“The point is to wake up, not to earn a Ph.D. in waking up.”
― Jed McKenna
Who the hell is Jed McKenna?
No one really knows. He’s an author who writes under a pseudonym. There is still a lively debate about his true identity. Speculation aside, no one truly knows.
McKenna is known for writing books on nonduality and the so-called Spiritually Incorrect Guide to Enlightenment. His works include the Enlightenment Trilogy (Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing, Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment, Spiritual Warfare), the Dreamstate Trilogy, and the Jed Talks series.
McKenna, whoever he is, is a spiritual teacher who challenges conventional beliefs, emphasizing "truth-realization" over traditional spiritual practices. His writing style is direct, irreverent, and often laced with pop culture references, aiming to dismantle illusions about self and reality.
He’s an enigmatic writer who slices through much of the hogwash that passes for today’s “New Age” enlightenment.
Simply put, in the words of the mystery man himself, “Enlightenment is the unprogrammed state.”
Whether you agree with his surly and sometimes provoking assumptions or not, he’s a poignant writer well worth grappling with. Buy the Trilogy, rent a cabin in the woods for a weekend, and let his words work on your soul.
Below are a few profound passages throughout his works.