Gurus and Mystics

The Old Master who wrote the “Dao De Jing” and went west, leaving no trace.

A butterfly dreaming it is a man.

Priest of Kali at Dakshineswar who said: all rivers flow into one ocean.

A monk and philosopher who carried Vedanta to the West and said: “Arise, awake and stop not.”

One question — “who am I?” — he turned inward until only the I remained.

Brought the ancient science of Kriya Yoga to the West and taught that God is attainable through daily practice.

Sang of love that burns all but God, and whirled until he became light.

Sang of wine, love, and God so that his ghazals still divine fate.

The weaver of Varanasi whose verses pierced the hearts of Hindus and Muslims alike, calling them to God beyond rites.

Taught that God is born in the soul when it is empty and detached from all things.

The shoemaker of Görlitz who saw a flash of the Godhead in a pewter vessel and wrote “Aurora.”

Said that man is a machine, and taught waking through effort, attention and self-observation.

Founded the Theosophical Society and joined East and West in “The Secret Doctrine”.

Founded anthroposophy: a path of spiritual knowledge through thinking, art, and inner work.