Just get inspired by spirituality in action
These are some of the teachers - past and present - who will keep reminding us that there IS more to life. There is more to US...
Spiritual teachers are the salt that gives flavor to our otherwise somewhat dry western culture. With all the focus on s*x, drugs and rock and roll - development of the heart can very easily be forgotten or ignored.
This lens is a lensography: I present my lenses devoted to spiritual teachers - in addition to that there are links here to specific spiritual teachers that I have featured on my own website.
Top Spiritual teachers - no specific tradition
Mostly from the East
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William James - mystic, psychologist, philosopher
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Influential in the young sciences of psychology, educational psychology, psychology of religious experience and mysticism, and the philosophy of pragmatism. He was the brother of novelist Henry James and of diarist Alice James. Without ignoring Jame...
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Khalil Gibran Quotes from The Prophet
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Famous for 'The Prophet', Khalil Gibran was also a successful immigrant in the US (from Lebanon). This lens will show you his artwork as well as give spiritual quotations and links.
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David Bohm: science and spirituality
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Famous for his 'Implicate and Explicite Order', quantum physicist David Bohm combines a knowledge of current day physics with a spiritual vision of the universe. His parents were immigrant European Jews, but David went to college and worked with one...
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Krishnamurti : Jiddu & U.G.
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This is a disambiguation lens. There are two famous Krishnamurti's in the world of Spirituality. They knew each other. They had similar teachings. Both were anti-guru's. U.G. Krishnamurti was so against being a guru that he didn't give many lectures....
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Jiddu Krishnamurti, world teacher
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Jiddu Krishnamurti was famous in his lifetime for first being raised as a 'world teacher' and then renouncing the organisation founded in his honor. Paradoxically he spent the rest of his life teaching all over the world: lecturing, talking to people...
One of the best spiritual teachers today
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Best Ken Wilber Books
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Books by Ken Wilber who writes on psychology, philosophy, mysticism, ecology, and spiritual evolution. He has been described as New Age, although his writings are critical of much of the New Age Movement. His work formulates what he calls an "integra...
Not what you expected
A real spiritual teacher will teach you a NEW perspective on your life - which also makes sense, but wasn't what you expected.
So. what's a REAL spiritual teacher like?
- A real spiritual teacher will be REAL - that is: authentic.
- A real spiritual teacher will be a human being - don't imagine him or her as a saint.
- A real spiritual teacher will confront you with things you did not know about yourself, or did not want to know.
- A real spiritual teacher will be a good person in ways you perhaps didn't expect.
- A real spiritual teacher doesn't just preach - he or she also practices.
- A real spiritual teacher is Bodhisattva: someone who lives for others, not themselves.
Christian teachers (and former Christians)
Well known spiritual teachers
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Best Edgar Cayce Books
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Edgar Evans Cayce (March 18, 1877 - January 3, 1945) was a psychic. He channeled answers to questions on subjects such as health or Atlantis, while in a self-induced trance. For this reason he has been called the sleeping prophet. Though Cayce was a...
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Elizabeth Clare Prophet Books
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Spiritual teachers are often controversial. Elizabeth Clare Prophet is accused of the usual: not being very scientific, not being clear about her sources (which are after all 'channeled') and ultimately: quarreling in her own circles. None of that m...
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Karen Armstrong: author, former nun and religious inspiration
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Karen Armstrong is the embodiment of religious tolerance and spiritual transformation. A former Roman Catholic Nun, she got disillusioned about religion. A visit to Jerusalem rekindled her love for religion and she turned to writing books about the...
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John Hick - philosopher of religion
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An introduction into the philosophy of John Hick a noted religious philosopher using quotes. Philosophers of religion know John Hick's pluralistic hypothesis for it's daring solution to conflict between religions. The basic idea: religion is based o...
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Anthony De Mello, Christian inspiration from India
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Influenced the world through his powerful understanding of the human condition. Through the use of parables and teaching stories, de Mello pointed the way to authentic living. The influence of spiritual traditions outside mainstream Christianity is c...
More spiritual teachers
Fourth Way, Sufism and Buddhism
- Guy Hoffman
- Sufism & Fourth Way
- G.I. Gurdjieff articles and wisdom quotes - Fourth Way
- Biography, articles and quotations by and about G.I. Gurdijeff
- Robert Frager articles and quotes - Sufism
- Founder of the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology. He has written many books, mainly on the spiritual path in Sufism and Islam.
