author of Transfigurations
and Sacred
Mirrors and The Mission of Art. His work has been
included in the album art of such popular rock groups as
Nirvana and the Beastie Boys and a book of songs by the
Talking Heads. Healers, body workers and "new age" figures
including Matthew Fox, Joan Borysenko and Deepak Chopra
have all used his work to describe the dimensions of body,
mind and spirit. Grey's artwork has been exhibited worldwide,
including Stux Gallery, the New Museum in NYC, and the Grand
Palais in Paris.
Only the
Divine Presence — Alex writes about the profundity
of his encounter with Adi Da, and about his subsequent
painting of Adi Da.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip of Alex Grey talking about Adi Da's image-art.
Ian Griffin is head of Executive Communications.
He has extensive experience writing speeches for senior
executives at Silicon Valley technology companies such as
Hewlett Packard and Sun Microsystems.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
a video
clip in which Ian gives a presentation to the National
Speakers Association (NSA) 'Pro-Track' class, in which
he discusses the importance of Adi Da's book, Not-Two
Is Peace. Ian also plays the role of interviewer in
a video
series in which Meg McDonnell talks with her father,
Dr. Robert McDonnell, about working together on her book,
Tasting the Moon: Adventures in the Meaning of Life.
Laine Griffith is a Kauai resident and a music professor.
Katya Grineva is a world-renowned concert pianist.
She has played throughout the United States, Guam, Europe,
South America, Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Australia,
and the Philippines. She is the only female solo pianist
to have performed in the distinguished Carnegie Hall Isaac
Stern auditorium a record 14 times. Katya has acquired
a reputation as a pianist of exceptional romantic/poetic
expression; the New York Times describes her playing as
"liquid...dreamlike." Ms. Grineva has been a soloist with
the Acadiana Symphony, the ARS Nova Musicians Chamber
Orchestra, the Manhattan Virtuosi Orchestra and the European
Philharmonic Orchestra in France. She has given a private
concert for former President George H. W. Bush. Her recitals
have captivated audiences at the Laurier Society in Paris
and in one of the most prestigious concert halls in Paris,
Salle Gaveau. She has played
for Adi Da at the Mountain Of Attention, and received
His Blessing.
Katya (as she dedicated one of her Carnegie Hall concerts
to Adi Da): It is my privilege to give this concert
in honor of Adi Da Samraj. I was very fortunate to perform
for Him four times during His life. Every time it was
a very deep and profound experience and led to an incredible
artistic inspiration and spiritual awareness. I love Him
with all my heart.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes two clips
from a June 12, 2009 tribute concert Katya gave at Carnegie
Hall, which she dedicated to Adi Da.
Emily Grinnell grew up on a dairy farm on the coast
of Massachusetts, and studied creative writing as well as
receiving eight years of fine arts training at several art
schools. She became a devotee of Avatar Adi Da Samraj in
1975, at the age of 24. She lived and served at Adi Da Samrajashram
for ten years, participating in hundreds of hours of considerations
of the practice of the Way of Adidam in Adi Da Samraj's
personal company. Over the years she has focused her energies
in the Sacred fine arts of painting, design, and decorations,
as well as priestly services, service to Adidam's Sacred
Archives, and writing.
Extraordinary
Eyes — Emily describes how Adi Da used the circumstance
of His own dancing to reveal Himself as the Divine Person
to her.
Ben Grisso grew up in the Adidam community as Adi
Da's devotee. He spent the last few years before Adi Da's
Divine Mahasamadhi (in November, 2008) serving Adi Da on
Adi Da Samrajashram in the creation of His Image-Art.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
a
video clip of Ben offering a testimonial to the life
and work of Adi Da Samraj, and describing working with
Adi Da on His Image-Art.
Terence Gross is a multi-award winning film director
and writer with credits that span US and UK feature films,
commercials, television documentaries, high-end promotional
films, and multi-media. He has worked with some of the greatest
actors and sports personalities of our generation and has
been critically acclaimed for his unique visual style. He
wrote and directed the award-winning Hotel
Splendide (starring Daniel Craig and Toni Collette)
and directed The
Day The World Ended (starring Nastassja Kinski and
Randy Quaid). His clients have included Sony Columbia, BBC,
Discovery Channel, HBO, and the UK Department of Transport.
For more, visit the website of his production company, The
Wild Night Company.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a documentary
directed by Terence on the making of the first full theater
production of Adi Da's epic work, The Mummery,
in January, 2000, at The Mountain Of Attention.
Rosa Guilfoyle is a musician, composer, and
singer. She has been a devotee of Adi Da for many years.
The
Sun of the Heart — The Sun of the Heart is
a chanting CD made by Simon
Pritchard, with Rosa and James
Edward Clarke as his musical partners, and with the
assistance of several additional devotee musicians and
singers.
Eileen Haight (aka Eileen Mulvihill) began reading
the Teaching of Adi Da in 1973. She became His devotee in
1980. A member of Adidam's Mate Moce Guild (whose members
serve the dying and their death transition), Eileen presently
lives and serves in the devotee community of Trinidad, California.
She is the author of Alzheimer's
Caregiver: The Choice of Love.
"She
Is With Me" — A story of the illness and death transition
of Cathy Lewis, as told by Cathy, her intimates (including
Eileen, her mother-in-law), and other friends.
Walk
About Joy Flower Garden Tour — Eileen narrates this
tour in pictures of the gardens of Walk About Joy, the
Adidam center associated with Adidam's Tat Sundaram Sanctuary
in Northern California.
Eija Halme grew up in Finland, but has lived abroad
since 1988, and is currently living in the Netherlands.
She has been a devotee of Adi Da since 1989. She helps
promote retreats at the European Danda, and has co-hosted
events for Adidam Finland.
35
Years With My Master — Along with Jasmine Wynant,
Eija hosted this event in Helsinki, which featured James
Steinberg as guest speaker.
Lyn Hart is an administrator and businesswoman.
She has been a devotee of Adi Da since 1989.
He
Is Alive — Lyn tells of being contacted psychically
and instructed by Avatar Adi Da over a period of several
years before she had any idea of Who He was or that He
was alive in this world.
Peter Harvey-Wright has been a devotee of Adi
Da and a professional actor and producer for many years.
(For more, visit Peter's
IMDB page.) He is the Manager of the Media Department
of the Adidam Institution, and is a member of Da Orpheum
(The First Room Theatre Guild).
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video
library includes a
clip in which Peter provides the introductory narrative
(with his distinctive Australian accent); and a
documentary about the making of the first full theater
production of Adi Da's epic work, The Mummery,
in January, 2000, at The Mountain Of Attention, featuring
Peter as the producer of The Mummery.
Stanley Hastings grew up as a devotee of Adi Da
Samraj. Stanley has always been passionate about Avatar
Adi Da's Art work and has served Adi Da personally in
His Art process in many different capacities. At the present
time, Stanley manages the fabrication process of Adi
Da's Image-Art, and is one of the spokespeople for
Adi Da in this area. Stanley is the Co-Director of Da
Plastique, the group that presents Avatar Adi Da's
Art to the public.
Suffering the Pain of
Mankind — A story of Stanley touching Avatar Adi Da
Samraj's body and being given a vision of His vulnerable
non-separation from the world of universal human suffering.
Image-Art
Testimonial (video) — This video appreciation of Adi
Da's Image-Art begins with a testimonial from Stanley.
Then, at 9:34, we hear various art professionals express
their appreciation of Adi Da's Image-Art. This is followed
(at 13:14) by a slideshow of photos drawn from some the
Exhibitions of Adi Da's Image-Art, from 2001-2009. The
video concludes (at 18:58) with a slideshow of photos
of Adi Da creating His Image-Art from 1998-2008.
Daniel Hebert has been a devotee of Adi Da for
many years. He also has acted in and directed Adi Da's
The Mummery Book, as a member of Da Orpheum (The
First Room Theatre Guild) for many years.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video
library includes a
documentary about the making of the first full theater
production of Adi Da's epic work, The Mummery,
in January, 2000, at The Mountain Of Attention, featuring
Daniel as actor in and director of The Mummery.
Anne Henderson has been a devotee of Avatar Adi
Da since 1976. She has served Adidam as a writer, editor,
educator, and public speaker since 1982, and as a chronicler
of Bhagavan Adi Da's Life and Spiritual Work between 1993
and 1999. In addition to being part of the teaching staff
at the Adidam
Academy, Anne currently hosts and directs the Adidam
Study Group program and serves the Third
Congregation of Adidam.
Everything
Looked Like Love — Anne describes
how, one night in January, 2013, Adi Da was suddenly in
the room, transforming it and her with His Love — and
she was instantly, Gracefully relieved of a reactive pattern
that she had suffered for decades.
A State of Absolute
Freedom — Anne: "I was sitting at the dining
room table in the late morning. Suddenly, there was what
Bhagavan Adi Da would call a 'transformation of view'.
. ."
Adidam
Academy — We have a page that lists the Academy courses
offered by Anne.
Terry Henry is one of the founders of this site.
He has been a devotee of Adi Da since 1999. He is currently
the CEO of the Adidam Institution.
Chandira Hensey has been a strong supporter of
Adi Da and His Mission through her blogs, videos, and
personal communications.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes quite a
few videos from Chandira.
Lex Hixon (1941 - 1995) was a religious scholar,
mystic, and radio interviewer who extensively explored
the great religious traditions. He received a Ph.D. in
comparative religion at Columbia University in 1976 and
lectured at the New School of Social Research. He hosted
the show, "In the Spirit", on WBAI from 1972
to 1989. He founded Free Spirit Journal, and documented
his explorations in nine books and many articles.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes the 1974
film, A Difficult Man: The Miraculous Activities and
Radical Spiritual Teachings of Bubba Free John. Lex
introduced the film, speaking about the spiritual traditions
of the past and Adi Da's new spiritual offering.
Sophia Hoadley is a New Zealand devotee of Adi Da.
Gregory Hoblit is the Emmy
Award-winning executive producer of such well-known
television series as Hill Street Blues, L.A.
Law, and NYPD Blue. He also directed several
major movies, including Primal Fear (1996, with
Richard Gere), Fallen (1998, with Denzel Washington),
Frequency (2000, with Dennis Quaid), Hart's
War (2002, with Bruce Willis), and Untraceable
(2008, with Diane Lane).
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes the 1974
film, A Difficult Man: The Miraculous Activities and
Radical Spiritual Teachings of Bubba Free John. Gregory
was the producer and director of A Difficult Man.
It was his first film, and it jump-started his career.
Steven Bochko (who would eventually co-produce Hill
Street Blues with Hoblit) "had seen and admired
Hoblit's documentary, A Difficult Man, about the
Northern California Guru Bubba Free John, and later hired
him to produce Paris, then Vampire."
(p. 252, Todd Gitlin, Inside
Prime Time)
Tom Jacobs has been a devotee of Adi Da since 1983.
He is currently a resident of Adi Da Samrajashram. He manages
the shipping and travel of goods and pilgrims from over
the world who come to Adi Da Samrajashram on retreat. He
also manages the island's fruit tree resources: the pruning,
harvesting, replanting, etc.
He
Is God — Tom's story about how he found Adi Da: "There
was a Force like an enormous bolt of electricity entering
through the top of my head and pinning me utterly to the
ground. I was beside myself, and just ran outside through
the snow, up the hill and to Robin's house. I just burst
open her front door. She was standing in the kitchen.
I yelled: 'He is God!' She looked at me and said: 'yes,
I know.' "
Interview
with Tom Jacobs — On February 24, 2013, Tom was featured
on a popular Dutch TV program, De Reunie ("The Reunion"),
which is seen by two million viewers. The interview explores
Tom's life as a devotee of Adi Da, and then explores a
tragedy on Tom's early life (the trauma of which was completely
relieved by Adi Da, as Tom describes).
Theo Cedar Jones has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
since 2001. He is a rock musician (the frontman, guitarist
and lyricist of the group, Swaybone) and an avid advocate
of Adi Da Samraj and His wisdom about world peace.
"This
is the God for me!" — In this radio interview (with
Aaron Joy), Theo describes how he became Adi Da's devotee;
how Adi Da transformed his entire manner of singing and
his craft of songwriting; and the creative challenge of
communicating Adi Da's Presence and Teaching through the
medium of rock.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes many video
clips from Theo.
"This
is the God for me!" — Aaron interviews rock musician,
Theo Cedar Jones. Theo describes how he became Adi
Da's devotee; how Adi Da transformed his entire manner
of singing and his craft of songwriting; and the creative
challenge of communicating Adi Da's Presence and Teaching
through the medium of rock.
Karl Kaiser owns a software company in Florida
and has been a devotee of Avatar Adi Da since 1999. He
serves the Adidam Mission in Florida.
"My
Self Is In My Heart" — The story of a young boy's
remarkable relationship with Avatar Adi Da over the
course of several years, as told by his father (Karl).
