John David
Spiritual Teacher, Author, Artist
Father, and Guide of the Open Sky House Community
John David
Spiritual Teacher, Author, Artist — Guide of the Open Sky House Community
About John David
Spiritual Teacher
When I first started my spiritual work I had the idea that if I understood certain things I would become spiritual. Now I have a different view about all that. Now it's more about living in the moment and being who you are — enlightenment is not something special. You are already enlightened. The problem is what stands between your True Nature and your daily life.
John David grew up in England and worked as an architect in London and Japan. Successful on the outside there was still something lacking inside. Being confronted with the harsh cultural differences in Japan, he started to ask deep introspective questions about life.
This led him to an inner journey. He was guided to Osho's Ashram in India where the first time in his life he found a deep resonance to what he was looking for.
For 15 years John David lived on and off at Osho's Ashram where he experienced the profound value of inner work, meditation and community.
After Osho passed away he went to Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja) in 1992, where a profound awakening happened. He stayed with Papaji for five years, grounding the moment of awakening.
In Papaji's presence for the first time he really understood the illusion of the "I". During his time in Lucknow old mind structures fell away and a gradual deepening of silence happened.
He travelled all over the world to find and interview Indian, European, Australian and American spiritual teachers.
In this way he collected their wisdom in his Books and Films Blueprints for Awakening and Meetings with Remarkable People, so that it may be there for future generations.
In 2000 John David started sharing in meetings internationally. Over more than 20 years of teaching, his own style of teaching has developed, yet it was deeply influenced and formed by the Indian Satsang tradition.
In 2003 he moved to Germany and in 2004 the Open Sky House Satsang and Art Community formed spontaneously around him out of a retreat.
Today there are three Spiritual Centers, open for anybody with a longing for Freedom, near Cologne in Germany and the New International Community Open Sky Oasis near Valencia in Spain.
Students who don't live in the community meet regularly with John David in Sangha groups, which is a great support.
The Sangha Weekends are a reminder to reconnect to the silence within. Being an artist, author and film maker, he very much supports any creativity to express beauty, silence and the celebration of life.
Ways to connect with John David
The communities around John David are vibrant international meeting points. You can meet John David in Zoom-Meetings, at Retreats, as a guest or volunteer, or live in the community.