On December 6, 2025, Arun’s family organized an event at the DSA – Denver School of the Arts in Denver, Colorado. Arun (Edward Glassman) passed away in August 2025, following several months of a steady decline. His family wanted to celebrate his life with his students, with his colleagues, with his friends, and margiis brother and sisters. I was invited to attend this event, and I was honored to be part of it.
The event took place in one of the auditoriums of the school: on the stage, as you were entering, one of Arun’s puppet stages (handmade and widely used) and on the side, his daughter Katie playing violin with a group of musicians, one at a piano, one at the trumpet, and one at the contrabass. From the podium on the stage, one of Arun’s friends and teachers at the school started to share some of his life experiences with Arun: “Arun taught me how to breathe” was his first sentence. “Arun taught me how to eat. I was a vegetarian for 25 years after understanding from Arun how food affects your body and mind”.
After his sharing, his daughters Katie and Jonnah shared their childhood experiences with the puppet shows, the long drive to reach the different Ananda Marga retreats, the water fights at Ananda Kanan, the fun, the laughter, and the joy. Others were called on stage: his sister Lea, many of his beloved students, his friends, margiis, and colleagues. From their sharing, while pictures of Arun with his students and his family were projected in the background, came out the many talents and quality of Arun: a beloved father and husband, a dear friend, a friend who went out of his way to help others, always so generous, always ready to say yes, always thinking of others (collecting food for the homeless after each event at school), a great listener, an educator, a movie maker, a librarian, a puppeteer, a loving gentle soul. He supported his students fiercely; he helped them build their confidence and inspired them to be creative and go beyond their limits; no better National History Day project in Colorado or nationwide better than his students! Some of the sharing were very personal: many stories on his way of driving (I have no experience so I can’t say anything about it!), on his love for the art of puppets, his loving gentle soul, of his non-threatening way of suggesting ideas. The confidence he created in his students, his influence, still echoes in their appreciations: a foundational force, a shiny diamond in their hearts.
A scholarship in Ed’s name will be open at the school. While attending this event, I felt the legacy of love and passion that Arun left behind: something so pure and genuine that will last for many years and in many people’s hearts.
MJ (Mayajyoti), Arun’s loving wife, was a remarkable partner in every sense. A dedicated teacher with 28 years of experience running a New-Humanistic kindergarten, she supported his puppetry career and stood by him until his final days. Their bond was built on mutual care and respect – they meditated, gardened, and uplifted each other in their careers. MJ is now focusing on her own recovery, healing from a recent abdominal surgery
Mahajyoti, who’s still recovering from a recent abdominal surgery, was sitting in the first lane of the auditorium surrounded by her daughters and family. She has stood by him until his final days.
Arun’s Daughters, Katie and Jonnah Glassman
The puppet stage Arun used for his performances
Arun’s puppet, one of many in his collection
Arun’s Family at the Memorial Event
Their bond, built on mutual care and respect, supporting each other and uplifting each other’s careers (she was a teacher too, running a Neo-Humanistic kindergarten for almost 30 years, and a yoga teacher), meditating together, sharing their love for gardening, is a testament to what a loving partnership can achieve.
Attending the event was a profound experience, a testament to the love and passion Arun embodied. His impact will resonate in the hearts of many for years to come. For me, the movie “The SuperGuru” – written and made by Arun, MahaJyoti, and their kids – captured the essence of their joyful, loving family adventures. Arun, you will be missed. Baba Nam Kevalam.
Written by Avadhutika Ananda Kalyanmitra Acarya