Born: Texas, USA in 1953

Education

B.S., University of Oklahoma, 1972
(Major:Chemistry, Minor: French)

Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (Ayurvedacharya), Poona University, 1980

During and after my formal Ayurvedic training I was tutored in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotisha, Tantra and allied subjects by my mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda. He also owned thoroughbred race horses, and I served as his Authorized Racing Agent at the Royal Western India Turf Club in Bombay and Poona between 1975 and 1985.

Grants and Awards

National Merit Scholarship, 1970; U. of Oklahoma Merit Scholarship, 1970; U.S. Office of Education Scholarship, 1973; National Endowment for the Humanities Youthgrant, 1975; Marsden Foundation Grant 1978

1975 - 1980: Won all but one of the University of Poona awards for academic excellence in Ayurveda, including the Ram Narayan Sharma Gold Medal

Ritually initiated into the Pokot tribe of northern Kenya in June 1973 as its first white member.

Professional Experience

The first Westerner ever to graduate from a college of Ayurveda (in 1980) and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India. Lived in India 1973-80 and 1982-86. Since 1985 I travel the world lecturing, consulting, teaching and writing. I have served as Adjunct Faculty at the Ayurvedic Institute, Albuquerque, NM, and Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA.

Books on Ayurveda

The Hidden Secret of Ayurveda,
1st Edition Bombay 1980, 2nd Edition The Ayurvedic Press, Albuquerque, 1994

Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution,
1st Edition Geocom, Albuquerque, 1988, 2nd Edition Sadhana Publications, 1999

Ayurveda: Life, Health and Longevity,
1st Edition Penguin Books, London, 1992; reprinted by The Ayurvedic Press, Albuquerque, 2004.

Tao and Dharma,
(with coauthor Arnie Lade)
Lotus Press, 1995

Ayurveda for Women,
David & Charles Publishers, Newton Abbot, 1999

Other Books

Aghora: At the Left Hand of God,
Brotherhood of Life, Albuquerque, 1986

Aghora II: Kundalini,
Brotherhood of Life, Albuquerque, 1994

Aghora III: The Law of Karma,
Brotherhood of Life, Albuquerque, and Sadhana Publications (a co- production), December 1997

Light on Life: An Introduction to the Astrology of India,
(with coauthor Hart de Fouw)
Penguin Books, London, 1996

The Greatness of Saturn: A Therapeutic Myth,
Sadhana Publications, 1997

Light on Relationships: The Synastry of Indian Astrology,
(with coauthor Hart de Fouw)
Samuel Weiser Inc., 2000

Other Publications

The Ayurvedic Home Study Course,
The Ayurvedic Institute, Albuquerque, 1985

Contributions include:

Enlightened Sexuality: Essays on Body-Positive Spirituality, ed. Georg Feuerstein, The Crossing Press, Freedom, CA 1989

Oriental Medicine: An Illustrated Guide to the Asian Arts of Healing, eds. Jan Van Alphen and Anthony Aris, Serindia Publications, London, 1995

All of Us: Americans Talk About the Meaning of Death, Patricia Anderson, Delacorte, 1996

The new entry on Ayurveda for Encyclopedia Britannica, 2000

The chapter on Ayurveda for Awakening Body, Mind, Spirit, Aperture Foundation, in preparation