I am not an accredited chaplain in the conventional sense that is recognized in the United States, nor in the global academic or professional framework. When I use the term “chaplain,” I do so in a deeper, more holistic way.

I define it as someone genuinely concerned with the well-being of others—a compassionate companion to all life forms, cultures, races, religions, and environments. A chaplain, in my view, is not bound by certification, degrees, or formal religious affiliation. The essence lies in the intention to serve, to listen, and to guide.

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However, I want to make it clear that there are boundaries I don’t cross. Violence, in its many forms, is not part of my practice. Even hatred, loathing, and repulsion are foreign to me. I believe there is always a way to engage with challenging people, situations, or circumstances without resorting to extreme measures.

This essay is a personal reflection on my journey—a pursuit of understanding and connection with the world around me. It’s a record of some of my experiences, and the individuals I’ve encountered along the way.

My training began with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, rooted in the ancient Vedic texts and traditions of India. I further studied with the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, under the guidance of the late Swami Vishnudevananda in Kerala, India. I also spent time with Rastafari communities in the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the United States, learning from their teachings, particularly their reverence for Haile Selassie as an incarnation of Jesus Christ.

It was only in my later years—at the age of 67—that I began to realize the work I’ve been doing has been chaplaincy all along, even without formal recognition or compensation. It’s a calling, one that transcends certification or formal training. I now believe that all of us—every person on Earth—is called to be a chaplain in some way: helpers, listeners, supporters, and guides.

My perspective on chaplaincy began to shift as I witnessed its impact on those around me. For example, my younger brother, a husband and father of five, once said I served as his chaplain. I also learned that James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, traveled with his personal chaplain—further broadening my understanding of the role.

With this expanded view, I offer this reflection on my experiences. In Illinois, for example, I helped the Roman Catholic priest/chaplain at a retirement and rehab home create a weekly Bible study and singing gathering. At another similar facility, I served as an “activity aide,” leading daily music, dance, and trivia sessions.

I encountered many diverse individuals on this journey. A Jewish-born iconoclast would attend Mass and seek counseling from our Catholic chaplain. I helped her by ordering books on the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Pope Francis, which she initially ignored until she realized I had been the one to provide them.

One elderly former airman, confined to a wheelchair, would only leave his room to play trivia with us. He would then wheel himself back to his room after the session, using his feet to move himself while sitting in the chair.

My wife and I started greeting everyone we met during our daily walks. It became a simple but meaningful way to connect with others, and most often, we received a smile or a greeting in return.

One day, our apartment manager witnessed a car accident in our neighborhood. She was calm but seemed anxious about the situation, especially when an onlooker speculated that one of the drivers had been on their cell phone. I assured her that her calm presence and the words she shared with the bystanders helped bring a sense of healing to the moment.

We recently visited my old ashram in the Bahamas, where we reconnected with old friends and even encountered a fellow yogini we had met earlier in Virginia. She greeted us warmly, saying, “I know you.”

This journey has shown me that chaplaincy is not confined to a title or position. It’s about being present, listening, and serving others with compassion and humility, no matter where we find ourselves in life.