FEATURED IN THE GREATEST SECRET

“I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to be on the planet at the same time as the amazing teachers featured in The Greatest Secret. Every one of these beings dedicates their life to our freedom and our happiness. And for many of them, they have been doing this for decades. If you were in the presence of any one of them, you would feel the overwhelming love and joy emanating from them, reflecting back your true nature to you. If you have the opportunity to be with one of the teachers in person, take it! And if you cannot be with them in person, you can most certainly connect with some of them live online. It’s the next best thing.

Waking up to our true nature is easier now than it has ever been; it is possible for every one of us to go all the way home. It may not be as easy in the future – we don’t know – so if you can, make the most of this time now, your life now, and these inspirational teachers.” – Rhonda Byrne

SAILOR BOB ADAMSON

Sailor Bob is Australian and resides in my hometown of Melbourne. I only became aware of Sailor Bob in early 2016, after I had realized the truth of who we really are. I was living in the United States at that time, yet many years earlier when I was still living in Melbourne I had passed Sailor Bob’s home day after day, year after year, when traveling to work. I had no idea I was driving past a self-realized teacher, someone who would one day play an integral role in my life. When I found out about Sailor Bob in 2016, I decided to get on a plane immediately and go and see him. He was in his eighties at that time, and I attended several of his meetings and had personal one-on-one meetings with him. Each time I saw Sailor Bob I felt lighter, happier, and freer. It was early days for me in my spiritual awakening, and I struggled to grasp everything he told me, yet today all of it is crystal clear. Sailor Bob realized his true nature many decades earlier while in India, as a disciple of Nisargadatta Maharaj. Since that time, Bob has shared his teachings from his home to anyone who is interested in hearing the truth. He is in his nineties now, and still continues to hold meetings in his home. His words, “What’s wrong if you don’t think about it?” are some of the simplest and most profound words ever given. Sailor Bob’s books are What’s Wrong With Right Now? and Presence Awareness: Just This Nothing Else. You can enjoy more of the precious Sailor Bob Adamson on his website: sailorbobadamson.com.

JULIAN BARBOUR

Julian Barbour is a British physicist. He is the author of three books: The End of Time: The Next Revolution in Our Understanding of the Universe, which explores the idea that time is an illusion; The Discovery of Dynamics, which investigates the background to Newton’s discoveries; and his latest book, The Janus Point, which he completed at age eighty-three. Julian’s website is platonia.com.

DAVID BINGHAM

David Bingham is British. He spent decades as a spiritual seeker, and it was listening to a podcast of the teacher John Wheeler that woke him up to who he really is. David was interviewed on Conscious TV to share his experience of self-realization, and it was that very interview that began my awakening. I watched the interview, I followed David’s footsteps and listened to the same podcast, and I then had a phone consultation with David in which he helped me experience Awareness, and see the truth of who I really am. David is now a teacher and he has been able to help many realize their true nature. David’s interviews on Conscious TV are also available in the book Conversations on Nonduality. You can find out more about the wonderful David Bingham’s teachings on his website: nonconceptualawareness.com.

DEEPAK CHOPRA™, M.D., FACP

Deepak Chopra™, a board-certified endocrinologist, made a journey of discovery from India to the United States, and after becoming disenchanted with Western medicine he moved to integrate whole-health medicine. In 1995 Deepak opened the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, which transformed to Chopra Global, a whole-health company that is empowering personal transformation for the wellbeing of millions of people globally. He has written more than ninety books, many of them bestsellers. I first saw Deepak speak at the Science and Nonduality (SAND) conference several years ago, where I leapt to my feet in a standing ovation after he finished speaking. You can find Deepak’s extensive and prolific teachings on his website: deepakchopra.com.

ANTHONY DE MELLO S.J.

