Adyashanti
Born 1962 · Age 63
American spiritual teacher and author (born Stephen Gray). Founder of Open Gate Sangha; author of numerous books, CDs and DVDs; offered talks, online courses and retreats internationally. Retired from active teaching in October 2023.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth — Stephen Gray (later Adyashanti) born
Born Stephen Gray in Cupertino, California, USA.
Grew up as athlete and competitive bicycle racer
During youth in Cupertino he was an athlete and competitive bicycle racer (formative early-life influence).
Began meditation & interest in enlightenment
At age 19 he became interested in enlightenment and began meditating seriously.
Began Zen study under Arvis Joen Justi
Started study (Zen Buddhism) with Arvis Joen Justi; Justi was a student of Taizan Maezumi Roshi.
Retreats with Jakusho Kwong Roshi
Attended long retreats with Jakusho Kwong Roshi at the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center (training alongside Zen studies).
Built meditation hut & increased daily practice
While working at his father's machine shop he built a meditation hut in his parents' backyard and meditated 2–4 hours a day.
First kensho (awakening) experience
At age 25 he experienced a classic kensho/awakening during meditation, describing penetration to the emptiness of all things.
Worked at father's machine shop (period)
Worked at his father's machine shop while continuing meditation and informal teaching/preparation (multi-year period following first awakening).
Profound awakening (age 31)
At 31, soon after marrying Anne Marie Gunning (Mukti), he had an experience of awakening that resolved his doubts and led to a sustained condition of 'awakeness.'
Married Anne Marie Gunning (Mukti)
Married Anne Marie Gunning (who later becomes known as Mukti and is his long-term partner and associate teacher).
Teaching style — started offering talks, retreats, intensives
Begins offering evening meetings, weekend intensives, silent retreats, and later live internet broadcasts and online courses (growth of teaching modalities).
Begins teaching with teacher's approval
In 1996 Adyashanti began teaching publicly with the approval of his Zen teacher Arvis Joen Justi, giving talks to small gatherings.
Adopts the name 'Adyashanti'
Changed name from Stephen Gray to Adyashanti ('primordial peace') around the time he began teaching publicly.
Founding (early) — Open Gate Sangha (community formed)
Began the Open Gate Sangha community to support and coordinate teaching activities (sources differ on incorporation year).
Open Gate Sangha, Inc. — nonprofit established (US)
Open Gate Sangha, Inc. was established as a US nonprofit organization to make available Adyashanti's teachings (Open Gate site cites 2000 incorporation).
Role — Mukti becomes Associate Teacher (ongoing)
Anne Marie Gunning (Mukti), Adyashanti's wife, serves as Associate Teacher of Open Gate Sangha; part of leadership of the organization.
Publication — The Impact of Awakening
Published The Impact of Awakening: Excerpts from the Teachings of Adyashanti (Open Gate Sangha).
First substantial book publishing activity (organizational milestone)
The early 2000s mark the start of multiple book publications via Open Gate Sangha and partnerships with publishers (beginning of broader publishing career).
Organization publishing — began releasing books/CDs/DVDs
Open Gate Sangha began publishing Adyashanti's books, CDs and DVDs (organization support for distribution).
Publication — My Secret Is Silence
Published My Secret Is Silence: Poetry and Sayings of Adyashanti (Open Gate Sangha).
Publication — The End of Your World
Published The End of Your World: Uncensored Straight Talk on the Nature of Enlightenment (Sounds True).
Publication — Emptiness Dancing
Published Emptiness Dancing (Sounds True).
Publication — True Meditation
Published True Meditation: Discover the Freedom of Pure Awareness (Sounds True).
Publication — Falling into Grace
Published Falling into Grace: Insights on the End of Suffering (Sounds True).
Publication — The Way of Liberation
Published The Way of Liberation (Open Gate Sangha); identified as foundational teachings.
Featured — Sounds True blog excerpt (The End of Your World)
A free chapter from The End of Your World was shared on Sounds True's site (excerpt posted Oct 13, 2013).
Publication — Resurrecting Jesus
Published Resurrecting Jesus: Embodying the Spirit of a Revolutionary Mystic (Sounds True).
Major public visibility boost (Oprah appearance effect)
Oprah interview significantly increased public visibility and likely increased book/audience reach and organizational donations.
International teaching — expanded geographic reach
By this time he had taught throughout the U.S. and in Canada, the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, and Australia (ongoing international teaching milestone).
TV Interview — Oprah Winfrey (Super Soul Sunday)
Appeared in an interview with Oprah Winfrey on a Super Soul Sunday episode (April 2014), raising public profile.
Course offering — 30-Day Wake Up Challenge (project)
Designed intensive projects and online courses such as the 30-Day Wake Up Challenge (promoted via Sounds True and Open Gate Sangha).
Podcast — 'Waking Up: What Does It Really Mean?' (Sounds True)
Participated in a Sounds True 'Insights at the Edge' episode exploring awakening (May 16, 2016).
Publication — The Most Important Thing
Published The Most Important Thing: Discovering Truth at the Heart of Life (Sounds True).
Podcast interview — 'Awakening the Spiritual Heart'
Featured on Sounds True 'Insights at the Edge' episode discussing the 30-Day Wake Up Challenge (July 30, 2019).
Publication — Sacred Inquiry
Published Sacred Inquiry: Questions That Can Transform Your Life (Open Gate Sangha).
Publication — The Direct Way
Published The Direct Way (Sounds True).
Open Gate Sangha content milestone (counts)
Open Gate Sangha has published more than 100 DVD videos and 800 audio recordings of events, online courses and retreats (aggregate milestone reported on organization site).
Broadcast milestone — 130+ free live internet programs
Reported to have broadcast more than 130 free live internet audio and video programs (Open Gate reporting).
Residence — Eastern Sierras
As of 2023 (and updated 2024 site), lives in the Eastern Sierras with his wife Mukti.
Retired from active teaching (October 2023)
Announced retirement from active teaching in October 2023 due to PTSD following a long period of intense physical pain.
Open Gate Sangha website reach — subscribers & countries
Organization reports more than 30,000 people in 120 countries connected via free email subscription and global teaching reach (site metric; date from organization site snapshot).
Key Achievement Ages
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