Hellie Kalogeros
has been a devotee of Adi
Da since 1972.
A
Bargain With God — Hellie tells an amazing story
of a little girl making a bargain with God, and how
— years later — God appeared in person and kept that
bargain.
A
Dream Encounter — Hellie's amazing "time travel"
story illustrates how the devotee's relationship with
Adi Da is literally prior to time and space.
Saving
a Life in Future Time — Adi Da teaches devotee Hellie
Kalogeros the Heimlich maneuver so that she can save
the life of her child a few days later.
The
Turning of the Flowers — Hellie: "Suddenly, in a
vase just outside Beloved Adi Da's bedroom door on a
small table about twelve feet away from me, one flower
magically broke off its stem and literally flew across
the room and landed directly at my feet!"
Vinod Karki
is a devotee of Adi Da
originally from Uttar Pradesh in northern India. He has
served Adi Da's Work in Gurgaon, India, and was blessed
to make pilgrimage to Adi Da Samrajashram for Adi-Guru
Purnima in 2007 and 2008.
Beauty, Magnitude, and Serenity — Vinod describes
some extraordinary visions he had of Adi Da, around
the time of Adi Da's Divine Mahasamadhi.
Michel Karman is world-renowned as a master printer.
His services are in great demand by many well-known photographers
including Helmut Newton, Sally Mann, Nan Goldin and Greg
Gorman. Recently, The Corbis Collection invited Michel to
hand-select and print 75 of the archive's most striking
(some never before) images, and give them new life in a
special limited-edition presentation, "The Living Lens:
75 Limited Edition Prints from the Bettmann Archive."
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip of Michel Karman talking about Adi Da's image-art.
Ross Keen,
D.O., is a licensed Osteopathic
physician in New Zealand. He is also trained in Naturopathy,
kinesiology, Rolfing, acupuncture and numerous forms of
massage. He has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj since
1992.
Crane Kirkbride has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
since 1974, and has also been Adi Da's patron for many
years. You can read more about him on his
website.
Singing
as a Mindless and Ecstatic Contemplative — Crane
tells how, using skillful means, Adi Da drew on Crane's
two lifelong passions — singing and spiritual seeking
— and transformed Crane into an ecstatic devotee of
the Divine.
I
Am As One—
Adi Da's poem, "I am as one who left his home to do
a thing for man", set to music by Ray
Lynch. From Crane's album, An
Infinite Well.
I
Am Who You Are—
JoAnne Sunshine and Ray Lynch composed this exquisite
piece, here sung by Crane in operatic style (from his
devotional album, An
Infinite Well).
Bill Krenz has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
for many years. He has lived and served Adi Da for many
of those years on Naitauba, where he currently manages
the Naitauba
Organic Farm.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes several
video slideshows Bill put together on the work of the
Naitauba Organic Farm, and another video of an unprecedented
200 frigate birds surfing the Naitauba winds just as
Tropical Cyclone Bune was forming.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library also includes
a video clip of Bill describing the damage wrought on
Naitauba by Cyclone Tomas, in March of 2010.
Rachel Kuhn grew up in the Adidam community as
Adi Da's devotee.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
a
video clip of Rachel offering a testimonial to the
life and work of Adi Da Samraj.
Donald Kuspit is one of America’s
most distinguished art critics. Winner of the prestigious
Frank Jewett Mather Award for Distinction in Art Criticism
(1983), given by the College Art Association, Professor
Kuspit is a Contributing Editor at Artforum,
Sculpture,
New
Art Examiner, and Tema Celeste magazines, the Editor
of Art Criticism, and on the advisory board of Centennial
Review. He has doctorates in philosophy (University of Frankfurt)
and art history (University of Michigan), as well as degrees
from Columbia University, Yale University, and Pennsylvania
State University. He is Professor of Art History and Philosophy
at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and
has been the A. D. White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University
(1991 - 1997).
The
Female Nude in the Art of Adi Da Samraj — "It is
a rare artist who can convey, convincingly, the sense
of being face to face with the source of being. Adi
Da can clearly live in the depths without succumbing
to their pressure, bringing back pearls of art to prove
it."
Victor Lagasse has been a devotee of Bhagavan
Adi Da since 1975. He is a professional arborist and landscaper.
He has lived and served for extended periods on three
principal Sanctuaries:
Adi
Da Samrajashram in Fiji, Da
Love-Ananda Mahal in Hawaii, and the
Mountain Of Attention in northern California.
Recognition
of the Master — Victor: "I saw Bubba alternatively
become Swami Nityananda, Swami Muktananda, and Ramana
Maharshi. ... I remember feeling very deeply that this
was a relationship that had gone on for aeons of time.
He had been my Master, and I His devotee for aeons of
time."
Dr. Ervin Laszlo is the founder of the Club of Budapest
World-Shift
Network.
Audio/Video Library — In this
video, Laszlo talks about the "Deeper Level"
that Adi Da is "plugged into" and from which
the wisdom in Adi Da's book Not-Two
Is Peace comes, and with which all others can
resonate and connect, enabling world transformation. He
also talks about the timeliness of Adi Da's call for a
Global Cooperative Forum.
Lassi Lammassaari has been a devotee of Adi Da
since 1998.
The
Room Exploded Into Brightness — Lassi: "I sat down
to read the book. I felt like I was breathing in something
nectarous from the pages. I totally relaxed. In the next
instant, the room exploded into Brightness."
Michael LaTorra is a devotee of Adi Da. For many
years, he worked as a technical writer for a variety of
companies in California and Texas, ranging from small (a
Silicon Valley start-up) through medium (100 employees)
to large (Fortune 500 size with thousands of employees).
He now writes and teaches in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where
he is a
professor in the English Department at New Mexico State
University. He is the author of A
Warrior Blends with Life: A Modern Tao. He serves
as President and Abbot (Rev. Michael "Gozen" La
Torra-Sensai) of the Daibutsuji
Zen Temple (the Zen Center of Las Cruces). He is also
on the Board of Directors of the Institute
for Ethics and Emerging Technology and Humanity+.
Audio/Video Library — In this
video, Mike gives the talk, "Where's Heaven?",
one of 14 talks by speakers of different religious faiths
at the Religion and Transhumanism Conference in Oakland,
California, on May 10, 2014. He distinguishes different
kinds of "heavens". He introduces Adi Da's "seven
stages of life" framework, the Cosmic Mandala (as
a "map" for helping to answer the talk's title
question), and other esoteric concepts helpful in understanding
our ultimate potential.
Dina Lautman has been a devotee
of Adi Da for over 25 years. She has spent significant
time in Naitauba, Fiji at Adi Da’s principal Hermitage
Sanctuary, Adi Da Samrajashram, where she received direct
guidance from Adi Da, both in practical life wisdom
and esoteric spiritual practice. Now based in New York,
she also travels extensively throughout the world presenting
Adi Da's spiritual teachings about right life, including
diet, sexuality, meditation and conductivity. Recently,
she has been focused on raising awareness about the
benefits of the raw vegan diet by promoting Green Gorilla
raw treats across the U.S. and around the world.
Diet
and Climate Change — In this episode of the radio
show, A Better World, host Mitchell Rabin conducts
a Round Table discussion on the relationship between
diet and climate change. He raises the tremendous
possibility for both personal-planetary transformation
and spiritual growth. Joining Mitchell are Abel Slater
and Dina Lautman.
Carolyn Lee, Ph.D., graduated
in 1970 from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Arts.
She received Ph.D. for a dissertation on secular polyphonic
music in Spain, 1450-1530. She was subsequently appointed
St Leonard's Research Fellow at the University of St.
Andrews, Scotland, and senior lecturer in Music in the
National University of Ireland. She has been a devotee
of Avatar Adi Da Samraj since 1985. She has been serving
the publication of His Teaching and chronicling His life
and work, authoring books that include The
Promised God-Man Is Here and Adi
Da.
Another
Reality Was Unveiled — As someone with an academic
career in the humanities, Carolyn was familiar with
the highest intellectual and artistic achievements of
Western civilization. But she was quite unprepared for
what happened in her first meeting with Adi Da Samraj.
"Find
Me Always Present": The Development of Sacramental Worship
and Holy Sites in Adidam — In 1978, Avatar Adi Da
introduced His devotees to the realm of sacramental
worship as a means to enter into Communion with Him
whether He was physically present or not. In this excerpt
from her book, The
Promised God-Man Is Here, Carolyn relays Adi
Da's Instruction on the secret behind sacramental worship:
if we actively "bring our body-minds to Him" wherever
we are, His Revelation will be granted.
Hurricane
Iwa — Adi Da's unusual Work (in November 1982) with
changing the force of a major hurricane.
Garbage
and the Goddess, Part 1 — Newcomers to the Mountain
Of Attention during the first half of 1974 found themselves
entering a place of Divine Power. They became immersed
in a sea of energy, visions, and other psychic experiences,
awakened through contact with the Spirit-Force of Adi
Da Samraj. But, as their stories show, what was fundamentally
occurring was the utter and overwhelming Revelation
of Real God — and, therefore, of the true Nature and
Power of Avatar Adi Da.
Garbage
and the Goddess, Part 2 — Aniello Panico describes
his personal experiences of the "Garbage and the Goddess"
period: "I felt the Divine Force — literally, tremendous
Light and Force — Coming Down and Filling my entire
body, Consuming me, as if it was turning every part
of me inside out."
Related
Books by Devotees — Carolyn has written several
books about Adi Da and Adidam: The Promised God-Man
Is Here, The Avatar of What Is: The Divine Life
And Work Of Adi Da, and Adi Da: The Promised
God-Man Is Here.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a clip
in which Carolyn relates a wonderful story from 1983.
While in Adi Da's physical Company in Fiji (five hours
from any hospital), a devotee has a near-fatal accident.
Cathy Lewis became a devotee
of Avatar Adi Da Samraj in 1974 when she was in her early
twenties. For two decades, she served Adi Da as a missionary
and cultural leader. She was well-known for her devotional
relationship with Avatar Adi Da, and she inspired many
others in their practice of Adidam.
"She
Is With Me" — A story of Cathy's illness and death
transition, as told by Cathy, her intimates, and other
friends.
Jack Lewis has been a devotee
of Adi Da for many years. He now lives and serves at Tat
Sundaram in Northern California.
"She
Is With Me" — A story of the illness and death transition
of Cathy Lewis, as told by Cathy, Jack and the rest
of her family, and other friends.
Sukey Lewis was born and raised
in the Adidam community as Adi Da's devotee. In 2015,
she received a Master's Degree in Journalism from the
University of California. She is now a journalist and
radio producer in Richmond, California. She has worked
with KALW, The Contra Costa Times, Richmond Pulse, and
Richmond Confidential. She is now aradio producer and
reporter with KQED in San Francisco, where you
can hear her on the radio.
"She
Is With Me" — A story of the illness and death transition
of Cathy Lewis, as told by Cathy, Cathy's daughter Sukey,
the rest of Cathy's family, and other friends.
Ren-ai Lindley has been a devotee
of Adi Da since 1991. She has lived and served at Adi
Da Samrajashram for many years, principally working with
Adi Da's Art. She currently lives in New Zealand.
Caroline Lindsay has been a devotee of Adi Da for
many years.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a musical
video clip in which Caroline contributes her vocal accompaniment.
Paul Litchfield has been a devotee of Adi Da for
many years. His wife, Jane Yang,
is also a devotee of Adi Da and has been a Chi Gong Master
for over 35 years. She developed a unique style of Chi-Gong
she calls Wu-Ji Chi-Gong. She trained Paul in Wu-Ji Chi-Gong,
and together, at their Chi
Gong Therapy Centre in Melbourne, Australia, they offer
their clients both hands-on and distance healing treatments.
The
Graceful Touch of My Master — Paul tells the story
of his time with Adi Da on Naitauba, during October and
November, 2008, up to and beyond the day of Adi Da's Divine
Mahasamadhi, including his sittings in the Silver Hall.
Elizabeth Lowe has been a devotee
of Adi Da for many years. She was born in Vienna of Jewish
parents just as Hitler entered the city in 1938. Her parents
fled with her to the United States shortly thereafter.
Throughout her life she had been troubled by the appalling
human suffering caused by oppression and had been socially
active to alleviate such suffering in any way she could.
"That
is My Work" — Elizabeth tells the story of being
washed through Adi Da's Power: "I suddenly found myself
kneeling in front of His feet on the chaise, with my
head buried between His knees. I was weeping and then
screaming with enormous force, my hands resting on His
Divine legs for strength and reassurance. I could hardly
believe my own ears as the screams seemed to fall out
of me into the chaise and the ground below, filling
the air with the horror that has always resided in me.
There was no particular content — just generalized agony
over the horrors of the world."
