Biography

A life long search for freedom took Eli Jaxon-Bear around the world and into many spiritual traditions from a Zen monastery in Japan to a Sufi circle in Marrakesh, among others. His search ended when he was drawn to India (1990) where he met his final teacher, Sri H.W.L Poonja, lovingly known as Papaji; a direct disciple of the renowned Indian Sage Ramana Maharshi.

Confirming Eli’s realization, his teacher sent him back into the world to share his unique psychological insights into the nature of egoic suffering in support of self-realization.

Eli infuses his teaching with his teacher’s living transmission of silence and peace.  He presents a unique map of egoic identification as a vehicle for ruthless self-inquiry and final realization of true freedom. His life is dedicated to passing on the transmission of his teacher.

Eli founded and currently teaches through The Leela Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to world peace and freedom through universal self-realization, as well as The Leela School.

Eli is the author of The Awakened Guide: A Manual for Leaders, Teachers, Coaches, Healers, and Helpers; An Outlaw Makes it Home: The Awakening of a Spiritual Revolutionary; Sudden Awakening: Stop Your Mind, Open Your Heart and Discover Your True Nature, (Hampton Roads); Fixation to Freedom: The Enneagram of Liberation and the third edition of the spiritual classic Wake Up and Roar: Satsang with Papaji.