- Reijo Oksanen
- On the Fourth Way.
- Jiddu Krishnamurti: history, remembrances and quotes
- Krishnamurti quotations, historical information, personal remembrances and questions he asked.
- Kahlil Gibran quotes from The Prophet
- Inspiring quotations and biography from the Lebanese poet-artist who wrote 'The Prophet'.
- Idries Shah.
- Articles and quotes and sufi-stories.
- Anthony de Mello
- Inspiring quotations on spiritual liberation and living inspired.
- Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso [ Tibetan Buddhism ]
- Articles and quotes by the Dalai Lama on Tibetan Buddhism and related subjects.
- Thich Nhat Hanh quotes and articles
- Articles, quotes on peace and buddhism and a biography.
Eckhart Tolle on teaching spirituality
Practicing Presence: A Guide for the Spiritual Teacher and Health Practitioner
Amazon Price: $59.95 (as of 07/05/2009)![]()
The contemporary book on how to be a spiritual teacher or spiritual health practitioner. What to avoid. What to look out for. What to keep in mind. How not to put yourself, but your client first.
Buddhist teachers
Top spiritual gurus
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The 14th Dalai Lama: Tibetan leader in exile
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Nobel Peace Prize Winner, popularizer of Buddhism and head of the Tibetan Government in Exile. The Dalai Lama's life is a unique convergence of religion, politics and an admirable stand on peace in the face of aggression. This lens focuses on his l...
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Gautama Buddha - Inspirer of Buddhism
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Buddhism is the one world religion that everyone seems to respect. Many more people would like to call themselves Buddhists than actually are Buddhists by traditional counts. Buddha found the source of sorrow, what sorrow is and the way out of sorro...
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Thich Nhat Hanh: Peace and Zen Buddhism
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Monk and Vietnamese peace activist turned Zen Meditation teacher. Thich Nhat Hanh is an Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk. He is a teacher, author, and peace activist, born in central Vietnam in 1926. He coined the term Engaged Buddhism in his book Vietna...
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Bodhisattva - living for others in Buddhism
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The bodhisattva ideal is embodied in the bodhisattva vow: May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. This practically means that one vows not just to attain enlightenment or Nirvana (ambitious enough of itself), but to postpone...
Theosophical teachers
- H.P. Blavatsky Articles and quotes - classic theosophy
- Essential articles and quotes from Helena Petrovna Blavatsky on various subjects, including spiritual growth, metaphysics, karma and reincarnation.
- Annie Besant
- articles by and about Annie Besant - with links.
- Mabel Collins
- A clairvoyant and author of romance novels, whose theosophical fame started with Light on the Path, a book written in trance and still her most well selling work. After having been expelled from the Theosophical Society by H.P. Blavatsky for unknown reasons, she spent a lot of energy fighting for animal rights.
- Henry Steel Olcott: founder of the Theosophical Society
- Articles by and relating to the work of H.S. Olcott.
- William Q. Judge
- Quotes, articles and Biography of William Q. Judge
- C.W. Leadbeater
- Leadbeater on clairvoyance, the astral plane and thoughts as things. Also tributes to Leadbeater and critical material on his life and work.
- J.J. van der Leeuw
- Quotes from books by J.J. van der Leeuw on truth, illusion, consciousness and the meaning of life.
- G. de Purucker on the Theosophical Movement
- Quotes on the value of love and tolerance in the TS and the Point Loma Society.
- N.Sri Ram - former president of the Theosophical Society Adyar
- Articles by Nilakantan Sri Ram, with short biography and selected bibliography.
- Hugh Shearman
- An honours graduate in history and the author of some twenty books which include The Passionate Necessity, The Purpose of Tragedy and Modern Theosophy.
- John Algeo - vice president Theosophical Society Adyar
- Articles on theosophy, theosophical history and Harry Potter, among other things.
- Pablo D. Sender
- Articles on Damodar, the spiritual path, meditation and theosophical leaders.
- Katinka Hesselink's English articles on religion and spirituality
- My own articles on religion and spirituality.
Theosophical teachers (or very related)
The Theosophical Society has been very influential in comparison to its size. These are some famous theosophists-
Rudolf Steiner the founder of Anthroposophy
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Introducing the founder of Waldorf education, alternative farming methods (bio-dynamic farming), alternative health practices and dietary advice - Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was way ahead of his time. Rudolf Steiner was quite a learned man. He was a...
