Know ThySelf East West Bookshop is a resource center for conscious living, offering you a wide selection of books, products and programs representing spiritual traditions and new insights into mind, body and spirit from around the world.

Our Purpose- We are here to support your search for the joy, love and wisdom that are the essence of the true Self. We believe that global harmony begins with each of us – with our individual efforts to achieve and to share healing and harmony of mind, body and spirit. We strive to foster a spirit of cooperation, respect and community among all truthseekers, spiritual paths, and peoples.

Our Heritage- Know ThySelf - East West Bookshop is a nonprofit organization established by members of Ananda. Ananda is a worldwide family of communities, retreat centers, churches and meditation groups founded by Swami Kriyananda  (J. Donald Walters) and based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi. We offer classes in meditation, yoga postures, the art of spiritual living and the science of raja yoga, and also have the Living Wisdom School for children and an intentional, spiritual community in the Seattle area.

East West Bookshop Staff Bios

SUSAN MCGINNIS
Co-Manager of East West Bookshop

Two decades have passed since I first helped Cathy (Nivritti ) Steenstra and Betsy Hay to begin the store (along with the support of many wonderful souls!) I’ve taken part in almost every area of the store- buying, receiving, advertising, events, cleaning- you name it!

There are so many things I love about East West: how it is a spiritual home to so many people; how our customers are also our friends and share so many turning points in their lives with us; the incredible variety of teachings and presenters we are able to offer here; how the staff take care of and support each other in being the highest and best they can be; and how we have the opportunity to put spiritual teachings into practice every day...and more!

When I’m not at East West, you might find me at Ananda, teaching a class or taking part in one of our services. I love to sing- and I find deep inspiration in nature and beauty- so when I’m off, I’m usually off somewhere ... hiking, camping...or reading!

CAROLE BARTOO
Co-Manager of East West Bookshop

I started out with East West in the early years- in bookeeping, events coordination and other roles. Now after more than a decade, it is my joy to return to East West Bookshop as co-manager and events coordinator. I’ve been touched and inspired by the many people I’ve met here.

I also enjoy being outside in nature, especially by the water - relaxing with some yoga, reading a good book or just napping in the sun!

DON BOULD, Audio Buyer

I’ve been “in training” all my life for my role as music and DVD buyer at East West Bookshop. I played in orchestras and bands since grade school, through the University of Washington Marching Band, and the Air Force Band during my military service. I also led group singing and frequently sang solos during my years as a Unity minister.

I especially enjoy talking with customers in the store, hearing what they are interested in and helping them find the music that is just right for them... I also get a lot of ideas for new products from them!

My other passion is for natural healing alternatives and I’ve trained in both Aromatherapy and Bach Flower Essences.

STEVE BONNELL
Tea Garden & Incense Buyer

A former rock musician, I finally woke up to yoga as an ultimate reality and not a weekend hobby about a year ago. During my own personal transformation I was heavily influenced by the healing power of tea which shaped a positive niche into my role, as tea shop curator, at East West.

It’s such a blessing to be a part of something that has fueled my own enthusiasm, among many other’s, for many years past and many to come. I still enjoy music and have written consecutively and consciously with an effort to expand my own heart through song.

STEPHANIE SANDIN
Bookkeeping

I have been with East West Seattle for over 4 years and with East West in California for 18 years. It is my pleasure to serve customers on the sales floor, helping locate books and products for inner and outer needs. I love becoming friends with our customers! I also help with bookkeeping duties and purchase store supplies. I enjoy singing in Ananda’s choir and, when I have time—reading!

CHRISTY JOHNSTON
Assistant Manager, Gift Buyer & People Coordinator

I have been with East West Bookshop for 3 wonderful years. It has been my joy to choose inspiring items as a buyer for the store and to have fun in service to our customers. When I am not at the bookshop, you will find me taking walks with my husband Rick, playing with our three kitties, or pulling weeds in the Ananda community garden.

RICK JOHNSTON
Assistant Manager, Used Book Buyer, Technology & Facilities Coordinator

I buy the used books here at East West Bookshop, help us create and maintain good systems in lots of areas and take care of anything that breaks. (editor's note.: We gave him a T-Shirt that says "This is the part where I save the day!") I enjoy helping people and there is lots of opportunity here! In my spare time you can usually find me in the garden. I also teach meditation.

