Duncan MacDonald

Interview by Marilyn Holm

Divine Mother has lent a sense of destiny to Duncan's family’s arrival and growth at Ananda. Duncan had been interested in Indian religions for a long time. At Berkeley, he majored in electrical engineering and minored in Indian Studies. Years later, he learned about Ananda School, and enrolled Colin, the older of his two sons. Duncan remembers taking Colin. Sometimes he would take a half-day off and hang out with Colin at the Ananda community pool. After being around the community and going to Sunday Services, he sensed that people really had something. He found that he could ask a tentative question and get a tentative answer. A little more pointed question would give him a little more pointed answer. He realized that he would be met with equal energy, and his interest deepened.

Duncan met his girlfriend, Monica, three and a half years ago in a Meditation 3 class. The teachings have been an important, shared bond in their relationship. When issues arise, they can always go back to a common ground, re-center, and then move forward.

Being a part of Ananda has been wonderful for Colin and Devin, Duncan's two sons. When they lived in Palo Alto, they couldn’t go in the front yard by themselves because of the busy street. Here, they have five acres to run around and ride their bikes, play basketball and baseball, and go swimming. Their friends are here, too, just like an old-fashioned neighborhood.

Colin transferred from 2nd grade at Ananda to 4th grade in the public school. At first, he really struggled to maintain his own center and keep his values intact in an environment that was unfamiliar to him. It took him a little time, but he eventually figured out how he could fit in, have friends, and still maintain his own values.

Devin has been going to Ananda School for five years since he was four. It’s the perfect school for him, with the small group setting and artistic focus. Both boys love the yearly religious festival of Shivaratri with its pageantry and costumes. They’ve played roles in Christmas plays and Easter pageants.

Yoga teachings have given Duncan some important tools in being a parent. He realizes he can’t do everything, and he can’t mold his sons. He can influence them, be a guide, but ultimately they’re going to make decisions, and he might not agree. Duncan realizes that the kids have their own karma.