In the serene surroundings of the Vedanta Center, my regular place of solace and spiritual exploration, I encountered a person who left an indelible mark on me – Jeff Fiore. With a blissful smile and glowing skin, this polite and handsome man stood just shy of six feet tall, appearing much younger than his mid-60s. Admiring his profound understanding of spiritual matters, I couldn’t help but wonder what had drawn an American to find such profound appeal in a Hindu tradition, compelling him to dedicate his entire life to its pursuit. Intrigued by his persona, I knew I had to learn more.

Summoning the courage, I requested an interview with Jeff. To my surprise, he humbly replied, “Brother, this life is nothing significant, but if you think my story has anything to offer to anyone, we can sit down together and chat!”

On the appointed day, I eagerly arrived at the Vedanta Center. Stepping inside, a profound sense of inner peace enveloped me. The living room greeted me with a beautifully adorned shrine, embellished with fresh flowers that radiated spiritual energy. As I looked around, everything gleamed with immaculate cleanliness, as though meticulously scrubbed with a toothbrush. This display reminded me of the oft-repeated word “purity” in spiritual texts – a concept I had previously dismissed as a mere euphemism for celibacy. Yet, within the walls of the center, purity unfolded with multifaceted layers, encompassing meticulousness, unwavering devotion, and profound sincerity. It became evident that this purity is the quintessential part of a spiritual journey which is no more than a dedicated lifelong effort to cleanse and purify the mind.

Clad in loose white clothes, Jeff greeted me with a reverent Namaste as we settled down to record his story. The story starts in a quiet suburb of Chicago, nestled among neatly manicured lawns, amid rolling meadows lined with tall oak and maple trees lived Jeff, a lovable little lean boy with his parents. It was the early 1960s, a time when life seemed simpler, and innocence danced in the air. “ For as long as I can remember I felt the Invisible hand of grace”. From a near-fatal incident in his childhood, saved miraculously by his brother, to a soul-stirring encounter with universal love where he had a vision of God in female form, Jeff’s journey unfolded with divine guidance.

As he embarked on his quest for truth, Jeff delved into spiritual texts, immersing himself in the teachings of masters like Paramahansa Yogananda and Chogyam Rinpoche. His exploration even led him to encounters with LSD and marijuana, seeking answers in altered states of consciousness. However, through meditation, he outgrew these experiences, discovering a deeper connection with the Divine. In fact, scarcely out of high school he became a teacher of meditation near his home.

Jeff scored very high on SAT and to the immense pride of his father, joined an Astrophysics program associated with NASA for a while. The turning point in Jeff’s life came when he stumbled upon “Autobiography of a Yogi” by Paramahansa Yogananda. This profound book unlocked a torrent of spiritual visions, igniting a profound calling within him. His heart now tethered to the path of devotion, Jeff sought to serve and understand the teachings of great masters like Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. He dropped out of college and joined a monastery in California.

Jeff holds the view that all other religions were formed at the height of KaliYuga (age of darkness per Hindu beliefs). There is an innate sense of competition, evangelism, even arrogance that theirs is the only true path. His appreciation for the uniqueness of Hinduism shone through as he shared the impact of the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. Embracing all spiritual paths, he recognized the divine in diverse forms, cherishing the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) and the belief that every path leads to the same divine truth.

Although spirituality was the centerpiece of his very existence, he forayed into the business world as an entrepreneur. He met with extraordinary success! He got to travel to several parts of the world, ran several ventures, and ensured himself a comfortable life. He still owns a financial advising business in Vegas. I asked him if his spiritual practices helped him materially as well. “Without a doubt,” he adds, “the ability to focus, work hard in a detached manner, and dedicating the fruits of one’s action to the Lord are very powerful tools.”

About detachment, I quizzed him a little further. He thinks nothing really belongs to this body-mind that we falsely identify ourselves with. The nature of material things is to come and go. He realizes the importance of surrender. True growth and transformation come from letting go of attachment to outcomes and trusting in a higher power. Attachment brings unhappiness; conversely, detachment brings bliss. Jeff tries to live this truth.

At 6 pm unfailingly every single day, a long-time priest of Dakshineswar Kali temple – who is his close friend – sends him a live video over WhatsApp of morning Aarti of the presiding deity, Kali Ma. This is one of Jeff’s deeply cherished meditative daily routines. Switching perspectives and following the Bhakti and Jnan traditions simultaneously, he proves that Bhakti (the path of devotion) and Jnan (knowledge) are not exclusive but complementary.

As the interview comes to a close, Jeff again offers a Namaste to me, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share his journey. Looking back on his journey spanning close to five decades, Jeff realized that spiritual practice had been the most important and meaningful thing he had ever done. It had helped him to become a better person, to live a more authentic and fulfilling life, and to connect with something greater than himself. And for that, he was deeply grateful.

I could discern a subtle choking in the voice as he talks about the blessings and grace he continues to receive. He considers every moment, whatever it brings, an act of grace. “I feel free all the time,” indicating perhaps that when it is time to move on to something else or even from this world, he will do so nonchalantly, just like a mature kid would discard a toy from his earlier years.

Aptly enough, when the Center for Religious Harmony was inaugurated in Chicago, attended by leaders of all religions was inaugurated in Chicago, Jeff was invited as a master of ceremonies. 

As I walked past the shrine, on my way out, I couldn’t help but wonder that the Her invisible hand is certainly at work here as she ensures that this story is brought to you. Through the extraordinary life of Jeff Fiore, we find a story of transformation, hope, and the unwavering pursuit of spiritual awakening – a true testament to the power of faith and the timeless allure of Vedanta’s teachings. The sublime wisdom of the East has found a dedicated and hardworking Western follower in Jeff.

In the heart of Sin City which may seem a very unlikely place for spiritual development , Hinduism, specifically the movement started by Swami Vivekananda, has found the best of both worlds!

Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Las Vegas is located at 10732 Balsam Creek Ave. Jeff offers his loving service at this temple as a resident there. Las Vegas resident Bidur Mukherjee is a local physical therapist with a deep interest in Vedanta.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the above article solely belong to author Bidur Mukherjee, and are not an endorsement by vegasdesi.com. The editor is pleased to provide vegasdesi.com as a platform for the community members to engage in intellectual debates, opinions, constructive criticisms, and discussions.