MARILYN SCHEER
Assistant Manager & Bookbuyer

After years of working in other small businesses and giant corporations, I’ve had a chance to return to my early love of reading and serve as the bookbuyer here at East West Bookshop. We as a staff meditate and pray together and we support each other in our challenges—which is not the usual experience in the world of labor-management organizational hierarchies. I especially love the opportunity to talk about books with our customers. I learn so much from them!

My hobbies are pretty traditional. I love to cook without ever quite following the recipe; I knit in cool weather and garden in warm.

NAMDEVI NAGAHARA, Accounting

I’ve worked at East West in Seattle for over 3 years in various capacities. My primary job now is in accounting. It’s a great blessing to work with my friends in spirit.

I also coordinate Ananda’s Healing Prayer Ministry, with Warner Wong (also on staff). I enjoy cooking and sharing the food with others.

D’ARCY DeLYLE
Volunteer

I am vounteering, helping with some of the bookstore events. I am enjoying having more "mom-time" with my son.

I love how all the people at East West Bookshop come together to get things done. I have learned that if I just tap into the flow of God and the other staff members’ amazing love for God, things just turn out right.

I love to meditate and do yoga. Better yet, I love to teach yoga. I love being a mother to my son. I like to knit and I love to dance. Photography and singing have come back into my life and I guess you could say that I am a bit of an artist.

CINDY GOTTFRIED
Book Receiving & Webmaster

I order and receive the books, and recently celebrated working 10 years at East West Bookshop! I developed our website and our CD listening station.

I also direct the choir at Ananda and am privileged to have a big percentage of East West staff in the choir. Before coming here I worked with Deaf people for 10 years and I enjoy communicating in ASL.

What I most appreciate about working here is the opportunity to explore and apply spiritual teachings of mindfulness and service together with other staff. I am very privileged to work with people who come from the highest and most selfless place and are a constant inspiration to me.

JAMUNA SNITKIN
Volunteer & former manager of East West in California

I was asked by Swami Kriyananda in 1981 to co-manage the original East West Bookstore in Menlo Park, CA, with my husband, Vasudeva. In 1996 my husband and I moved to Seattle where I joined the Ananda Sangha staff while Vasudeva continued as bookbuyer and co-manager with Susan. I teach Kriyananda’s Material Success Through Yoga Principles course, as well as other wisdom teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. I’ve always enjoyed staying in contact with the store and I volunteer one day a week. I love meeting the customers and seeing all the wonderful new books that come in.

URJA SYROP, Volunteer

I am a volunteer at East West Bookshop and it’s been a wonderful experience working with gentle, beautiful people. I’ve been learning new skills in computer work, customer service and serving wherever is needed. I’m a qualified dietician and in my free time I love to cook, write poetry and meet new people.

BETSY HAY
Bookbuyer Emeritus!

I begin at the beginning, through the snowstorms of 1989 to the snowstorms of 2009. I began ordering and receiving books, and doing the accounting and bookkeeping. I have cycled in and out of these jobs over the years, sometimes giving them over to others, then taking them back later. I no longer remember how many times I have retired, but always come back. Being at EastWest is so inspiring and nurturing, it is my spiritual home. When I’m not reading or ordering books, I like to study geology, in classes and in the field.

WARNER WONG, Customer Service

I work at East West as a sales clerk and helping with whatever needs to be done. I’m also working on a project to help East West have more visibility in the community. East West offers me an environment to grow spiritually, and I love the people here, staff and customers. I am retired from my career job and now enjoy myself by working two jobs, one here and another part-time at Hawaiian Airlines. I am married and have one child and three grandchildren who call me Tutu, the Hawaiian word for Grandpa.

MILYN MCMANUS
Buyer & Customer Service

I started working at East West doing receiving and stocking merchandise in late 2000 while I was pregnant with my first child. After giving birth to her and to a second daughter a year later, I decided to return to work. I work here evenings and weekends helping customers and as a buyer for our candle department. East West is the perfect place for me to grow spiritually and to become a better person. Half of my salary goes to my mother in the Philippines and the other half to three college students there who will finish their degrees in 2010. I love to cook and garden.

JUSTIN MINIGH, Customer Service

Justin began working at East West while attending graduate school, and since launching into his career in counseling has scaled back to part-time. Justin has a natural affinity for people and a love for the store – it was once a dream of his to own a store like East West! He has a particular love for the crystals and a great eye for displaying them.