A GAY EPIPHANY

About the Book

“A Gay Epiphany” is basically my autobiography, the autobiography of a “man of no importance”, but it is really much more than that. It covers a 55 year journey beginning with an innocent young child’s search for God, complicated by the conflicting dogmas and interpretations of institutional Christianity and coupled with growing up gay in the 1950’s and 60’s. The book covers the struggles of a young man who wants only to serve God, but who meets with nothing but religious hostility and condemnation from institutional Christianity due to his homosexuality. It addresses many areas of study including comparative religion, Eastern philosophy, New Age, The Christian Right, politics, The American Dream, fundamentalism, misinterpretation of religious texts, authenticity of the Bible itself and many other related topics quoting from specialists in those fields of study. It is an appeal to religious leaders, parents, educators and legislators to show more compassion towards gay men and women and grant them the full respect and equality to which they are entitled under a secular democracy. It is my gift to my gay brothers and sisters who may still be struggling with how to integrate their sexual identity with their spirituality. It is also intended as my gift to those in the heterosexual community who still may be struggling with which spiritual path, out of the hundreds that exist, would be most advantageous to their spiritual growth. One can either choose a path which believes that “the glass is half empty” or a path which believes that the “glass is half full.”

About the Author

AUTHOR BIO Robert K Pavlick, born in 1947 in Bridgeport, CT, has studied comparative religion, history and spiritual paths for over forty years, both formally and informally. He attended a Christian based seminary in Brooklyn, NY for two years and the remainder studying under various Hindu and Sikh Gurus and Masters such as Shri Swami Satchitananda of Yogaville, VA, Shri Gurymai Chidvilasananda of South Fallsburg, NY, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj of Delhi, India, Shri Anandi Ma of Antioch, CA. and the Self Realization Fellowship of Los Angeles, CA. founded by Paramahamsa Yogananda. He has also attended lectures and meditation sittings at the Zen Center in New Haven, CT. It is his desire to advance the teaching of the ancient Hindu Masters who taught that “Truth is one, though the paths may be many.” and also to advance greater understanding and compassion for gay young men and women in their struggle for equality and better integration of their gay and spiritual natures. On the secular side, Mr. Pavlick worked in the telecommunications and banking fields for forty years. He has been both a gay activist and an animal rights activist most of his life. In the mid 1990’s he became involved in politics for a time supporting the Presidential candidacy of Ross Perot and running locally for Mayor of his city. He ultimately became a Connecticut delegate to Reform Party USA conventions and was at one time National Chairman of the Reform Party USA Rules Committee. Mr. Pavlick is currently retired and living with his two cats, Sudi and Bouvier, both of which he rescued, and is providing sustenance to the local birds and squirrels in his neighborhood. He is also involved as a companion and homemaker to the elderly and infirm.