5 spiritual teachers that changed my life
Plus links to their teachings.
So I actually have many more spiritual teachers than the 5 below that have had an incredible impact on my life, but for now I will speak about 5 of them and next month, I will speak about another 5.
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Firstly, what is a spiritual teacher?
Put simply, a spiritual teacher is someone who inspires you to create more awareness in your life. A spiritual teacher will guide you towards your own spiritual awakening. Helping you guide yourself away from the ego, the external issues you have and the suffering you are creating in your mind. One of the many lessons that you can learn from a spiritual teacher is that YOU are your own teacher and you have to seek the answers from within.
The list below doesn’t necessarily mean that these people would call themselves a spiritual teacher or guide (although some do) - I have taken the liberty to speak about these people as spiritual teachers as they have helped me with the above.
1. Ram Dass
Ram Dass, born Richard Alpert, was a renowned spiritual teacher, psychologist, and author who became a prominent figure in the Western exploration of Eastern spirituality. Originally a Harvard professor he shifted from psychological research to spirituality after a transformative journey to India. His book, Be Here Now, introduced millions to concepts like mindfulness, compassion, and living in the present moment. Throughout his life, Ram Dass taught on topics of love, service, and consciousness. He has a very down to earth sense of humour which is one of the reasons I am so drawn to him. He died in 2019.
The teachings I listen to regularly:
2. Alan Watts
Alan Watts was a British-born philosopher, writer, and speaker who became well-known for his work in popularising Eastern philosophy, especially Zen Buddhism and Taoism, for Western audiences. He wrote numerous books, including The Way of Zen and The Wisdom of Insecurity, which explore the nature of consciousness, self-awareness, and the art of living fully. He has an accessible and humorous style and encourages people to let go of rigid thinking, embrace the present moment, and find freedom in understanding the fluid nature of reality.
The teachings I listen to regularly:
The False Idea of Who You Are (This is fun to watch.)
3. Abraham Hicks
Ok so when I first started learning about Abraham Hicks I thought it was a bit whacky! So bear with me when I explain this… Abraham Hicks is a collective consciousness channeled by Esther Hicks, an American inspirational speaker and author, who shares messages about the “Law of Attraction.” The teachings of Abraham focus on the idea that we can manifest their desires through positive thoughts, emotions, and alignment with their inner guidance.
I have listened to SO many of their teachings and whilst not all of it aligns with my view of spiritual awakening (i.e they never look back at the past as they don’t see that as helpful / necessary. However, I have found looking back in the past very helpful!)
They used to have teachings on Spotify and now their teachings are on YouTube.
My recommendation would be to listen to “Infinite Intelligence.”
4. Rick Hanson
Rick Hanson wrote a book called “Buddha’s Brain” which was one of the first books to really get me interested in spirituality. He is a psychologist, neuroscientist, and author known for his work on resilience, happiness and gratitude. He explores how we can use our minds to reshape our brains, leading to greater emotional strength and transforming the brain’s natural negativity bias. His work taught me to fully understand what gratitude is and how to use the practice at a much, much deeper and more transformational level.
5. Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra is an Indian-American author, physician, and prominent figure in the field of alternative medicine and self-help, known for blending principles of Eastern spirituality with Western wellness practices. He has written extensively on topics like mind-body healing, meditation, and personal transformation. Through his teachings and the Chopra Center, he promotes holistic health approaches that emphasise the power of consciousness, mindfulness, and lifestyle choices in achieving well-being. He has also worked alongside Oprah Winfrey.
Here is a podcast with Deepak on Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations about meditation.
I also LOVED taking part in his 21 Days of Abundance
with a friend of mine who led it in 2023. This is a guided meditation and journaling programme designed to help you cultivate a mindset of prosperity, gratitude, and self-awareness. Each day focuses on a different principle related to abundance, combining mindfulness, reflective journaling prompts, and meditative practices to encourage personal growth and a deeper understanding of your potential for manifesting abundance in life.
I am considering running this at some point in 2025. So stay tuned!
Thank you for taking the time to read. If you enjoyed this, please do share with your community - word of mouth really helps me spread my passion for all of these teachings.
Plus, if you have any comments, or spiritual teachers who have helped you, please comment below.