The late Anthony (Tony) DeMello was a Jesuit priest born in Bombay, India. Although he was only on the planet for forty-five years, his teachings are as much alive today as they ever were. Tony’s unique ability of joining Western and Eastern spirituality made his teachings inspirational and transformative. Much of his audience was Catholic or Christian, and he drew a great deal from the teachings in the Bible, illuminating their meaning for his audiences. It was this in conjunction with his brilliant story-telling that woke people up to the truth. Tony’s books have remained bestsellers since the death of his physical form in 1987, and have sold millions of copies: The Way to Love; Sadhana, A Way to God; One Minute Wisdom; The Heart of the Enlightened; Wellsprings; The Song of the Bird; and Taking Flight. My favorites to begin with are Awareness: Conversations with the Masters and Rediscovering Life. There are also video recordings available, and it is a joy to witness Tony’s teachings, which always came with a smile in his voice and with love in his heart. This wonderful teacher’s website is demellospirituality.com.

HALE DWOSKIN

Hale Dwoskin was a student and the designated heir of the legendary Lester Levenson, and he was also one of the featured teachers in The Secret. Hale has dedicated his life to continuing Lester’s work through The Sedona Method, helping others realize their true nature. The success of the method is proven through the transformation of many people’s lives. Hale holds regular retreats where he trains people how to release negativity so they can realize their true Self. A big part of my own journey has been releasing. You can find all of Hale’s and Lester’s teachings in the books The Sedona Method and Happiness is Free, volumes 1–5. Hale does several retreats a year in the United States, where he resides, and worldwide. His talks, teleconferences, and retreats are made available for people all around the world to join online, and I have attended many of them that way. All of this wonderful material is also archived and available on Hale’s website: sedona.com.

PETER DZIUBAN

Peter Dziuban is an author and lecturer on Awareness, Consciousness, and spirituality. American born, Peter lives in Arizona. I first heard about Peter when my teacher recommended his book Consciousness Is All. I read the book and then listened to the audio of the book in which Peter spontaneously gives many more hours of teachings. Consciousness Is All is insightful and breathtaking – it will literally take your breath away multiple times throughout. I am truly grateful for having experienced this book because it shattered my world (a good thing!). If you are ready to take a more advanced step, it is a must read. In the meantime, if you are a beginner and would like to sample Peter’s teachings in a simpler form, I would recommend you start with his book Simply Notice. His website is peterdziuban.com.

JAN FRAZIER

Jan Frazier, a writer, teacher, and mother, experienced a radical transformation of consciousness in 2003. She had spent years in extreme fear over a possible cancer diagnosis, when suddenly fear fell away from her, and she was immersed in a state of causeless joy that has never left her. As she continued her life, she discovered it is possible to live a richly human life free of suffering. Her wish now is to communicate the truth that is within every person. I have been fortunate enough to connect with Jan in a private session, and I have read every one of her beautiful books. When Fear Falls Away: The Story of a Sudden Awakening is her day-by-day account of her awakening. Her other books are The Freedom of Being: At Ease with What Is, The Great Sweetening: Life After Thought and Opening The Door: Jan Frazier Teachings on Awakening. Jan is a very accessible, poetic, and exquisitely beautiful writer, as testified by the quotes in this book, which she so graciously allowed me to include. You can find out more about Jan’s teachings on her website: janfrazierteachings.com.

JOEL GOLDSMITH

Joel Goldsmith was a much-loved American spiritual author and mystic. He is best known for his book The Infinite Way, which became a classic and has impacted the lives of many people around the world, including mine. Joel has many books, and original recordings of his talks are available on his website, lovingly preserved by his three children: joelgoldsmith.com.

DR. DAVID R,. HAWKINS, M.D., PH.D.

Dr. Hawkins was a nationally renowned American psychiatrist, physician, researcher, spiritual teacher, and lecturer. Because of Dr. Hawkins’s scientific and medical background, his spiritual teachings were scientifically compelling. I first heard of Dr. Hawkins over fifteen years ago when I read his book Power vs Force, which impacted me greatly. It was years later that I would once again follow his teachings when I listened to many of his lectures and read his book Letting Go. Other books by Dr. David Hawkins are Book of Slides; Healing and Recovery; Reality, Spirituality and Modern Man; Transcending the Levels of Consciousness; Discovery of the Presence of God and Truth vs Falsehood. Dr. Hawkins was a prolific writer, lecturer, and teacher, affecting huge numbers of people around the world. His physical form died in 2012, and since then his wife, Susan, has kept his invaluable teachings alive. You can delve into the spiritual teachings and work of Dr. David Hawkins on his website: veritaspub.com.

