Beezone Talks with Julie Anderson
An introduction
Julie Anderson, 2016
“The ego is at war with two disciplines. The discipline of the body-mind and the discipline of attention.”
Adi Da Samraj, The Principle of Retreat, May 1986
“Who’s stronger, ego or the Divine?”
When I first encountered this question in an old issue of Crazy Wisdom, posed to Adi Da by a devotee, it stopped me in my tracks. To me, this question encapsulates the essence of ‘Sadhana’ and the conundrum of Enlightenment.
The question was asked by Julie Anderson—formerly known as Kanya Samarpana Remembrance, Swami Dama Kalottara Devi, among other names—at a pivotal moment in 1992, just before she was set to leave Adi Da’s personal and intimate company after 17 years.
The article “The Real Practice of Guru Devotion” revealed that Julie had recently withdrawn from the Free Renunciate and the Gurukula Order due to deep “reality considerations.” As I read, I found myself pondering, What could have transpired in those reality considerations that hadn’t revealed themselves over 17 years? Julie had been as close to Adi Da as anyone since joining His company in 1976, considered an advanced practitioner in the higher stages of life. She had devoted her life entirely to Adi Da and His work—yet now she was leaving? What insights had she gained that compelled her to withdraw, and ultimately, who was stronger: the ego or the Divine?
Julie Anderson was no ordinary individual. From the moment she entered Adi Da’s presence, she was welcomed into His personal company. In the upcoming interview series on Beezone, you’ll discover that Julie was unique, perhaps destined for this journey with an Enlightened Master in ways even she may not fully grasp. She was at the heart of significant teaching demonstrations and spiritual revelations from 1976 to 1992. Throughout that time, she faced tests, challenges, and extraordinary gifts, proving herself in ways that many ordinary individuals might not achieve.
So, what was she doing now? My quest to find out wasn’t straightforward. I began my search in late 2015, but those I contacted had only vague ideas of her whereabouts. After some persistence, I finally located her email address and reached out with an introductory message requesting an interview. Her response was welcoming yet cautious; understandably so, as she didn’t know me and had no awareness of Beezone. It became clear that she had been somewhat disconnected from the World Wide Web and the Adidam community, living in a beautiful but remote area of Australia while running a vacation resort with her husband, Nick.
Given her unique background and occasionally controversial exposure in national media, her caution was completely reasonable. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for mutual trust to be established, and we began a genuine conversation. It has now been nine months since our discussions began, and in the coming weeks, I will start sharing some of our dialogues. As you can imagine, these conversations are rich with leelas, personal stories, and profound insights into Adi Da, His teachings, and the lessons she has learned over her 40-year relationship with Him and the community of His devotees.
I warmly invite you to join me in these enlightening conversations with Julie and to explore the question: “Who is stronger, ego or the Divine?”
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Interview Table of Contents
A Note from Julie
Blessings! I am making this communication via Beezone as a means to explore, remember, understand more deeply and make available the story of my life with Bhagavan Adi Da. Its a deep samyama for me and I am grateful to Ed Reither for this auspicious opportunity and how this gift has come into being.
Coincidentally, my communication may be useful to you the reader in providing a means to reflect on your own life experiences with Adi Da or in relationship to your own spiritual practice and life adventure.
Given I am not currently a formal practitioner of Adidam, my communication is a personal one and it is not intended specifically to be a guide to anyone’s spiritual and life practice. Adi Da has made it abundantly clear that if anyone is serious about His Teaching, they should embrace the full details of practice which He has clearly communicated. Any response made or opinion formed in regards to his offering is a personal matter of responsible free choice.
Whilst I am very serious about my transcendentally spiritual relationship with Adi Da, for some time and for now, I have not chosen to embrace the full details of His Instruction in regards to participation within the formal Institution and Culture of Adidam. This is a personal matter and not a reflection about anything otherwise. There are no “sides” of any camp that I sit within. My heart is filled with great respect, gratitude and profound loving compassion for all devotees that I share a history with.
Om Sri Da Love Ananda