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United States Andrew Cohen was an American spiritual teacher, author, and musician who explored the intersection of consciousness and culture, developing the concept of "Evolutionary Enlightenment."
Andrew Cohen was the founder of EnlightenNext, an organization initially named the Impersonal Enlightenment Fellowship and Moksha Foundation, dedicated to facilitating spiritual awakening and pioneering the practices and principles of Evolutionary Enlightenment.
Andrew Cohen was an author for the Evolutionary Enlightenment blog on Patheos, contributing to discussions on his spiritual teachings about consciousness and spiritual awakening.
Andrew Cohen was an official author with Simon & Schuster, a major publisher for his books on spiritual teachings.
Andrew Cohen's teachings on Evolutionary Enlightenment were featured on Gaia, an online platform offering videos and content related to consciousness and spiritual growth.
In 2004, EnlightenNext magazine, founded by Andrew Cohen, partnered with The Graduate Institute to offer a master's program in Conscious Evolution. Cohen served as a core faculty member at this institute from 2004 to 2007.
Andrew Cohen co-formed the jazz-funk-fusion band Unfulfilled Desires in 2001, playing drums and releasing four CDs including 'Live at the Iron Horse' (2002), 'Enlightened Dog' (2004), 'Punk Funk' (2008), and 'Plugged' (2010).
Andrew Cohen founded *EnlightenNext* magazine (originally 'What Is Enlightenment?') in 1991, which was instrumental in establishing his presence as a contemporary spiritual figure until it ceased publication in 2011.
In 2020, Andrew Cohen launched Manifest Nirvana, an online meditation and teaching platform described as a 'Home for Sovereign Souls, Radical Spirits and Integral Pioneers,' focusing on Evolutionary Enlightenment.
Andrew Cohen contributed as a writer for The Huffington Post, sharing his insights on spiritual and consciousness-related topics.
Andrew Cohen was a contributor to Big Think, an online platform for ideas and insights from thought leaders.
Andrew Cohen wrote for The Speaking Tree, a spiritual and philosophical platform.
Andrew Cohen was born in New York City on October 23, 1955. His biographical accounts indicate a pivotal experience of cosmic consciousness at age 16. At 22, he pursued a full-time quest to re-access this spiritual state, supported by an inheritance. In 1986, he met H. W. L. Poonja, a teacher in the lineage of Ramana Maharshi, and experienced a significant shift, leading him to believe he “had always been free.” Later that year, Cohen began teaching and founded EnlightenNext, initially known as the Impersonal Enlightenment Fellowship and Moksha Foundation, attracting students from Christopher Titmuss’s circle.
After a few years, Cohen observed that the ecstatic experiences of his students were not leading to sustained transformation. He subsequently demanded greater commitment from his students, emphasizing complete ego-transcendence, a shift that led to a break with his teacher, Poonja. Following this, Cohen further developed his teachings into “Evolutionary Enlightenment,” focusing on an impersonal enlightenment that extended beyond individual awakening. In 1991, he launched *EnlightenNext* magazine, which contributed to his visibility as a contemporary spiritual figure. The magazine partnered with the Graduate Institute in Connecticut from 2004 to 2007, where Cohen served as a core faculty member in the Conscious Evolution master’s program. In 2001, he co-formed the jazz-funk-fusion band Unfulfilled Desires, performing in Europe and the United States and releasing four CDs.
Cohen announced a sabbatical in 2013, acknowledging the need for self-reflection regarding his teaching methods. He issued an apology letter to former students in 2015, expressing regret for elements of his approach. In 2016, he indicated an intention to resume formal teaching, and in 2020, he launched Manifest Nirvana, an online platform for his teachings. Andrew Cohen passed away on March 25, 2025, in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India, at the age of 69.
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