MICHAEL JAMES

From an early age, Michael James was filled with questions, and at nineteen he began a worldwide search for the meaning of life. He traveled through many countries, and ended up in the Himalayas and India, visiting many holy places and various ashrams looking for the purpose and the meaning of life. Eventually he went to Tiruvannamalai in India, to the ashram of Ramana Maharshi, who had died decades earlier. He planned to stay a few days but ended up staying for twenty years. On his arrival Michael read Ramana’s book Who Am I? and he knew he had finally found what he was looking for. He proceeded to learn the Indian language of Tamil so that he could translate Ramana Maharshi’s teachings, which he did over the next twenty years. I first learned of Michael when I saw him being interviewed on Conscious TV. I immediately read his illuminating book, Happiness and The Art of Being, which encapsulates Ramana’s teachings and is Michael’s life’s work. Visit Michael’s website at happinessofbeing.com.

BYRON KATIE

In the midst of an ordinary American life — two marriages, three children, and a successful career — Byron Katie entered a ten-year-long downward spiral into depression, agoraphobia, self-loathing, and suicidal despair. In desperation, Katie checked herself into a halfway house, where she was to wake up a week or so later with all her depression and fear gone. In their place Katie found herself intoxicated with joy, which has remained with her ever since. What she realized was that when she believed her thoughts she suffered, but when she questioned them she didn’t suffer, and that this is true for every human being. From her experience of self-realization, Katie developed four questions that became known as “The Work.” Those teachings have gone on to free hundreds of thousands of people worldwide of suffering, and continue to do so. I have used Katie’s teachings to question my own thoughts, and I have been fortunate enough to be present at several of Katie’s talks where she used her four questions to liberate people from their beliefs. Katie’s books include Loving What Is, A Mind At Home With Itself, A Thousand Names For Joy, I Need Your Love – Is That True?, A Friendly Universe, and for children, Tiger Tiger – Is It True? and The Four Questions. You can find out more about the beautiful Byron Katie’s teachings here: thework.com.

LOCH KELLY

Loch Kelly combines wisdom teachings, psychology, and neuroscience studies to help us live an awakened life. After a spiritual journey that included several traditions and teachers, Loch realized his true nature. In his teachings, Loch shares from his own experience, which has given him great joy, freedom, and love, and helps people awaken as the next natural stage of human development. His books are Shift Into Freedom and The Way of Effortless Mindfulness. You will also find a wealth of teachings, retreats, online videos, and courses on Loch’s website: lochkelly.org.

J. KRISHNAMURTI

The late J. Krishnamurti was born in India in 1895 and knew his true nature from the time he was a child. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest thinkers and religious teachers of all time. My ex-husband listened to Krishnamurti throughout our marriage, so I was exposed to his teachings for many years in my twenties and thirties. But it wasn’t until my spiritual journey after The Secret that I returned to his teachings and was finally able to understand them. Many of the teachers featured in this book were influenced by Krishnamurti’s teachings. Krishnamurti spent his entire adult life speaking throughout the world to large audiences and to individuals, including writers, scientists, philosophers, religious figures, and educators, about the need for a radical change in mankind. He was concerned with all humanity, and he held no nationality or belief, and belonged to no particular group or culture. Krishnamurti left a large body of literature in the form of public talks, writings, discussions with teachers and students, television and radio interviews, and letters. Many of these have been published as books, in over fifty languages, along with hundreds of audio and video recordings. For the treasure trove of Krishnamurti’s teachings, go to jkrishnamurti.org.

DR. ROBERT LANZA

Dr. Robert Lanza is considered one of the fathers of the field of applied stem cell biology. He has hundreds of publications and inventions and over thirty scientific books, including Biocentrism, in which Dr. Lanza provides a compelling argument for consciousness as the basis for the Universe, rather than consciousness simply being its by-product. If you are looking for a brilliant scientific perspective on the contents of this book, then Biocentrism: How Life and Consciousness are the Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe will have you riveted, and more than fulfill every question you might have. Dr. Lanza has received numerous awards, including Time magazine’s Top 100 list of the most influential people in the world, and Prospect magazine’s top 50 “World Thinkers.” Dr. Lanza has been described as a genius and a renegade thinker, and has been likened to Einstein. For more on the brilliant Robert Lanza, M.D., visit robertlanza.com.

