Draft:Neelam

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Neelam
Born
Katarzyna Latawiec

1963 (age 61–62)
Wrocław, Poland
OccupationSpiritual teacher
Known forNeo-Advaita and Nondualism


Neelam (pronounced "Nee-lam”; born Katarzyna Latawiec in 1963, Wrocław, Poland) is a spiritual teacher in the Neo-Advaita and nondual traditions. A direct disciple of H. W. L. Poonja (Papaji) in the lineage of Ramana Maharshi, she has been teaching internationally since 1995.[1][2][3]  

Biography

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Neelam was born in Wrocław, Poland, and later earned a master’s degree in fine arts.[1] In the 1980s, she worked as an actress in avant-garde theater in Poland before moving to Germany, where she studied Tai Chi for several years. She later moved to California and became interested in the teachings of Osho, Jiddu Krishnamurti, and Mother Mira.[1]  

In 1994 she met Gangaji, also a disciple of Papaji, which she described as a pivotal experience in her spiritual path. She subsequently traveled to Lucknow, India, where she met Papaji. With his blessing, she began offering satsang in 1995.[1]  

Since then, Neelam has lived in the United States while teaching and traveling in Europe, India, Canada, and the United States, offering satsangs, weekend retreats, and longer intensives. She is currently based in New Mexico, where she conducts online and in-person programs.[4]  

Teachings

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  Neelam’s teaching is rooted in the lineage of Ramana Maharshi through Papaji. She emphasizes the direct experience of Presence (True Nature) and the importance of meeting inner and outer experiences with acceptance. Her work incorporates awareness of the nervous system and trauma-informed self-inquiry, which she describes as a “missing link” for many spiritual seekers.[5]  

Books

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  • Awakening and the Elements Necessary for Awakening[6]  
  • Invitation to Awakening: Pointers to Your True Self[7]  

Anthologies

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  • Rita Marie Robinson, Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom: The Feminine Face of Awakening (2007).[8]  
  • Roslyn Moore, Meeting Papaji: First-Hand Accounts (1999).[9]  

Students and influence

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Several contemporary nondual teachers acknowledge Neelam as their teacher:  

  • Nirmala: His website states he met Neelam in India, where he experienced an awakening “with Neelam’s blessing,” and acknowledges her as one of his primary teachers.[10]  
  • Alaya: Her biography describes being “drawn to the feet of her beloved Neelam” and credits her realization in part to Neelam’s guidance.[11]  
  • Pamela Wilson: Her website lists Neelam’s events and includes an interview where she and Nirmala describe awakening experiences in Neelam’s presence.[12]  

Neelam has also been included in directories of contemporary teachers of nonduality, such as Hinduwebsite.com and the blog Spiritual Teachers of Non-Duality, alongside Adyashanti, Mooji, Gangaji, and Byron Katie.[13][14]  

Lineage

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Neelam belongs to the Neo-Advaita lineage of Sri Ramana Maharshi through his disciple Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja).[1]  

Selected interviews

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Talks

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Prembuddha (1998). “Satsang met Neelam,” Connection Magazine. Online Dutch version
  2. ^ Robinson, Rita Marie (2007). Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom: The Feminine Face of Awakening. O Books. ISBN 9781846940682.
  3. ^ Moore, Roslyn (1999). Meeting Papaji: First-Hand Accounts. Do Publishing. ISBN 9780964699915.
  4. ^ Neelam.org
  5. ^ Neelam.org
  6. ^ Neelam.org – Books
  7. ^ Neelam.org – Books
  8. ^ Robinson, Rita Marie (2007). Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom: The Feminine Face of Awakening. O Books. ISBN 9781846940682.
  9. ^ Moore, Roslyn (1999). Meeting Papaji: First-Hand Accounts. Do Publishing. ISBN 9780964699915.
  10. ^ Endless-Satsang.com – About Nirmala
  11. ^ AlayaSatsang.org – About Alaya
  12. ^ PamelaSatsang.com
  13. ^ Hinduwebsite.com – Advaita Vedanta Resources
  14. ^ Thomas (2010). “Spiritual Teachers of Non-Duality.” Mysticson Blog. Blog