This website is part of the Spiritual Awakening for Geeks project. The mission of Spiritual Awakening for Geeks is to provide clear, coherent, practical approaches to awakening—approaches that aren’t tied to any particular religion or spiritual tradition. If you’re familiar with psychology and the contemplative branches of the world’s religions, you’ll feel at home here; however, you don’t have to be religious to benefit from Spiritual Awakening for Geeks. If you are practicing within a particular religion or spiritual tradition, I hope Spiritual Awakening for Geeks may give you helpful new perspectives on your spiritual journey.
This project was started by me—Jacob Gotwals. I’m a longtime meditator and a psychotherapist. Through years of study and practice—with guidance and support from like-minded mentors and fellow travelers—I’ve been awakening to greater vitality, mindfulness, insight, intuition, and compassion. This process has radically shifted my understandings of self, life, and reality. It’s also helped strengthen my self-awareness and emotional intelligence, empowering me and opening the door to more joy and peace of mind in my life. Based on my experience, I believe:
- awakening is possible for ordinary people like us (it’s not just for spiritual superstars),
- awakening is possible without long retreats (in other words, awakening can and should be integrated into daily life), and
- awakening shouldn’t require learning a foreign language or difficult spiritual jargon.
If you’ve felt like a misfit in the spiritual communities you’ve explored, you’re not alone; many rational, spiritually-conscious people like you and me face the same problem. Most approaches to awakening simply aren’t a good match for us, because we’re different from the average seeker in a number of ways:
- We’re rational: we value open-minded critical thinking.
- We’re practical: we want effective practices—not just philosophy.
- We’re discerning: we’re looking for clarity and insight—not just peace.
- We’re self-directed: we’re not interested in handing our lives over to gurus or spiritual institutions.
If this sounds like you, then welcome home! If you don’t consider yourself a geek, that’s okay—come on in anyway. (Your “inner geek” will appreciate it.) I use the term geek affectionately and proudly—not pejoratively. I’ve addressed this work toward geeks because, in my experience (as a self-proclaimed geek), my fellow geeks tend to share the values I’ve listed above. Also, I believe many geeks appreciate a good adventure—and I take an adventurous, exploratory approach to spiritual practice.
To get started with Spiritual Awakening for Geeks, explore our resources for guidance, inspiration, and community.