For Teens

     Hi, on this page I want to speak directly to you.

• Do you enjoy “deep” conversations, but don’t feel like you have anyone who can meet you there.  Or even if you do, do you want to go even further in exploring who and what you are, the meaning of life, and where you want to go in the world?
• Do you feel like there has got to be something more to life than what everyone else is talking about or what you see around you?
• Is there a sense of mystery in the universe that you just need to pay attention to?
• Do you feel confused or at pain in some deep place that you want to address?
• Are you interested in consciousness, philosophy, or meditation?
• Do you want to get to the bottom of everything and discover what the most fundamental aspects of the universe are, and what’s “really” going on?
• Do you feel like there is something just below your attention, beneath the surface of how you look to others, the activities you do, and how you spend you’re day, something fundamental about who you are that remains a mystery and that you’d like to get more in touch with?

     I get it.  You’re walking around having all of these spiritual yearnings, and the structure of your life doesn’t give any room for that sort of creative, inspired curiosity. If you feel like an alien, like no one understands you, or that the world is telling you to suppress your deepest sense of meaning in order to live a safe, sanitary, conventional life, basically, to sell out, then I would like you to know that you do not have to do this. Many people do not, and most of those who do, do so because they lack the support from their community, and our educational system especially, to think for themselves and reach for what fascinates them.  In large part, this is no one’s fault in particular.  It is the result of ingrained personal, cultural, and social habits, and it takes some conscious perspective and earnestness to find another way of living.

     I was you, and it wasn’t that long ago!  In fact, in many ways, the effort continues on my part, to be as real with myself as possible, to be terribly honest and continue to choose, moment by moment, over and over again, to live the life of inspiration, depth, and meaning.  Sometimes it is hard work, sometimes it is painful, and it always requires a great deal of sincerity.  But it is unquestionably worth it.  The alternative is a life of varying degrees of unconscious numbness, dissociation from life, and dissatisfaction; not to mention the fact that service to our whole species and planet at this time demands that we operate from a place of passion and commitment, qualities that we can’t hope to maintain in any more than a superficial way if we are not guided by a sense of authentic purpose.  In my own journey I have been successful to the degree that I have been honest with myself and followed my deepest heart, and I could not have done it without guidance.

     Following your sense of wonder, whatever specific activities it is focused on, is vitally important to your own well-being, as well as to your service to the world. Whoever you look to for feedback, encouragement, ideas, challenge, and inspiration, whether it is me or not, that person should know what they are talking about, and be able to help you set your sights really high.  Don’t settle in matters of the heart.

     I wish I had had a mentor to help me along this way.  If you do too, talk to your parents and contact me.  I’m young, awake, and can relate to you in a way that older people, even quite developed spiritual teachers, are simply not able to.  Right now, I consider it my mission in life to help you get to know All of who You Are, so that the rest of your life will be the most fulfilled it can possibly be.