Dr. Joshua David Stone (1953–2005), He was a prominent American spiritual teacher, author, and psychologist known for his work on ascension and spiritual psychology.
Dr. Stone (now Ascended Master Joshua Stone) held a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology and was a Licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor. He was an influential spiritual teacher and spokesperson for the “planetary ascension movement,” founding the Melchizedek Synthesis Light Academy & Ashram, which became the I AM University. He authored over 27 books on spiritual topics and hosted large annual Wesak Celebrations.
Master Joshua’s work is valued by his followers for its focus on an integrated and practical approach to spiritual development. Some of the main themes that he brought forth are the concepts of:
Integrated Ascension: He promoted “Integrated Ascension” and “Cosmic Ascension,” emphasizing the integration of all aspects of self for self- and God-realization.
Spiritual Psychology: He developed “Spiritual Psychology,” which applied a spiritual framework to psychological issues, using methods to address the “negative ego” and cultivate self-awareness.
While recognized within what became known as “the New Age community” rather than mainstream academia, his impact on integrated spiritual development is significant. Dr. Stone integrated psychology and spirituality by viewing spiritual growth through a psychological lens and psychological challenges through a spiritual one, culminating in what he termed “Spiritual Psychology”. His approach shifted the focus from traditional personality-level self-actualization to soul-level and monadic-level self-realization.
Key aspects of his integration included:
A Spiritual Approach to Psychology: Stone did not merely add a touch of spirituality to traditional psychology. Instead, his work provided a spiritual framework for all of life’s psychological issues. He argued that a person’s relationship with the self and the Divine fundamentally impacts all other relationships and life experiences.
Transcending the Negative Ego: A cornerstone of his “Soul Psychology” was the identification and “dismantling” of the “negative ego”. He described the negative ego as the root of all fear, negative emotions, self-centeredness, and separation from the Divine. The goal was to clear this negative energy and replace it with “Love-based/Spiritual/Christ/Buddha thinking and feeling” to achieve true healing and self-mastery.
Integrating the Soul: He taught that a profound change in one’s understanding of self occurs when the soul is integrated into daily living. This expanded the scope of well-being beyond mere personality adjustment to include a deeper connection with one’s soul and higher spiritual identity.
The Concept of “Integrated Ascension”: Stone coined the term “Integrated Ascension” to stress the importance of mastering and balancing the spiritual, psychological, and physical/earthly aspects of the self. He believed that true spiritual realization (ascension) required a holistic approach that addressed all parts of the human experience, not just the mystical ones.
Practical Tools and Exercises: He provided accessible and practical methods for his followers, including a six-step process for healing emotions, guidance on the 100 most common pitfalls on the spiritual path, and various meditations to help individuals apply these integrated principles in their daily lives.
Leveraging Transpersonal Psychology: Drawing on his background in transpersonal psychology, he incorporated elements from theorists like Carl Jung, Abraham Maslow, and Roberto Assagioli, who also acknowledged spiritual or transcendent human experiences within their psychological frameworks. Stone expanded upon these, arguing they were valuable “slivers of truth” but needed to be integrated into a more comprehensive, soul-focused system to reach higher levels of consciousness.
Planetary Ascension Movement: Dr. Joshua David Stone’s work was deeply connected to the planetary ascension movement, where he served as an “official” spokesperson and an influential teacher. His significance in this context is based on his role in popularizing and synthesizing complex spiritual ideas related to this concept, making the path of ascension more accessible and practical for a broader audience. The planetary ascension movement, rooted in Theosophy and the Ascended Master Teachings, posits that individuals can transcend the cycle of reincarnation and human limitations to become “Ascended Masters” who then guide humanity from higher realms.
Master Joshua Stone contributed to and shaped this movement quite significantly in the following ways:
Spokesperson and Popularizer: He was a widely recognized figure and spokesperson for the movement, using his extensive writings (over 27 books) and the I AM University (originally the Melchizedek Synthesis Light Academy & Ashram) to disseminate its core tenets.
Synthesizer of Information: Stone made difficult-to-read, esoteric texts (such as those by Alice Bailey) more accessible to the average reader. He compiled a vast “Easy-to-Read Encyclopedia of the Spiritual Path,” which became a key point of reference for New Age followers seeking to understand the ascension process.
Focus on Mass Ascension: His work addressed the idea that spiritual evolution was not just for a few select individuals but a potential path for many on Earth, contributing to a collective shift in consciousness on a planetary scale.
