Shepherd Hoodwin

The Michael Teachings are a body of spiritual doctrine that emerged in the early 1970s through channeled communications with an entity named 'Michael.' Initially communicated via a Ouija board in the San Francisco Bay Area, these teachings were first published in book form in 1979. The core philosophy centers on unconditional love (agape), emphasizing self-awareness, personality understanding, and communication skills to foster deeper connections. The system draws parallels with various psychological and philosophical schools of thought.

The teachings have since expanded significantly, with over 40 books published and translations into numerous languages, including Shepherd Hoodwin's works into Russian, Spanish, Indonesian, Dutch, and German. The movement has also established an international presence through websites and study groups. Academic scholars have researched and included the Michael Teachings in their work, noting its structured doctrines, distinct vocabulary, and its appeal to those seeking spiritual guidance outside of organized religion. The teachings are often described as a 'group soul' or collective consciousness.

The Michael Teachings originated in the early 1970s in the San Francisco Bay Area through channeled communications with an entity known as 'Michael.' These initial 'conversations' occurred via a Ouija board among members of a spiritual study group. The first published works, such as 'Messages from Michael,' appeared in 1979, authored by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. The teachings have since proliferated through numerous channels and locations, leading to a substantial body of literature. Sarah Chambers played a key role in hosting early study groups where the foundational information was revealed through sessions facilitated by Alice Hannah, who meticulously documented the communications. The core of these teachings, focused on personality and interpersonal understanding, was developed within these intimate gatherings before expanding outwards.

At the heart of the Michael Teachings is the concept of agape, or unconditional love, with a focus on teaching individuals how to cultivate love for themselves and others. This is achieved through methods that promote self-awareness, including personality understanding and enhanced communication skills. The system's principles resonate with concepts found in modern psychology and philosophy, with scholars noting familiarity for readers of figures like Carl Jung, Abraham Maslow, Erik Erikson, and Sigmund Freud. Elements of its teachings also echo those presented by George Gurdjieff, P.D. Ouspensky, and Rodney Collin in the 1920s, suggesting a lineage of esoteric thought.

The Michael Teachings have attracted the attention of academic researchers in fields such as parapsychology, religious studies, and anthropology. Scholars like Jon Klimo, Olav Hammer, Michael F. Brown, and Mary Meeker Alber have studied and written about the phenomenon. Klimo noted the significance of the 'Messages from Michael' series in popularizing channeling in the 1970s and 80s. Olav Hammer described the teachings as a well-structured doctrine with a unique vocabulary, explaining that believers view 'Michael' as a collective consciousness. Michael Brown's anthropological research explored channeling, and Nancy Piatkowski's review highlighted the teachings' appeal to educated individuals seeking spiritual fulfillment outside traditional religious structures. Mary Meeker Alber's doctoral research compared the Michael system to other self-development methodologies, noting its profound impact on participants' self-understanding.