Ray Lynch is a longtime devotee of Adi Da and
a Billboard award-winning New Age composer. More at his
website. "My relationship with Adi Da Samraj
over more than 25 years has only confirmed His Realization
and the Truth of His impeccable Teaching. He is much more
than simply an inspiration for my music, but is really
a living demonstration that perfect transcendence is actually
possible. This is both a great relief and a great challenge."
Praise to the Guru, Body of Light —
By Ray Lynch. One of our most ecstatic chants. Ray composed
many of the earliest devotional chants used by devotees.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes an audio
clip from Ray: "The
Essence of Devotion"; and a
documentary about the making of the first full theater
production of Adi Da's epic work, The Mummery,
in January, 2000, at The Mountain Of Attention, featuring
Ray as a composer of music for The Mummery. Also,
Ray's music is featured in many
video clips in our Library.
John Mackay
is a jazz pianist, composer, and organist. He has been a
devotee of Adi Da for many years. He studied composition
and arranging throughout the 70's with various well-known
teachers in Toronto. John moved to the U.S. in the 80's.
While in Boston, he worked with Cab Calloway and Leon Marion,
among others. John now lives in the Los Angeles area. He
has released a number of recordings in the past few years,
mostly original compositions, including jazz and sacred
vocal music. John's two most recent piano trio recordings
have garnered rave reviews and feature him as both a composer
and a fine interpreter of other works. More at his
website. In the experimental Adidam album, Danavira (The Hero
Of Giving), John drew from a wide variety of musical genres
— from Gregorian Chant to Christmas carols — in creating
new forms of Adidam devotional music.
Rejoice—
a choral piece that draws from the modern tradition
of atonal choral works (Charles Ives and others).
Interlude
— a short instrumental piece drawing on the classical
music tradition, with symphony clarinetist Bill Somers
playing.
There
Is Only Light—
draws on the Qawwali tradition of Sufi devotional music
(exemplified by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan). Read Adi Da's
appreciation of the Qawwali musical tradition here.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video
library includes an audio clip from John's album (with
Naamleela Free Jones), Bach
In Time.
When
All Is Gone To Love
— Our audio/video library includes this song, which is
arranged and mixed by John, and on which he plays piano
and flute.
Patrick Mahoney
has been a devotee of Avatar
Adi Da since 1974. He has served within the devotee community
as educator for both Avatar Adi Da's children and devotees
in general. He has also devoted significant time and energy
to the care and preservation of Adi Da's Empowered Hermitages.
"Where
Have You Been???" — Avatar Adi Da has described
the various stage of development we go through in our
lives with Great Compassion, and also with Great Humor.
In fact, like many sages and wise men, the often obvious
twinkle in His Eye and His Spontaneous Humor are Signs
of His Free State. Patrick found Avatar Adi Da's Humor
the very thing that attracted him in the first place.
Miki Malinka has been a devotee of Adi
Da since 1998, and currently lives on Adi Da Samrajashram.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video
library includes a video
clip introducing the Ancient Walk-About Way, for
which Miki was the video editor.
Connie Mantas, R.N., is a long-time devotee
of Adi Da. She participated in "The Garbage and The Goddess"
period with Adi Da. She was a registered nurse at the
time, and still practices nursing today. She has assisted
in the birth of many devotees' children over the years.
A
Cosmic Journey — Adi Da takes Connie
on a guided tour through the various dimensions of the
Greater-Than-Material Reality.
Crazy Wisdom
and a Pregnant Woman — A story about Adi Da Samraj
infusing Connie with Spiritual Force by forcefully pressing
her belly when she is seven months pregnant.
Cheech Marrero has been a devotee of Adi Da since
1972.
The
"Bright" in the Darkness: How Adi Da Found Me
— In 1967, Cheech was imprisoned at Rikers Island
Penitentiary, awaiting trial for a crime he had not
committed. At a plea bargaining session, he was told
that if he pled guilty, he would receive "only" 20
or 30 years, instead of life without parole. Cheech
was at the lowest point of his life. He decided to
end it all. Just as he was about to do it, a miracle
occurred.
Herbie
the Goat — Cheech: "There was no way anyone could
have witnessed the incident between me and Herbie.
Adi Da was revealing again that He knew everything
about me."
Personal
Testimony — An illustration of Adi Da’s free and
compassionate Work with emotion and sexuality. Cheech's
story is on knowing how to have sex, but not how to
love. Adi Da gifted him with self-understanding of
this core pattern.
Cheech is also featured in a video
dialog with Adi Da, from the DVD, Enter Into
Unlimited Profundity.
Frank Marrero has been a devotee of Adi Da for
many years. He is an elementary school teacher and a father.
For more, visit his
website.
Holy Cat Grotto Initiation — Frank tells of the day in 1979 when he was initiated into the
heart-relationship with the Divine Power and Person.
A Fasting Success Story — Interrupting the daily dietary regimen with an extended fast is a part of the dietary practice of Adidam. Frank recently completed an eleven-day fast. He felt it was so successful in terms of balance, energy, cleansing, and ease, that he wanted to share the details. As Frank puts it: "Being a regular faster for 43 years, the nuances here are long-considered and hard-won, and perhaps useful to others (personalized though they may be)."
Loss
of Intimacy and Inappropriate Behavior — Frank
tells the story of a lesson he learned as a teacher
at Adidam's Big Wisdom Free School, about using Adi
Da's wisdom about relationships and intimacy to address
children's inappropriate behavior.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes many
video clips from Frank.
Keith Marsden has been a devotee of Avatar Adi
Da since the early 1980's. Keith was a Ph.D. research
engineer in metal physics in the 1960's and did the original
metal testing and electron microscopy for the British-French
collaboration on the Concord supersonic aircraft. Keith
presently lives closeto the Mountain Of Attention
Sanctuary in Northern California.
Adi
Da Was Really There: The Sacred Empowerment of the
London Center Hall — Avatar Adi Da has instructed
His devotees how to enable Him to Empower sacred places
by installing objects there that He has Empowered.
Keith and Leroy Stilwell tell the story of how the
first London Adidam Center was Empowered in this manner.
Barbara Marx-Hubbard is the founder and executive
director of The Foundation for Conscious Evolution. Called
by Buckminster Fuller "the best informed human on the
concept of futurism", Barbara is an internationally known
lecturer and the author of several books, including Emergence:
The Shift from Ego to Essence. She is the co-creator
of an intentional cooperative community in Santa Barbara.
The
"Adi Da Frequency" — Barbara describes how she
found Adi Da, and how she draws upon the 'Adi Da Frequency'
to help her work in creating a better and more conscious
future for humanity.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a couple
of videos from Shasta.
Eileen McCarthy became Adi Da's devotee in 1978.
She has lived at and served Adi Da at Da Love-Ananda Mahal
and Adi Da Samrajashram, and now lives in the Chicago
Ashram.
Personal
Testimony — An illustration of Adi Da’s free and
compassionate Work with emotion and sexuality. Eileen
tells the story of how, as an emotional-sexual being,
she was self-suppressed and hidden. Adi Da gifted her
with self-understanding of these core patterns.
Daisy
McCrackin is an actress and a singer-songwriter. She
has appeared in well-known television series (including
Cold Case, Angel, and The Division)
and movies (including 3000
Miles to Graceland, Halloween:
Resurrection, and Atlas Shrugged: Part 1).
She released her first EP, The
Rodeo Grounds (Aeronaut Records) in 2009, and
her next album, God
Willing in 2011. She spent time in the Adidam
community while she was growing up (see below).
Audio/Video
Library — Daisy's song, "Miracle", is
the soundtrack to a video on the ballet, Not-Two
Is Peace.
On her time in the Adidam community: "From an early
age I was searching for meaning in life. . . I became
very drawn to a teacher named Adi Da Samraj, and I had
begun to seriously study his books. My parents had studied
with him in the past before I remember. So there was
actually somewhere to go — to the Ashram [The
Mountain Of Attention] where I saw Adi Da Samraj and
got to live in an Ashram culture, on a sanctuary similar
to the Ashrams in India. An Ashram is different from
the regular world because, rather than exist to satisfy
the ego, it is purposed solely to spiritual practice,
and to understanding yourself. It was intense. I have
great memories of it. I cooked in the kitchen for about
200 people (vegetarian food, of course). It was not
glamorous, but I was so happy! My friends and I would
run off in afternoons to swim in a small lake on the
Sanctuary. I found it to be a wonderful, cooperative
community where the arts are practiced and treated as
a sacred act. I made a lot of great friends who I am
still close with and it was a healing, powerful time
in my life. Best thing I ever did."
Meg Fortune McDonnell has been Adi Da's devotee
for many years. She has worked as a writer and editor,
international speaker, stage and film producer, school
teacher, priest, war-time vigil correspondent, fine art
photographic subject, event manager, dance teacher, personal
assistant, legal aide, book indexer, caterer, and street
performer. She is the author of Tasting
The Moon: Adventures in the Meaning of Life.
Perfect
Love Touched My Heart — In the following excerpt
from her book, Tasting The Moon: Adventures in the
Meaning of Life, Meg describes what occurred the
first time she sat with Adi Da (then named "Bubba Free
John").
Interview
with Meg McDonnell — In this hour-long interview
(with Ed Reither of Beezone), Meg talks about her book,
Tasting the Moon: Adventures in the Meaning of Life,
and her relationship with Adi Da.
Readings
from Tasting The Moon — In this seven part video
series, Meg reads excerpts from her book, Tasting
the Moon: Adventures in the Meaning of Life.
Tasting
The Moon — In this five part video series, Meg talks
with her father, Dr. Robert McDonnell, about working
together on her book, Tasting the Moon: Adventures
in the Meaning of Life.
The
Mummery Documentary — Meg was featured in a documentary
about the making of the first full theater production
of Adi Da's epic work, The Mummery, in January,
2000, at The Mountain Of Attention.
Jain McFetridge has been a devotee of Adi Da for
many years.
Mel McMurrin
is a professional singer, who has covered a wide variety
of styles from jazz (opening for George Benson with the
a capella sextet, Corner Market); Indian style
(in San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s "As You
Like It"); classical (as Figaro in a PBS national
broadcast of Mozart’s opera) and avant-garde (with George
Coates Performance Works). He has recorded with Ray Lynch,
The Bobs, The Choir at St. Ignatius, The Bungee Jumpin’
Cows, and Jaya. He has done commercial voice-over for
Schwab, Novell, Gallo, Lincoln-Mercury, and Siemens. More
at his
website. Mel is also a member of the First Room Theatre
Guild of Adidam and a key performer in performances of
The Mummery Book, and has collaborated in numerous
musical Sacred Offerings for Adi Da.
Paramahansa—
Based on a traditional chant, combined with the Way
of Adidam. Sung by Mel.
When
All Is Gone To Love
— Our audio/video library includes this song, for which
Mel provides backup vocals.
John Metcalfe is a New Zealand devotee
who served Adi Da as His dentist from 1991 until Adi
Da's Divine
Mahasamadhi in 2008. He visits Adi
Da Samrajashram Sanctuary in Fiji two to three times
a year to be on retreat and to serve resident devotees
and Fijians with dental work.
Everything
Was Love-Bliss Radiance— John was
once so overwhelmed by Adi Da's Transmission of Love-Bliss
that he completely forgot he was there to do some
dental work for Adi Da!
Elizabeth Midwikis graduated with a
BA from Louisiana State University in interior design, and
was a commercial interior designer for many years. She is
now retired from that profession, and is a contemporary
painter and printmaker. She lives in southern California
and Kauai, Hawaii.
Feeling
Without Limitation — Elizabeth: "As
I sat in the church, I was feeling Beloved Adi Da throughout
my body and radiating beyond my body, by His grace.
My eyes ran tears for the entire funeral service; but
I was deep in the Heart, feeling everyone and their
profound sorrow — and suddenly
I noticed: there was no problem! Waves of deep love
and sorrow flowed through me, seemingly radiating to
everyone and beyond."
Marylu Miller
has been a devotee of Avatar Adi Da since 1998, and received
His Darshan in Los Angeles in 2000. She works as a homeopath,
and serves the Adidam community of devotees as her area's
Radiant Life Clinic representative.
A
Descent of Blessing — Marylu describes the Blessing
she received at the time of Adi Da's Divine Mahasamadhi.
Nick Milo
was the keyboardist for the band, Tower Of Power, from 1988
to 1999, and recorded several albums with the band. Starting
in 2001, Nick began working with Joe Cocker, and was Cocker's
music director and keyboardist until his passing in December,
2014. Nick has composed music for television (including
film scores for the Discovery Channel). You can read more
about Nick on his
website.
The
Universal World-Prayer (video) — Composed by Jacqueline
Clemons and Nick, and sung by Jacqueline Clemons, this
soulful rendition of Adi Da's prayer for world peace,
"The Universal World-Prayer", was sung many times at
The Parliament of the World's Religions in Cape Town,
South Africa, in December, 1999. In this video clip,
the song provides the soundtrack to a slideshow of pictures
of Adi Da.
