I consider this modern western sage to be a chief predecessor of The Art of Multi-Dimensional LivingÒ . Although Brunton taught primarily in the tradition of Jnana Yoga, he was sensitive to the idea that each person's approach to God Realization needs to be individualized to suit his or her predominant strength of personality. In theory, he fully honored The Art of Multi-Dimensional LivingÒ even though, in practice, he lacked the technology to implement it.
One of Brunton's key objectives was to restore the dignity of philosophy by reconnecting its key principles with genuine spiritual experience, including his own. Quoting Brunton: Philosophy is not satisfied with a merely intellectual reflection of the truth, as in a mirror, but seeks a direct vision of the truth. He wanted to restore the word philosophy to its ancient dignity and I think he succeeded quite admirably -- at least for those who study his work deeply.
The organizing principles of his post-humously published Notebooks, the twenty-eight categories (28), are a highly original contribution to spiritual science, not as principles per se, since these 28 principles and their sequence of unfoldment are already well established in the ancient Vedas (see my home-study manual in spiritual science for an explanation as to how and where), but in their application to the spiritual life. For this achievement alone, Brunton stands out as one of the great spiritual teachers of the modern age.
His doctrine of mentalism is also a significant achievement, although one which may be easily misinterpreted and misunderstood upon a superficial reading of it.
In his later years Paul Brunton tended to send those seeking spiritual advice to his friend and disciple, Anthony Damiani. It was Damiani who established the Goldenrod Center for promoting the teachings of Paul Brunton and other key sages like Plotinus. He did this so successfully that his own lectures are now being published in book form by this same organization. A small community has also grown up around the Goldenrod Center made up of students of both Brunton and Damiani.
Damiani was quick to pick up on the idea that astrology is a useful tool in understanding The World Idea (see Brunton's Notebooks) and a natural extension of the doctrine of mentalism. He used astrological analysis to help his students gain insight into their personalities and their relation to the world. Unfortunately, any time a respected spiritual teacher dabbles in something like astrology, the students assume that his approach must be profound, worthwhile and essentially correct. This misapprehension carries on today with Damiani's students, and to a certain extent, retards significant breakthroughs in the development of higher states of consciousness. This is an old story I've seen played out time and time again in various spiritual organizations such as those created by Kriyananda and Yogananda. The quality of discrimination needed to cognize and recognize a true science of the stars has been lacking in both student and teacher alike.
The lesson we must learn is that Mystical Realization in no way guarantees expertise in any relative discipline of knowledge, including occult ones. This is a principle largely unrecognized by devoted disciples. Despite these flaws, students of Paul Brunton and Anthony Damiani are otherwise on solid ground, and are doing their part to promote the unique expressions of knowledge provided by these two sages.