A Store That Kept Finding Its Way Back

Supreme Swan was founded in 2009 as a trusted source of quality products for meditation, devotion, and conscious living.

My connection to it began long before I became its steward.

In 2007, I was supporting a friend organizing spiritual events — evenings where speakers like Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer would share their teachings. We were the promoters, and alongside each event we set up booths to expose attendees to other teachings and traditions, hoping the inspiration of the evening might carry someone toward a deeper path.

One of those traditions was the lineage of Paramahansa Yogananda. We would purchase his books ourselves and offer them on a donation basis — simply hoping more people would find what had transformed our own lives. It was through this outreach that Self-Realization Fellowship invited us to participate in one of their events. That is where I first met Phil and Maria Grey, the founders of Supreme Swan.

I still remember Phil visiting my home and bringing one of the most beautiful stained-glass pieces I had ever seen. I learned that he worked in SRF’s publications department and had received the blessing of a senior monk to begin Supreme Swan — a small business dedicated to offering quality items for Kriyabans and their practice. One product in particular stayed with me: a stereogram that revealed Lord Shiva when viewed with patience and concentration. It wasn’t just a product. It was an experience.

I reached out to Phil about carrying some of their products. We hardly sold anything. Yet Phil photographed items, helped create listings, and encouraged the effort anyway. His generosity with a young entrepreneur left a lasting impression.

“Supreme Swan was never simply a store — it was a way of serving people.”

Not long after, life brought me to Mount Washington, where I eventually became neighbors with Phil and Maria. I watched them build something rooted in sincerity and service. I saw Maria handwrite thank-you notes to customers. I saw the care that went into selecting each product.

But my own path was unfolding differently.

I spent time as a resident at the ashram, living in close proximity to monastic life and exploring what that might mean for me. Those years clarified much. One figure who stayed with me was Rajarsi Janakananda — Saint Lynn — Yogananda’s foremost disciple. He showed that spiritual depth and worldly engagement were not mutually exclusive. That example mattered.

When I returned to business, I launched a menswear company named Saint Lynn. By God’s grace, it found success and gave me two decades of building brands and learning what it means to truly serve customers.

And yet Supreme Swan never completely left my life.

In 2017, Phil and Maria were preparing to retire and move to Guatemala. The possibility of acquiring Supreme Swan was discussed — but I was entering a new season of life and knew I couldn’t give it what it deserved.

So I passed.

The business went to close friends who continued its mission beautifully.

Eight years later, the opportunity came again.

By then my path had brought me back to my hometown in Canada. I had married. My wife and I were expecting our first daughter. After decades in business, I found myself drawn toward work that carried meaning beyond commerce.

When Supreme Swan returned, it felt less like a business decision and more like an answered prayer.

I see myself today not as its owner, but as its steward.

This store is my seva and my love project. Every product we carry is chosen with one simple question:

Would this genuinely support someone’s practice?

Our hope is that Supreme Swan continues to be what it has always been — a trusted companion for those seeking a deeper, more intentional, and spiritually inspired life.

Thank you for being part of the journey.