Paul Cutright Paul Cutright has been on a path of self-realization and living in service to the awakening of others for the last 40+ years, ever since his father gave him a five volume set of books entitled The Life and Teachings of the Masters of the Far East in 1970. Paul has been motivated by a passionate quest for authentic spiritual connection and the practical application of spiritual principles. His quest led him to and through a multitude of experiences that culminated in two life changing events. The first was a profound experience of rebirth that showed him the way out of his own unresolved pain and into a life of contribution and healing. The second was an … [Read more...]

Milagros Phillips Milagros Phillips specializes in transforming relationships between the races using a powerful approach that leaves participants empowered and hopeful. Her program, “Race Demystified: A Compassionate Approach to the Healing of America,” has proven to be a powerful tool, which she has been called upon to facilitate at Fortune 100 Companies, colleges, universities and communities throughout the country. Ms. Phillips’ historically grounded approach for looking at Race, gives us a new understanding of our current challenges, raising our consciousness and developing new approaches that help improve personal and professional relationships. Ms. Phillips was the … [Read more...]

Bhikkhuni Pannavati Bhikkhuni Pannavati, an international teacher, is a former Christian pastor, Co-Abbot of Embracing Simplicity Buddhist Hermitage and a founding director of Sisters of Compassionate Wisdom (a 21st century  trans-lineage Buddhist order). She is ordained in both the Theravada and Chan schools, is a Zen Dharma Holder and Vajrayana practitioner. Pannavati’s insight is rich with compassion, wit and humor. She is approachable and engaged; known for her "direct speech," ordination of Thai and Cambodian nuns, work with homeless youth in Appalachia, and ministry to India's "Untouchables." Website: www.embracingsimplicityhermitage.org   … [Read more...]

Elias Amidon Elias Amidon is the spiritual director (Pir) of the Sufi Way International, a non-sectarian mystical order in the lineage of Inayat Khan (www.sufiway.org). Through his nine-month Open Path trainings and retreats (www.open-path.org) in Europe and the U.S., he offers students a guided approach to recognizing nondual awareness, and learning to express that realization in the diverse conditions of daily life. Pir Elias has lived a multifaceted, engaged life, working as a schoolteacher, builder, architect, writer, environmental educator, peace activist, and wilderness rites-of-passage guide. He is author of the forthcoming book The Open Path – Recognizing Nondual … [Read more...]

Elizabeth Rabia Roberts ELIZABETH RABIA ROBERTS is an independent citizen activist and spiritual teacher in the Buddhist and Sufi nondual traditions. She began her work for social and environmental justice, non-violence, and women’s rights when she left university in 1965 to travel to Selma, Alabama, where she worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for 2 years. Over the next half century Rabia has travelled and taught all over the world — including Burma, Indonesia, Brazil, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, and Israel/Palestine. She focuses primarily on training grassroots leaders, peace workers, and religious leaders from all traditions. Following in the footsteps of … [Read more...]

Kenny Johnson Kenny Johnson devoted his life to crime, beginning in his early teens and served over twenty years in various city, county, state, and federal prisons. During his early years in prison, he spent most of his time participating in religious and substance abuse groups. It was his inner desire for freedom that led him and a band of truth-seekers to a meeting in the prison chapel. There, Gangaji, a spiritual teacher, answered his most pressing question: “It is my understanding that we have to wait until we die before we can receive God’s Grace. Is that so?” She replied, “Kenny, God’s Grace is here now! Kenny you think you are a convict, you think you are your … [Read more...]

Larry Yang Larry Yang teaches meditation retreats nationally and has a special interest in creating access to the Dharma for diverse multicultural communities. Larry has practiced extensively in Burma and Thailand, with a six month period of ordination as a Buddhist monk under the guidance of meditation master Ajahn Tong. Larry is one of the core teachers and leaders of the East Bay Meditation Center. He is on the Spirit Rock Teachers Council. He is one of the coordinating teachers of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader training program which cultivates the new leadership in how the Teachings of the Dharma are shared in western culture. Larry has a deep interest in … [Read more...]

Raphael Cushnir Raphael Cushnir is a leading voice in the world of emotional connection and present moment awareness. He has shared his unique approach to personal and professional development with millions of readers in O, The Oprah Magazine, Beliefnet, Spirituality and Health, Psychology Today, and The Huffington Post. He is the author of six books, lectures worldwide, and is a faculty member of the Esalen Institute, the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies. In addition, he coaches individuals and teams at Fortune 100 companies, governments, religious organizations, and leading non-profits. Raphael’s own heart was opened by an … [Read more...]

Ram Dass Ram Dass first travelled to India in 1967 as Dr. Richard Alpert, an eminent Harvard psychologist. There he met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba (affectionately known as Maharaj-ji), who gave Ram Dass his name, which means “servant of God.” Upon his return from India, Ram Dass became a pivotal cultural influence and has served as a guiding light for over forty years, carrying millions along on the journey. He is the author of the landmark book, "Be Here Now" and co-founder of the Seva Foundation and lives in Maui, Hawaii. Ram Dass is pleased to announce the release of his latest book (with Rameshwar Das), Be Love Now: the Path of the Heart. Combining timeless teaching … [Read more...]

Jay Michaelson Jay Michaelson is the author of three books and two hundred articles on the intersections of Judaism, spirituality, sexuality, and law. His most recent book, God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality (2011) was just nominated for a Lambda Literary award. Other books include God in Your Body: Kabbalah, Mindfulness, and Embodied Spiritual Practice and Everything is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism (2009). His advocacy on behalf of LGBT people in religious communities has been featured on NPR, CNN, and in the New York Times. Jay holds a J.D. from Yale and a B.A. from Columbia, and is completing his Ph.D in Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University of … [Read more...]