About Us
Ramana Publications and Pathways
During the late 1980s, a small organization was formed to distribute the printed works of the great contemporary sage Sri Ramana Maharshi. This organization, known as “Ramana Publications,” published the small newsletter Pathways, which contained teachings, reminiscences, stories, dialogues, and personal observations. Pathways soon began to grow in readership and continued to be published and distributed with the help of small donations.
Inner Directions Book Catalog
In 1995, it was decided to “retire” Pathways so that we could expand the scope of the work that began with Ramana Publications. To that end, The Inner Directions Catalog, one of the largest catalogs of spiritual books in the United States was created.
The Inner Directions Foundation
Encouraged by friends, it was decided to make Inner Directions a nonprofit organization that was solely dedicated to exploring authentic ways of self-discovery and awakening to one's essential nature. The idea was to share these approaches and pointers through both publications and programs.
The Inner Directions Journal
While the newsletter Pathways was dedicated solely to the teachings of Ramana Maharshi, it was decided to launch a new periodical that would serve a more inclusive readership. The inspiration for the Inner Directions Journal came from the work of the late Arthur Osborne, who was the founding editor of the Mountain Path magazine (published by Sri Ramanasramam) and author of the primary biography of Ramana Maharshi.
The Inner Directions Journal was a high-quality print magazine with author/philosopher Dr. Robert Powell and Matthew Greenblatt as the founding editors. Some of the notable people on the editorial and advisory boards included: Lex Hixon, Coleman Barks, Eva Wong, Frederick Franck, Allan Andersen, and Georg Feuerstein. Each quarter, the Journal presented original articles, interviews, insights, poetry, dialogues, and book reviews. It quickly became one of the leading-edge spiritual magazines of its time and was nominated twice by the Utne Reader as “Best new periodical in its class.”
Due to ongoing funding challenges, the Journal underwent a number of format changes until the final print edition was published nine years later. Production costs were simply too high for a periodical that had a wonderfully dedicated readership but limited circulation possibilities.
Publishing Activities
In 1995 Inner Directions created an imprint to publish a significant list of books that included works by Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Douglas Harding, and others. We also produced several original Wisdom Video Library titles under the guidance of Academy Award-Winning director, Bertram W. Salzman.
The Inner Directions Gathering
In 1998, as part of a fundraising effort, the first “Inner Directions Gathering”—in La Jolla, California—was held. The initial Gathering, which began as an experiment, grew in popularity and was repeated annually for seven consecutive years, and returned one final time in 2012. Each Gathering built upon the previous event and grew to become a distinctive forum for the exploration of authentic wisdom and self-awakening. Some of the past gathering presenters included: Douglas Harding, Byron Katie, Eckhart Tolle, Ram Dass, Toni Packer, A.H. Almaas, Gangaji, Adyashanti, Coleman Barks, Jac O’Keeffe, Jeff Foster, Stephen and Ondrea Levine, Catherine Ingram, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Krishna Das, Lama Surya Das, and many others. The “Gatherings” became a much-loved annual event that was attended by people in the U.S., Canada, and throughout the world.
Inner Directions Online
Over the years, we’ve worked hard to find creative ways to keep the online version of the Journal available and relevant while continuing to expand the site with new content. Now, throughout the Online Journal, you will find content from past issues along with new articles—all in the spirit of the original publication.
Moving Forward . . . Together
Our updated online presence brings Inner Directions full circle. We hope that, with your support, we’ll continue to serve as a catalyst to bring light, hope, and spiritual insight to those who long to experience the freedom of their true nature.
JAC O'KEEFFE'S RETREATS ARE UNIQUE. The sense of openness and freedom around her creates an environment that is ideal for deep inquiry and reflection. Jac's extensive background in energetic healing gives her a unique ability to pinpoint where people are stuck due to identified thought—whether it is karmic, energetic, or psycho-spiritual-emotional in nature.
