Customer Reviews

Joel Goldsmith and I

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Given that The Infinite Way is the spiritual home of a number of gay students, it seems an opportunity may have been missed by leaving this valuable information about Walter and John Van Druten out of the story. According to Christopher Isherwood, Starcke and Van Druten were lovers and partners. (Isherwood states that Starcke separated from Van Druten in 1957 with a $100,000 plus settlement.) Yet, their homosexual relationship was not described in the book. Starcke mentions that van Druten was a "father figure." That is a very confusing statement given that van Druten was Starcke's lover (see Isherwood diaries). Starcke's comments about Goldsmith make the reader question his motives and struggles. How much more valuable it would have been to have heard Starcke's first hand account of his gay struggles and human temptations?

It does seem very clear that Mr. Goldsmith was mentoring Starcke for possible leadership in the work. Surely Goldsmith knew of both Starcke and van Druten's sexual orientation. It did not seem to matter to him. The reader may ask, why does it matter so much to Starcke? One of the most important elements to be considered in Mr. Starcke's life and the teaching of his guru would be the question of homosexuality and how this topic was dealt with by Mr. Starcke. We want to know if he talked to Goldsmith about this. What was his counsel? What challenges and temptations came to Starcke as he progressed in the message? Finally, was his homosexuality the reason for the separation and Starcke's final reworking of Infinite Way principles? These valuable questions are never addressed or even touched upon.

For some, this is book of sad struggles, a very human, historical record from the perspective of an outcast student. Metaphysicians may be interested in Starcke's journey from one teaching to another. For those interested in the literary, gay 1940-50's era in New York and Hollywood, it has limited value since this is never addressed. Names are the only clues to the topic.

For Infinite Way students, the book has limited value. Starcke's philosophy is confusing and his commentary on Goldsmith very human, often painful or embarrassing to read. (They range from comments about Goldsmith not being "Marine material" on page 15 to the comment about Goldsmith "looking like a circus clown" on page 51 and resentment about Goldsmith having a wife when Starcke is trying to be celibate.) Sex and alcohol are clearly undercurrents in the study years.

Starcke never became a mystic, as was Goldsmith. He is a metaphysician, very much in the world and enjoying being there. Anyone still "in the world" or trying to integrate spirit and this human world, is in metaphysics. Goldsmith teaches, "In the degree, then, that we have human desires, human will, human ambition, human fears, and human doubts, in that degree are we denying and crucifying our Christhood."

The theme of personally redefining the mystical Infinite Way message to one of metaphysics is a common one with Goldsmith's close, original students. The Infinite Way is a simple teaching, but a very difficult one to live. Starcke's friends and associates, Ponder, Gerald Heard, Aldous Huxley, Christopher Isherwood, Swami Prabhavananda constantly pulled him back to the life of metaphysics, homosexuality, alcohol and drug parties.

The Infinite Way teaches that one's human longings begin to dissolve as the practice of the principles become our life. Yet, Starcke insists "I'm not a man of earth or a man of God. I am both. And my job is to make those two me's communicate and get along together. Anybody who is all this or all that is missing the boat." This statement has been said to mean that "he can quote scripture with the fiercest evangelist, but he also likes his Margaritas, has a brand-new, tomato-bisque-colored Saab, and in relating his long and varied history, will name-drop like crazy."

This does not fit with the man, Joel Goldsmith. Nor would the life-style be one of a mystic. Starcke claims that he studied with Goldsmith for 18 years, but this includes a painful breakup and period of separation. He may have reconciled, but the mentoring relationship was not re-established due to Starcke's life-style. From page 165 "he seriously questioned me about my future plans in a way that he did not in the past. He implied that I was failing because I hadn't left the business world and dedicated myself to 'the work." He gave me the feeling that he thought my elegant apartment...was debauchery, as was the 100-year-old Conch House...Whereas, in the past Joel made me feel that grace was directing my life, now he made me feel I was personally responsible for my choices, which weren't all that spiritual." Clearly, Starcke had made his choice and it was this world, not the world of spirit, the world of a mystic, the world of Goldsmith.

Starcke claims on page 237 "because of my books they are now able to understand The Infinite Way and make it work for them." How can this be possible with statements like the following: "When I saw that absolute truth does exist subjectively at the impersonal level of fourth-dimensional consciousness, but not objectively at the level of my third-dimensional personality, it took a load of self-judgment off of my consciousness." Well, absolute truth, by definition, cannot exist subjectively. How can an absolute be variable? Further he says, "Eventually, I found that my human imperfections were my perfection." Here we reach to a state of denial or delusion. How can human short-comings be perfection? (Alcohol, sex, drug abuse, dishonesty, lying, killing, war, abuse these are human perfection? Hardly. To think they are spiritual perfection is absurd.)

One of the missing elements in this book is meditation. Meditation is a key practice for Goldsmith and yet Starcke barely touches upon it ,nor are we given any sense of his current position on the practice. When Goldsmith was in trouble, he would meditate. When Starcke is in trouble, he thinks. We get no sense of Starcke as a healer. Healing made the world notice Goldsmith. He was a superb healer with a world-wide practice.

