Gurus
A guru is a personal religious teacher or spiritual guide of a very high order. Following here are several whose messages have opened my mind, heart, and spirit to embrace the journey we are sharing together. Please be sure to visit the Books page for details on written works on or by these enlightened individuals. When seeking a guiding master, one would do well to heed these sage words from Paramahansa Yogananda: "May the Eternal Giver be sought, not His phenomenal gifts!"
Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) broke the rigid spiritual doctrines of 19th-century India with a message of divine wonder obtained through "...no ordinary wine, but wine of everlasting bliss." Fortunately, one of his devotees preserved his forward-thinking teachings in the utterly unique book The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. Click Here to learn more about Ramakrishna's intriguing life and vibrant message of mystical intoxication.
Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952) is perhaps one of the most beloved Indian spiritual teachers of the 20th century. His legacy continues today through the Self-Realization Fellowship established internationally. Furthermore, Yogananda's witty and deeply-personal memoir The Autobiography of a Yogi has become well-established as one of the world's most acclaimed spiritual classics. Click Here to learn more about the sacred science of Kriya Yoga which he taught throughout his life.
Eknath Easwaran (1910-1999) was one of the 20th-century's most significant Indian spiritual instructors who lived the majority of his life in the West. I can personally recommend his Eight Point Program of Passage Meditation since it is the one through which I established my own practice. Click Here to learn more about Easwaran's fascinating life and legacy. Easwaran's spiritual mentor, his grandmother, called him "Little Lamp" as an endearment. His light continues to illuminate life in all its splendor.
Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert, 1931- ) remains a beacon of illumination for so many who have answered his heartfelt invitation to join him on a quest of mystical unfolding. For nearly forty years, his monumental book Be Here Now has become the lotus-strewn path toward inner-liberation. Click Here to learn more about Ram Dass' continuing work as a spiritual teacher and popular author. And Click Here to learn more about his own personal guru, the celebrated Neem Karoli Baba (?-1973), known affectionately as Maharaj-ji.
Swamiji (born Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda, 1945- ) is an internationally-renowned peace advocate, humanitarian, and creator of the Yoga in Daily Life system which aims to do: "... valuable and constructive work for our neighbors and the community, to preserve nature and the environment and work for peace in the world. Click Here to access a series of videos in which Swamiji offers practical, authoritative, and compassionate wisdom.
Peter Marchand (1963- ) is a Belgian philosopher, author, and founding member of the Sanatan Society, the purpose of which is to lead the individual to universal and eternal truth. Click Here to access a series of videos in which Peter discusses and struggles and joys of living a spiritually-aware existence in contemporary times.