Swami Abhayananda (1938– )

Born Stan Trout in Indiana, USA. Experienced a 'spiritual awakening' in 1966, and subsequently went on a retreat for five years, in the Santa Cruz mountains of California. In 1972 went to India and studied under Swami Muktananda for two years, after which he returned to the USA and lived and served in his ashrams there, taking on many responsibilities as a monk. In 1981 became disillusioned with Muktananda (discovering the latter had been abusing his position) and left the organization. Continued his studies, writing and teaching. Now lives in Florida.

See Abhayananda's website