PETER LAWRY AND KALYANI LAWRY

Peter and Kalyani are Australians who reside in Melbourne (my hometown). After an intense spiritual journey spanning several years, and after traveling through India, Peter and Kalyani both realized their true nature. It’s rare to have a husband and wife both self-realized, and it makes the meetings that the two of them hold in Melbourne very special. I had a life-changing afternoon with Peter and Kalyani when I visited Melbourne a few years ago, and I was also fortunate to have had some private phone sessions with Kalyani. Their books are A Sprinkling of Jewels and Only That, authored by Kalyani. You can discover more at nonduality.com.au.

LESTER LEVENSON

Lester Levenson, the legend. He was the living proof of what takes place in a diseased body when the light of the truth penetrates it. Lester used to say that “dis-ease in the body is disease in the mind.” He has been an inspiration to thousands upon thousands of people, and his teachings have continued to inspire and free many from suffering well after the death of his form in the ’90s. Lester’s style of teaching is simple and therefore crystal clear, and for this reason his teachings will continue to wake people up for centuries to come. Lester’s legacy includes his main core group of students who became self-realized and who are now teachers in their own right. One of those is Hale Dwoskin, who is the guardian of Lester’s work, and it is with enormous gratitude to him that I share so many of Lester’s simple and powerful teachings in this book. Lester’s teachings have played an instrumental part in my life and continue to do so. The majority of Lester’s quotes featured throughout this book were drawn from Happiness Is Free, volumes 1-5, by Lester Levenson and Hale Dwoskin. To find out more about this wonderful teacher, go to sedona.com.

FRANCIS LUCILLE

Francis Lucille, who was born in France, now lives in the United States. Francis realized his true nature at thirty years of age when he met his teacher, Jean Klein. It was Jean Klein’s suggestion that Francis move to the United States to teach and to share the truth with others. Francis trained in physics at the renowned École Polytechnique in France, and so he is able to bring a clear scientific perspective to his teachings. He has helped countless people realize their true nature through his beautiful, clear, and precise teachings, including student Rupert Spira, who is also featured in this book. I have done several retreats with Francis in California, and have also had the great pleasure of spending many hours with him at his property. Francis holds retreats each year in Europe as well as the States, along with in-person meetings (most weekends) that are shared via live webcast. You can participate in these meetings no matter where you are and experience the welcoming presence of this wonderful teacher. Francis’ books are Truth Love Beauty, The Perfume of Silence, and Eternity Now, and I have read each of them multiple times over. You can find a vast array of brilliant teachings from Francis’s meetings and retreats on his website: francislucille.com.

SHAKTI CATERINA MAGGI

Shakti Caterina Maggi has been teaching for the last nine years, after awakening in 2003. Since she started teaching, Shakti has been sharing the message of awakening to our true nature as One Consciousness. She is Italian, resides in Italy, and holds retreats and meetings in Europe and around the world, along with webinars online. Meetings are held in Italian, and some are in English. I first saw Shakti at a spiritual conference that I attended, where her talk and presence impacted me a lot. She is featured in the book On the Mystery of Being. She also writes a blog in English, and you can find many insightful articles on her website: shakticaterinamaggi.com.

RAMANA MAHARSHI

The late Ramana Maharshi is legendary. In 1896, at sixteen years of age, an intense fear of death came upon him. Ramana lay down and welcomed death completely. In that moment he transformed from being a person to what is actually real – the deathless Spirit. For Ramana, from that day on, the outward person that he seemed to be existed only in the view of others – in his view there was only the infinite space of awareness. Ramana’s teachings reveal the direct path to awakening through self-inquiry, which is what is used by many of the teachers featured in this book. His teachings point you toward your innermost self, the only reality underlying all that exists. I am simply one of many whose lives have been transformed through Ramana Maharshi’s teachings. To find out more about this legendary being, visit his website, where there is a wealth of books available to download for free: sriramanamaharshi.org.

