May 19, 2006- Dedication:

To my gift from God,

That is what the name “Jana” means.

You are only 1 week old as I write to you today. Your mother and I are amazed but not surprised at your symmetry, your beauty, and your supremacy. Against much societal opposition, your mother and I birthed you at home without professional assistance. We believe there is an innate intelligence within us all that “needs no help, just no interference.” I have learned that true objectivity is scarce among humanity but to deviate from ones principles due to the pressure of others is the destruction of your freedom.

I could never have known before what the gift of parenthood and the blessing of a child could feel like. My heart is overwhelmed with joy, gratitude and humility. As I reflect on my life I realize that it has always been a search for truthfulness. I have also realized that the keys to my own personal freedom have been the books I chose to read. They have become my most valued possessions. I have great hope that someday as you reflect on this dedication your mind is deep within one of the books of our personal library pointing you to mystical realizations of your own about the nature of reality and of the universe.

Some of the greatest spiritual masters, mystics, writers, poets, quantum physicists, and former academians turned bohemians say to treat you as my equal although you are just a little squirt. They have also revealed to me that you are my greatest teacher although you are a beautiful helpless runt right now. Most importantly, they have pointed out how simple it is to recognize your divinity. I have chosen to wholeheartedly follow their advice.

The word Inspiration has several meanings; one is Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul, and another definition is arousal of the mind to special extraordinary activity or creativity. I hope to be one of your greatest inspirations. If I can be an instrument to help you express your greatest potential I will have fulfilled my own.

I have found that inspiration of magnificence comes with the perseverance of being true to oneself. There is true liberty in the disciplined path of the great minority: as Frost said, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

So Jana Aum, always follow your ideals. As you become the master of yourself you will realize that ideals are worth living for. Although your family comes from humble financial backgrounds, they possess an immense amount of spiritual wisdom. As your grandparents taught me, you should always know that happiness is a state of being and not something that anything outside yourself can bring. Recognize the divinity and one-ness within yourself and all other things, and you will transcend some or most of the suffering that comes along with being human. Most of all, know that love is the greatest ideal and love is what you were created from.

All my love, Dad-