Andrew Cohen- #70 of "The 100 Most Spiritual Influential People" list

PERSON OF INTEREST:
Andrew Cohen was born in 1955 in New York City. He is an American spiritual teacher of "Evolutionary Enlightenment".

BACKGROUND:
At the young age of 16, Cohen states that his life changed by an unexpected experience of "cosmic consciousness".

Originally on a path to be a jazz musician, Cohen began a spiritual quest to recover his experience when he was 22.

INFLUENCE:
Eventually Andrew met with self styled teacher, H. W. L. Poonja, in '86. Poonja taught that "no effort is needed to attain enlightenment." His reasoning behind this belief was "because it is merely the realization of what one already is".

Cohen took this teaching back to his students but the idea was not accepted or honored by most of them. Cohen decided to break away from Poonja.

Andrew Cohen soon discovered his own belief. Instead of the realization of the self, he insisted instead on "flawless behavior" as the manifestation of enlightenment.

In 1991 Cohen founded 'Enlighten Next' Magazine. The Magazine was a success but stopped publishing in 2011. Soon after his teachings were further developed into "Evolutionary Enlightenment".

According to Cohen, "Enlightenment is the realization of the transcendental aspect of God, with the realization that the world is an illusion." He defines the Ego as "the deeply ingrained, compulsive need to remain separate and superior at all times." On the other hand, the Authentic Self is "the urge to be more conscious."

SUCCESS:
Since 1986, Cohen has traveled the world leading teachings and retreats. He became known as one of the defining voices of the new evolutionary spirituality.

ANNIE'S REVIEW: