David Moretti
On October 18, 1981, I got the word that Sri Chinmoy had accepted me as one of his disciples. I was 16, a junior in high school. Young as I was, the story behind my applying to join what some in my family believed -- perhaps correctly -- to be a Hindu religious cult stretched back a few years and is a story of happenstance, serendipity and interesting personalities. Over the following nine years of my discipleship, I would meet some of the most unique individuals I've ever met and I'll do my best to draw attention to them as my story unfolds. First, though, I want to acknowledge my boyhood friend, David Moretti (pictured above). Dave was my best friend through grade school. His father worked for the Almaden winery when there were still vineyards in Silicon Valley, and his mother worked for a local bank. Unlike my parents, Dave's mom and dad hadn't divorced. I spent just about every day after elementary school hanging out at the Moretti's house. When the whole...
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I've never read a entire blog before, or even any good portion of one. But since discovering your blog last week, I have spent every spare moment reading, unable to stop. Your regrets and spiritual life and goals resonate with me. My story is very different, but the similarities between us (I'm 43, for one) make your writing irresistible to me. Thanks so much for doing this. I have enjoyed the food at Ananda Fuara in SF for the past two decades, but knew very little of the people behind the scenes. Thanks again for sharing and reminding me that aspirations and regrets are common to all, but not ultimately contrary to our life or the well-being of others.
I'm really grateful that you did.
Thanks especially for your very kind words. They really do mean a lot to me.
I, too, loved Ananda Fuara, where both my brother and sister "served time." ;)
I hope you'll email me directly (yogaloy@yahoo.com) to continue the dialogue.
Two pieces of unsolicited advice from me, the old man. First, remember that you're signing up for war -- remind yourself of that.
Second -- since at 21 you have the time -- stick it out and get your degree through a ROTC program. Officers have an extremely high pass rate at BUD/S, which I think is largely attributable to the fact that they have something to think about (i.e., taking care of their men) during training other than themselves.
Best of luck and thanks for reading.
Thanks for reading!
(And my standard caveat for those who haven't read everything: I am not and never was a SEAL.)