MOOJI

Mooji was born in Jamaica and moved to London as a teenager. He now lives in Portugal, where he established Monte Sahaja, Center for Self-Realisation. Mooji’s spiritual awakening was sparked in 1987 through an encounter with a Christian mystic and culminated in 1993 at the feet of his Master, the renowned Indian Sage, Papaji. Since then, countless people have come to Mooji seeking spiritual guidance, many coming to recognize their true nature. His profound teachings have developed a large following globally, especially on YouTube, where he makes many of his talks (satsangs) freely available as videos. Mooji’s style of teaching resonates with many, in particular his sense of humor, analogies, story-telling, and metaphors, which he deftly uses to illuminate the truth. Like many others, I have watched hundreds of Mooji’s talks online. I travelled to Portugal to attend one of Mooji’s retreats with my daughter, and my daughter experienced her true Self at that retreat. No endorsement could be greater than this. Mooji’s books include: Vaster Than Sky, Greater Than Space; White Fire, second edition; The Mala of God; and An Invitation to Freedom (a small but great book to realize your true Self). You can find his books and an abundance of the teachings from this beautiful being at mooji.org.

MY TEACHER

My teacher, who wishes to remain anonymous, was a student of Lester Levenson and Robert Adams, who are two of my favorite teachers from the past. Four years ago, when I first met my teacher and stood in her presence, I was overcome with blissful joy. When you feel this level of bliss, you never want it to leave. This level of bliss is our true nature! Unfortunately, the blissful joy didn’t stay permanently, because gradually my mind returned, bringing with it its unhappiness and stress. But with my teachers’ guidance, following her practices religiously (all featured in this book), and being regularly in her presence, my mind became weaker and weaker. Now, peace and happiness are here with me most of the time, and I know it can be like this for everyone.

JAC O’KEEFFE

Jac O’Keeffe is Irish, and now based in Florida. Jac uncovered the truth and became self-realized over ten years ago. You can’t ask for anything better than her teachings, where she pushes the boundaries of the conditioned mind. She is known for her clarity and direct manner, and she holds retreats, workshops, and private sessions for students. I discovered Jac online a few years ago, and I found her teachings to be like a breath of fresh air. I have also been fortunate to have attended some of her talks in person. You can be further inspired by Jac’s work through her books Born to Be Free and How To Be a Spiritual Rebel. Like every teacher in this book, she is dedicating her life to freeing humanity from unnecessary suffering caused by the mind so we can live in the joyful happiness and bliss of our true self. Her website is jac-okeeffe.com.

MAX PLANCK

German physicist Max Planck made many contributions to theoretical physics, but his fame resulted primarily from his discovery of energy quanta, for which he won the Nobel Prize in 1918, and which revolutionized human understanding of atomic and subatomic processes.

SRI POONJA

Sri Poonja, affectionately known as “Papaji” by his students, one of whom was Mooji, was born in India. Papaji was drawn to spirituality when he was just a child, having his first spiritual experience at the age of nine. It would be some thirty years later that Papaji’s spiritual search would end when he met Ramana Maharshi and realized his true self. During the ’80s and ’90s thousands upon thousands of people flocked to Lucknow in India to be with the energy of Papaji. He left his body in 1997. To discover more about Papaji’s teachings, visit avadhuta.com.

ROSE CROSS ORDER

In the introduction and throughout the book I mention the Rose Cross Order, whose head office is based in the Canary Islands in Spain. I was made an honorary member of this nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to raising the consciousness of humanity. The formation of the Rose Cross Order in Europe dates back to the fourteenth century, but it is also the spiritual heir of the Ancient Schools of Knowledge that flourished in Babylon, Egypt, Greece, and Rome and, perhaps, even earlier. The Order has had many distinguished beings as members, who over the centuries worked silently and diligently, at great risk to themselves, to free humanity from their suffering with the truth. Francis Bacon was the Imperator of the Rose Cross Order during his life, Isaac Newton was a member, and they are just two of the many famous names associated with the Order. The current Imperator of the Order, Angel Martin Velayos, has mentored me over many years. I studied the Rose Cross teachings over a ten-year period, completing over twenty-two degrees of the English teachings, and they have had a huge impact in helping me see and understand the truth. For more about the Order, visit rosicrucian-order.com.

RUMI

Rumi was a thirteenth-century Sufi mystic and poet. Rumi’s influence and poignant words of truth have transcended all borders of religion, geography, and spiritual tradition, and his poems continue to be treasured throughout the world.