Trish Mitchell is a member of the Editorial
Staff for this site. She has been a devotee of Adi
Da since 1991. Trish has been a radio producer, editor,
and newsreader for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation,
and a producer, presenter, and acting Executive Producer
for SBS Australia. She lives in Australia.
The
Book of Light — Trish bought The
Dawn Horse Testament one day, simply because
she was "attracted" to the cover. She had no idea
what was waiting "inside" that book.
Back
in Adi Da's Arms — Trish tells the story of her
miraculous recovery from work-related PTSD (Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder), through Adi Da's Grace.
Daniela Morena has been
a devotee of Adi Da since 1986. She has worn many hats and
has done a 360 change twice in her career, living on three
different continents. She currently heads Italian Sorrisi
and teaches Italian language. She also facilitates using
"The Coaching Game", a coaching tool for life and work solutions.
Daniela lives in Singapore.
This
Is Home! — Daniela:
"Suddenly, the room around me dissolved in a bright
cloud. There was light everywhere, only light. The boundary
of my skin, separating my body from the surrounding environment,
was no longer there. My heart skipped a beat from the
emotion, as my brain formulated these words: Finally!
Finally what I have been longing for! This is Home!"
The
Divine Force That Brings an End To "me"— Daniela: "It took me about two steps into
the room. . . then IT hit me full frontal. My mind shattered.
My knees gave way. My body started shaking and my teeth
were clattering. What I saw was Adi Da's fiery, 'Shiva
the Destroyer' Form. I was in a state of absolute Shock."
He
Is the Heart, Infinite and Blissful —
Daniela: "As I focused on the right side of
the heart, I 'saw' a space apparently very tiny, but also
limitless, which looked extremely bright. Something in
me instinctively recognised it as "the heart on the right",
that Adi Da had often spoken about. And there I saw, to
my utter amazement, my Beloved Guru, seated in all His
Glory. He was magnificent! He was Supremely Attractive.
He was the Heart, Infinite and Blissful."
Adi
Da "Heard" My Thoughts — Daniela: " As my mind
receded in the wake of my heart's upsurge, I saw Adi Da
looking right at me. He had a definitely amused look on
His Face. . . He had 'heard' my thoughts!"
June Mori has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
for many years, and is a longtime resident of Adi Da Samrajashram.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip of June describing the damage wrought on Naitauba
by Cyclone Tomas, in March of 2010.
Sara Morin has been a devotee of Adi Da since
1992. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. She worked
for Indian Affairs as an Administrative Assistant in Intergovernmental
Affairs, which involved policy between First Nations of
BC, the Provincial and Federal Governments. She is bi-lingual
French and English and enjoys painting.
I
Saw Him Sitting There, In Person
— Sara: "I saw Him sitting there, eight years after
His Divine Mahasamadhi! - in Person, just like seeing
anyone in the flesh."
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes Flo's cover
of "Love Comes To Here In Time" (words by Adi
Da, music by Naamleela Free Jones), which she recorded
as a tribute to Adi Da.
Carmen Morrow studied film/video at the Emily Carr
University of Art and Design. She has been an assistant
editor on many recent box office movies, including X-Men:
The Last Stand, The Pink Panther 2, and Red
Rising Hood, as well as assistant editor on the TV show,
Reckless. For more, visit Carmen's
IMDB page.
Scott Morrow is the founder of The
Blue OK, a virtual cafe where he has conversations with
people who "have information or tools that benefit
the human family. And the non-humans too."
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes videos
of Scott interviewing several devotees: John
Wubbenhorst, founder of the world music group, Facing
East; Bill
Stranger, founder of DharmaCafé; and Angelo
Druda, author of The Tao of Rejuvenation.
Ruchiradama Nadikanta has been
a senior formal renunciate (as a member of the Ruchira
Sannyasin Order) and personal server of Adi Da Samraj
since 1974. She served Adi Da Samraj directly for
near forty years, and was trained by Him personally
as a priest and personal emissary for the communication
of His spiritual teaching, His literary works, His
artistic works, and His instruction to humankind on
the creation of world peace.
Ruchiradama Nadikanta was present
in the room with Adi Da at the moment of His Passing.
She tells us: "The purpose...we have as a
collective...[is] to Realize the Divine Revelation
that Beloved [Adi Da] has given us, which is the
Absolute Reality of His Always Present, Eternal
Presence and the fact that He is Here exactly
as He has always been, which is such a profoundly
miraculous Secret that it surprises me every moment.
But He has been Revealing this to me so strongly."
Aaron Nakagawa has been a devotee of Adi Da
Samraj for many years, and is a longtime resident
of Da Love-Ananda Mahal, where he is the head priest. He
is also a musician and composer.
James Newcome has been a devotee of Adi Da
Samraj for many years, and is a longtime resident
of Adi Da Samrajashram.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
a video
clip of Jim describing the damage wrought on Naitauba
by Cyclone Tomas, in March of 2010; and another
video Jim created to celebrate Adi Da's book of poetry,
Crazy
Da Must Sing.
Matthew Nicholson is a musician and composer.
He has released music as Function Ensemble and Outshine
Family, as well as his own name. Since 2003 he has provided
original music composition in various forms of media. His
work can be heard in films, trailers, advertising, documentaries,
and art installations. In 2015, he completed a commission
for installation at the Bargello National Museum in Florence,
Italy: a twenty-minute composition played continuously as
the background music for The
Ascent of Orpheus, a three-month exhibition of Adi
Da's art in the Bargello. More on his
website.
Dean Nugent as been a devotee of Adi Da for
many years. He is the Cultural Service Manager for the Adidam
New Zealand region, and serves the Adidam Mission there.
He is a Senior
Lecturer in the School of Education at Auckland University
of Technology, where he has helped develop programmes of
study for university teachers, community adult educators,
and high school teachers. He has also written and edited
a number of textbooks for teachers.
Katsu Okhi has been a devotee of Adi Da since
1973.
Personal
Testimony — An illustration of Adi Da’s free and
compassionate Work with emotion and sexuality. Katsu's
story about having a body-negative, sex-negative,
fearful, and self-suppressed point of view. Adi Da
gifted her with self-understanding of these core patterns.
Achille Bonito Oliva is an internationally acclaimed
art critic and historian, and a teacher at La Sapienza
University in Rome. He has curated numerous thematic
and interdisciplinary exhibitions in Italy and abroad,
including Adi Da's exhibit at the Sundaram Tagore Gallery
in New York City, September, 2010. Bonito Oliva was
the Director of the 39th and 45th Venice Biennale. He
has been awarded various prizes and recognitions, including
the Valentino d’Oro, an international prize for art
critics. He has authored and edited many essays and
books on art, including Alighiero
Boetti: Delivering Art to the World, Art
Tribes, White
and Other: In Any Case, Art, and Luca
Pignatelli.
Commentary
at the Inauguration of the Exhibition of Adi Da's
Art at the 52nd Biennale di Venezie — Oliva delivered
the following remarks at the opening of Adi Da's Art
Exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 2007: "I
believe that art should always be a surprise. It must
create, even in the critic, not emotion, but a sense
of insecurity. When one views Adi Da’s art, it is
easy to see 'pop art', 'op art', all the possible
linguistic, ethnological, and iconographic references
— but, in the end, the final work is always a surprise.
With Adi Da’s work, I did not simply find myself in
front of a new personal iconographic universe but
rather in front of images that returned me to an experience
of 'epiphany'."
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
a video
clip of Achille speaking (as curator of the exhibit)
at the opening of Adi Da Samraj's solo exhibition,
'Orpheus and Linead', at Sundaram Tagore Gallery,
New York, on September 9, 2010.
Brian O'Mahony has
been a devotee of Adi Da for many years.
On the
1985 Beverly O'Mahony lawsuit — The one major
lawsuit against Adidam was brought by Beverly O'Mahony,
Brian's wife at the time (1985). In this interview
with Chris Tong, Brian speaks candidly about that
time, the lawsuit, the media circus that ensued, and
what to make of it all more than twenty years later.
Brian's responses to some frequently asked questions.
Roger
Ohlsen is a longtime devotee of Adi Da who was also
a professional opera singer. He was a Juilliard-trained
tenor (American Opera Center) who sang with City Opera
in New York City for thirty years. He is also a voice
teacher and a master of Reiki healing.
Singing Opera
with Adi Da — During His years of face-to-face
Teaching Work, Bhagavan Adi Da used singing opera
with His devotees as a skillful means that drew those
present into selfless feeling-ecstasy. Longtime devotees
Aniello Panico and Roger Ohlsen describe what that
was like.
Nicole Ortega first
became aware of her devotional relationship to Avatar
Adi Da at the end of 2008, soon after Adi Da's Divine
Mahasamadhi. She is a recent graduate of the University
of Alabama.
An
Ecstatic Falling into Him — Nicole tells the story
of how she discovered Bhagavan Adi Da. While doing
so, she recounts two remarkable dreams. In the first,
the whole human condition is revealed to her in a
kind of metaphor. In the second dream, Adi Da appears
to her, and connects with her directly and personally,
correcting a false, cultic view of Him that she had
previously held.
Dimitrios Otis is
a poet living in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Wayne Owens came to
see Avatar Adi Da Samraj while He was visiting Los Angeles
in May, 2000.
True
Water — Wayne tells the story of how his very
ill brother received Adi Da's Grace, in response to
Wayne's prayers.
Neeshee Pandit has
been a devotee of Adi Da since 2008. He is on the staff
of the Hermitage Editorial Department. He was a resident
of Adi Da Samrajashram for a time, and is currently
living near Da Love-Ananda Mahal Sanctuary, in Kauai,
Hawaii. More at his
website.
He
Is Satisfaction — Neeshee (19
at the time of writing): "I was sitting
at home one day in such a state when a remarkable
event occurred. An unbelievable Energy descended upon
me and I began shaking. Its Thickness enveloped my
entire body and it was vibrating with an unspeakable
intensity. I swooned in ecstasy. . . . Adi Da's Spiritual
Invasion of the body-mind is Satisfaction, Happiness,
and Love."
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
a video
clip of Neeshee describing his finding Adi Da
after having practiced Buddhism.
Aniello Panico has
been a student and devotee of Adi Da Samraj since 1972.
Aniello was also instrumental in the establishment of
the Dawn
Horse Press, the publishing house responsible for
the publication of Avatar Adi Da's Teaching. Now in
his 80's, and having spent considerable time in Adi
Da's Company, Aniello wants to share a lifetime of enjoying
the wisdom, energy, blessings and love of Adi Da Samraj
— an enjoyment so profound that he considers himself
the "luckiest man alive!".
Christine Phippen has been a devotee of Adi
Da for many years. She serves the Adidam Mission fulltime
in New
Zealand. She is also a Paduka and Murti pujarist,
and is a member of the Organic Gardening Guild.
Kevin Pinkstone has
been a devotee of Adi Da since 1998. He was born in
Blackpool, Lancashire, England, in 1974. In 1992, he
finished a Diploma in Outdoor Education in Newbury,
Berkshire, and went on to instruct in outdoor activities
such as kayaking and climbing and also to lead adventure
expeditions.
The
Heart Hears and Sees the Truth — Kevin tells of
how he found Adi Da: "It was beyond anything that
I had ever dreamed possible. I had asked God for a
teacher — and He had come Himself!"
Jeff Polson has been
a devotee of Adi Da since 1974. He is a master jewelry
maker, having created many sacred articles and adornments
for both Adi Da and devotees. For more, visit his
website.
"No
Fish Is To Die" — Jeff tells of the lessons he
received about mortality and compassion from Adi Da,
while caring for the Master's fish.
Andrea Portera is
a premier composer from Florence. His official catalog
consists of over 100 works, including chamber music,
symphonic pieces, and theater and ballet. His music
has won many awards, and has been performed by famous
orchestras and chamber groups.
Not-Two
Is Peace — Andrea was the primary composer for
the multimedia ballet event, Not-Two Is Peace
(both the 2012 and 2013 versions), based on the wisdom
communicated by Adi Da's book of the same name. This
series of clips provides excerpts from the July 22
and July 23, 2012 performances.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip of an improvisation that took place in July 2008
on the island of Naitauba. On this occasion, Otto
and John Wubbenhorst were playing for Adi Da while
He was working on His Divine Image-Art.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
several video clips from Ute (here
and here).
Simon Pritchard became
a devotee of Avatar Adi Da Samraj in 1984. Since then,
Simon has served Adi Da as a principal missionary and
mission manager in the Britain, Ireland, Scotland, and
Wales area, and has spent much time in Avatar Adi Da's
Company on retreat in Fiji. More about Simon on his
website.
