Anthony Paul Moo-Young, widely known as Mooji, was born in Jamaica in 1954 and later moved to the United Kingdom as a child. His early years were shaped by a blend of Western urban experience and a Christian upbringing, and he worked in various creative fields, including as a street artist and painter in London. This background provided him with a unique vantage point from which to engage both the spiritual and everyday dimensions of life.

Mooji’s spiritual journey deepened in the 1980s, marked initially by a period of intense Christian practice and self-inquiry. However, a pivotal transformation occurred in 1993 when he traveled to India and met his guru, Sri Harilal Poonja—affectionately known as Papaji. Papaji, a direct disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi, introduced Mooji to the heart of Advaita Vedanta, the non-dual tradition that emphasizes the direct recognition of one’s true nature as pure awareness.

Under Papaji’s guidance, Mooji experienced a profound awakening, which Papaji himself acknowledged. This awakening was not merely a personal milestone but a turning point that set Mooji on the path of sharing his insights with others. Following Papaji’s passing in 1997, Mooji began to teach more formally, initially with small groups and eventually to a wide international audience.

Mooji’s teachings are rooted in the practice of self-inquiry, particularly through the question “Who am I?”, inviting seekers to look beyond personal identity and discover the ever-present awareness at the core of their being. His approach weaves together the essence of traditional Advaita Vedanta with an accessibility that resonates with contemporary seekers. Through satsangs and retreats, Mooji continues to point students toward the direct experience of their true nature, emphasizing the possibility of recognizing peace and joy as inherent qualities of the Self.