(Finding) New Gods

In the day-to-day grind of contemporary American living, there is no such thing as atheism. We all believe in something, whether those beliefs are rooted in religious or secular ideals.

That which we believe in determines that which we think about most - our personal objects of worship. Yet, the gods of coin, status, and achievement do not provide relief from our anxieties, the underlying sense that something is missing. 

When the lights are off and the room is quiet, the gods of consumerism do not provide the peace and belonging we crave.

For centuries, in every time and every culture, mystics have pursued a more non-dual, spiritual path to find balance, purpose, and a joy in living. These men and women have left detailed maps on how to transform the mind and body.

Based on academic research and empirical testing, your modern journey into non-duality will be about arriving at your own truths through your own investigation.

Your path will be about deep connections - to yourself, others, and to a source greater than yourself - enabling you to more effectively overcome anxieties, neuroticism and addiction, brought about by the sense of feeling stuck and disconnected.

The results are surprisingly predictable, strikingly similar, and feel oddly familiar (as though returning home). 

By connecting to that which is already within, you will experience the purpose and fulfillment you seek, and much more. You will find new gods, whatever that means to you. And the meaning should (and will) vary from person to person.  

We will do it together, with a sense of humor, and we will do it with love.

what people are saying

“Dr. Gruber combines his decades-long scholarly investigation into contemplative traditions with an embodied understanding of meditative practices to create a systematized approach that he seamlessly communicates to his students.

The new gods' program was one of the most healing, life-changing experiences I’ve ever undertaken... At its root, the program is about learning to approach the world from a place of compassion for others and for oneself.

This may sound simple, but to reach that understanding on a deep level, we must each undertake a singular journey—one through which Dr. Gruber guided us with wisdom and empathy... I came to realize that external solutions and salves (which are inherently temporary in nature) can’t provide me with anything like the depth of healing and empowerment that has resided quietly within me all along.”

Dr. McCormick Templeman, Author/Professor

“Dr. Gruber’s passion created an opportunity for me to process my thoughts and experiences so I could find that sense of peace again. After dealing with overwhelming anxiety for months, I no longer live in a state of constant fear and worry.

New gods gave me the tools to actively shape the way I experience the world which in turn made my reality so much more enjoyable.

The expertise and perspective Dr. Gruber brings is truly unique and cannot be replicated by any mindfulness app. Learning to understand, work with, and live in peace with the overly critical voice in our minds is difficult and sometimes scary. There’s no one who understands and offers support through this process like Dr. Gruber.”

Shannon McAvoy, Berkeley Law Student

“This course was an experience. It was telling in its very nature of even the way I interacted with the course, let alone the consciousness gained, content reviewed, experiences shared, and discussions we’ve had.

The level of awareness you can gain, the things to learn, and living life with more purpose is the essence of new gods.

It’s a community and place like no other where things are being talked about in a real, vulnerable, and piercing manner.”

Roc Beas, Commercial Real Estate

origin story of (finding) new gods

When I was eighteen, I took LSD and experienced (likely for the first time) a deep sense of connection - to myself, others, and a source greater than myself.

This feeling of connection brought a sense of peace and fulfillment that was previously lacking. I felt a part of something larger, something with purpose, and something that was radically interdependent. 

A lifetime of anxiety and self-criticism was temporarily released, seemingly overcome by an overwhelming and boundless field of love.

This began a lifelong quest to answer a single question: could this experience be achieved without substances?

In Tibetan Buddhism (and other non-dual traditions), I found empirical, systematic methods of achieving these results. 

As a professor, I translated Buddhist and non-dual thought and practice within the context of American culture, using the sciences, humanities, and popular culture to make these teachings and methods accessible. 

In 2020, I created (Finding) New Gods, a non-profit focused on bringing us, over and over, toward love - for ourselves, others, and the unfathomable field of energy we inhabit. 

The keystone program is "A Journey into Non-Duality," a forty-day program that delivers the emotional, spiritual, and psychological benefits of psychedelics (and beyond).

We are in the beginning stages of forming community, a place where we can share our experiences, hopes, and fears - a place where we can integrate our insights and support one another. 

- Joel Gruber, PhD 

about me


I spent several years in India and Nepal, studying philosophy, meditation, and Tibetan language at the monasteries of Namdroling and Pulbari, the Manjushree Institute, and the Tibetan Library of Works and Archives. 

In the United States, I earned my MA at the renowned Naropa University and my doctoral degree within the prestigious Religious Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).

 As a professor of Buddhism at the University of San Diego (USD), I won several awards for outstanding teaching. Currently, I  teach at the historic center of counter-culture spirituality, The Esalen Institute. 

I have authored dozens of articles published in journals, edited volumes, and popular forums. 

Drawing from my research, I designed (Finding) New Gods to create an accessible path of transformation, particularly inspired by the genius of an eighth-century Indian saint named Vimalamitra.

Rooted in Tibetan Vajrayana meditation, I help others get out of their head and into their body. Together, we open our hearts and unlock our inner healing capacity.

I am currently preparing a manuscript based on the seven practices of mystical (non-dual) traditions, which along with the seven principles - powerful antidotes for healing the body and overcoming the anxiety, depression, and addiction that so often defines modern living.



Manufacturing the Impossible: A Practice-Based Approach to Instigating the Mystical Experience (without Psychedelics)

Joel Gruber, PhD – Presentation at the Archive of the Impossible Conference Rice University, Houston, Texas · May 2023

frequently asked questions

  • What does the name “new gods” mean?

    Whether we like it or not, we worship the objects we think about most. Rather than recycling old religious themes, or continuing to focus on the gods of credit card, plastic, and neon, we help you create new modes of worship that suit your lifestyle and draw out your awakened awareness.

  • Is new gods religious?

    No. It is for people of all faiths (or none).

  • How is it possible to experience the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics without psychedelics?

    Entheogens (psychedelics) provide a more expansive view of reality by shattering your ordinary mental patterns produced by your brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN). Our programs provide innovative content, meditative exercises, and advanced mental imagery practices that bypass the DMN to produce extraordinary perception. There are two main methods. First, we use mental imagery to activate awakened awareness. Second, we use contemplative activities for integration.

  • Who is new gods for?

    We all could use a deeper connection to our mind-body, environment, and one another. The prototype was designed for college-age students suffering from depression, anxiety and addiction issues. The final product is for working professionals seeking purpose, meaningful connections, and a break from their professional identity, all of which reduce anxiety, depression, and addiction.

  • Where do the techniques I learn come from?

    Mainly Tibetan Buddhism and non-dual traditions, though they come from a wide range of academic and intellectual traditions.

  • Can I do these programs while working?

    These programs were designed to work with your busy schedule, wherever you live. They are offered online and teach you to cultivate awakened awareness in the midst of chaos. This approach facilitates lasting change (regardless of circumstance).

  • What is a typical day like?

    You wake up, login, and read innovative, research-based content focused on a theme. It is not enough to read, you engage with the content through structured writing. Next, you are introduced to a range of meditative practices to deepen your insights from reading. It is not enough to meditate, you enact those insights that day and document your process. In the evening, you activate your awakened awareness through mental imagery, which allows you to understand your mental/behavioral patterns in a new light, with love and compassion for yourself and others. Then you share these insights with others.

  • Can I do the program on my own?

    You do the work on your own, but you do it within a community. Each program takes place on a particular date, with a particular group, with group meetings, via zoom. The strength of our program is the people, and the secret ingredient is bodhicitta, or intelligent love and compassion. By showing up for one another, we transcend previous limitations and achieve the impossible, overcoming that which previously held us back.

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