The reader is drawn into the web by the name of a respected and beloved spiritual leader, the famous mystic and healer. Starcke with classic hubris considers his relationship with Joel and John to be a "trinity-like spiritual relationship." Neither Goldsmith or van Druten would seem to be comfortable with that equation. Starcke however revels in it. He claims to offer help to the reader for their own spiritual journey. Rather than help, his book only confuses, misrepresents, and insults Joel Goldsmith and his teachings. It remains an interesting look at a spiritual seeker and his human challenges. It cannot be considered accurate in its comments about Goldsmith or his message.

I bought this book with a little bit of initial resistance as I didn't agree with some of the premises of Walter's earlier books.
However, I was in for a huge surprise! What a delightful, abundance-filled, absolutely fascinating read! This will remain one of my favourites and I shall read it many times over. Written from a pure, obviously still very young(at over 80!) heart and mind, an exceptionally full and rich life is being presented in a humble and entertaining manner.
Walter's account of his life is honest to the core and also refreshingly intimate, there's beauty and thoughtfulness,laughter and tears. As a student of our great mystic Joel Goldsmith myself, I am grateful for this wonderful testimonial of a Life lived with the fervent desire to know God and how this intention also re-arranges and then reflects Walter's life on the outside.
I consider this the masterpiece of Walter's books and am so glad I changed my mind and did get it!
I still don't agree totally with his conclusions yet that takes absolutely nothing away from the joy this book gives one.
Many thanks for a classic!

If one wants to know more about Walter Starcke, this is a good book. If one wants to know more about Joel Goldsmith, read Goldsmith. Infinite Way students use caution for you may end up tied in knots. There is no meditation, there is no healing. It is just inaccurate human recollection. For better history see Christopher Isherwood Diaries vol. 1. For Infinite Way, read Joel Goldsmith.

I read this book through from cover to cover in just a few days. It is a true testiment of the trials and tribulations of the human scene by one who embraces the mystical life. The reader feels Starcke's triumphs and feels his disappointments in his association with the 'infinite way'. The struggles to understand the powerful principles taught by his friend and mentor, Joel, do not go unfulfilled.

As a graduate of Joel Goldsmith books, I appreciated the candor and the numerous photographs. But I especially appreciated his Conclusions (Chapter 11) at the end of the book. I, too, have come to the realization of Oneness of all things. The coin may have two sides, but it's still one coin. The see-saw may have opposite ends, but it's still one see-saw. You can't have one without the other, so the 'double thread' Starcke speaks of (visible manifestation AND invisible infinite) are, indeed, one and the same.

To the tens of thousands of Infinite Way(tm) students around the globe, this book will be a blessing. Joel, as did Jesus, wanted his students to 'go and do likewise' (and greater things than these thou shalt do). This book may help.

Gail Gupton, author, The 31-Day Diet of Spiritual Enlightenment and Seekers of Truth

Walter's recollection of being Joel's student in "Joel Goldsmith and I" gave me hope as well as joy. I received the book in the mail on Friday and could not put it down until I finished it the next day. I am new to Walter's books and was just thrilled to read such a joyful and candid book about his relationship with Joel. I have studied the IW teachings for over 20 years and live its teachings through my heart. I have always wondered a bit about the man behind the teachings, and Walter gave us a glimpse of the man. This is a book about a teacher and a student - their triumphs and struggles. How blessed Walter is to have been lead to Joel -how blessed are we to experience it through his voice. It really touched my heart at a time when I needed it most, and it is a book I will read again and again.

I found the book Joel Goldsmith and I to be informative and what I expected it to be. I also got quite a bit of knowledge of the spiritual journey of Walter Starcke--the man who wrote the book. In the book, the author told of his association with Joel Goldsmith that covered many years. I especially enjoyed seeing many personal aspects of Goldsmith that can't be picked up in reading the Goldsmith books nor in the one biography available written by a secretary of his. So if you're a fan of Joel Goldsmith, I would advise reading this book.

Joel's specific wishes are to never have an autobiography written about him, unless this was written by his wife Emma, consider this to be nothing but a few facts, and mostly fiction.

The saying that "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear" becomes a lived reality for Walter Starcke when he meets mystic and Infinite Way teacher Joel S. Goldsmith, through a series of "coincidental" events. The two are drawn together irresistibly, as teacher and student, and an eighteen-year long relationship ensues, in which Walter goes through a roller coaster of experiences. It is through these experiences that he develops spiritually. But the process involves periods of anguish and despair. Goldsmith, as mentor to Walter in his spiritual development, at times seems rejecting and even hateful. But ultimately it's clear that the relationship is exactly what it needs to be in order to serve the development of consciousness in Walter. Another interesting highlight of this book is the fascinating story of Walter's experiences as a Broadway producer. This is a great read.

I have read Joel's books and have admired him and his spirituality.
Walter's book brings out who he is on his path. The influence Joel had on him and gives another glimpse of the human side of Joel.

What could be better than a book written by Joel Goldsmith? A book about Joel Goldsmith written by Walter Starcke.