Teaching
Paul Brunton presented Indian and other Eastern teachings in plain modern English, without the vocabulary of a single tradition: he wrote of the ‘Overself’ for the higher self, ‘World-Mind’ for God and ‘Mind’ for Brahman. His books move from meditation and mysticism to mentalism and metaphysics, and he did not want to have disciples. 1
Who it is for
For Western readers who want Eastern teachings, including Ramana Maharshi's, presented in plain English by an author who travelled to meet teachers himself.
Life and places
- He was born in London in 1898. 1
- In India he met Ramana Maharshi, as told in A Search in Secret India, and studied classical texts of Hindu philosophy with V. Subramanya Iyer. 1
- He travelled widely in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australasia, and later settled in Switzerland, where he lived in Lucerne, Zurich, Montreux and Vevey. 1
- He died on 27 July 1981; his notebooks were published after his death in 16 volumes as The Notebooks of Paul Brunton. 1, 2
Works
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A Search in Secret India
Book · 1934 · Rider & Co., London
His account of his search for a spiritual teacher in India, which describes his arrival at Ramana Maharshi's ashram and his time with him.
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The Quest of the Overself
Book · 1937 · Rider, London
A book on meditation and the search for the Overself, his word for the higher self; the first of three books that, in his foundation's words, cover mysticism, mentalism and metaphysics.
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The Hidden Teaching Beyond Yoga
Book · 1941 · E. P. Dutton & Co., New York
A book on how we know the world, read through modern science and the reasoning of Indian philosophy; the second of his three books on mysticism, mentalism and metaphysics.
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The Wisdom of the Overself
Book · 1943 · Rider, London
His metaphysical work on Mind and on the World-Mind, its creative aspect; the third of his three books on mysticism, mentalism and metaphysics.
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The Notebooks of Paul Brunton
Book · 1984 · Larson Publications for the Paul Brunton Philosophic Foundation
His notes, written over decades and edited after his death by students he trained, arranged in 28 categories and published in 16 volumes; the foundation offers them free online.
The short summaries are ours.
In their own words
Short passages in the words of Paul Brunton, each with its source. Where the quoted text is not in the language of this page, a translation follows and says whose it is.
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The age of esotericism has come to an end and the age of open teaching is upon us.
The Notebooks of Paul Brunton · Category 20 (What Is Philosophy?), chapter 2 (Its Contemporary Influence), para. 3 · paulbrunton.org -
The Quest not only begins in the heart but also ends there too.
The Notebooks of Paul Brunton · Category 1 (Overview of the Quest), chapter 1 (What the Quest Is), para. 1 · paulbrunton.org -
The spiritual nature can only be discovered spiritually--not intellectually, not emotionally, and certainly not physically. Such a spiritual discovery can only be attained intuitively.
The Notebooks of Paul Brunton · Category 22 (Inspiration and the Overself), chapter 1 (Intuition the Beginning), para. 1 · paulbrunton.org -
Let there be no misunderstanding about my connection with Ramana Maharshi. My appreciation and reverence for him remain as great as ever. I still consider him one of the few enlightened seers of modern centuries.
The Notebooks of Paul Brunton · Category 15 (The Orient), chapter 2 (India Part 1), para. 454 · paulbrunton.org -
Although I have not been a rigid follower of the Maharshi and for that reason have been either admired or criticized for the wrong reasons, I have accepted the fundamental rightness of his teachings and the perfect authenticity of his experience.
The Notebooks of Paul Brunton · Category 15 (The Orient), chapter 2 (India Part 1), para. 455 · paulbrunton.org
Documented teaching relationships
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Personal encounter with Sri Atmananda Krishna Menon
According to the life sketch by Atmananda's disciple Nitya Tripta, Paul Brunton attended Atmananda's talks as an observer for three months in 1952, on condition that he publish nothing about them without Atmananda's approval.
Biographical tradition · advaita.org.uk
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Personal encounter with Ramana Maharshi
According to the Paul Brunton Philosophic Foundation, Brunton's book A Search in Secret India describes his arrival at Ramana Maharshi's ashram and his time with him, and through his studies with Ramana he practised the 'Who am I' enquiry.
Stated by an institution · paulbrunton.org
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Personal encounter with Meher Baba
According to the Avatar Meher Baba Trust, Meher Baba allowed the journalist Paul Brunton to interview him in the Panchvati Cave on Meherabad Hill during a seclusion that began on 15 November 1930, and Brunton later wrote about him in his book on India.
Stated by an institution · avatarmeherbabatrust.org
Teaching relationships are documented statements. They confer no trust and do not attest realisation.
Sources
- Illustrated Biography · Paul Brunton Philosophic Foundation Foundation set up by his students to publish his notebooks; biography by Timothy Smith, one of his secretaries, in admiring language accessed 12 Oct 2026
- The Digital Notebooks of Paul Brunton · Paul Brunton Philosophic Foundation The foundation's online edition of the notebooks; introduction to the edition accessed 12 Oct 2026
Compiled by us from the sources listed. Last checked 13 Oct 2026.
This description is factual. It contains no recommendation, ranking or assurance. Statements about effects are those of the respective source.