The Elegant Universe

Atman is a Sanskrit word, defined in simple terms as an individual’s inner self, spirit or soul. The concept of Atman as the true self is considered to be the first principle of Hindu philosophy, particularly according to the Vedanta tradition.  Dualistic schools such as Dvaita Vedanta believe that Atman is distinct from Brahman (universal principle), whereas non-dualistic schools such as Advaita Vedanta teach that Atman and Brahman are one and the same, contained within one another. In such traditions, liberation from suffering can only be attained when an individual realizes that Atman and Brahman are identical. The Maharshi “Who am I?” the Maharshi pressed me to […]

When I seriously considered meditating roughly five years ago, I really had no idea how to begin a practice.  I had heard about the importance of meditation but for me it just didn’t seem practical.  I tried meditating when I was 25 years old and my idea at the time was that meditation meant going into a dark space and quieting the mind.  I literally got into a dark closet, sat down, and tried to quiet my mind—it didn’t work.  My mind only became more active and disturbed and it wasn’t long before I got up from the closet and

My big brother, Michael Ahearn, died at age 56.  My nieces, Shelby and Nicki, asked me if I would write his obituary.  This is the second time I have been asked to write the obituary of one of my siblings at the much too early age of 56.  My oldest sister, Lori, died at age 56 as well.  It wasn’t easy writing her obituary, but we weren’t as close as my brother and I.  Scribing the final footnote of my brother’s life is the single hardest thing I have ever had to write. No matter how many times I have

The following is an excerpt from my newest book, Heavily Meditated, on the history and power of the breath.  The book is due out in the summer of 2021. “The breath is the surest way to reclaim your power. Through the breath we find the essence of our true potentiality.”  When fear grips us, the breath is the gateway to reclaim our personal divinity. We can live for days without water, weeks without food, however the breath is our constant companion awaiting us to become allies once again on this journey called life. Foreword: The world stood still; at least