Karma and Kismet is an insightful and captivating literary work that delves into the intricacies of human connection and self-discovery. It is not just a personal memoir, but rather a profound exploration of the universal human need for understanding and meaningful relationships. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I obsessed about my story for over fifty years. My ruminationss were almost certainly neurotic, but perseverance eventually awoke an inner demand for expression of the story. I came to understand that I had gone through a unique passage that also perhaps would speak to others who might identify in some way. In a sense, I became the story’s servant and it expressed itself through me.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

The main arc of the story could be codified as father-hunger, the universal craving for connection with their fathers felt by sons. I don’t know if I had a stronger case of this than most boys, but my familial and societal circumstances drove home the feeling of father-loss and it remained a strong undercurrent for my entire childhood and adulthood––until I was able to give expression to the voice that we discover in Karma and Kismet. I believe that father-son conflict is all too common, but what is not common are father-son stories that describe the entire cycle–– from violent conflict, estrangement and cutoff to reconciliation.

The ”lessons” that emerge all came inductively from the story and became a part of the book’s tapestry. Some of these include the impacts of earlier generations’ history––antisemitism and the Holocaust. Other themes include openness and curiosity, faith in going forward even when you don’t know what lies ahead, the kindness of family and strangers, the power of travel and cross-cultural immersion in shaping a new mindset. Taking risks, what one might call becoming a reasonable adventurer. The human need for belonging, purpose, and connection to others.

I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?

There were many aspects of the story that were challenging to write––from the vivid scenes of fighting with my father, to my family’s terrible dynamics. But the intricacies of the peer relationships with my spiritual brothers and sisters in Vancouver was perhaps the most challenging because of the deep involvement of a powerful and charismatic guru figure from whom I needed to detach.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?

I hope readers will find common ground in my story and double up their efforts toward connection, be it with a father, mother, or a friend.

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