Beautiful World HD

I first became aware of a young man named Emmanuel Dagher on the Lightworkers website. I love reading his "Minutes of Transformation." They always make me so peaceful.

Then, I discovered his amazing video, "Beautiful World" (see above), so I ordered his CD. Wow! Listening to it makes me so joyful!

Emmanuel also co-hosts a weekly radio show called High Vibe Radio, another source of inspiration for me.

The name Emmanuel means "God is With Us," and this is certainly the case with Emmanuel Dagher, who shares from the One True Source and helps guide all of us to the remembering the Divinity within. I am so grateful for him and his work.

My New Interview with "Dreamgirls" Award-Winner, Jennifer Holliday

I recently had the chance to interview award-winning "Dreamgirls" star, Jennifer Holliday, as she gears up for her upcoming gig in Saugatuck at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, which is just a three block walk from our bed and breakfast.

Read the entire inteview HERE

BTW, rooms are still available at my bed and breakfast in Saugatuck for that weekend, too. See Beechwood Manor Inn to check availablity and book online.

The Reviews are in for "Gay is a GIFT"

"Think of Gay is a GIFT as Chicken Soup for the Gay Soul. A+" - Web Digest Weekly

"Salvatore Sapienza's Gay is a GIFT is itself a gift; a sweet, inspiring portrayal of gay consciousness as blessing, along with a simple, light-hearted - even fun - spiritual practice for bringing more blessing into your life." -Toby Johnson, author of Gay Spirituality.

"4 out of 4 stars. A sweet epistle on gay spirituality including some practical exercises as well as personal anecdotes from the author's personal struggle, it's a loving, worthwhile read." -Out Front Colorado

"A fine offering of affirmation, information and motivation that will raise both your spirits and your consciousness. Livened and enriched by personal anecdotes and practical exercises, Sapienza’s book illuminates one man’s struggle to eliminate the negativity of being gay and replace it with the fine, white light of positivism."-Out In Print

"Use Gay is a GIFT as a guide and you will find yourself more at peace not just with yourself but with everyone. It is written so beautifully and says so much that, if you are like me, may find yourself reading it with tears in your eyes." -Eureka Pride

To Remind You of Your Magnificence

When I was writing my book Gay is a GIFT, I was inspired by Henri Nouwen, a twentieth-century Catholic priest, best-selling spiritual author, and gay man.

I read in Michael Ford's biography of Henri, entitled Wounded Prophet, that Henri was planning on writing a book about spirituality and homosexuality before his death. Since Henri never got to write that book, I decided I would.

I placed the icon of Henri pictured here on the desk next to me as I wrote the book. As I was writing, I kept singing two songs in my head, songs we sing at Unity.

One is "I'm Here to Remind You," which says, "I'm here to remind you of your magnificence. To help you awake to all the wonder that you are. I long to show you all the joy you're worthy of. I'm here to remind you just how much you're truly loved."

The other song is "How Could Anyone," which says, "How could anyone ever tell you you are anything less than beautiful? How could anyone ever tell you you are less than whole? How could anyone fail to notice that your loving is a miracle. How deeply you're connected to my soul."

I thought I would open and close my book with these two songs. And - in another case of Synchro-Divinity - I came to discover that both songs were written by gay people! The former by David Ault (that's his photo here) and the latter by Libby Roderick.

Shortly after that, I came across a used copy of a book David had written a few years back called "Where Regret Cannot Find Me." After purchasing it, I opened it up and found that it was an autographed copy. Inside, David had inscribed the book to a "Henri." He wrote, "For Henri - Knowing your path is filled with great love! All the best, David."

Isn't this synchro-Divinity stuff so cool?!!

Autobiography of a Yogi

One of my favorite magazines, Pure Inspiration, often features the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda, a twentieth-century Indian yogi who founded the Self-Realization Fellowship in the United States.

When I was a teacher in Encinitas, California, Iwould often pass by the Self-Realization temple where Yogananda lived and wrote his autobiography. It always seemed so mysterious to me.