His work is significant within the New Age and consciousness communities because he introduced innovative concepts and methods to the ascension dialogue:
“Integrated Ascension”: This was perhaps his most significant original contribution. He stressed the importance of mastering and integrating all aspects of self—spiritual, psychological, and physical/earthly—for true self- and God-realization. This holistic view ensured that followers did not neglect their human responsibilities and psychological healing while pursuing spiritual goals.
“Cosmic Ascension”: Stone expanded the traditional ascension teachings to include “Cosmic Ascension,” a concept focused on achieving even higher states of consciousness and a broader understanding of one’s place in the universe.
Practical Application: Unlike some earlier, more abstract spiritual texts, Stone provided clear, practical tools, meditations, and steps to help individuals actively work toward ascension in their daily lives. This practical focus made the seemingly abstract goal of ascension feel achievable.
Global Events: By hosting large annual Wesak celebrations in Mount Shasta, California, for thousands of people, he created a physical focal point for the movement, fostering a sense of global community and shared purpose among those pursuing the path of ascension.
In essence, Dr. Stone’s work is significant because it provided a structured, practical, and holistic “user manual” for those engaging with the complex and often abstract ideas of the planetary ascension movement.
His relationship to Reverend Mahlariessee: Through his Melchizedek Synthesis Light Academy & Ashram he ordained Reverend Christine Mahlariessee (Hayden) in 2003 after she completed his extensive program of spiritual study. Due to her advanced intuitive perception and the caliber of scholarly understanding of his materials, he requested her to become the head of his planned future East Coast USA Ashram in the Philadelphia region.
Creating Ashrams across the United States and around the globe was an unrealized goal of Dr. Stone in his dream of planetary ascension becoming a reality. Rev. Christine Mahlariessee Hayden, along with her spouse, Reverend Michael Ara Hayden now carry forward his vision of planetary awakening so that all of humanity can realize the spiritual growth attainable through their own advancement in personal integrated ascension.
Rev. Mahlariessee’s expertise in Vibrational Ascension techniques significantly enhances the spiritual foundation of all his teachings, creating a direct experience in the higher energetic dynamic of the process of integrated ascension. Her 100% accurate and pure approach makes developing a personal relationship with the Ascended Masters and Spiritual Hierarchy very practical and accessible using her unique meditative journey methodology. This makes Ascension Mastery in the 21st Century even more accessible to anyone desiring to pursue planetary ascension in this lifetime.
Dr. Stone dedicated his life’s work to God Consciousness at the core of ascension practices because there are many practical results gained through proper application and use of Ascension Mastery teachings. Master Joshua was aware of the significant interpersonal changes an individual could attain.
Rev. Mahlariessee and Rev. Ara (of Walking Terra Christa) share his belief that it is through the personal attainment of planetary ascension that an individual accelerates beyond the mainstream best practices in personal growth and life coaching to create real permanent life changes toward the achievement of a greater sense of fulfillment, purpose, and overall well-being in their lives.
These benefits may include but are not limited to some of the following as a result of creating a deeper foundational God Consciousness connection to the Higher Self of who they are:
Enhanced Self-Awareness: Gaining a deeper understanding of one’s own strengths, weaknesses, values, beliefs, emotions, and motivations to make informed decisions and align actions with core values.
Skill Development: Acquiring and refining both “hard” (technical) and “soft” skills, such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, time management, and conflict resolution, to navigate life and career challenges more effectively.
Increased Confidence and Resilience: Building self-confidence and the ability to adapt to change and bounce back from setbacks, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than failures.
Improved Relationships: Fostering more meaningful and positive connections with others through better communication, empathy, and social skills.
Career Advancement: Developing the competencies and mindset needed to progress professionally, increase job satisfaction, and open up new opportunities.
Greater Clarity and Focus: Setting clear, relevant, and achievable (SMART) goals to provide a sense of direction and prioritize what truly matters in life.
Improved Health and Well-being: Taking care of mental, physical, and emotional health through positive habits (e.g., regular exercise, stress management techniques, adequate sleep) to support overall vitality and effectiveness.
Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Adopting the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work, which encourages continuous learning and perseverance.
Finding Purpose and Meaning: Moving from a state of stagnation to one of “flourishing” by engaging in activities that provide a profound sense of purpose and contribute to a meaningful existence.
Walking Terra Christa is dedicated to preserving and extending the core Ascension Mastery teachings created by Master Joshua through their uniquely powerful Vibratory Ascension classes, teachings and events. They are proud to honor Master Joshua for his ground breaking spiritual advancements and his ongoing contributions and personal relationship to their teachings.
Image of Dr. Stone as used on his book published by Light Technology Publishing.
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