Ted Progler has been a devotee of Adi Da since 1976. He was a long term practitioner of the "Original Daoist 8 Limbs (or Schools) of Chinese Medicine", wherein Chi Gong is the 2nd School. Ted apprenticed with Lao Ge (aka Charles Belyea), the lineage holder of Original Medical Daoism in the United States and co-founder of the Five Branches University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. From early 2001 until the Divine Mahasamadhi of Adi Da Samraj in late November 2008, Ted was instructed directly by Adi Da in His "Systems-Based Approach to Health & Healing" and His Right Life Yogic Conductivity practices. Ted now only practices and teaches Adi Da's "Systems-Based Approach to Health & Healing", which is a subset of Right Life Yogic Conductivity.
In Ted's depth research and practice of human health and healing over 35 years, it is his personal proclamation that, just as Adi Da Samraj "completed" the Spiritual Dharmas of the Great Traditions of Spirituality, so too did He "complete" the Wisdom practices of human health and healing with His Systems-Based Approach to Health and Healing. The Systems-Based Approach to Health and Healing of Adi Da Samraj is the most fully integrated Health and Healing Systems for human beings, fully integrating how to cooperatively participate with all scales and forms of Reality existence for the purpose of supporting fullest Divine Realization Practice. If you are interested in receiving information about the Systems-Based Approach to Health and Healing of Adi Da Samraj, please email Ted at tprogler@gmail.com.
Fluid Force,Fat Water: The Da Chi Gong Leela In this audio clip, Ted tells a leela about a gathering with Adi Da during the "Dancing Down the Light" gathering period. In the gathering, Ted gave Adi Da a description and demonstration of his Chi Gong practice. Adi Da then talked extensively about Chi Gong, Da Chi Gong, and the larger context of energy conductivity with the devotees who were present.
Celia Rabinovitch
is an artist, writer, and teacher. Her paintings have
been exhibited in solo shows in Canada, the U.S.A. and
Europe, including Quattro, a four person international
show in Vienna, Austria (2000) the Florence Biennale
(1999) The Grotto Cycle, California Institute of Integral
Studies (2003); Industrial Romance, University of San
Francisco and Gallery, Winnipeg, YYZ, Toronto; Emily
Carr Institute; Plug-In and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Her book, Surrealism
and the Sacred: Power, Eros, and the Occult in Modern
Art (2002), uncovers new territory between the history
of art and the history of religions. She has taught
art and cultural and art history at Stanford University,
U. C. Berkeley, The California College of Art and the
San Francisco Art Institute, the University of Colorado,
McGill University and as a Visiting Artist at Syracuse
University (1990). Currently she is Professor and Director
of the School of Art, the University of Manitoba.
“Tacit
Glimpses”: A Review of Adi Da Samraj’s “Transcendental
Realism” and “Aesthetic Ecstasy” — "Adi Da extends
and expands an alternative understanding of art that
has run like an underground stream through history:
appearing intermittently in the meditations of the
scholar-artists of China’s T’ang dynasty; in the writings
of Leonardo and Michelangelo in the Renaissance; and
in the aesthetic theories of Kandinsky and Mondrian
in the modern era."
Laren Rackell has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
for many years.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip from Laren, in which he describes his process of
making sculptures of Adi Da.
Pien Rademakers is a gallerist who runs the
Galerie
Pien Rademakers in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The gallery
translates her passion for art into carefully composed exhibitions.
Its focus is international photography, and also the works
of new, talented artists.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip in which Pien expresses her deep appreciation for
Adi Da's Image-Art, and her personal commitment toward
seeing it get wider distribution.
Flick Rahke has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
since 1975.
"No,
You Are Meant For Another" — Flick:
"So when Swami Muktananda asked for questions
from the audience, I stood up, bowed, and asked him if
he was to be my Guru. He tilted his head and looked at
me with a little smile as he said: 'No, you are meant
for another.' "
Antonina Randazzo
has been a devotee of Adi Da since 1977. Her principal
service has been sacred music. She has studied North
Indian Classical music with Maestro Ali Akbar Khan in
San Rafael, California, and with Nivedita Sen, from
the Allahabad University in India.
With Elaine Dixon, Antonina just released a new album of devotional music at the end of 2020:
I Am The Heart (2020) — Six tracks of beautiful devotional music and chant, written and recorded by Antonina and Elaine Dixon, plus one traditional chant.
Antonina co-produced an album of devotional music:
Radiance (2017) — A stunningly beautiful and powerful 2-CD set of devotional
music featuring live chants and sacred offerings from Adi
Da Samrajashram — all recorded since Tropical Cyclone Winston
hit Adi Da Samrajashram in February, 2016.
Parama
Sapta-Na
— Fall Into My Heart contains ten tracks
of devotional music — including live chanting
occasions from Adi Da Samrajashram, Fiji,
and new, original musical settings of Avatar
Adi Da’s Ecstatic Words. This excerpt from
her album is track 6, "Parama Sapta-Na".
Madhuka Ranmathu was
born in Sri Lanka and migrated with her family to the
United States in 1995. In her spare time, she serves
Adi Da’s library at the Mountain
Of Attention Sanctuary and has also served Adi Da
in His
Divine Image-Art Work. Madhuka was fortunate to
participate in the Silver
Hall process in Adi Da’s Company in 2008.
Carol Raphael writes
for EnlightenNext magazine (formerly, What
Is Enlightenment?).
The
Heart Was Released From Images: The Art of Adi Da
Samraj (pdf, 2.4MB) — "Brancusi said that 'one
arrives at simplicity in spite of oneself by approaching
the real sense of things.' What Adi Da is doing, though,
is not really simple, either visually or metaphysically.
His imagery is both highly complex, in terms of its
composition and its execution, and startling pure
or uncomplicated at the same time. Remarkably, he
is attempting to transmit the totality of pure consciousness
by means of the specificity of the manifest world
— and he's succeeding."
There
Is No "Other" — Dennis describes the Blessing he received
at the time of Adi Da's Divine Mahasamadhi.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip from Dennis.
Ed Reither is the creator of The
Beezone, and is a strong advocate of Adi Da's Teaching.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library contains many audio
and video clips from Ed. The video clips include: conversations
with Frank Marrero about the seven stages of life; and
interviews with devotees.
Brad Reynolds is an artist and author and
the creator of Heart Light Productions. He has been a strong
advocate of Adi Da for many years.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library contains many video
clips from Brad.
Karen Richardson
has been a devotee
of Adi Da since 1996. She is an editor, researcher,
feminist, social activist and adult educator, and lives
in a small town in cottage country, in Eastern Ontario.
Beyond,
Beyond— Karen: "There was
no religious upbringing, but as a young girl, one
day I found myself looking up at the sunny spring
sky and just 'knowing' that something wonderful
is going to happen in my lifetime — not only to
me, but to the whole world."
Andrew Riddoch has
been a devotee of Adi Da since 1986. He has served Adi
Da in the Dawn Horse Press and as a videographer for
many years. He is now living in the Adidam community
in Auckland, New Zealand.
Aham
Da Asmi — Andrew was the videographer for this
beautiful video from Adidam India.
Mummery
Documentary — Andrew was the AV designer for this
documentary about the first full theater production
of The Mummery Book in January, 2000.
Anne Rogers has been
a devotee of Avatar Adi Da since the early 1970's. She
lived and served in Adi Da’s household for many years.
Visits
to Other Worlds — Avatar Adi Da shows Anne other
worlds, both higher and lower than this Earth plane.
The
Hole in the Universe: The Sacred Empowerment of Red
Sitting Man Fire Site — In 1979, Avatar Adi Da
created and consecrated a holy site at the Mountain
Of Attention called Red Sitting Man. It was there,
in July of that year, that He Initiated devotees into
sacramental worship of Him in the form of fire. Anne
recalls the potency of the occasion in initiating
her recognition of Avatar Adi Da as the Divine Person.
About
Ghosts — Leroy Stilwell presents Adi Da's wisdom
about ghosts, along with a "ghost story" from Anne.
Fred Rohe has been
a devotee of Avatar Adi Da for many years. He has been
a natural health pioneer and author for decades. His
store, New Age Natural Foods, opened in San Francisco
in 1965 and is credited with being the prototype natural
foods store. More at his website, Natural
Health Yellow Pages.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes 12
video clips from GlobalPeaceCentral.org, which Fred
created to help communicate and promote Adi Da's wisdom
about world peace.
Teresa Romero has
been a devotee of Avatar Adi Da for many years.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a clip
in which Achille Bonito Oliva speaks (in Italian)
at the opening of Adi Da Samraj's solo exhibition,
'Orpheus and Linead', at Sundaram Tagore Gallery,
New York - September 9, 2010, and Teresa Romero translates
into English.
Max Rykov has been a devotee of Bhagavan
Adi Da Samraj since 2009. He graduated from the University
of Alabama in 2011, and lived for two years at The Mountain
Of Attention, where he worked in the Adidam Library.
He now creates stage productions for community groups
and events, as well as hosting a monthly radio show.
More at his
website.
Never
Has God Revealed Himself So Fully —Max (20 at
the time of writing this story): "My interest in God
became dormant, and did not re-emerge until later
in high school, when I became heavily interested in
philosophy. I intuitively felt that there was something
greater in life; that all the answers were available,
but I had no idea how to access them. . . . I yearned
for God, but all I got from books was knowledge, not
the Divine Itself."
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a number
of video clips from Max.
Zoe Sander has been
a devotee of Adi Da since 1973. She has served Adi Da
at four of His Hermitage Sanctuaries, predominantly
at The Mountain Of Attention in Northern California
and Adi Da Samrajashram in Fiji. She has served as a
priest of many of the Holy Sites on these Sacred Sanctuaries.
She has been a proofreader of His literature, a copyeditor
for many Adidam publications, and a transcriber of Adi
Da's discourses. She also served for several years in
the sacred archives of Adidam.
Zoe was one of the original founders of the Adi
Da Up Close site, contributing much time and energy
to editing the first materials that appeared on this
site. She decided to help in this way "after
reading some stories on the web that communicated
a profound misunderstanding of Avatar Adi Da's unconventional
methods of Teaching. As His devotee, I am passionately
committed to communicating the truth about His Heroic
Work to Liberate ordinary (and Spiritually unqualified)
people like us, despite our obsessions with 'money,
food, and sex'. I hope the stories on this site give
you a feeling for what it is like to be His devotee,
and for what an extraordinary Blessing it is that
such a Spiritual Master is alive in our lifetime."
Glossary
— Zoe contributed much effort to getting the Adi Da
Up Close Glossary up and running.
Growth
as a Patron — Zoe interviews devotee Dennis Duff
about his experience as one of Adi Da's patrons.
Roger Savoie is a philosopher, writer, and translator.
He is the author of many books, and has written for
such prominent magazines as La Revue 3e millénaire.
Click
here to visit his website.
Jack Schmitt has been a devotee
of Adi Da since April, 1993. He ran a successful telephone
business in Austin, Texas, for many years and is now retired
and living with his wife in Texas. He has served the Adidam
Midwest Mission in a variety of ways and also helps the
Mate Mote Guild (Adidam’s death and dying ministry).
A
Gift of Healing
— Jack describes a sudden and dramatic healing that took
place through Adi Da's Blessing-Power in one of the temples
at The Mountain Of Attention.
Eleanor Seeley is a longtime devotee of Adi
Da. She lives in Trinidad, California, and serves
the Tat Sundaram Hermitage. She is a photographer and sculptor.
Click
here to visit her website.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a Sacred
Camel Gardens video clip created by Eleanor.
Garbage
and the Goddess — Canada provides a description
of the Garbage and the Goddess Period of Adi Da's
Work with devotees.
Steven
Shapiro has been a devotee of Adi Da since 2001.
He is the manager of the Adidam Mission in Lake County,
California, and he is a member of the Mate
Moce Guild.
Every
Cell in My Body Relaxed— Steven:"As I watched the video with Adi Da, every
cell in my body relaxed and lined up as one. Nothing
fancy, just home. Utterly home."
Michael Shaw has lived and served
closely around Avatar Adi Da Samraj for many years.
From teaching horsemanship to Adi Da's daughters, to
managing Adi Da Samraj's household and travels, Michael
has regularly served within the Divine Guru's intimate
sphere. Michael has participated in several of Avatar
Adi Da's principal Teaching Revelations.
The Graceful Key to
Recognition of Adi Da — Michael tells of moving
beyond the mind and the search to "get it". From the
consideration period known as "The Overnight Revelation
of Conscious Light."
Gerald Sheinfeld has been a devotee
of Adi Da for many years. He accompanied Adi Da on His
1973 trip to India. For more, visit his website, Stories
of the Spiritual Master.
How
I Found My Teacher
— Gerald tells a wonderful story about how he found
his Guru, Adi Da Samraj and his immediate recognition
of Adi Da's unique state of Freedom, Happiness, and
Liberation. Gerald speaks about how that recognition
of Adi Da has the capacity to awaken others to that
state of Prior Unity.