Lately, I've felt called to learn more about him, so I was led to his book, Autobiography of a Yogi. About half-way through reading it, I attended Sunday service at our local Unity church, where - unbeknowst to me - the guest speaker was from the local Self-Realization group.

He spoke about the commandments in the Bhagavad Gita, translated as pleasure, prosperity, duty and liberation. When I got back home and started back up with reading the autobiography, Yogananda was discussing those very same commandments! There are no coincidences. Call it Synchro-Divinity!

I thought I'd share with you some of the widsom of Paramahansa Yogananda:

• "A man who has reformed himself will remform thousands."
• "The law of miracles is operable by anyone who has realized that the essence of creation is light."
• "The deeper the self-realization of a man, the more he influences the whole universe by his subtle spiritual vibrations, and the less he himself is affected by the phenomenal flux."
• "The more man realizes his unity with Spirit, the less he can be dominated by matter. The soul is ever free."
• "The goal of yoga is to calm the mind, that without distortion, it may hear the infallible counsel of the Inner Voice."
• "The Spirit of God is exhaustless Bliss. His body is countless tissues of Light."
• "A master - one who has realized himself as the omnipresent soul, not the body or ego - perceived in all men a striking similarity."
• "That hard core of ego is difficult to dislodge except rudely. With its departure, the Divine finds at last an unobstructed channel."

Remembering Dan

Two longtime Saugatuck residents, Ray Riker and Dan Krieter, passed away within days of each other this month.

There are many wonderful tributes to Ray on the internet - from his partner Jim's beautifully touching blog to LifeStoryNet, where a record number of guests have visited his page. Ray and I would often work out at the same time at the gym, and my partner, Gregg, and I have had dinner several times with Ray and Jim. I will miss Ray's warmth and sense of humor.

I could not, however, find any mention of Dan on the internet, and that is the main reason why I feel that Spirit has guided me to create this blog, so that I may help pay tribute to him here on my first post.

While I do not understand it, I wholeheartedly respect Dan's loving long-time partner, Roger, and the Krieter family's decision not to publish an obituary in the newspaper or online. Still, the writer in me wants to memorialize Dan in some small way. So here goes:

Dan was one of the first people to welcome me and Gregg to Saugatuck back in 2005. As we did not know anyone in town, Dan introduced us to many people in the community and even invited us over for Thanksgiving at his home.

When giving us directions to his place, Dan instructed us to "cross over the train tracks." We didn't even know there was a train that ran near Lakeshore Drive in Saugatuck. What we discovered when we arrived was that the tracks were on Dan's property! He had laid them himself and had his own train. I'm not talking one of those minature model trains. Dan's was a train that six adults could actually ride in!

We had so much fun taking those train rides around his property. Though Dan was definitely a "man's man" in many ways with a deep voice, big bear hugs and a hearty laugh, he was like a little kid when it came to conducting those train rides. It reminded me of the line from Scripture when Jesus instructs us to become like little children: "Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” This quality also came through each summer when we'd walk into town together for ice cream cones.

Dan was talented in so many ways. For instance, he and Roger built their beautiful log-cabin home all by themselves. They didn't hire contracters or builders. Dan took great pride in that home and its surroundings. He loved doing things outdoors, but he also loved old movies and reading by the fire. Dan was also an excellent cook, too.

What some may not know was that Dan was also a very talented writer of fiction. I feel honored that he shared the first draft of his novel with me, and I hope it will get published so that others may discover this talent of his.

I don't know if Dan was a religious person, but he did share with me that during a time of crisis in his adult life, he had a vision of Jesus, who offered comfort and good counsel. I feel so blessed to have gotten to know Dan in this lifetime, and I will remember his spirit everytime I hear a train whistle in the distance.

I share with you all a photo of Dan, which is the only one I could find for now. Though it shows him in all his rugged handsomeness, it does not showcase his amazing smile, and Dan was someone who was always smiling. Rest in peace, my dear friend, and thank you for your friendship.