John Wren-Lewis lent a fresh perspective to contemporary spirituality 
because, for many years, he viewed mysticism as escapism. Mystical beliefs were no better than religious or scientific beliefs — to believe was not the same as to know. When, in 1983, Wren-Lewis had a profound mystical experience, he was free to describe it in his own words and not in the terms of any spiritual tradition. Continue reading “John Wren-Lewis: The skeptic’s mystic”
Category: 3 Star
This is a broad category of spiritual teachers, all of interest. Some are superstars too popular to study with directly, others played key but limited roles in my spiritual search, and others I don’t know quite well enough to call them Four Stars. This category includes: Bart Marshall, Eddie Traversa, Peace Pilgrim, Joseph Sadony, Bassui, Huang Po, and Foyan, John Wren-Lewis, Paul Brunton, Vernon Howard, P.D. Ouspensky, Linda Clair, Eckhart Tolle, and Michael Singer.
Paul Brunton: A good friend along the way
Paul Brunton died in 1981, so I never met the man, but there was a period 
of time in which I read a number of his books, and found them inspiring. Like the works of Ouspensky, however, I did not continue to find what I needed. I recommend reading a book or two, but don’t expect a complete philosophy. Look at Paul Brunton as a fellow researcher sharing his experiences. He had tremendous knowledge gained from years of travelling the globe and meeting spiritual teachers, yet he never found a final answer. Continue reading “Paul Brunton: A good friend along the way”
Vernon Howard: The practical mystic
This is my second attempt at a review of Vernon Howard. I read his Mystic Path to Cosmic Power (despite the comic book-like title) several times over 
the past few years. I found it inspiring, but lacking in practical advice. His New Life Foundation recommended I read Solved — The Mystery of Life and listen to the Field of Diamonds lecture. Once again, although at times inspiring, he left me wondering what to do to realize the Truth he made so obviously desirable. I wondered if there was a secret teaching not explained in the books and tapes, but a helpful fellow at the Foundation said there was no hidden teaching. Continue reading “Vernon Howard: The practical mystic”
P.D. Ouspensky: We are machines
I still remember the excitement of reading P.D. Ouspensky’s Psychology of Man’s Possible Evolution for the first time. It was my first spiritual book and every page was packed with insights into my psychology. Our studies must 
begin with our selves and not with the heavens. Ouspensky drove home the idea that in our present state we are machines, that we are a conglomeration of voices rather than a unified whole, that we react rather than do, and that we must observe our machines in order to change. Continue reading “P.D. Ouspensky: We are machines”
Bart Marshall: The eloquent sage
Bart Marshall is an old acquaintance from my days with the Self Knowledge Symposium. 
Back then, I was in my early twenties and considered him one of the “old guys” (like I am now!). I recall three things about Bart. One, that I would never want to get into a fight with him; two, that he seemed hopelessly stuck in the spider’s web of daily life; and three (probably related to the first), he could be deadly serious. Continue reading “Bart Marshall: The eloquent sage”