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The Method of the Siddhas
This book is composed entirely of talks initiated between Bubba free John and groups of his disciples during the first year of his "public" life, from April, 1972, to March, 1973. In The Method of the Siddhas, Bubba discourses on this great spiritual practice of Satsang, which he says is the ancient method of teaching, the great and radical tradition of all the "heaven-born" Siddhas. Satsang, or the condition of conscious relationship to such a Siddha-Guru, is the ancient and timeless means adopted by these great ones for the sake of the transmission of living Truth. In The Method of the Siddhas we find an acknowledged Spiritual Master formulating a progressive communication of the nature and method of all the Siddhas. Here he is concerned to make known the responsibilities and conditions of discipleship, and all that is essential in life and understanding before the individual will be prepared for the graces and responsibilities of the highest form of sadhana, or spiritual practice.
- GenresNonfictionReligion
364 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
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About the author
Adi Da Samraj
225 books25 followersAdi Da Samraj (AKA Da Free John), born Franklin Albert Jones, was an American-born spiritual teacher, writer, and artist, widely recognized as the founder of the new religious movement Adidam. His teachings, writings, and artistic expressions were deeply rooted in a commitment to radical nonduality, which he referred to as “the Bright” — the inherent, indivisible reality that transcends the egoic self. Adi Da taught that true spiritual realization is not something to be sought or attained but is already fully present and must be directly realized through the transcendence of separateness and the activity of seeking itself.
He wrote extensively throughout his life, authoring more than 75 books on spirituality, philosophy, art, and global peace. Among his best-known works are The Knee of Listening, an autobiographical account of his early life and spiritual realizations; The Aletheon, a summation of his spiritual instruction; and Not-Two Is Peace, a work addressing the global human condition and advocating for a radically new form of cooperative culture. His writings are considered by followers to be revelatory and are presented not as mere philosophy, but as direct communications of the spiritual reality he claimed to have fully realized.
Raised in the United States, Adi Da studied at Columbia University and later at Stanford University, where he developed a strong interest in literature, philosophy, and theology. Despite achieving academic success, he found intellectual pursuits ultimately insufficient for the depth of truth he sought. This dissatisfaction led him to explore a wide range of spiritual paths, including Zen Buddhism, Vedanta, and various esoteric practices. After years of spiritual searching and intense personal experiences that he described as revelatory, he began to teach others, presenting a radically different approach to spiritual life that emphasized immediate, intuitive recognition of the divine reality.
Central to Adi Da’s teaching was the concept of devotional recognition-response — the spontaneous turning of attention toward what he described as the living presence of the divine. He rejected conventional religious forms and techniques as inherently limited and emphasized a transformative relationship to the spiritual reality he embodied. His community of devotees, known as Adidam, formed around this core relationship and sought to live in accordance with the principles he articulated.
Beyond his spiritual teachings, Adi Da was also an accomplished visual artist whose work spanned photography, digital media, and mixed media installations. He referred to his aesthetic approach as “Transcendental Realism,” seeking not to represent the world but to provide a perceptual portal into the non-dual reality. His art has been exhibited internationally and received attention in both spiritual and contemporary art contexts.
Adi Da spent his final years in Fiji on Naitauba Island, a remote setting he regarded as sacred and conducive to spiritual practice. There, he continued to write, create art, and guide his devotees. His legacy continues through the Adidam community, which maintains his teachings and artistic work, promoting his vision of a new culture rooted in spiritual realization, radical truthfulness, and the transcendence of ego.
His life and work remain a source of devotion, debate, and philosophical inquiry, reflecting a bold and unconventional path toward the ultimate questions of human existence.
He wrote extensively throughout his life, authoring more than 75 books on spirituality, philosophy, art, and global peace. Among his best-known works are The Knee of Listening, an autobiographical account of his early life and spiritual realizations; The Aletheon, a summation of his spiritual instruction; and Not-Two Is Peace, a work addressing the global human condition and advocating for a radically new form of cooperative culture. His writings are considered by followers to be revelatory and are presented not as mere philosophy, but as direct communications of the spiritual reality he claimed to have fully realized.
Raised in the United States, Adi Da studied at Columbia University and later at Stanford University, where he developed a strong interest in literature, philosophy, and theology. Despite achieving academic success, he found intellectual pursuits ultimately insufficient for the depth of truth he sought. This dissatisfaction led him to explore a wide range of spiritual paths, including Zen Buddhism, Vedanta, and various esoteric practices. After years of spiritual searching and intense personal experiences that he described as revelatory, he began to teach others, presenting a radically different approach to spiritual life that emphasized immediate, intuitive recognition of the divine reality.