RUPERT SPIRA

Rupert Spira is British and resides in England, where he holds regular meetings and retreats. Rupert also travels extensively to hold retreats in Europe and the United States multiple times each year. Originally an artist and ceramicist, after twenty years of spiritual practice and meditation, Rupert recognized his true nature through his teacher, Francis Lucille. Rupert’s articulate and very intimate style of teaching has transformed the lives of a very large number of students. His teachings played an important part in my journey of awakening, especially in the disidentification from the body. Rupert’s response to a student’s question is to painstakingly ensure that the student actually experiences the answer to their question, rather than being given a mental concept as an answer. A wealth of video and audio teachings from Rupert’s retreats and talks are available on his website. Rupert’s books, all of which I have read, are The Nature of Consciousness; Transparent Body, Luminous World; The Light of Pure Knowing; The Transparency of Things; The Art of Peace and Happiness; The Intimacy of All Experience; Being Aware of Being Aware; and The Ashes of Love. Visit rupertspira.com.

ECKHART TOLLE

Eckhart Tolle is a spiritual teacher and author, born in Germany. Eckhart had been depressed for most of his life, when at the age of twenty-nine he had a profound inner transformation that radically changed the course of his life. With his international bestsellers, The Power of Now and A New Earth — translated into over fifty-two languages, he has introduced millions to the joy and freedom of living life in the present moment. Eckhart’s profound yet simple teachings have already helped countless people throughout the world find inner peace and greater fulfillment in their lives. At the core of his teachings is a spiritual awakening that he sees as the next step in human evolution. An essential aspect of this awakening consists in transcending our ego-based state of consciousness. Like many millions of other people, I first discovered Eckhart’s teachings in his book The Power of Now. I had many shifts and spiritual experiences reading that book, and I carried Practicing The Power of Now with me and followed its practices for some years. His other books are Stillness Speaks and the children’s books Guardians of Being and Milton’s Secret. Eckhart holds retreats and gives talks all over the world, which results in an enormous contribution to humanity as he frees many from the binds of suffering caused by the ego. Eckhart’s website is eckharttolle.com.

UPANISHADS

The Upanishads are ancient Sanskrit texts of spiritual teachings, written circa 800–200 BC. They are a part of the oldest spiritual scriptures of Hinduism, the Vedas.

ALAN WATTS

The late Alan Watts was a British writer and teacher who popularized Eastern philosophies for Western audiences. Beautifully spoken, Alan Watts’s lectures continue to remain popular worldwide, many years after the death of his physical form in 1973. Alan wrote twenty-five books (many of which I have read). Amongst them the most popular are The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, The Wisdom of Insecurity, and The Way of Zen. His children have made several of his lectures available online as videos, and they have also preserved his talks and lectures on the Alan Watts website so that his contribution to the planet may continue for generations to come. Alan Watts’ quotes in this book are the courtesy of alanwatts.org.

PAMELA WILSON

Pamela Wilson lives in the Bay Area of Northern California and was a student of Lester Levenson and Robert Adams. For over twenty years she has traveled throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe holding retreats and giving talks and private sessions in the nonduality tradition. She is sweetness and compassion itself, and I have been fortunate enough to attend several of her talks. She is also featured in the book On the Mystery of Being, from Science and Nonduality. For more on Pamela, her website contains an abundance of her teachings: pamelasatsang.com.

PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA

In the more than hundred years since his birth, this beloved world teacher has come to be recognized as one of the greatest emissaries to the West of India’s ancient wisdom. Yogananda’s life and teachings continue to be a source of light and inspiration to people of all races, cultures, and creeds. Among those who became his students were many prominent figures in science, business, and the arts, and he was officially received at the White House by President Calvin Coolidge. I first discovered Yogananada’s teachings when, like so many others, I read Autobiography of a Yogi, a book that has sold millions of copies. It’s an unforgettable book that sparked a spiritual revolution, and it had a profound effect on me as well. You can read Autobiography of a Yogi online on the website of the Self-Realization Fellowship (which Yogananda founded). Yogananda has many other books, and through subscription on their website you can receive the SRF Lessons written by Yogananada himself: yogananda-srf.org.