I left those gardens that day and tried to find the book the man told me about. My search was not successful. In the back of my mind I remembered that conversation, but had forgotten the name of the woman who experienced the vision. Even during my research for my dissertation I did not come across it, because I was searching soley for childhood experiences. It was not until a few weeks ago that it all came together for me. The discovery was due to, of all things, an Amazon.com e-mail of recommendations.

I bought the book (review is available on the Book Review page). It was quite an amazing revelation to me when I realized that this Amazon recommended book was the same book that the man at the Vedanta Center was telling me about 8 years or so earlier. Even more exciting to me was the discovery that she was an artist.

Like so many of us who have had profound spiritual experiences, there is the haunting question of "why me?" At the same time there is a sense of mission, yet for many an elusive wondering of "what does this all mean?" Glenda Green's initial task was to paint a portrait. At the time, she didn't realize the implications this event would have on her future.