Central to Adi Da’s teaching was the concept of devotional recognition-response — the spontaneous turning of attention toward what he described as the living presence of the divine. He rejected conventional religious forms and techniques as inherently limited and emphasized a transformative relationship to the spiritual reality he embodied. His community of devotees, known as Adidam, formed around this core relationship and sought to live in accordance with the principles he articulated.
Beyond his spiritual teachings, Adi Da was also an accomplished visual artist whose work spanned photography, digital media, and mixed media installations. He referred to his aesthetic approach as “Transcendental Realism,” seeking not to represent the world but to provide a perceptual portal into the non-dual reality. His art has been exhibited internationally and received attention in both spiritual and contemporary art contexts.
Adi Da spent his final years in Fiji on Naitauba Island, a remote setting he regarded as sacred and conducive to spiritual practice. There, he continued to write, create art, and guide his devotees. His legacy continues through the Adidam community, which maintains his teachings and artistic work, promoting his vision of a new culture rooted in spiritual realization, radical truthfulness, and the transcendence of ego.
His life and work remain a source of devotion, debate, and philosophical inquiry, reflecting a bold and unconventional path toward the ultimate questions of human existence.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 17, 2025
A collection of Adi Da’s early (brilliant) talks which critique narcissistic spirituality and psychology, while concurrently insisting that true god/self realization comes exclusively via surrender to the living Guru (who incidentally happens to be him 🤔).
Adi Da is (correctly) revered for his radical clarity and intensity. And just as often criticized (also correctly) for his intensely authoritarian tone.
He’s very confrontational.
He’s real as fuck.
He a genius at this stuff.
It’s all part of his deal.
He’s irresistible (at lease to me… at least lately).
And YIKES! 😳
My experience with Adi Da’s writing couldn’t be more conflicted. On one hand. I find it so clear, and forceful, that I just can’t seem to get enough. I just want more. It shakes me to my core. And I adore.
On the other hand.
He’s SO dang imperious at times, that I almost can’t stand it. Clearly the authoritarian stance is an integral part of the radical potency of the writing. It really pushes the reader (me in this instance) into a crisis of sorts. In a good way (sometimes).
But at the end of the day.
When push comes to shove to shove.
I just can’t 100% drink that nectar.
I remain pool side.
Or hot tub side as it were (these talks were delivered in LA in the mid 1970’s. And the vibe endures).
Anyway.
I will continue to read and contemplate, and benefit from the unparalleled genius of Adi Da’s brilliant writing. Truth be told. I love and revere him.
But I will (in all likelihood) remain (somewhat) guarded (at least until I don’t).
What can I say.
It’s just my honest experience.
5/5* (five stars ⭐️ with an asterisk *)
Adi Da is (correctly) revered for his radical clarity and intensity. And just as often criticized (also correctly) for his intensely authoritarian tone.
He’s very confrontational.
He’s real as fuck.
He a genius at this stuff.
It’s all part of his deal.
He’s irresistible (at lease to me… at least lately).
And YIKES! 😳
My experience with Adi Da’s writing couldn’t be more conflicted. On one hand. I find it so clear, and forceful, that I just can’t seem to get enough. I just want more. It shakes me to my core. And I adore.
On the other hand.
He’s SO dang imperious at times, that I almost can’t stand it. Clearly the authoritarian stance is an integral part of the radical potency of the writing. It really pushes the reader (me in this instance) into a crisis of sorts. In a good way (sometimes).
But at the end of the day.
When push comes to shove to shove.
I just can’t 100% drink that nectar.
I remain pool side.
Or hot tub side as it were (these talks were delivered in LA in the mid 1970’s. And the vibe endures).
Anyway.
I will continue to read and contemplate, and benefit from the unparalleled genius of Adi Da’s brilliant writing. Truth be told. I love and revere him.
But I will (in all likelihood) remain (somewhat) guarded (at least until I don’t).
What can I say.
It’s just my honest experience.
5/5* (five stars ⭐️ with an asterisk *)
February 11, 2021
Adi’s Da’s genius dharma. Seriously. This book contains some incredible description of spiritual phenomena. It can be incredibly elucidating at times. Very, very good. Genius dharma.
And yet, I am taking off 1 star with massive gravity.
I do this because I sense some subtle subterfuge, some subtle sleight of hand in this book. I think Da was capable of conveying some of these thing in other forms, and yet he chose not to. I have a feeling that Da may have liked being the supreme one, and liked having tons of devotees at his feet.
But the book is also interspersed with genius.
And yet, I am taking off 1 star with massive gravity.
I do this because I sense some subtle subterfuge, some subtle sleight of hand in this book. I think Da was capable of conveying some of these thing in other forms, and yet he chose not to. I have a feeling that Da may have liked being the supreme one, and liked having tons of devotees at his feet.
But the book is also interspersed with genius.
September 29, 2020
Even tho the author will go on to be controversial, this early work is probably the best book on the spiritual psychology ever written.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews