Anthony is one of my best friends and in many ways we have each become the others guru for the past seven months. We have shared stories of our personal awakenings along with questions of what remains unanswered. It has been a beautiful period and he has influenced me a lot during this time.
At the beginning of this period, when I ask him if he ever talked to anyone else about his knowledge he would always say “You can’t Joel, it’s like trying to speak Russian to someone”. He tells the story of the elephant to illustrate this idea (ask him about this the next time you see him). In many ways this fable points to the truth…
But at the same time, he has taught me a lot of Russian this last half year…
For the last number of months he has been working with Lindsey on redoing our house. Anthony and I often use the first hour to drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, and talk about the point of all this (“Why are we here?!”).
While I then often retreat to peck at a keyboard, he immediately puts his earbuds in to listen to gurus from around the world give their thoughts on why we are here. During exciting parts of these talks he will take out his phone, lay it on the table saw, and focus on what the guru is saying. It is at this moment that Anthony would be easy prey for a pickpocket…
Anthony has often told me “If I had a million dollars I could be Sadhguru”. I disagree, I think he already is. He knows that everything comes from the same source. He’s said before “You come to absolute ease only if you experience yourself as part of existence , not as a separate individual!”
He’s one of the wisest teachers that I have ever met. Talk to him sometime. Ask him some questions. You too may learn a little Russian from Monroeguru.
What does it mean to you to live an awakened life?
That you are living in a state of awareness attentive to life, all life , present in each moment you start to make life decisions from clarity rather than compulsive actions.
What put you on the path of awakening?
I’ve been connecting with nature my whole life. Answers to my most important life questions came from sitting in nature and observing life. Nature is a spiritual teacher. I always felt a connection with the divine intelligence (call it what you prefer). Ask the questions and doors will open in unsuspecting ways. Dan Millman’s The Laws of Spirit was the first door. Dr. Wayne Dyer and his teachings set me on fire .
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone about deepening their connection to themselves and their spirituality?
Stop bullshitting yourself. Become accountable for everything in your life!
If you could wave a magic wand and everyone on planet earth would wake up with one quality or ability, what would that be?
Mindfulness/awareness
What’s the biggest difference in yourself from your pre-awakened state and your current awakened state?
A much fuller connection with life. a much deeper state of awareness, more of a human being rather than a human doing.
What would constitute a perfect day to you? Can you describe it for us?
Waking up… Life is on!!!
Do you have a favorite book you can recommend to readers?
Dr. Wayne Dyer’s Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life : Living the Wisdom of the Tao. Also, Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy by Sadhguru .
What’s the best way for folks to connect with you?
Folks can find me on LinkedIn.
I loved the book Be Here Now. And o I have learned that when the student is ready, the master will appear.