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Rupert Sheldrake
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Biologist known for his theory of 'morpho-genetic fields'. These fields make learning something easier once it's been learned before by someone else. This would explain strange chemical behavior as well as the increased speed with which difficult cro...
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Best Paul Brunton books and biography
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Paul Brunton was an influential spiritual teacher in the first half of the 20th century. He was instrumental in making the Maharshi known in the West. His books popularized many theosophical and Eastern philosophical concepts and practices. Whatever...
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Annie Besant, teacher, lecturer, secularist and theosophist...
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Minister's wife, student of medicine, raised a prophet, reformer, secularist and more. Annie Besant (1847-1933) was many things in her lifetime - and living in the 19th and early 20th century, all of those things were revolutionary for a woman to be...
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Blavatsky : Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
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Blavatsky compared the science of her day, studied the world religions and came up with her own synthesis, which she called 'theosophy', or ancient wisdom.
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W.Q. Judge - theosophy Books
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William Quan Judge is a well respected early theosophical author who, unlike others, did not make a name for himself outside the movement. He worked himself up from poverty to become a lawyer, in his 'outside' life. Inside the TS he was the young par...
Muslim spiritual teacher: Rumi
Get inspired by sufi teachers: Islamic inspiration
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Rumi sayings and quotes
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Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi, also known as Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, but known to the English-speaking world simply as Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet, Sunni Islamic jurist, and theologian and mystic. Rumi's works are written in the...
So, what should a spiritual teacher teach?
If I forget anything a spiritual teacher should teach: please mention it in the comments.
About spiritual teaching
Controversies and ponderings on the relationship between gurus (spiritual teachers) and their students.
Add your own favorite links.
Sufism: The functions of the Sufi lineage
What is a spiritual teacher for?1 point
Spiritual Teachers
Sincere teachers should be aware of their Auras. T more...1 point
A Practical Approach to Spirituality
When I first came in contact with real spiritual t more...1 point
About spiritual teaching
Spiritual teachers: their limitations and strength more...0 points
Spiritual newsletter
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byBooks on and by spiritual teaching
Spiritual teachers on spiritual teaching
Vote for your favorite spiritual teacher and add your link to the best quote or article by that teacher on spiritual growth or spiritual teaching.
Jiddu Krishnamurti: The Core of the Teachings
The following statement was written by Krishnamurt more...2 points
Dalai Lama on Peace
Inner peace needed for outer peace.2 points
St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace... and a more...2 points
Mother Teresa Wisdom Quotes
Quotes from the wisdom of Mother Tereresa2 points
Thich Nhat Hanh on Love
Thich Nhat Hanh quotes on peace, a smile, sufferin more...1 point
Anthony de Mello on spiritual awakening
spiritual awakening, why it's important...1 point
Khalil Gibran - on religion (adoration)
'speak to us of Religion'1 point
Thomas Aquinas - Loving God - can you fully?
dialogue with God1 point
A Curriculum of a School, by Idries Shah
Idris Shah on spiritual teaching0 points
Therese of Lisieux on Love
Therese of Lisieux on the joy of love.0 points
Experiencing The Power of Now - in Detail Review of the Book by Eckhart Tolle
I want to encourage everybody, who has not yet get more...0 points
Spiritual teachers - sort of...
This lens is about a book in which spiritual teachers play a large part. Not sure it belongs in this lensography - but I did want to share it here.-
Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure
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Great book if you want to go to India yourself - especially if you're interested in India as the home of spirituality. I read the book in one go: couldn't put it down. It's interesting as a story of personal and spiritual growth and as a catalog of...
Who's your favorite spiritual teacher?
So - who's your favorite? Who did I forget?Learn more about spiritual teaching
I created this page as a tribute to some of the spiritual teachers I admire most.
The products shown here were selected with care. If you buy any, you will be putting a bit of change into my pocket. It's appreciated.
From the UK? Eckhart Tolle 'Practicing Presence'...
More spiritual teachers? your opinions!

If I forgot an important spiritual teacher, please let me know. Any other feedback on this lens is also welcome.
Maraiya wrote...
