Richard Smoley is an author and philosopher whose work delves into the mystical and esoteric traditions of Western civilization. Born in Connecticut in 1956, he pursued classical studies at Harvard and Oxford Universities, where his academic journey led him to explore Kabbalah. This early interest in esoteric teachings shaped his subsequent career, influencing his involvement with various spiritual groups and his editorial work.

Smoley has held significant editorial positions, including editor of Gnosis: A Journal of the Western Inner Traditions, where he covered diverse subjects like Gnosticism, Freemasonry, and the teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff. He also worked for Quest Books, the publishing arm of the Theosophical Society in America, and served as editor of their journal. His career has also involved guest editing for other publications and consulting for projects related to Emanuel Swedenborg.

His extensive writings explore a wide range of esoteric subjects. Smoley's books, such as "Hidden Wisdom," "Inner Christianity," and "Forbidden Faith," examine traditions like Gnosticism, the Kabbalah, and esoteric Christianity. He has also written on Nostradamus, consciousness, forgiveness, and biblical scholarship, often drawing connections between historical esoteric currents and contemporary thought. Smoley lectures internationally on these topics.

Born in 1956 in Waterbury, Connecticut, Richard Smoley received a rigorous classical education, earning a bachelor's degree magna cum laude in classics from Harvard University in 1978. He continued his studies at Oxford University, obtaining a second bachelor's degree in philosophy and classical literature in 1980, followed by an M.A. in 1985. During his time at Oxford, Smoley encountered a group studying Kabbalah, which had a significant impact on his intellectual trajectory. This exposure led him to initiate similar Kabbalah study groups in various U.S. cities, though he has since ceased working with such groups. His academic background in classics and philosophy provided a strong foundation for his later explorations into Western esoteric traditions.

Smoley's career in publishing began in San Francisco, where he worked for the agricultural publication California Farmer, eventually becoming its managing editor and broadening its scope to include topics like organic farming. Concurrently, he pursued spiritual investigations into Tibetan Buddhism, the teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff, and A Course in Miracles. A pivotal role in his career was his tenure as editor of Gnosis: A Journal of the Western Inner Traditions from 1990 to 1998. Under his leadership, the magazine explored subjects ranging from Gnosticism and Freemasonry to the spirituality of Russia and psychedelics, with Smoley's interest in Kabbalah notably influencing its content. Gnosis received an award for best spiritual coverage in 1998 before ceasing publication in 1999. He later held editorial positions at Leonardo, Anthroposophic Press (SteinerBooks), and Quest Books, where he also served as editor of their journal.

Richard Smoley's extensive writing career began during his undergraduate years, including editorial work for The Harvard Advocate. His published books delve deeply into Western mystical and esoteric traditions. Works like "Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner Traditions" (coauthored with Jay Kinney) offer broad surveys of subjects including Gnosticism, Kabbalah, and ritual magic. "Inner Christianity: A Guide to the Esoteric Tradition" addresses the lack of accessible introductions to Christian esotericism. Smoley has also examined the prophecies of Nostradamus in "The Essential Nostradamus" and explored the historical legacy of Gnosticism and related esoteric currents in "Forbidden Faith: The Gnostic Legacy from the Gospels to 'The Da Vinci Code'." His other notable works include "Conscious Love: Insights from Mystical Christianity," "The Dice Game of Shiva: How Consciousness Creates the Universe," "Supernatural: Writings on an Unknown History," "The Deal: A Guide to Radical and Complete Forgiveness," "How God Became God: What Scholars Are Really Saying about God and the Bible," "A Theology of Love: Reimagining Christianity through ‘A Course in Miracles’," "Introduction to the Occult," and "Seven Games of Life and How to Play."