Testimonial
from a Longtime Devotee
— Gerald's testimonial to Adi Da, at the tribute that
occurred on Adi Da Samrajashram, on the First Anniversary
of Adi Da's Divine Mahasamadhi.
Wordless
Spiritual Recognition — Gerald tells the story
of how an Indian sadhu recognized Adi Da spiritually,
without ever exchanging a word with Adi Da.
Michael Sheppard is a classical
pianist who trained at the Peabody Conservatory of the
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he studied
with Leon Fleisher and Ann Schein. As one of two 2003
Classical Fellows of the American Pianists Association
he toured Southern Asia and the Middle East in collaboration
with the Cultural Programs Division of the United States
Department of State. Upon his return he made his Kennedy
Center debut. Michael has received critical acclaim
as a grand interpreter of transcriptions of operatic
tunes as well as American musical theatre in addition
to the traditional piano repertory.
Douglas Short has been a devotee
of Adi Da for a number of years. He recently lived at
The Mountain Of Attention, where he served as the manager
and head chef at First People Kitchen.
Rajesh Shukla is an art critic and
the author of several books, including Contemporizing
Buddha, Hindu
Tantra Yoga, and Concerning
The Spiritual In Art: An Indian Modern Art Perspective.
He received his B.A in Fine Art and Philosophy from
Allahabad University in 1993. He took Sanyasa for two
years, and studied the six systems of Indian philosophy,
focusing specially on Vedanta from the Sankaracharya
of Puri, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati. He was the winner
of the Lalit Kala Academy Scholarship Award for art
criticism in 2005. He is currently working on a book,
Buddhist Tantra Yoga. He lives and works in Delhi,
India.
The
Ancient Walk-About Way of Adi Da Samraj — "Adi
Da is the one and only artist whose art is beyond
idiom. Adi Da is postmodern in this sense, because
he knows the very locus from where things appear.
Images are things, and they appear on the surface,
carrying multiple messages of the locus. In this sense,
Adi Da does not express, rather he creates. His images
appear ‘as it is’ — an expression of Reality Itself."
David Simon has been a devotee of
Adi Da for a number of years. He has worked in the Marketing
Department for the Dawn Horse Press. He currently lives
in Florida.
David's responses to some frequently asked questions.
Askold Skalsky has taught English
and German at Hagerstown Community College. In 2005,
he was honored by the Maryland State Arts Council for
his poetry, which has appeared in numerous small press
magazines and journals, including Southern Poetry Review,
Oregon East, Northeast Corridor, and Chiron Review.
Skalsky's work has also been published in Canada, England,
and Ireland. It incorporates many themes from his childhood
in the Ukraine. Skalsky wrote the
introduction to Adi Da Samraj's The
Mummery Book, A Parable of the Divine True Love,
about which he said, "It was an honor to be asked to
write the introduction to this highly original experimental
work in the vein of James Joyce and Gertrude Stein."
Transcendental
Realism and Radical Narrative in Adi Da Samraj’s The
Orpheum — A paper by Askold Skalsky, Professor
of English, presented at the 2009 CESNUR Conference,
Salt Lake City, Utah, June 11-13, 2009. "At this critical
moment in world history, Adi Da Samraj (1939-2008)
provides a radical perspective in his literary trilogy
The Orpheum, showing that the presumption of a separate
“I” is an illusory category that distorts human consciousness
and very language itself by falsifying the prior unity
of reality."
Abel Slater has been a devotee of
Adi Da for over 25 years. He has spent significant time
in Naitauba, Fiji at Adi Da’s principal Hermitage Sanctuary,
Adi Da Samrajashram, where he received direct guidance
from Adi Da, both in practical life wisdom and esoteric
spiritual practice. Now based in New York, he also travels
extensively throughout the world presenting Adi Da's
spiritual teachings about right life, including diet,
sexuality, meditation and conductivity. Recently, he
has been focused on raising awareness about the benefits
of the raw vegan diet by promoting Green Gorilla raw
treats across the U.S. and around the world.
Diet
and Climate Change — In this episode of the radio
show, A Better World, host Mitchell Rabin conducts
a Round Table discussion on the relationship between
diet and climate change. He raises the tremendous
possibility for both personal-planetary transformation
and spiritual growth. Joining Mitchell are Abel Slater
and Dina Lautman.
Dan Sleeth has been a devotee of
Adi Da since 1983. He has worked for many years in the
field of human services as a mental health provider.
Dan earned a MA in general psychology and in counseling.
After receiving his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, he
wrote The
Integral Ego as a vehicle for considering the
non-dual perspective possible in the clinical therapeutic
setting. Dan has served Adi Da in many different capacities,
including public outreach, regional manager, and ashram
manager, as well as through his writing and advocacy.
My
First Meeting with Adi Da — Dan: "I marveled at
these eyes, even happy to be amazed! Then a starling
realization came. Clearly, he had seen — in fact,
was seeing now. The face in the poster seemed to literally
come alive. I could feel his presence, a person standing
in front of me — looking at me."
My
First Retreat and a Miraculous Healing — Dan:
"Suddenly, I was howling with utter abandon. . . .
The sounds felt torn from my intestines, and sent
scuttling out through my lungs in a gruff and horrific
shriek. It was obvious to me that something was being
pulled out from of the depths of my being, perhaps
even demonic. I could literally feel the blackness,
coarse and oily, like a mechanic's rag, passing through
my throat. Beyond any doubt, I was being purified
of some horrible foulness which I could not even name."
Julie Lockwood Smith
has been a formal devotee of Adi Da since June 20, 2009.
She currently lives in Alaska, and works for the Alaska
Department of Natural Resources. She received a law
degree from the University of Michigan Law School in
1992, and a degree in Integral Studies from JFK University
in 2008.
His
Name Was Written on the Banks of the River
— Julie: "I had only gone a few steps when
I saw, directly in front of me, the word DA written on
the banks of the Tanana River. I was stunned. How did
Bhagavan's Name get there?"
Elizabeth Solliday has been adevotee of Adi Da for many years.
This
Is Not The End Of Anything — Elizabeth tells of
her final visit with Adi Da's bodily human form, during
the Vigil period immediately after His Divine Mahasamadhi.
Bill Somersis a longtime
devotee of Adi Da, and has been a resident of Adi Da
Samrajashram for many years. He was a principal
clarinetist in a symphony orchestra before he left the
world of professional music to serve Adi Da. Among other
functions, he has served Adi Da as a cultural server
and retreat manager on Naitauba.
I Realized
That I Was "Playing for God" — In the early 1980's,
Bill had already realized what he had held to be his
life's ambition: to be principal clarinetist in a
symphony orchestra. But this accomplishment was not
enough for him, after all; his heart was not satisfied.
And that was a good place to be! It led him to his
Spiritual Master.
James Steinbergis a religious
scholar. He has been a devotee of Avatar Adi Da Samraj
since 1973. He has been personally schooled by Adi Da
in the entire Great Tradition of humankind's religious
and spiritual literature. He is a sought-after speaker
and radio program guest. He is also the author of the
books, Love
of the God-Man and Divine
Distraction, both about the Guru-devotee
relationship (on which he is a world authority). James
has been Graced to live with Adi Da Samraj in His Island
Hermitage, Adi Da Samrajashram in Fiji, and at The Mountain
Of Attention Sanctuary in California. He has represented
Adi Da Samraj in meetings with spiritual luminaries
worldwide, and is a regular visitor to India in completion
of a variety of Sacred projects. James attended Harvard
University and the University of California, Berkeley,
graduating in 1972. He has two daughters and lives in
California.
Watching
a Baseball Game with Bhagavan Adi Da Samraj—
James: "Usually we witnessed Adi Da's miraculous impact
at the Ashram and The Mountain Of Attention. But here
we — and 20,000 other (completely unaware) people
— were witnessing the effects of His spiritual powers
in the middle of the Oakland Coliseum!"
Spiritual
Recognition of Adi Da by the Sixteenth Karmapa
— In November 1980, two of Adi Da's devotees — James
Steinberg and Craig Lesser — visited the the Sixteenth
Karmapa, Ranchung Rigpa Dorje, in Boise, Idaho as
Adi Da's representatives. This is the story of what
happened next.
The First
Celibacy Consideration — In
the summer of 1979, Adi Da began to talk about celibacy.
He suggested that if we cut out our “middle class
indulgence” in coupling, perhaps we would be able
to really get down to the spiritual practice. James
describes where the consideration went from there.
A
Presentation on Money and the Guru — James presents
the spiritual principles underlying the giving of
money, service, and energy to the Guru. His presentation
includes traditional stories, stories about Avatar
Adi Da, and Adi Da’s basic Instruction. The primary
principle is the mutual relationship between the Guru
and devotee: the Guru is giving His devotee the gift
of His Spiritual Transmission — the means for the
devotee's liberation — 24 hours a day. Gifts of money,
service, and energy are part of what the devotee gives
back for the relationship to be spiritually lawful.
Mark Stewart has been a devotee of Adi
Da for many years. He is the president of Mark
Stewart Home Design, one of the foremost residential
design firms in North America and throughout the world,
and the recipient of several prestigious honors including
Home Magazine's "Well Crafted Home", the Easter Seals/Century
21 sponsored Lifetime Homes series, and the M.A.M.E.
Award for excellence in design.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes Mark's
brief video tour of the "Truth For Real" Bookstore
and Reading Room (which is also a Video Viewing Room)
in Portland, Oregon.
Leroy Stilwell is one of the founders of this
site. He has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj since 1977.
He lived and served at Adi Da Samrajashram, Naitauba,
Fiji for most of the time since 1986, and is now living
in Northern California.
Beezone
Interviews Leroy Stilwell—
Beezone editor Ed Reither interviews author and devotee
Leroy Stilwell about his new book, Love's Sacrifice
and the Ordeal to Become Human: 30 Years with my Spiritual
Master Adi Da.
The
Mad Talking Dance—
A story about Adi Da spontaneously speaking the thoughts
of devotees around Him.
About
the death transition — Leroy provides a vivid
example of the importance of holding the three-day
vigil for the death transition, as recommended by
Adi Da.
About
ghosts — Leroy presents Adi Da's wisdom about
ghosts, along with a "ghost story" by Anne Rogers.
Adi
Da Was Really There: The Sacred Empowerment of the
London Center Hall — Avatar Adi Da has instructed
His devotees how to invoke His Empowerment of sacred
places by installing Empowered objects there. Keith
Marsden and Leroy Stilwell tell the story of the Empowerment
of the first London Adidam Center.
When
There Is Surrender — An account of Leroy Stilwell's
first direct, tangible experience of Avatar Adi Da's
Spiritual Transmission.
Bill Stranger has been a devotee of Adi Da since
October, 1973. Bill is currently the director of DharmaCafé.
He has served Adi Da in a broad range of capacities, including
groundskeeper, minister, missionary, educator, public speaker,
writer, administrator, multi-media producer/director, and
diplomat. He has represented Avatar Adi Da at a variety
of public forums, including the Bay Area Interfaith Council
(of which he was a co-founder), the Raoul Wallenberg Institute
of Ethics, the Parliament of the World's Religions, the
1999 Hague Appeal for Peace, the Synthesis Conference hosted
by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, in Dharmasala, India, in
1999, and both the Paradigm Conference and the State-of-the-World
Forum of the Gorbachev Foundation, which were held in 2000.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
of Bill being interviewed by Scott Morrow of The Blue
OK about DharmaCafé.
The
World's Greatest Unpublished Spiritual Book — At the
current time, Adi Da's masterpiece, The Scapegoat Book,
remains unpublished. However, in 2008, The Dawn Horse
Press invited Bill Stranger to write an introduction to
The Scapegoat Book. Here is that introduction.
Ron Strauss has been a devotee for many years. He
is a nutrition educator and consultant (with more than 35
years of research and practice), and a professional violinist.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes an audio
clip on which Ron is playing the viola, on a track of
Antonina Randazzo's album of devotional music, Fall
Into My Heart.
Lisa Paul Streitfeld is an art critic, curator,
performance artist and novelist who delivered a paper,
"Applying the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to 21st
Century Art", at the 2009 International Association of
Art Critics (AICA) Conference in Dublin. She has written
on metaphysics and contemporary art for The New York Times,
The Hartford Courant, Art New England, and the international
avant-garde. As regular reviewer (2000-2005) for Southern
Connecticut Newspapers, she interpreted a 21st century
icon, the hieros gamos, subject of her forthcoming
four volume critical study.
