David Spangler

Born in 1945, Spangler joined the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland in 1970 and served as its joint director until 1973, before co-founding the Lorian Association in 1974 to continue developing what he calls Incarnational Spirituality. He is widely considered a founding figure of the modern New Age movement, though he has remained critical of much of what that movement became, and has authored over 30 books, including the memoir Apprenticed to Spirit. He describes himself as coming from no particular tradition — closest, he says, to the Western mystical tradition — and has always thought of himself as a "freelance mystic."

Now officially retired at 81, largely due to health issues, Spangler no longer travels or lectures. He remains involved with Lorian as an emeritus advisor, occasionally participating in its online Presence Classes, while his daughter Maryn Spangler now serves as Lorian's Executive Director. He no longer writes a monthly blog or the journal Views from the Borderland; back issues remain available through Lorian's website. As with any teacher listed here, it's worth checking Lorian's own schedule directly to see which classes he's currently involved with.