I asked Atmananda what he thought had nearly killed me. "It is
no coincidence," he said mysteriously. "Whenever you make genuine
spiritual progress, the Negative Forces in the universe try and hold
you back. But don't worry. When you are attacked by the Forces,
just think of Guru."
I did think of Guru. I often doubted, though, that nefarious,
non-physical Entities from beyond the world of reason were getting
underneath my skin. I recalled that Don Juan tricked Castaneda
into pursuing the path to knowledge, and wondered if Atmananda's
explanation was a ploy to maneuver me closer to Guru. But because I
sought adventure, challenge, and entrance into the metaphysical worlds
of Don Juan, Obi-Wan-Kanobi, Chinmoy and Atmananda, I willfully
suspended my disbelief. I also suspended my plans to hitchhike west.
After reading a speech at my high school graduation, I said
good-bye to friends and family, and bought a one-way ticket east
to Stony Brook.
4. The Community
"Hello...Atmananda?" said my brother into the phone. Then he
winced and hung up.
"Well?" I asked.
"I have to call him back," he replied sheepishly.
"How come?"
"He said I didn't have the right spirit."
He dialed again. "Halllooooooo, Atmanaaaaaaanda!" he bellowed.
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