Modernist
(R)evolution in Chelsea: The Premiere of Adi Da Samraj
— Lisa: "Sundaram Tagore Gallery's New York premiere
of the self-proclaimed avatar Adi Da Samraj (1939-2008)
filled a vacuum existing in the art world expectantly
awaiting the rise of the New since the tumult of the
market fall. Curated by the Italian critic Achille Bonito
Oliva, Orpheus and Linead celebrates a joyous union
of opposites that polarized 20th century art into objective/nonobjective,
abstract/figurative."
JoAnne Sunshine is a longtime devotee of Adi Da
and has devoted many years to studying and practicing
the art of sacred devotional singing in the company of
Avatar Adi Da Samraj. JoAnne has written compositions
for Broadway star Laura Theodore, opera singers Crane
Kirkbride, Mel McMurrin, and Elizabeth deBrine. Crane
Kirkbride commissioned the song “I Am Who You Are”, which
was first produced by Ray Lynch and subsequently by John
Mackay. She recorded and sang “I Am With You Now” with
Ray Lynch, a devotional song familiar to many devotees.
I
Am Who You Are—
JoAnne wrote this exquisite piece (produced by Ray Lynch),
here sung by Crane Kirkbride in operatic style (from
his devotional album, An
Infinite Well).
Da
Om, Om Da—
This audio excerpt is track 5 on JoAnne's CD, Da
Hridayam. Da Hridayam is a collection
of devotional chants from longtime devotee, JoAnne Sunshine.
These new chants invoke the Divine via the Names and
Declarations of Divine Realizer Avatar Adi Da Samraj.
The CD beautifully explores a vast array of cultural
styles and instruments. It is uplifting, absorbing,
and inventive — a sublime celebration.
Charles Syrett has been a devotee of Adi Da since
1980. He is a mapmaker by profession, and the owner of
Map
Graphics, which makes street maps, some of which you
may actually have in your glove compartment or telephone
directory. His company also makes maps for websites, CD-ROMs,
PowerPoint presentations, etc. His clients are from all
over the world, and have included Comcast , L.L. Bean,
Oracle, and Reader’s Digest. Charles has also put his
mapmaking skills to good use in his service to Adi Da,
mapping the Adidam
Sanctuaries in support of the ongoing process of Sanctuary
development.
From
Dead-In-The-Water to Alive, By Grace —
Charles tells the story of how his invoking Adi Da's
Grace through the Devotional Prayer of Changes and participating
in a Prosperity Puja resurrected a "dead-in-the-water"
business opportunity, the very morning after the Prosperity
Puja took place.
Hélène Tavernier is half of the French band,
Angel
Factory. Hélène grew up in a family of classical
musicians and learned cello. When cello met computer,
or more precisely, when Maurizio Fasolo of Pankow fame
(the group providing the Florence Dance Company with
electronic music over recent years) heard her duo play
live in Lille, Hélène was invited to listen, improvise,
then set her vocal melodies to the pieces Maurizio had
prepared for Divina.com.
Divina.com
(video) —
In this multi-modal performance (featuring the Florence
Dance Company dancing against a projected backdrop
of Adi Da's Image-Art that was constantly changing),
Hélène Tavernier's role was to take texts from Dante
and Adi Da Samraj, compose music for them, and then
sing them (variously in Italian, French and English).
Sally Taylor is an Australian-trained physician
who became a devotee of Adi Da Samraj in 1976. During
Adi Da's Teaching Years, she participated in many of
the emotional-sexual "reality considerations". In addition
to her medical expertise, she serves the culture of
Adidam by helping devotees with their practice.
Participation
in Adi Da's considerations about the emotional-sexual
dimension of life (video) —
Sally talks about her voluntary participation in Adi
Da's considerations about the emotional-sexual dimension
of life, the instructions she received, and the profound
benefit she has derived by being "grown up" beyond
childish patterns of self-suppression, shutting down
of the life force, promiscuity, and limitations on
love.
Robin Temple has been a Dutch devotee of Adi
Da since 1985. After graduating from Bristol University
in England, Robin did postgraduate studies in education.
He is one of the instructors at the Adidam Academy.
Audio/Video
Library — A story from Robin about his recent
retreat on Adi Da Samrajashram, useful insights that
he received about his egoic patterning, and a release
from self-concern that Gracefully (Acausally) occurred.
Lynne Thompson is a member of the Editorial
Staff for this site. She is a devotee of Adi Da and
a resident of New Zealand. She also teaches Nia (a non-impact
physical conditioning program), and works for her local
Arts Council organizing art events and promoting artists.
Everything
Has Changed and Nothing Has Changed — "I
was fortunate to be able to get on a plane and head
over to the Island [Adi Da Samrajashram]. I consider
this Auspicious Occasion to be the most profound in
my life, even as I am still struggling to find words
to correctly explain what that means."
Audio/Video
Library — A special thanks to Lynne for doing the
bulk of the data entry for our audio/video database.
Today's
Quote From Adi Da — And further thanks to Lynne for
doing the bulk of the work in locating and entering quotes
for our "daily quotes" database, available on our home
page.
Chris Tong, Ph.D., is one of the founders of
this site, and has been been a devotee of Adi Da since
1989. He is also the founder of The
Practical Spirituality Press, and the director of
The
Institute for Real God, The
COTEDA Institute for Global Accord, and FIRM
(The Foundation against Intolerance of Religious Minorities).
He was formerly a professor of Computer Science and
a leading researcher in Artificial Intelligence. (You
can read more in his biography
and personal statement.) He has made many contributions
to this site, including:
Chris is responsible for custom-programming all
the technical features of this website, including
pop-up
glossary entries, the associated glossary database,
and the automatically generated Glossary
page; event pages that are automatically "in synch"
(in real time) with the Adidam.org event pages (like
here
and here);
the searchable Audio/Video
Library, and its associated database and features
("most popular videos this week", selection
of videos by year, etc.); pictures that enlarge in
place (as pop-ups) and videos that play in place (as
pop-ups); integration of the site with Facebook; the
"Today's
Quote from Adi Da" feature and database;
the "Today
in Adidam History" feature and database;
the automatic generation of the Adidam
Celebrations page from the Adidam History database;
etc.
The
Significance of Recognition in the Way of Adidam— This
article explores such issues as: recognition as a
Revelation, not a belief (part 1); determining whether
one has recognized Adi Da as the Divine Person (part
1); recognition as the primary requirement for becoming
a devotee and for growing in the Way of Adidam (part
2); how the recognition capability is associated with
spontaneous growth in the practice of Adidam (part
3); the difference between a moment of recognition
and the moment-to-moment recognition capability (part
4); how moments of recognition are Adi Da's gift to
us, but the recognition capability is our gift to
Him (part 4); and the "recognition consideration"
for prospective devotees, whose successful conclusion
(the Revelation Itself) dissolves all questions or
doubts they may have about becoming Adi Da's devotee
(part 5).
An
Overview of Adi Da's Crazy Wisdom and "The Way That
I Teach"— This
introductory article includes the following key points:
the longstanding spiritual tradition of Crazy Wisdom;
how "Crazy Wisdom" is often misunderstood from a conventional
viewpoint; how participation always has been completely
voluntary; Adi Da's unique form of Crazy Wisdom, which
He called "the Way That I Teach"; why Adi Da's "Teaching
Years" were necessary and what historical period the
"Teaching Years" covered; and why the useful consideration
for prospective devotees is not "Did He or didn't
He?" but "Is He or isn't He?"
The
Offering of Perfect Happiness: The Divine Incarnation,
Life, and Work of Avatar Adi Da Samraj—
All the great Spiritual Masters have been not only
teachers, but Transmission Masters: they literally
transmit their Spiritual Realization to their devotees,
communicating a state that is happier than the usual
worldly destiny. The greatest of all Spiritual Masters
are the Divine Incarnations, those rare occasions
when the Divine appears in Its own "dream" as a character,
as a tangible means that every one can easily access
for Transmitting the greatest Realization of all —
the Divine State of Perfect and Eternal Happiness
— which coincides with awakening from the "dream".
The
Need for a Spiritual Transmission Master—
Many people experience some kind of spiritual or unitive
Revelation sometime in their life. (As Adi Da puts
it: "Everyone receives the Shock of God. Everyone.
There is no being from the mosquito to Man who does
not receive the Shock of Divine Intervention.")
But a moment and a memory is not the same thing as
permanent Realization of what was Revealed
in that moment. Realization requires many years (or
lifetimes) of self-transcending practice on the basis
of that Revelation. For that reason, one must have
access to the Revelation on an ongoing, even moment-to-moment
basis. That is the function of the Spiritual Transmission
Master.
The
Necessary Artfulness in Taking Up Disciplines in the
Way of Adidam—
Response to a frequently asked question about whether
people who are not yet devotees should take up any
of the disciplines of the Way of Adidam. Touches upon
some of the subtleties facing both prospective devotees
and current devotees in engaging disciplines, such
as engaging the disciplines egoically or egolessly.
A
Framework for Exegesis: Understanding Adi Da's Word
in Context — To rightly understand Adi Da's Teaching
Word, we must know exactly when He wrote or spoke
it, and the context in which He wrote or spoke it.
And to pin down that context, it is useful to evaluate
the talk or essay or passage along seven different
dimensions, which are presented and described in this
article.
Adidam and Postmodernism — Chris describes Adidam
as a post-postmodern tradition. Like postmodernism,
Adidam rejects all egoic viewpoints as limited. But
this is because it identifies the ego as the source
of all limited viewpoints (which postmodernism fails
to do). The profoundly consequential implication is
that there is a Viewpoint that is not limited:
if one transcends the ego perfectly, then "limited
viewpoint" is also transcended in the Prior Unity
that is revealed.
We
Are Consciousness Itself — This
article is for helping the reader better understand
the free ebook, We Are Consciousness Itself,
(particularly the terminology, which is unconventional),
and appreciate
its implications.
Lawsuits,
Countersuits, and Media Circuses: The Details
— Chris presents the basic facts, which are pretty
straightforward. Two lawsuits were filed, and out-of-court
settlements reached. The Marin County Superior Court
dismissed the primary lawsuit.
On the
1985 Beverly O'Mahony lawsuit — The one major
lawsuit against Adidam was brought by Beverly O'Mahony,
Brian O'Mahony's wife at the time (1985). In this
interview with Chris, Brian speaks candidly about
that time, the lawsuit, the media circus that ensued,
and what to make of it all decades later.
Club
Rat — Chris tells the story of how Adi Da created
a most unusual evening, and how He used music to open
Chris's heart.
Surrender
at the Master's Feet — In this compilation, Wes
Vaught, Antonina Randazzo, and Chris describe the
extraordinary Grace of touching (or being physically
close to) Adi Da's Feet, traditionally held to be
the most sacred "part" of the Spiritual Transmission
Master's body.
The
Mummery Book: excerpts (9 tracks)
— The
Mummery Book (Book One of The Orpheum)
is a sacred theatrical enactment that combines acting,
images, and music. Much music has been written for
The Mummery Book over the years, often completely
new with each year's performance. Here is just a small
sample, composed and sung by Chris for Adi Da at the
1995 performance of The Mummery Book on Naitauba,
Fiji.
Spiritual
Recognition of Adi Da: Some Initial Stories —
In this article, Chris provides stories of spiritually
sensitive people (from a variety of cultural traditions)
who have recognized Adi Da in spiritual terms.
Money
and "Spiritual Legitimacy" — Chris's introductory
article addresses a couple of common, but mistaken
notions about money and spirituality: someone who
is "spiritual" should have nothing to do with money
(making it, using it, etc.); and any spiritual or
religious organization that makes money a requirement
rather than a "pass the basket" voluntary matter could
not be spiritually "legitimate".
Incorruptibility
— This article explores the nature of incorruptibility,
and, in contrast with some fourth to fifth stage Realizers,
why we would expect the body of a seventh stage
Realizer to not be incorruptible, because no
connection with the physical body (or subtle body)
remains after the moment of death.
Before
It Was The Mountain Of Attention — Before it became
The Mountain Of Attention, the land now associated
with this Sanctuary had served as a popular hot springs
resort called Seigler Hot Springs (Seigler Springs,
for short). Here is a brief recount of that history,
along with an album of historical photos.
The
Sign of Open Hands — Chris answers a question
about why devotees often have their hands raised.
The
Dawn Horse in Adidam (editor) — Chris drew on
many Adidam sources over the years to create this
article about Adi Da's Dawn Horse Vision and Dawn
Horse iconography in Adidam.
Chris's responses to some frequently asked questions.
Kyle Truscott has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
for many years.
Audio/Video
Library — Our audio/video library includes a video
clip from Kyle.
Ineke van Amerongen has been a devotee of
Adi Da for many years. She currently lives in the European
Danda, in Maria Hoop, The Netherlands.
Audio/Video Library — Ineke appears in this
video, where she provides an introduction to the European
Danda.
Frans van den Bossche has been a devotee
of Adi Da for many years. He has been a long-term resident
of Adidam's Sanctuaries in California, Hawaii, and Fiji.