Thanks for putting so much time and effort and love into this lens. It will help many people. I felt initially drawn to this lens because you were talking about Rumi, and I love his poetry and really enjoyed that section of your lens. Another one I like not on your list is Hzrat Inayat Khan (hope I spelled his name right), who wrote a lot of Sufi books that I ended up proofreading to be put on the Internet a number of years ago. I'm a Christian, and so Jesus is my favorite teacher. I also really love Kahil Gibran. Yogananda is also a really high-level spirit.
mukunda22 wrote...
Lovely overview of spiritual teachers.
#5 and linked to a few recent lenses of my own!
Heather426 wrote...
I'm not a Christian, but I think Jesus should be on the list, even if he was and is misintrepreted...and I love Paramahansa Yogananda too!
Plus there are Charles and Myrtle Fillmore and Mary Baker Eddy...actually quite a few others who are and were spiiritual giants.Gangagi is a student of Papagi and reminds me of Ken Wilber somewhat and what about Ram Dass? There are just so many!
anyway, love the lens, 5*
BarryKrost wrote...
Very good assortment of teaching. How about adding Martin Buber (I and Thou) (Hasidism and Modern Man) or Abraham Heschel. (God in Search of Man, The Prophets.etc.) to this lens or a new one?? These two have alot to say but are not well known outside of a small circle. Thanx.
My other lensographies
If all this wasn't enough...
More religion resources and spiritual inspiration, see my website: http://www.katinkahesselink.net/ or my spiritual blog: All Considering-
Spiritual Lenses - Katinka Hesselink Net: religion and spirituality
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A lensography of my best spirituality lenses as well as a summary of my website. I feature information from various religious traditions like Buddhism, Sufism, Fourth Way and Theosophy. I also pay attention to various spiritual teachers, whether the...
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Katinka Hesselink - my other lenses
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I'm a lensmaster, webdesigner an oldest child, an eternal student, a former teacher and single. Most of you know me here on Squidoo as lensmaster 'spirituality' - but I've also got a life outside my interests in spirituality (though perhaps that's n...
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Katinka Hesselink Online
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Going crazy trying to keep up with myself online. So this is where you can find me online and where I keep track of my many online profiles. There is a good chance you will find me elsewhere online as well. I'm not very good at keeping this list up t...
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The best spiritual books EVER
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Spiritual books lensography Gathering all my spiritual book reviews together :) Religion and spirituality fascinates me no end. I also love to read books - this lens combines both fascinations. I hope you enjoy some of these and broaden your horizo...
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2009, 2010 Spiritual Calendars and Planners
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Some of the most beautiful spiritual calendars and agenda books gathered in one place. This lens has spiritual calendars and planners with Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and alternative spirituality themes. Each is inspirational in its o...
My newest lenses
First communion jewelry
6-9: Help your child or godchild remember their fi more...0 points
Spiritual jewelry
6-9: I collected some very inspiring spiritual cha more...0 points
Creative Evolution by Amit Goswami PhD
6-10: Inspiring integration of the latest in physi more...0 points
Vegan and Vegetarian quotes
6-13: I collected quotes about eating meat - or av more...0 points
Family Planners Calendars and Desk Agendas
6-14: Your kids have a busy schedule: school, socc more...0 points
Spiritual pictures and photos - caption them!
6-14: This is a lens devoted to my spiritual pictu more...0 points
Fractal Graphics Art Posters
6-14: Fractals make beautiful art - I've found pos more...0 points
Elizabeth Clare Prophet Books
6-15: Spiritual teachers are often controversial. more...0 points
What is the cause of Evil?
6-17: What is the cause of Evil? I think this comp more...0 points
My favorite thing: a flower pen!
6-19: I was challenged to make a page about my fav more...0 points
Spirituality from the perspective of science books
6-22: When you hear 'quantum mechanics' you may th more...0 points
Clairvoyance Jigsaw Puzzles and Posters
6-25: These are such fun: jigsaw puzzles out of pi more...0 points
What a vegetarian single girl eats
6-27: I'm in the Giant Squid summer school - this more...0 points
Spiritual friends - thanks for supporting my spiritual blog
7-4: Sharing with you all a collection of blogs - more...0 points
Thanks for all your support!
A big thank you to all of you who've supported my online work by:
- linking to any of my web projects
- voting on my lenses
- buying stuff from my lenses
- asking questions
- giving constructive feedback
- ... donating money :)
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