He has served Adi Da as a principal editor since 1980. Frans
now divides his time between Melbourne and Fiji, and continues
to provide editorial services for Adi Da's Teaching publications.
The
Teaching Work Begins (event) — Frans was one of hosts
for this special four day retreat (April 25-28, 2013),
that coincided with the celebration of the beginning of
Adi Da's Teaching Work on April 25, 1973.
Jasper van Laar is the manager of the Dutch
website, Yoga
Online, and the head of the film production company,
Way Media. He lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library
includes DaPlastique video clips (here
and here)
for which Jaspar did the production work.
Wes Vaught was one of Adi Da's earliest devotees.
He now works as a healer.
"What
Have You Been Doing with Your Life?"—
The story of how Wes worked as a proofreader at CSA
Press, in Atlanta, Georgia, the original publisher
of Adi Da's autobiography, The
Knee Of Listening. It would prove to be the
means by which he discovered his Spiritual Master,
"by chance", before Adi Da began His formal Teaching
Work in 1972.
Surrendering
at the Feet of a Spiritual Transmitter—
Wes gives an account how Avatar Adi Da's Spiritual
Transmission affected him. He describes the affect
as an opening, as Avatar Adi Da's Radiance "washed
through me".
Toni Vidor has been devotee of Adi Da Samraj
since 1974. She was the eldest child of well-known film
director King Vidor. After college, she rejected the
life offered by her parents’ wealth and fame. From the
late 1940's to the early 1970's (when she met Adi Da),
she was an equestrian and a healer, as well as a pioneer
of alternative living. For more visit her
website.
"An
Immense Burden Had Been Lifted from Me" — Toni
tells a story of the impact of Adi Da's Transmission
on her: "When it was finally over, I felt as if an
immense burden — eighty tons of whatever it was I
had been carrying around all my life without even
realizing it — had been lifted from me."
Related
Books by Devotees — Toni has written an autobiography,
Beyond The Illusion, in which she describes
her many years as Adi Da's devotee.
Audio/Video
Library — Toni Vidor talks about meeting Adi Da
for the first time, and the profound impact of His
Spiritual Transmission. She describes her mission
to India to find (at Adi Da's request) the elusive
"mercury bead", said to possess rejuvenative qualities
and provide healing, and how she Gracefully fulfilled
Adi Da's seemingly impossible request. She talks about
her experience of Adi Da's relationship and play with
non-humans. In responding to Adi Da's requests that
she heal particular sick animals, she describes a
fundamental lesson she learned: if oriented properly,
the devotee healer is merely a conduit for Adi Da,
and Adi Da does the healing, with an efficacy and
speed not otherwise possible.
Jack Vigushin is a longtime devotee of Adi Da
Samraj.
"Direct
Her to Me, Above" — Adi Da's detailed Instructions
to Joan Vigushin, and her intimate partner, Jack,
for serving her death transition.
Lynne Wagner became a devotee of Avatar Adi
Da Samraj in 1974. She lived in the Hermitages and Sanctuaries
of Adidam and served Adi Da personally for nearly twenty
years. Her career as an elementary school teacher started
with the first Adidam private schools, and included
years in public elementary and secondary schools, where
she specialized in the arts and English for second-language
learners. She received Adi Da's direct Instruction in
the traditions of Eastern and Western spirituality and
sacred art, and started painting Indian miniatures under
His Guidance. Lynne now creates original
fine art portraits and figurative paintings.
Painting
of Adi Da — Lynne created this beautiful painting
of Adi Da with two children on the beach.
Ann Walsh attended university in
the U.S. and Europe. Her education brought her to a point
of profound disillusionment and despair. She was desperately
seeking a source of Living Wisdom, studying everything
from the occult to parapsychology to the various alternative
and traditional religious offerings. Then she read The
Knee Of Listening, Adi Da’s autobiography, and
became His devotee in 1975. Ann has lived and served at
three of Avatar Adi Da’s Hermitages and Sanctuaries.
Leslie Waltzer came to Bhagavan Adi
Da in 1975, when she was 29 years old. Over the course
of her time as His devotee, she has seen Adi Da on many
occasions. She is the business owner of a
graphic design company in the San Francisco Bay Area,
and has served Adi Da over the years principally through
book, print and website design and in service to the Adidam
Mission. She raised two children and taught art to many
children in the Adidam community.
Praise
to the Guru, Body of Light — Leslie came to Bhagavan
Adi Da in 1975, when she was 29 years old. Just after
Adi Da's Divine Mahasamadhi, she went on retreat at
Naitauba. This is her story of what happened while
she was there.
David Ward has
been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj for many years. He is
an artisan who works with a unique medium: tree
branches, creating stick art in many forms (including
wall-mounted sculptures). His contributions to contemporary
interior design have been recognized in the national
media (for example, this
article in The San Francisco Chronicle) and are
showcased in numerous luxury homes across the nation.
He lives and works in an artistic spiritual community
near Nevada City in Northern California.
Don Webley was born in Jamaica and came to the
United States to study physics. He is now a medical
legal consultant. He has been a devotee of Adi Da Samraj
since 1980. He has written several introductions and
commentaries to Adi Da's books and is helping to make
Avatar Adi Da's Art known in the world.
A conversation with
Adi Da Samraj about His uniqueness as a seventh stage
Adept Realizer — Don was the first devotee to
speak extensively to Adi Da Samraj about the Uniqueness
of His Teaching and His Realization. He recounts that
1993 conversation with Adi Da Samraj, when He openly
Confirmed that He is the "First, Last, and Only Seventh-Stage
Adept".
Beyond
All Doubt — As a child in Jamaica, Donald Webley
recalls feeling that there was something lacking,
something without which real happiness was not possible.
An unexplained experience of Bliss moved him to spiritual
practice and eventually to Avatar Adi Da.
Susana Weingarten has been a devotee of Adi Da for
many years. She was born and raised in Mexico City. She
studied modern dance techniques at the school of Ballet
Nacional de Mexico and later in the school of Ballet Independiente
de Mexico, where she danced professionally and toured Mexico
and Central America. She moved to New York City to continue
her dance training with Takako Azakawa, Kazuko Hirabayashi,
Louis Falco, The Alvin Ailey Dance School, and Carol Rioux.
She appeared with Linda Diamond and Dancers at the Symphony
Space and Lincoln Center Annex in New York City. Currently
Susana is the co-Director of DANCEVERT,
along with husband and world-class dancer Tom Evert. She
oversees the artistic, marketing/publicity and general aspects
of the company, as well as choreographing her own works
for solos, duets, and large group works individually and
in collaboration with Tom and other musicians. More on her
website.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
a number of video clip of Susan Weingarten and/or Tom
Evert choreographing and performancing dances based on
the Wisdom of Adi Da (here
and here).
Greg Wells is a devotee of Adi Da. He was born
into a large family of eight children in one of the
worst ghettos in Philadelphia. He has an MBA, and has
been a mechanical engineer, school principal, a minimum
wage parking lot attendant, and a computer consultant,
and is a father of four grown sons. Since becoming of
devotee of Adi Da Samraj in 1990, he has lived in Washington
DC and New Zealand, and is presently living on Adi Da
Samrajashram.
How
Total Satisfaction Found Me—
Greg's insightful account
of how he finally found God in the Person of Adi Da
Samraj, and came to understand that Adi Da was the
Spiritual Master he had been looking for since he
was a small boy.
Kenneth Welsh
is a renowned
actor. He spent seven seasons at Stratford, playing
among many other roles, the title role in Hamlet.
The next twelve years he spent in New York, where he appeared
on and off Broadway. His film credits include The Freshman,
Legends of the Fall, Crocodile Dundee II,
The Day After Tomorrow, Absolute Power,
The Aviator, and Margaret's Museum. On television
his credits include starring roles in Empire Inc,
Love and Hate, And Then You Die, Hiroshima,
Edison, Smallville, Law and Order,
The X-Files, and Twin Peaks. He has won
six Geminis and one Genie (the Canadian equivalent of
the Oscars and the Emmys).
Kenneth Welsh: An Appreciation — Kenneth Welsh, a renowned, prolific Canadian actor known for his memorable, unhinged villain from Twin Peaks, in addition to roles in such hit films as The Day After Tomorrow and The Aviator, has died (on May 5, 2022) at the age of 80. Ken was a devotee of Adi Da, and will be greatly missed by all those in the Adidam community who knew or appreciated him. This article is an appreciation
of Ken.
Tom Williams was a former Presbyterian minister.
He has been a devotee of Adi Da since 1982.
Coming
Home: The Spiritual Odyssey of a Former Clergyman— Tom:
"My story is about how I moved from being an ordinary
person to someone who was given the greatest gift
in the world. This is the story of how I fell in love
with God. And I wouldn't trade this life for anything
in the world. There's nothing that compares to being
in communion, in love with God."
Felix Woldenberg grew up in the Adidam community
as Adi Da's devotee. He has been formally trained as
a dhrupad singer.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
an audio clip from Felix's album with Naamleela Free
Jones, Da
Naama Mantra.
Michael Wood (Mulund) has been a devotee of
Avatar Adi Da since the earliest years of Beloved's
Work in Los Angeles. He was a corporate attorney at
the time he was introduced to Avatar Adi Da, and he
was the principal attorney for Adidam for over 25 years.
The
Teaching Years Were Fruitless — Mulund presents
Adi Da's communication about how His "Teaching Years"
[the period of His early Work with His devotees] were
"fruitless": They demonstrated the fruitlessness of
all the different forms of human seeking, both conventional
and unconventional.
Nara Wood grew up in the Adidam community as Adi
Da's devotee. She is an artist and watercolorist; for
more, visit her
website.
Audio/Video Library — Our audio/video library includes
a
video clip of Nara offering a testimonial to the
life and work of Adi Da Samraj.
Bill Worden has been a devotee of Adi Da since
1997. Prior to becoming a devotee, Bill had been a ski
instructor, a commercial fisherman in Alaska and California,
co-owner of an art nouveau / art deco company, and a
poker dealer at casinos in both South Lake Tahoe, Nevada,
and San Pablo, California. He maintains the blog, Steps
on the Path.
My
First Years with Adi Da — Bill: "An energy started
to descend into me. The energy seemed conscious. It
was intelligent. It moved steadily. It wasn’t affected
by anything I did. It must have taken about thirty
seconds to go all the way down my body. It was the
most amazing thing to feel. I felt love as I have
never experienced it. It was pure love."
John Wubbenhorst has
been a devotee of Adi Da for many years. He leads the
musical group, Facing
East, which continually experiments with new musical
possibilities that often seamlessly combine Eastern
and Western musical traditions.
We
Just Happened to Have Musical Instruments in Our Hands
— This recording of Above the Clouds was taken
in November 2010, during a three day, 24-hour-a-day
vigil of meditation and puja on the veranda of Aham
Da Asmi Sthan, Adi Da's home on the island of Naitauba.
John speaks of the sacred occasion of being dropped
out into the space of being 'not really there' while
the Guru plays the musical instrument (and the instrument
that is one's body-mind).
Facing
Beloved—
From the album, Facing
Beloved, by group Facing
East, with John Wubbenhorst (bansuri), Subash
Chandran (ghatam) and Ganesh Kumar (kanjira). This
piece is based on a melody from J.S. Bach (siciliano)
with elements of Raga Kirwani.
John Wubbenhorst and Otto Probst, Breath
of Devotion. This music was improvised for Adi
Da Samraj on occasions during which He created His
Divine Image-Art: "There were no plans or rehearsals;
all the music was a spontaneous response to His Presence."
35
Years With My Master — Along with Eija Halme,
Jasmine hosted this event in Helsinki, which featured
James Steinberg as guest speaker.
Jane Yang has been a devotee of Adi Da for many years. She is a Chi-Gong Master of the Wu
Ji Chi Gong style school. She has been privileged to
study with a number of great Chi-Gong Masters over the
last forty years, and is very grateful to them all.
Going to the Source
— Jane's story of how she came to acknowledge Avatar
Adi Da Samraj as the ultimate source of power and
healing central to all of Chi-Gong.
The Five Reality-Teachings (in Mandarin) — Devotee Jane Yang translated Adi Da's The Five Reality-Teachings into Mandarin. Here is her 2008 recitation of that translation. Consideration of "The Five Reality-Teachings" is one of the core practices of The Transcendental Spiritual Way of Adidam.
Steve Zerlin is a
brilliant and versatile bassist, fluent with many styles.
He is accomplished as a jazz musician on both electric
and acoustic bass as well as having adapted the bass
to Eastern modalities as a member of Facing East. He
has toured India as well as extensively throughout the
USA with many top artists including Jack DeJohnette,
Dennis Chambers, Carl Filipiak group, Paul McCandless
and others. He was cited in Jazz Times magazine
(April 2004) for his unique style and abilities.
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